Former NASCAR car owner, Richard “Dick” Bahre, 76, passed away on Saturday in Statesville, N.C. Bahre was the brother of New Hampshire Motor Speedway founder, Bob Bahre, and the uncle of former track president, Gary Bahre. Dick helped build the speedway with Bob and Gary in 1989. “Dick Bahre was an integral part of the speedway’s history,” said Jerry Gappens, executive vice president and general manager of New Hampshire Motor Speedway. “He worked side-by-side with Bob and Gary to build a first class facility for race fans to enjoy. As a car owner, Dick gave many drivers the opportunity to compete in NASCAR’s elite divisions. This is a tremendous loss for the Bahre family, the speedway, and the entire motorsports community.” Bahre was involved in auto racing for over 50 years starting with the midget racing circuit in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s with Bob. Dick and Chuck Rider formed Bahari Racing with young Waltrip behind the wheel in the mid-1980’s. The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday [9/29] at Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home, 705 Davie Avenue, in Statesville, N.C. A second receiving for friends will be held at Oxford Hills Funeral Services, 1037 Main Street, Oxford, Maine on Wednesday. A funeral mass will be held on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Catherine of Sienna Church, 32 Paris Street, Norway, Maine. The family has requested that memorial contributions be made to the Victory Junction Gang Camp, 4500 Adam’s Way, Randleman, N.C. 27317; to Hospice and Palliative Care of Iredell County, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, N.C. 28625, or to the American Cancer Society, 6000 Fairview Road, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28210.(9-28-2008)
