Richard Bahre dies

Richard Bahre, a former NASCAR team owner and track operator, died Saturday morning.

Bahre, 76, the brother of former New Hampshire International Speedway owner Bob Bahre, was recently inducted into the Maine Motorsports Hall of Fame.

Dick Bahre was the general manager of Oxford Plains Speedway In Maine for more than 20 years. He entered the NASCAR Cup series and Late Model Sportsman division as a car owner in 1981, running the car for a handful of races annually through 1993. Sterling Marlin, Geoffrey Bodine, Morgan Shepherd and Michael Waltrip drove his cars.

He also helped his brother build the New Hampshire track 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."

The family has requested that memorial contributions be made to the Victory Junction Gang Camp, 4500 Adam's Way, Randleman, N.C. 27317; or 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.