Weve never had a race driver like tim in stock car racing, says humpy wheeler. Nascar driver tim richmond, suffering from aids and. Nascar driver tim richmond had been suffering from hiv aids. Nov 25, 2008 tim richmond wasnt cut from the same cloth as his nascar peers. From dale earnhardt at north wilkesboro to tim richmond at riverside, here are five memorable moments from tracks nascar has left behind. Stock car driver tim richmond contracted aids from an unknown woman and died of complications caused by the disease, a physician close to the drivers family said wednesday. Nascar driver tim richmond stands beside his race car prior to the start of the 1987 firecracker 400 on july 4, 1987 at the daytona international speedway in daytona beach, fla. This article is about the racing driver who competed in the nascar cup series in the 1980s. May 14, 2018 little did anyone know, tim had been officially diagnosed with aids in 1986. Tim tried desperately to find a ride for the clash and several car owners wanted to help him. Timothy lee tim richmond june 7, 1955 august, 1989, was a nascar driver from ashland, ohio who had his career cut short when he contracted hiv and died of complications of aids richmond was born in ashland, ohio, and unlike many other nascar drivers, was born into wealth and did not grow up with auto racing, he did not begin racing until the age of 21, when drove a sprint car. Finally honoring the legend whom nascar had tried to forget.
He raced hard, he partied hard, born in 55, he died in 89 one of the early casualties of aids. For the racing driver who currently competes in arca, see tim richmond racing driver, born 1998. It was unknown who the exact woman was due to the numerous affairs he had at the time. He was diagnosed with aids, leading to his tragic death. And perhaps because it burned so brightly it didnt burn very long. He competed in indycar racing before transferring to nascars winston cup series now sprint cup series. Lagena lookabill greene has daily reminders of nascar driver tim richmond. Racer tim richmond set records aplenty, but his lovers now. The fast life and remarkable times of nascars top gun one of my favorite books ever. Tim richmond was, of course, a race car driver, but what a driver. He then went on to explain that it was a widely accepted truth that a race car driver named tim richmond infected dozens of young women. Tim richmond simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. In baseball or football, theres not much officials can change, richmond.
Nascar official home race results, schedule, standings. Every 1030 years, a young driver comes along who shakes up the nascar world. Tim richmond nascar winning driver who got his start in indy car racing. He then went on to explain that it was a widely accepted truth that a race car driver named tim richmond infected dozens of young women including this model in the late 80s knowing full well that he was hiv positive.
Racer tim richmond set records aplenty, but his lovers now fear that aids will be his real legacy. He was from ohio and not the south, he attended a military academy instead of dropping out of high school, his father was a. Jan 08, 1990 racer tim richmond set records aplenty, but his lovers now fear that aids will be his real legacy. Tim richmond lived fast, died young and an era good or. Tim passed away at the age of 34 due to complications of aids. His family proptly stated he contracted the disease through unprotected heterosexual sex. Tim richmond june 7, 1955 august, 1989 was an american race car driver from ashland, ohio. Tim richmond later outbreak of hivaids alternative. Tim richmond banned poster race results and driver. Oct 20, 2010 tim richmond contracted aids from a woman. Exactress says driver gave her aids virus the washington post. Tim richmond s death from aids evoked sympathy, tears.
In his prime tim richmond rode the gray part of the racetrack, the area up against the wall where only those reckless souls who thrive on the far rim of danger live. He walked with the swagger of james hunt, drove with the ferocity of dale earnhardt, partied like a rock star, and. In september 1967, nascar driver richard petty climbed out of his car after winning the capital city 300 on richmonds halfmile dirt track at the state fairgrounds. Determined to continue racing, he stopped taking his aids medication, azt, six weeks earlier so it wouldnt be detected. Nascar had developed its first drugtesting policy, which richmond felt was designed with him in mind. Tim richmond june 7, 1955 august, 1989 was a nascar race car driver who had his career cut short when he contracted hiv and died of complications from aids.
Which leads us to one of the biggest urban legends in nascar, the story that tim richmond exposed himself in the group photo for the 1987 all star race. Richmond was one of the first drivers to make the transition from openwheel racing to nascar, and his largerthanlife personality lit up the garage. In one regard, the flashy, flamboyant driver from ashland, ohio, was years ahead of the trends in a sport that would soon enjoy explosive growth in popularity. Nascar driver tim richmond, suffering from aids and walking with a cane, visits the daytona international speedway garage area prior to the start of the 1988 daytona 500 on february 14, 1988, which he did not attempt to qualify for. Late driver had a fatal attraction richmond, who was killed. Tim richmonds death from aids evoked sympathy, tears.
Richmond was left with a bruise below his left eye as evidence of his performance. Tim richmond lived fast, died young and an era good or bad. That was his wishes, said bud red dog barnes, a mechanic with. Mar 30, 2016 only after his death in 1989 would the racing world learn what had long been rumored. Timothy lee tim richmond 19551989 find a grave memorial. Beleaguered, barely alive, but not bitter orlando sentinel. To commemorate the anniversary of the death of nascar driver tim richmond, n. He competed in indycar racing before transferring to nascar s winston cup series. Jul 10, 2019 tim richmond at daytona international speedway with the old milwaukee pontiac he drove on the nascar cup series circuit for car owner raymond beadle from 1983 through 1985. From what i can find, neither driver was penalized. He did not even begin racing until the age of 21, when he drove a sprint car owned by a friend, but. Tim richmond featured tuesday night in espns 30 for 30. Aids victim forgives but can never forget sun sentinel.
Tim richmond is nascars forgotten legend, losing his battle with aids in 1989. He was from ohio and not the south, he attended a military academy instead of dropping out of high school, his father was a wealthy. But, as he soon discovered, that was secondary to a more serious illness. Timothy lee richmond june 7, 1955 august, 1989 was an american race car driver from ashland, ohio. The movie days of thunder was loosely based on richmonds life, with main character cole trickle played by tom. To this date, it seems that tim richmond has been the only driver to have ever taken a nascar drug test.
Tim richmond wasnt the best driver, but he may have been the most fun. Beyond the grave of tim richmond lies a trail of pretty women, following him into the ground. Richmond was born in ashland, ohio and, unlike many other nascar drivers, was born into wealth and did not grow up with auto racing. He succumbed to aids 20 years ago with little acknowledgment. Remembering nascar driver, tim richmond public group. Nascar driver tim richmond had been suffering from hivaids. Et on espn as part of espn films critically acclaimed film series 30 for 30 presented by cadillac. Tim richmond june 7, 1955 february 18th 2001 was an american race car driver. The 1980 indy 500 rookie of the year had converted to stock cars by 1981 and was a winner by 1982.
On august, 1989, nascar driver tim richmond died from complications from aids. Lots of great stories about tim, not only was he a great driver, he was a great guy who was loved by many. Nascar would not let tim race until he turned over his medical records. Stock car driver tim richmond died after a twoandahalfyear battle with aids contracted through heterosexual activity, his doctor said wednesday. Top 5 moments at former nascar tracks nascar talk nbc sports. He competed in indycar before winning eleven nascar winston cup now sprint cup series victories. Remembering tim richmond, a great nascar driver taken from us way too soon. Late driver had a fatal attraction richmond, who was. He died on august 1989 from aids at the age of fox sports 1 to air uncovered tim richmond interview. Tim richmond died of aids at 34 in 1989, nearly four years before alex bowman was born. The fast life and remarkable times of nascar s top gun tells the memorable story of a born racer and how he raced headlong through life with the throttle wide open and his wheels burning rubber at almost every turn. Not one to hold back on criticism for nascar, before the next race richmond criticized the officials for not blackflagging pearson. The top 40 drivers in richmond international raceway.
Little did anyone know, tim had been officially diagnosed with aids in 1986. Remembering nascar driver, tim richmond has 3,016 members. Sep 14, 2007 remembering tim richmond, a great nascar driver taken from us way too soon. Only after his death in 1989 would the racing world learn what had long been rumored. Theres little mention of him in nascars official literature, and if youre a new race fan, sadly. Tim richmond was one of nascar s most flamboyant drivers. Jun 10, 2019 tim richmond died of aids at 34 in 1989, nearly four years before alex bowman was born. Nascar star tim richmond lived fast, until it all caught up with him. Apr 12, 2020 from dale earnhardt at north wilkesboro to tim richmond at riverside, here are five memorable moments from tracks nascar has left behind.
Tim richmond ted van pelt only after his death in 1989 would the racing world learn what had long been rumored. Usually these types of drivers have some kind of a racing background, but nascars tim richmond was a. Stock car racer tim richmond died of aids, doctor said west palm beach, fla. Stock car racer tim richmond died of aids, doctor said. Twentyseven years after the death of tim richmond, fox sports tom jensen takes a look at the life and career of one of nascar s wildest and fastest drivers, both on and off the track. Tim richmond was, fellow nascar driver kyle petty said, a stranger in time. Tim richmond at daytona international speedway with the old milwaukee pontiac he drove on the nascar cup series circuit for car owner raymond beadle from. Late driver had a fatal attraction richmond, who was killed by aids, may have infected dozens of women. Tim richmond is nascar s forgotten legend, losing his battle with aids in 1989.
A former beauty queen and actress says race car driver tim richmond infected her with the aids virus the night he proposed marriage, three years before he died of the disease. Nascar driver tim richmond, suffering from aids and walking. Nascar live race coverage, latest news, race results, standings, schedules, and driver stats for cup, xfinity, gander outdoors nascar official home race results, schedule, standings, news. Twentyseven years after the death of tim richmond, fox sports tom jensen takes a look at the life and career of one of nascars wildest and fastest drivers, both on and off the track. The fast life and remarkable times of nascar s top gun one of my favorite books ever.
Nascar being the hypocritical group that it is basically. Its been over two decades now since tim richmond last competed in a winston cup race. He was one of the first drivers to switch from open wheel racing to stock car racing. After exchanging paint all day, tim richmond congratulated dale earnhardt after earnhardt won the 1986 cocacola 600 richmond finished second. Tim was, without a doubt, one of the best drivers to ever compete in nascar. The subject came and went without much elaboration, but it hit me in the gut pretty hard. Richmond was one of the first drivers to change from open wheel racing to nascar stock cars fulltime. Late in 1986, stock car driver tim richmond was hospitalized for pneumonia. Timothy lee richmond june 7, 1955 august, 1989 was an american race car driver. For the english photographer, see tim richmond photographer. While the idea that he could sneak that past the other drivers and photographers in shocking, even better yet is the idea. Tim richmond wasnt cut from the same cloth as his nascar peers. Aug 12, 2009 tim richmond wasnt the best driver, but he may have been the most fun.
Stock car racer tim richmond died of aids, doctor said upi. Stock car driver tim richmond died after a twoandahalfyear battle with aids contracted through heterosexual. They come in the form of the diapers she wears because of her uncontrollable diarrhea. Top 5 moments at former nascar tracks nascar talk nbc.