As a modified car owner, Dick Armstrong competed at just about every track in New England. He was a past president of NEDOC, the New England Drivers and Owners Club. Competing with the familiar #1, Dick is credited (or blamed) for bringing big money sponsorship into modified racing.
Armstrong won the track championship at the Norwood Arena in 1969. He was a three time track champion at Stafford, where cars that he owned took down championships in 1975, ’76, and ’78. He also won Yankee All Star League Championships in 1976 and ’78.
Dick’s most productive year as a modified owner came in 1978, when he teamed with driver Geoff Bodine for a record-breaking 55 wins, in a season that helped propel Bodine into his successful Winston Cup career.
As a car owner, Armstrong helped to organize owners and drivers to give them more of a voice with promoters and sanctioning bodies. Dick pitched one of his ideas to NASCAR, convincing them that the modified should have their own touring series.
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