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Ron Bouchard
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Ronald Rodgers Bouchard[1] (November 23, 1948 – December 10, 2015) was an American NASCAR driver who was the 1981 NASCAR Winston Cup Rookie of the Year. His brother Ken Bouchard was the 1988 NASCAR Winston Cup Rookie of the Year. His father-in-law, Ed Flemke, and brother-in-law, Ed Flemke Jr., were also NASCAR Modified racers.
Key Information
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Local driving career
[edit]Bouchard began racing career at Brookline Speedway as a substitute driver in 1963 by replacing the ill driver for his father's car. After high school, he began racing in his father's car, and he rapidly moved up the ranks to late models at Seekonk Speedway. He claimed five consecutive track championships from 1967 to 1971. He began racing at other local tracks in the Camaro, and he was noticed by Bob Johnson.
Johnson quickly put Bouchard in his modified car at the famous Stafford Speedway, and he won his first of his 35 career victories at Stafford in April 1972. He won the 1973 and 1979 track modified championships. Bouchard also drove for car owners Bob Judkins (No. 2x, grandfather of RFK Racing driver Ryan Preece) and also Len Boehler (No. 3), where he won numerous races at Stafford Speedway, Thompson Speedway, Seekonk Speedway, Waterford Speedbowl and Westboro Speedway. One of Bouchard's biggest modified victories came at Thompson Speedway driving Dick Armstrong's No. 1 in the Thompson 300 in 1980.
Bouchard was also a notable rival of fellow New Englander, Geoff Bodine, whom he beat several times for modified victories and vice versa. Bodine also beat Bouchard in the NASCAR race at Martinsville in 1984. In spite of their rivalry, however, Bodine recommended Bouchard when Hendrick Motorsports began their Busch Series program later in 1984, allowing Bouchard to drive one race for the team.
NASCAR career
[edit]
Bouchard began his NASCAR career in 1981 in the No. 47 Jim Stacy Buick for owner Jack Beebe (Race Hill Farm team). He captured the 1981 NASCAR Rookie of the Year title even though he only raced in 22 of 31 events. He posted twelve top-ten finishes in the 22 races, including his only career win, in the Talladega 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. Running third to Darrell Waltrip and Terry Labonte on the last lap, he swooped under both of them as they battled side by side out of the final turn. The three cars crossed the finish line nearly simultaneously, with Bouchard winning in a photo finish.[2] After the race, Waltrip, who had been watching Labonte and not seen Bouchard pass him, asked, "Where the hell did he come from?" Waltrip has stated in interviews over the race that part of the reason he lost was because he did not try to block Bouchard as he believed that Bouchard was a lap down.
Bouchard's victory is considered by many as the biggest upset in NASCAR history and the win essentially clinched the Cup Series rookie of the year award for Bouchard. In 1982, Bouchard finished a career-high eighth in the final points standing with fifteen top-ten finishes in thirty races. He ran full-time in 1983, 1984, and 1985. He finished between eleventh and sixteenth in the final points standing each of those years. Bouchard also came close to winning races at Martinsville in 1984 (finishing second to Geoff Bodine) and Rockingham in 1985 (where the roles of Talladega were reversed and he finished second to Waltrip).
In 1986, Bouchard changed to the No. 98 Valvoline Pontiac for owner Mike Curb (Curb Agajanian Performance Group). The team generally finished in the top-twenty when they completed a race, but they had nine DNFs (did not finish) in their seventeen events.
In 1987, Bouchard raced in the No. 1 Bull's Eye Barbecue Sauce Chevrolet for owner Hoss Ellington in five events. Their two finishes were eighth and twelfth.
Awards
[edit]In 1998, Bouchard was inducted into the New England Auto Racers Hall of Fame in its inaugural class.
In 2016, New England Auto Racers Hall of Fame began awarding the Ron Bouchard Award for lifetime service to motorsport in the area.[3]
After racing
[edit]After racing in Winston Cup, Bouchard returned home to Fitchburg, Massachusetts, opening Ron Bouchard's Auto Stores, which currently represents Honda, Acura, Stellantis, Kia, and Nissan.
Bouchard married Paula Flemke, daughter of New England Modified racer "Steady" Ed Flemke Sr. and sister to Ed Flemke Jr., in June 1983. The couple had five children—Eugene, Robert, Michelle, Tracey, and Chad. Chad once played golf on the PGA Tour Latinoamerica and Korn Ferry Tour after coming from the University of Tampa before settling into the dealership, currently serving as General Manager for Ron Bouchard Auto Stores.
In September 2015, Bouchard opened a museum at his Stellantis dealership celebrating his motorsport history, three months before his death to cancer on December 10, 2015.[4]
Motorsports career results
[edit]NASCAR
[edit](key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)
Winston Cup Series
[edit]Daytona 500
[edit]| Year | Team | Manufacturer | Start | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Race Hill Farm Team | Buick | 22 | 6 |
| 1983 | 23 | 26 | ||
| 1984 | 18 | 27 | ||
| 1985 | 15 | 38 | ||
| 1986 | Curb Racing | Pontiac | 14 | 6 |
| 1987 | Ellington Racing | Chevy | 17 | 32 |
Busch Series
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Ronald R. "Ron" Bouchard Obituary (2015) Sentinel & Enterprise".
- ^ Caraviello, David (October 17, 2013). "Ranking the top 10 moments at Talladega". NASCAR. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
- ^ Speed Sport: New England Auto Racers Hall of Fame 2016
- ^ Courchesne, Shawn (December 10, 2015). "New England Auto Racers Hall Of Fame Member Ron Bouchard Dies". RaceDay CT. Retrieved December 10, 2015.
- ^ "Ron Bouchard − 1981 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved December 10, 2015.
- ^ "Ron Bouchard − 1982 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved December 10, 2015.
- ^ "Ron Bouchard − 1983 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved December 10, 2015.
- ^ "Ron Bouchard − 1984 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved December 10, 2015.
- ^ "Ron Bouchard − 1985 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved December 10, 2015.
- ^ "Ron Bouchard − 1986 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved December 10, 2015.
- ^ "Ron Bouchard − 1987 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved December 10, 2015.
- ^ "Ron Bouchard − 1983 NASCAR Budweiser Late Model Sportsman Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved December 10, 2015.
- ^ "Ron Bouchard − 1984 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved December 10, 2015.
- ^ "Ron Bouchard − 1985 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved December 10, 2015.
- ^ "Ron Bouchard − 1986 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved December 10, 2015.
- ^ "Ron Bouchard − 1987 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved December 10, 2015.
External links
[edit]- Ron Bouchard's Auto Stores
- Ron Bouchard driver statistics at Racing-Reference
- Ron's Biography Deprecated link archived 2002-08-12 at archive.today
Ron Bouchard
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Early Life and Local Career
Entry into Racing
Ron Bouchard was born on November 23, 1948, in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, to Lorraine H. Bouchard and Robert H. Bouchard. His father owned the Red & White Moving Company and was actively involved in local racing, maintaining a race car that exposed young Ron to the sport from an early age; the family business provided opportunities for Ron to work weekends and hone mechanical skills relevant to motorsports.[1] Bouchard's entry into competitive racing occurred at age 14 in 1963, when he made a substitution debut at Brookline Speedway in southern New Hampshire, piloting his father's Late Model car in place of an ill driver. This impromptu start marked his first official race on the New England short-track circuit, a region known in the 1960s for its vibrant scene of asphalt ovals hosting diverse divisions such as Modifieds, Late Models, Midgets, Bombers, and Class A/B stock cars. Tracks like Seekonk Speedway in Massachusetts and Stafford Speedway in Connecticut exemplified this era's grassroots intensity, drawing regional talent to weekly events on semi-banked, quarter- to third-mile layouts that emphasized close-quarters wheel-to-wheel action.[7][8][9] In the mid-1960s, Bouchard progressed to Seekonk Speedway, where he built a strong foundation in short-track racing through consistent participation in Late Model and Modified divisions. This period solidified his technical proficiency and competitive edge in the Northeast's tight-knit racing community. During these initial phases of modified racing, Bouchard developed a notable rivalry with emerging talents like Geoffrey Bodine, frequently battling door-to-door at venues across the region, including Stafford, which honed his aggressive driving style amid the era's high-stakes local battles.[8][9][4]Key Achievements in Modified Racing
Ron Bouchard's prowess in modified racing was evident early in his career, where he established himself as a dominant force on New England short tracks. Transitioning from late models, he secured five track championships at Seekonk Speedway in 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, and 1978, showcasing his adaptability and consistency in the competitive Class A and modified divisions.[1] These successes highlighted his skill in high-stakes, weekly racing environments, where mechanical reliability and driver precision were paramount. At Stafford Speedway, Bouchard amassed 34 feature wins and claimed modified track championships in 1973 and 1979, driving for prominent team owners including Bob Johnson, Len Boehler, and Bob Judkins.[9] His victories there included multiple endurance events like 100- and 150-lap races, underscoring his endurance racing capabilities against regional rivals. These affiliations with established owners provided him access to competitive equipment, enabling sustained performance across seasons. A career-defining moment came in 1980 when Bouchard won the prestigious Thompson 300, a 300-lap endurance race at Thompson Speedway, piloting Dick Armstrong's No. 1 modified against top regional talent.[10] This triumph, one of his 37 wins at the track, affirmed his status as a marquee driver. Overall, Bouchard's modified career yielded an estimated 200 victories across New England venues such as Seekonk, Stafford, Thompson, and Westboro, where he also captured a 1975 championship.[2]NASCAR Career
Winston Cup Series
Ron Bouchard made his NASCAR Winston Cup Series debut in 1981 with the Race Hill Farm team owned by Jack Beebe, driving a Buick Regal in the No. 47 car.[11] His first start came at Bristol Motor Speedway, where he finished 24th, and he competed in 22 races that year, primarily in Buicks with one outing in a Pontiac.[11] The highlight was his only Cup Series victory at the Talladega 500 on August 2, 1981, where the rookie surprised veterans Darrell Waltrip and Terry Labonte with a last-lap pass to win by inches in a three-wide finish, marking the 13th different winner in as many Talladega 500 races at the time.[12] This performance contributed to Bouchard earning the 1981 Winston Cup Rookie of the Year honors.[13] In 1982, Bouchard achieved his career-best points finish of eighth in the standings, running a full 30-race schedule with the J.D. Stacy team under Beebe ownership, again primarily in a Buick Regal with some Oldsmobile appearances.[14] He recorded 15 top-10 finishes that season, including a sixth-place result in the Daytona 500 after starting 22nd.[15] Bouchard continued full-time competition from 1983 to 1985 with the Beebe team, driving Buick Regals and posting consistent results with 7 top-10s in 1983, 11 in 1984, and 12 in 1985.[16][17][18] These seasons highlighted his adaptability on superspeedways, though mechanical issues and smaller-team limitations occasionally hampered potential. Shifting to part-time schedules in 1986 and 1987, Bouchard drove for Mike Curb's Curb-Agajanian team in a No. 98 Pontiac in 1986, where he notched a sixth-place finish in the Daytona 500 starting from 14th, and for Hoss Ellington's team in a Chevrolet (with one Buick) in 1987.[19][20][21] His limited starts reflected broader challenges in securing stable funding for underdog operations, which affected equipment reliability and race participation.[22] Over his seven-year Cup career, Bouchard made 160 starts, achieved 60 top-10 finishes, and earned three pole positions—one each in 1981, 1982, and 1983—while competing across Buick, Pontiac, Chevrolet, and Oldsmobile models.[13]Busch Series
Ron Bouchard entered the NASCAR Busch Grand National Series in 1983, competing in select races while running a full-time schedule in the Winston Cup Series, ultimately accumulating 20 career starts over five seasons from 1983 to 1987.[13] During the 1980s, the Busch Series served as NASCAR's primary developmental tour, providing a platform for emerging talent to gain experience with stock car racing on intermediate and short tracks as a stepping stone to the premier Winston Cup division.[23] Bouchard's selective participation in the series, often on weekends that aligned with his Cup commitments, underscored his versatility as a driver capable of adapting to the shorter races and slightly modified equipment of the second-tier circuit.[13] Bouchard's most notable success came in 1984, when he secured two victories, the Dixie Cup 200 on April 14 and the Darlington 200 on September 1—driving Pontiacs, the first for DuBee Racing and the second for Randolph Hope Insurance, both under owner Jack Beebe.[24] These triumphs highlighted his prowess on the challenging "Lady in Black" oval, where he led a combined 96 laps across the wins and demonstrated strong qualifying form by capturing three poles that season.[24] His other Busch efforts included stints with Hendrick Motorsports (#15 Pontiac at Charlotte) and various smaller teams like Hope Insurance and Race Hill Farm, reflecting affiliations that sometimes paralleled his Cup team dynamics in terms of preparation and support.[25] Over his Busch career, Bouchard recorded eight top-10 finishes and four pole positions, with his best points standing of 31st achieved in 1984 after eight starts and $35,360 in earnings that year alone.[13] Despite the limited schedule, his results affirmed his status as a competitive Cup veteran contributing to the series' growth, even as he prioritized the higher-profile premier division.[13]Awards and Recognition
NASCAR Rookie of the Year
In 1981, the NASCAR Winston Cup Series Rookie of the Year award recognized the top-performing first-year driver based on overall season results, including points standings, wins, and consistency, as part of a program established in 1954 to highlight emerging talent at the series' year-end banquet.[26] By the early 1980s, the award had become a key milestone for newcomers transitioning from regional racing, with recipients often celebrated for demonstrating potential against established veterans in a highly competitive field.[26] Ron Bouchard secured the 1981 Rookie of the Year honors by outperforming a strong rookie class that included Tim Richmond, Morgan Shepherd, and Mike Alexander, finishing 21st in the final points standings with 2,594 points across 22 starts.[27][28] His selection was determined by NASCAR officials evaluating cumulative performance metrics, where Bouchard's blend of a victory and reliable results edged out competitors who had fewer top finishes despite similar exposure.[27] A pivotal factor in Bouchard's award was his stunning victory in the Talladega 500 on August 2, 1981, achieved in just his 11th career start with a dramatic last-lap pass on veterans Darrell Waltrip and Terry Labonte, marking one of the biggest upsets in superspeedway history.[27] Complementing this win, he recorded five top-five finishes and 12 top-10 results in his debut season, showcasing consistency that propelled him to the accolade despite limited races compared to full-season entrants.[5] The award was presented to Bouchard at NASCAR's inaugural Winston Cup banquet held at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City, an event that elevated the sport's profile by shifting from Southern venues to a metropolitan spotlight.[29] This recognition immediately boosted his career visibility, attracting sponsorship interest and media attention for the Massachusetts native as a promising talent from the modified racing circuit.[2]Hall of Fame and Other Honors
In 1998, Ron Bouchard was inducted into the New England Auto Racers Hall of Fame as part of its inaugural class, recognizing his extensive contributions to regional modified racing, including multiple track championships and over 200 career victories across New England circuits.[2] The induction ceremony, held on February 1, 1998, highlighted his journey from a teenage debut at Brookline Speedway in 1963 to becoming a prominent figure in the sport's local scene.[30] In 2016, the New England Auto Racers Hall of Fame established the Ron Bouchard Memorial Award in his honor, presented annually to individuals whose lifetime contributions have made a lasting positive impact on auto racing in New England.[31] Initiated by Bouchard's family, including his wife Paula, the award underscores his dedication to the sport beyond the track, with recipients such as Ken Squier in its inaugural year and subsequent honorees like Johnny Morgillo and Ricky Raducha.[2] Bouchard received additional posthumous recognition through his inclusion in Stafford Motor Speedway's list of the 50 Greatest Modified Drivers of All Time, compiled in 1998 as part of NASCAR's 50th anniversary celebration and reaffirmed in subsequent track retrospectives.[9] Local tributes further cemented his legacy, including a 2019 throwback paint scheme on Ryan Preece's NASCAR Cup Series car at Darlington Raceway, which replicated Bouchard's 1981 No. 47 entry to celebrate his regional roots and national achievements.[32] These honors collectively preserve Bouchard's enduring influence on New England racing history, emphasizing his role as a bridge between local modified circuits and NASCAR's national stage while inspiring ongoing community involvement in the sport.[2]Post-Racing Life
Business Ventures and Family
In 1986, while still competing in racing on a part-time basis, Ron Bouchard founded The Honda Store in his hometown of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, marking his entry into the automotive retail industry. He retired from full-time racing the following year to focus on the business.[33] This venture, later rebranded as Ron Bouchard Auto Stores, began as a single dealership focused on Honda vehicles and quickly expanded into a family-owned enterprise representing multiple brands, including Acura, Stellantis (encompassing Chrysler and Dodge), Kia, and Nissan.[1] By emphasizing customer service and leveraging his racing-honed interpersonal skills, Bouchard grew the business to include locations in Fitchburg, Lancaster, and Auburn, Massachusetts, creating jobs and contributing to local economic development in central New England.[1][34] Bouchard's racing background played a key role in the dealerships' success, as his reputation as the 1981 NASCAR Winston Cup Rookie of the Year and a Talladega winner helped build customer trust and visibility in the competitive auto sales market.[34] The business remained deeply integrated with his personal values, balancing entrepreneurial demands with family priorities through collaborative operations.[33] In his personal life, Bouchard married Paula Flemke, daughter of New England racer Steady Eddie Flemke Sr., in June 1983, and together they raised five children: sons Eugene, Robert, and Chad, and daughters Michelle and Tracey.[2] The couple's partnership extended to the auto stores, where they co-founded and managed the enterprise as a family affair.[33] Their son Chad Bouchard later took on a leadership role as Chief Operating Officer and General Manager, ensuring the continuation of the family legacy in the business.[33] This familial involvement underscored Bouchard's approach to blending professional success with a supportive home life, rooted in the close-knit dynamics of his racing community origins.[1]Death and Legacy
Bouchard was diagnosed with cancer in the months leading up to his death and passed away on December 10, 2015, at the age of 67 while receiving treatment at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.[35][34][36] He had been battling the illness for an extended period, surrounded by family at the time of his passing.[37] In the final months of his life, Bouchard oversaw the opening of the RB Racing Museum in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, on September 26-27, 2015, alongside his wife Paula; the facility houses a comprehensive collection of his racing artifacts, including championship-winning cars, trophies, and memorabilia from his decades-long career.[38][39][40] This project served as a capstone to his efforts to preserve motorsports history in New England, with the museum continuing to operate as a tribute to his achievements.[41] Following his death, NASCAR released an official statement honoring Bouchard as the 1981 Winston Cup Series Rookie of the Year and winner of that year's Talladega 500, expressing condolences to his family and the racing community.[27] Local mourning was profound across New England, with racing organizations, fans, and media outlets in Massachusetts and surrounding states sharing remembrances of his contributions to the sport.[42][43] Posthumous tributes extended into literature, notably the children's book From Impossible by James P. Desrosiers, published in 2016 and based on the author's real-life admiration for Bouchard as a childhood hero; the book, which features Bouchard's iconic No. 47 car, was highlighted in a 2025 exhibit honoring his influence.[44][45][46] Bouchard's legacy endures as a pivotal figure in New England motorsports, celebrated for elevating regional short-track talent to national prominence and inspiring subsequent generations of drivers, mechanics, and business owners in the industry.[36][38][47] The ongoing operation of the RB Racing Museum, maintained by his family, ensures that his story of perseverance—from local modified racing to NASCAR victory—remains accessible to enthusiasts and newcomers alike.[35]Motorsports Results
Winston Cup Series Statistics
Ron Bouchard competed in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series from 1981 to 1987, accumulating 160 starts, 1 win, 19 top-5 finishes, 60 top-10 finishes, and 3 poles, with his best championship finish of 8th place in 1982.[13] The following table provides a year-by-year breakdown of his Winston Cup Series performance, including starts, wins, top-5 finishes, top-10 finishes, poles, average start position, average finish position, and final points position. Bouchard primarily drove the No. 47 Buick for owner Jack Beebe during his full-time seasons from 1981 to 1985, before transitioning to part-time efforts with various teams and makes such as Pontiac and Chevrolet in 1986 and 1987.[13]| Year | Starts | Wins | Top 5s | Top 10s | Poles | Avg. Start | Avg. Finish | Points Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 22 | 1 | 5 | 12 | 1 | 14.5 | 14.6 | 21st |
| 1982 | 30 | 0 | 3 | 15 | 1 | 15.4 | 15.7 | 8th |
| 1983 | 28 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 12.9 | 17.9 | 16th |
| 1984 | 30 | 0 | 5 | 11 | 0 | 12.6 | 15.4 | 11th |
| 1985 | 28 | 0 | 5 | 12 | 0 | 13.9 | 16.6 | 13th |
| 1986 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 23.1 | 24.1 | 31st |
| 1987 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 23.6 | 25.2 | 48th |
Busch Series Statistics
Ron Bouchard competed in the NASCAR Busch Grand National Series (now Xfinity Series) on a part-time basis from 1983 to 1987, accumulating 20 starts, 2 wins, 8 top-5 finishes, 8 top-10 finishes, and 4 pole positions, with an average starting position of 13.0 and an average finishing position of 18.0.[13] His best points finish was 31st in 1984, during which he secured both of his victories.[48] Over his Busch career, Bouchard led 323 laps across various teams, including DuBee Racing, Hendrick Motorsports, and Randolph Hope Insurance.[25] The following table summarizes Bouchard's seasonal performance in the Busch Series:| Year | Starts | Wins | Top 5s | Top 10s | Poles | Avg. Finish | Points Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4.0 | 61st |
| 1984 | 8 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 10.6 | 31st |
| 1985 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 25.7 | 42nd |
| 1986 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4.0 | 98th |
| 1987 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 41.0 | 67th |