Ken Bouchard
Encyclopedia
Ken Bouchard is an American former NASCAR
driver. His brother Ron Bouchard
was the 1981 NASCAR Winston Cup Rookie of the Year and one time Winston Cup race winner.
, he was a successful modified racer in the Northeast
. He won eleven NASCAR
modified races in one season. He was voted one of NASCAR Modified’s 50
Greatest Drivers of All-Time. He then ran a part-time Busch Series
schedule.
Ken has one daughter, Olivia. Olivia is a phenomenal athlete who plays college lacrosse for Bentley University in Walthm, MA. He has driven for legendary car owners such as Buddy Koszela #15, and Len Bohler #3.Bouchard had much success driving the Tolman Construction #55 in which he won several races and championships.
, finishing 32nd after suffering oil pressure problems. The next year, he raced full time in Winston Cup in an unsponsored car owned by Bob Whitcomb. Despite this, he finished 8th at North Carolina Speedway
and defeated promising rivals Ernie Irvan
and Brad Noffsinger to become the 1988 NASCAR Rookie of the Year
. In 1989, however, he was released from his ride after just four races. He returned in 1993, running three races for Thee Dixon in his #85 Safety-Kleen
/Burger King
Ford
. He ran his last Winston Cup race in 1994 at the Hooters 500, where his #67 Ford
expired after 280 laps because of valve trouble, finishing 29th. Since then, Bouchard has competed in 5 Craftsman Truck Series
races. He also attempted several Winston Cup events, but failed to qualify for each of them, the last of which was the 1999 Pepsi 400, in the #84 Chevy sponsored by Island Oasis.
at Thompson International Speedway
. He finished 13th in the "Icebreaker 2006" NASCAR
Whelen Modified Tour
event at the track.
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
driver. His brother Ron Bouchard
Ron Bouchard
Ron Bouchard is a former 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.-Local driving career:...
was the 1981 NASCAR Winston Cup Rookie of the Year and one time Winston Cup race winner.
Modified career
Before he came to NASCARNASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
, he was a successful modified racer in the Northeast
Northeastern United States
The Northeastern United States is a region of the United States as defined by the United States Census Bureau.-Composition:The region comprises nine states: the New England states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont; and the Mid-Atlantic states of New...
. He won eleven NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
modified races in one season. He was voted one of NASCAR Modified’s 50
Greatest Drivers of All-Time. He then ran a part-time Busch Series
Busch Series
The NASCAR Nationwide Series is a stock car racing series owned and operated by the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing. It is promoted as NASCAR's "minor league" circuit, and is a proving ground for drivers who wish to step up to the organization's "big leagues"; the Sprint Cup circuit...
schedule.
Ken has one daughter, Olivia. Olivia is a phenomenal athlete who plays college lacrosse for Bentley University in Walthm, MA. He has driven for legendary car owners such as Buddy Koszela #15, and Len Bohler #3.Bouchard had much success driving the Tolman Construction #55 in which he won several races and championships.
Winston Cup career
He made his Winston Cup (now Sprint Cup) debut in 1987 at the Miller American 400 at MichiganMichigan International Speedway
Michigan International Speedway is a two-mile moderate-banked D-shaped superspeedway located off U.S. Highway 12 on more than in Brooklyn, in the scenic Irish Hills area of southeastern Michigan. The track is used primarily for NASCAR events. It is sometimes known as a "sister track" to Texas...
, finishing 32nd after suffering oil pressure problems. The next year, he raced full time in Winston Cup in an unsponsored car owned by Bob Whitcomb. Despite this, he finished 8th at North Carolina Speedway
North Carolina Speedway
Rockingham Speedway, formerly North Carolina Motor Speedway and later North Carolina Speedway is a racetrack located near Rockingham, North Carolina...
and defeated promising rivals Ernie Irvan
Ernie Irvan
Virgil Earnest Irvan, more commonly known as Ernie Irvan is a former race driver in NASCAR. He is best remembered for his comeback after a serious head injury at Michigan International Speedway which earned him numerous awards and respect from his fellow drivers...
and Brad Noffsinger to become the 1988 NASCAR Rookie of the Year
NASCAR Rookie of the Year
The NASCAR Rookie of the Year Award is presented to the first-year driver that has the best season in a NASCAR season. Each of NASCAR's national and regional touring series selects a RotY winner each year....
. In 1989, however, he was released from his ride after just four races. He returned in 1993, running three races for Thee Dixon in his #85 Safety-Kleen
Safety-Kleen
Safety-Kleen Systems, Inc. is a privately held company that provides services such as collecting and recycling oil, providing industrial cleaning, and handling industrial waste...
/Burger King
Burger King
Burger King, often abbreviated as BK, is a global chain of hamburger fast food restaurants headquartered in unincorporated Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The company began in 1953 as Insta-Burger King, a Jacksonville, Florida-based restaurant chain...
Ford
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
. He ran his last Winston Cup race in 1994 at the Hooters 500, where his #67 Ford
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
expired after 280 laps because of valve trouble, finishing 29th. Since then, Bouchard has competed in 5 Craftsman Truck Series
Craftsman Truck Series
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series is a pickup truck racing series owned and operated by the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing...
races. He also attempted several Winston Cup events, but failed to qualify for each of them, the last of which was the 1999 Pepsi 400, in the #84 Chevy sponsored by Island Oasis.
Driving instructor career
Bouchard now operates the Drive to Victory Lane Racing SchoolDrive to Victory Lane Racing School
Drive to Victory Lane Racing School is a racing school in Thompson, Connecticut operated by 1988 NASCAR Winston Cup Rookie of the Year Ken Bouchard. The school uses actual NASCAR modified cars, featuring 358 cubic-inch engines, four-barrel carburetors and four-speed manual transmissions...
at Thompson International Speedway
Thompson International Speedway
Thompson International Speedway in Thompson, Connecticut, USA, is a paved oval racetrack that was once known as the Indianapolis of the East. It was the first asphalt-paved racing oval track in the United States and is now under the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series banner...
. He finished 13th in the "Icebreaker 2006" NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
Whelen Modified Tour
Whelen Modified Tour
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour is a stock car racing series owned and operated by NASCAR in the Modified division. The Modified division is NASCAR's oldest division, and its one of two open-wheeled divisions...
event at the track.