Toledo Speedway

Bobby Watson, who twice was the ARCA Menards Series championship points runnerup in a driving career spanning from 1959 to 1979, died June 2, 2023 at the age of 87.

Racing out of his native Prestonburg, Kentucky, Watson drove to 20 career victories, 12th on the all-time ARCA Menards Series list, tied with his contemporary and fellow Kentuckian Andy Hampton. Watson, who drove for H.B. and Harry Ranier for much of his ARCA career, was championship runnerup to Benny Parsons in 1969 and to Ron Hutcherson in 1972, finishing in the top-10 in points 6 times. He also drove cars fielded by A. Arnold. Watson’s victories included four at Louisville Fairgrounds Speedway in Kentucky, three at Queen City Speedway in Cincinnati Ohio, and two wins at Salem Indiana, Lorain County Ohio and Mt. Clemens Michigan. He won one race each at Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee, the ¾ mile track at Pocono Pennsylvania, Columbus Motor Speedway in Ohio, Salyersville Kentucky, Flat Rock Michigan, Toledo Ohio and Winchester Indiana. His best ARCA season was ’69, when he won 8 races and battled future NASCAR Cup champion and Daytona 500 winner Parsons for the ARCA series championship. Watson also raced in the NASCAR Cup Series, USAC Stock Car Series, ASA and NASCAR Grand American and Grand National East.

Watson is survived by sons Joe (Janet) Watson and Robby Watson; daughters Sheryl (Bob) Shepherd and Jamie (David) Orrender; son-in-law John Laughead; eleven grandchildren; and twenty great-grandchildren. Services are Wednesday, June 7 at 4pm at the Open Door Baptist Church, David Kentucky, with Bob Shepherd officiating. Visitation will be from 10am until time of service.