Tim Richmond was one of NASCAR's most flamboyant drivers. Growing up in wealth, he was accustomed to getting attention and having the best things in life. Tim didn't grow up in racing like a lot of NASCAR's early drivers. When he was 21, a friend let him drive a few laps in his sprint car. Within minutes, Tim was beating his friend's time and he knew right away that he was hooked.
Starting out in racing, in 1980 he won the Indy 500 Rookie of the Year award. In 1981 he changed to stockcars and by 1982, had become a winner. His racing career only lasted less than eight full seasons, but during that time, he made quite an impression. He was known for driving Rick Hendrick's No. 25 Folger's Chevrolet. 1986 was a highlight year for Tim. He won seven races, more than any other driver had done, and finished third in the NASCAR Winston Cup points. His most spectacular win came at Pocono in July 1986; after crashing with Richard Petty, Richmond made up a lap and beat Geoff Bodine and Ricky Rudd in a three-wide photo finish.
Tim was a real hit with the ladies and loved to play it up by pulling down the top of his driving suit and signing autographs. He had expensive tastes and lived fast, just like his performances on the track. In the winter of 1986, his love affair with life and the ladies caught up with him and he was diagnosed with HIV. The rumor mill churned of homosexuality and illegal drug use. He passed a drug screen given by NASCAR but Tim refused to be publicly humiliated. His illness caused him to miss the first three months of the 1987 season but he returned like a storm. He won his first two races back but the virus dragged him down again. He resigned from the Hendrick team the fall of 1987. Tim Richmond opened the door for drivers to enter Winston Cup from places other than the south. He wasn't one of the gruff, working-class drivers of the time like Dale Earnhardt, Richard Petty, and Cale Yarborough. He broke the mold of the good ole boy. Because of the controversy surrounding his racing career, Tim's contributions and accomplishments may go unnoticed in a sport that typically idolizes its fallen heroes. One of NASCAR's greatest talents, AIDS claimed Tim in August of 1989.
Born: June 7, 1955
Birthplace: Ashland, OH
Died: August 13, 1989 (aged 34)
Cause of death: Complications from AIDS
Awards: 2002 Inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame
Career Highlights:
1978: USAC Sprint Car Rookie of the Year
1980: Indy 500 Rookie of the Year
1986: NASCAR co-Driver of the Year with Dale Earnhardt, Sr.
2002 Inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame
Starts: 185
Wins: 13
Top 10's: 78
Poles: 14
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