Jack Bowsher

Jack Bowsher (October 2, 1930 - April 8, 2006) was a NASCAR driver from Springfield, Ohio He competed in four NASCAR Winston Cup Series events in his career, and three ARCA Championships. He is also the father of 2-time ARCA Champion Bobby Bowsher.

Bowsher's debut came in 1966, when he competed at Charlotte. Starting 25th in the field of forty-four, Bowsher was in route to a top-ten finish until a very late engine issue left him 11th. He also ran well at Rockingham, finishing 15th despite more engine issues.

Bowsher's final two races came during the 1967 season, when the driver again competed at Charlotte and Rockingham. Starting 20th in the field of forty-four, Bowsher crashed out of the race at the mid-race point and finished 26th. He looked poised to do far better at Rockingham, starting 2nd and leading eleven laps before crashing to a disappointing 42nd.

Early life
Jack Edward Bowsher was born on October 2, 1930 in Harmony, Ohio. He graduated from Plattsburg High School in 1948 and served a year in the Navy in 1949.

Career
Bowsher began his racing career in 1949 after attending his first race. In 1953 Jack joined the newly sanctioned ARCA Series. In 1963 Jack accumulated 16 wins on his way to win his first ARCA Title. Bowsher went on to win the championship the next two years. In 1971 Bowsher competed in the USAC Stock Car Series finishing 2nd in the series standings. He accumulated 21 wins in the series. As an owner Bowsher won five ARCA titles (three while driving for himself and two with his son Bobby driving). He also won a USAC Title in 1968 with A. J. Foyt driving. Bowsher and Foyt were among the first drivers to test stock cars at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the late 1960s. Bowsher's Ford won the 1976 24 Hours of Daytona in the stock car class.

Bowsher was the first person to build a down-tube open-wheel modified race car. This became a standard in modern open wheel racing. In 1988 Bowsher returned to the ARCA series as an owner for his son Bobby. The father son duo produced 17 victories on the way to two national titles.

In 1989, a month shy of his 59th birthday, Bowsher, who had not driven in a decade, reluctantly stepped out of retirement subbing for defending ARCA champion Tracy Leslie on the Springfield Mile Dirt Oval where he won the pole and finished 10th in the race on the lead lap. His other son Todd is currently prevalent in the ARCA Series.

Death
On April 8, 2006 Bowsher died. He is survived by wife Julie Bowsher, and sons Jack Bowsher, Jr., Gary Bowsher, Jim Bowsher, Bobby Bowsher, Todd Bowsher and daughter Jodie Bowsher.