By Mark Aumann, NASCAR.COM

Daytona Beach, FL -January 15, 2009- Based on fewer than 10 Cup appearances during a seven-year period, the average racing fan would probably shrug their shoulders when asked to identify Rene Charland. But for any longtime racing fans from the Northeast who remember the days of the Eastern Bandits, Charland was truly "The Champ."

Charland was the first driver to win four consecutive NASCAR titles, earning Sportsman championships in 1962, 1963, 1964 and 1965. And if not for a fiery crash in 1966 -- known as the "French Barbeque" -- Charland could have easily kept the streak alive, as he finished third in the points despite missing the remainder of the season. He won more than 700 races and more than 250 features during a career that spanned five decades.

Born in Agawam, Mass., Charland made his racing debut at age 21 at his hometown Riverside Park Speedway in 1949. Known for chomping on an ever-present cigar -- even while driving -- Charland was a consistent winner on the Northeast short tracks in the '50s. But it was as a member of the Eastern Bandits that Charland gained his greatest fame.

During the heyday of the Eastern Bandits, Charland, Ed Flemke, Red Foote and Denny Zimmerman raced as many as five times a week, traveling as far as Virginia and Maryland to steal victories from local racers. It's estimated that Charland raced as many as 100 times a year during that stretch. And because many of those tracks were under NASCAR sanction, Charland was able to gain the points necessary for his championship run.

After finishing fifth in the 1961 standings, Charland made winning the championship his No. 1 goal in 1962 -- and he accomplished that in style, winning 21 races en route to the title.

Charland made his Cup debut at Islip Speedway on Long Island in 1964, starting 19th in a 22-car field. But the brakes failed on the car -- not the best situation on a tiny bullring -- and he parked it just nine laps into the event. Charland's string of rotten Cup luck continued the next season, when oil pressure problems sent him early to the sidelines at Charlotte and Rockingham.

Charland made one attempt at the Daytona 500, with similar misfortune. An engine failure left him last in the qualifying race in 1966, and more mechanical troubles forced him to pull in after completing one lap in the 500.

His lone Cup highlight came later that season when he finished third behind David Pearson and Richard Petty at Fonda (N.Y.) Speedway.

But it was the Memorial Day race at Albany-Saratoga Speedway in Malta, N.Y., that nearly ended Charland's career. With Charland trapped in his flaming car, Flemke -- a tiny man compared to the burly Charland -- was somehow able to pull Charland from the wreckage. While recuperating from his injuries, Charland decided to concentrate his efforts on local racing, and from that point on, rarely ventured from his Massachusetts home.

Returning to dirt, Charland dominated at Fonda, leading all drivers in victories in 1967 and taking the track championship in 1970. At one point or another in his career, Charland held the position of champion at at least 10 tracks, won the 1965 New York state modified championship and was a four-time Canadian national champ.

Charland's final Cup start came in 1971 at Malta, when he finished 31st out of 34 cars. He retired from racing in 1984, and was named to the New York State Stock Car Association and DIRT Motorsports halls of fame.

For more on Rene Charland, visit the Legends of NASCAR.
Official Web site.



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