June 4, 1959: Boyertown Celebrates Race Car Driver Johnny Thomson Day with Parade and Award

By Margaret Leidy Harner from her book One Day at a Time: A Social History of Boyertown, PA.

June 4, 1959: Today is Johnny Thomson Day in Boyertown in recognition of his “accomplishments and the honors he brought to Boyertown” in placing third in the annual 500-mile auto race in Indianapolis this year; having won the pole position in that race with a 146 mph run. He is one of the “greats in the auto racing business.” It was his second time in seven showings that he finished in the top ten in the vaunted Indianapolis 500.

Beginning with a parade up Philadelphia Avenue led by the Boyertown Area High School Marching Band, Thomson greeted his fans from a convertible provided by Spence Ford. The procession ended at the Boyertown Inn, where Thomson was presented the borough’s “Outstanding Citizen award by Burgess James Fritz.

Thomson’s average speed in that race on Memorial Day was 135 mph. An auto racer for more than 20 years, he has competed in most major events all over the country. Thomson and his family have been living in the area for the past three years.

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