Ron Bouchard Passes December 11, 2015

Ron Bouchard, a charter member of the New England Auto Racers Hall of Fame, died Thursday, December 10, 2015. The Massachusetts native, who became a very successful automobile dealer following his racing career, was 67. 

He had been a New England Antique Racers friend and benefactor for many years.

A racer since his mid teens, the personable Bouchard posted an extraordinary record in the Modifieds, capturing an estimated 200-plus checkered flags and several championships driving for the likes of Bob Johnson and Bob Judkins. He actually burst on the NASCAR scene after several dominating seasons at Seekonk Speedway.

The jewel in the crown came with a win at Talladega on August 2, 1981. It remains one of the highlights of New England racing history.  The car had a New England owner (Jack Beebe) and a New England crew chief (Bob Johnson). Bouchard was the 1981 NASCAR Rookie of the Year.

Jack Arute, talking to RaceDayCT’s Shawn Courchesne, said Bouchard, who made 160 Cup starts, is the first Northerner who was totally accepted by the Southerners. He always belonged to New England and he always will, clearly one of the region’s all-time premier competitors.

He was sensational at Stafford Speedway (running the outside) where he won 34 features and two championships (’73, ’79) and at Thompson, 37 wins (including the 1980 Thompson 300) and the 1978 championship. He won at a plethora of tracks including Pocono and New Smyrna where he captured the 1978 championship.

Long-time New England observer Bruce Cohen says Bouchard would have made a perfect politician.”It is a compliment,” Cohen says. “Ronnie knew how to work the room. He understood the position he had in the sport and he made an effort to acknowledge everybody. He didn’t want to send people home disappointed.”

Brandon Funeral Home, 305 Wanoosnoc Rd., Fitchburg, MA, is directing arrangements which are incomplete at this time.

Ed Flemke posted the following information:

The Wake will be , Monday , 5:00-9:00 at the Brandon Funeral Home 305 Wanoosnoc Rd. Fitchburg , MA. 01420. Funeral will be at , St. Joseph's Church 49 Woodlands St. Fitchburg , MA. 01420