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