Mario Fiore and Ron Bouchard to be honored on August 10 at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

(THOMPSON, CT) - The passing of Ron Bouchard and Mario Fiore earlier this year were sad losses for the short track racing community. On Wednesday, August 10, Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park will pay tribute to both drivers on behalf of the modified racing community as the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour returns to the 5/8 mile oval for the Budweiser ‘King of Beers’ 150.

Mario Fiore had a long and successful career as a NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour team owner and inductee of the New England Racing Hall of Fame. His no. 44 modified teams saw great success in the 1970’s, 80’s and 90’s. It was not until 2000 however, that he claimed his first and only NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship with driver Jerry Marquis. The championship that season wasn’t decided until the final race at Thompson Speedway, the Sunoco World Series of Speedway Racing. It was there that they managed to get the points lead they needed to clinch the championship over their closest competitor, and former driver of the no. 44 car, Reggie Ruggiero. One of Fiore’s family members will be invited to participate as an honorary Grand Marshall to kick off the Budweiser ‘King of Beers’ 150-lap feature.

Ron Bouchard is another name that will be remembered for years to come at Thompson Speedway. Bouchard was the 1978 Modified champion at Thompson and also claimed a total of 37 wins at the historic oval, more than at any other track he raced. Award-winning author, Bones Bourcier and publisher, Coastal 181, have teamed together to release a book about Bouchard’s accomplished career, which will be launched at a book-signing event at the Budweiser “King of Beers 150” on August 10. Many of the great names that raced with Bouchard will be present at the driver autograph and book signing, including Ed Flemke Jr., Ken Bouchard, George Summers and Bugs Stevens.

The Budweiser ‘King of Beers’ 150 will take place on Wednesday, August 10, and will feature the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, NEMA, and Thompson’s four NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions. General admission tickets are available for $44, veterans, seniors, and active military are $42, and kids 12 and under are free. For more information visit www.thompsonspeedway.com.