Former NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Ron Bouchard passed away Thursday at the age of 67. The Fitchburg, Massachusetts, native competed in a total of 160 Sprint Cup Series races from 1981 until 1987, scoring a win in just his 11th start.
That victory came in the 1981 Talladega 500, when he shocked the racing world by passing Darrell Waltrip and Terry Labonte for the win coming through the tri-oval on the final lap of the race.
That season, Bouchard earned the Rookie of the Year Award over Tim Richmond.
Bouchard finished his career with one win, 19 top fives and 60 top 10s in NASCAR’s top series, which today is known as Sprint Cup. Bouchard also scored two wins, along with eight top fives, eight top 10s and four poles over five years in what is now the NASCAR XFINITY Series.
NASCAR issued the following statement on Bouchard’s passing.
“Ron Bouchard’s passion for racing was evident from his very early years in NASCAR. Competition fueled Ron, whether racing modifieds at short tracks across the Northeast or winning rookie of the year honors in NASCAR’s premier series,” the statement read. “He loved this sport, and made an indelible mark on it, one that won’t soon be forgotten.
“NASCAR extends its condolences to the friends and family of Ron Bouchard, a true racer.”
NASCAR Hall of Famer Darrell Waltrip and Dale Earnhardt Jr. also weighed in on the loss of Bouchard.
