Tim Richmond

[doozer]

i was at the used bookstore a few weeks back looking for some cheap and easy reads when i stumbled upon a book about Richmond written by David Poole. it being only 1.50, i decide i'd give it a read.

i'm glad i did.

being just a youngster in his heyday, it really gave me a perspective on his life and the the history of the modern ear in NASCAR.

one thing that stuck out more than anything else was the situation surrounding his return to NASCAR after having been diagnosed with AIDS. i've never been one to be a conspiracy theorist, but there seems to be some similarities in the way NASCAR handled his supposed drug use (which wasn't true) and the way they've handled the Jeremy Mayfield case. it seems that when NASCAR is out to get you, there's not much you can do about it.

now, i'm not saying Mayfield is innocent or guilty, but they've treated him in a similar fashion to the way they treated Richmond. basically, it's a whole organization against one man. even then, as now, nobody dared challenge NASCAR to stand by either driver, for fear of themselves being blackballed.

however, both were controversial characters both in the car and out, with possibly the only difference being Richmond had more potential than Mayfield.

as for the rest of the book, it certainly gave me a new understanding of what type of person Richmond really was. he was much more than just a guy who liked to have a good time. he cared about people in a way that a lot of others in the sport never had.

when passed 20 years ago, a piece of NASCAR went with him. truly a sad story of such a wonderful life.

if anybody has anything they remember about him, his career, his hard charging style on the racetrack, or anything i mentioned, feel free to share.

 

[The Dude]

My dad used to prop this case up as some example of how great the sport was, explaining how it proved they were one organization that was hard on drugs.

I remember reading about the similarities between his and Mayfield's situation a while back. Could be mistaken, but Nascar straight up lied about Richmond's failed drug tests. That would be some more bad PR if it eventually comes out that they not only lied about Mayfield's failed tests but as far as I know they still have yet to clarify which substances are banned, a practice which the courts have rounded said voids any punishment. On the surface it seems like blackmail. Just look at those Meth user mugshot timeline things. Does Mayfield look like a 10 year user to you?

 

[rbroyles]

I got to know Timmy when he was called that name driving sprints and champ cars in Ohio. I lived about 15 miles from him, and his father was a client of mine. A good friend that I went to many races with, built the engines for some of his cars. My friend was offered a job with Hendrick, but he turned it down.

Tim first went to Indy cars as far as big time racing after a short stint in Formula Super V to get some road racing experience - it was the original Indy Lights series. He had some success in Indy cars, but wrecked a lot. At Michigan he literaly broke a car in half, and that led to NASCAR. His parents were footing most of the bills, and Momma said no more open wheel for you.

His first ride was with J.D. Stacy in the 2 car that Dale, Sr. had left to go to Bud Moore. Earnhardt refused to drive for Stacy, and Tim found the team lacking in expertise, but not money. He was once interviewed after a wreck on TV, and he said no big deal we got 10 or 12 more of them in the shop. Stacy later proved to be mostly a con man who bilked the Dutch government out of $10+ Million. I know this on a personal level as I worked with him as a director of Marketing at the time Morgan Shepherd drove for him. I still have the bounced commission checks. He owed me over $50K.

Tim went to Hendrick with Harry Hyde in the 25 car sponsored by Old Milwaukee Beer, and soon established himself as one of the fastest drivers. He had car control that was second to none. I don't know how many races he won, but I believe it was around 25. This is all out of my head, no research. I know that Earnhardt considered him to be the toughest competitor on the track. The movie "Days of Thunder" was loosely based on the team of Tim and Harry. Another good friend, Carolyn Carrier was the liaison person for Tom Cruise, and was honored by NASCAR.com as one of the most influential women in NASCAR. Her father built Bristol Motor Speedway.

I last saw Tim at the Kingsport Raceway when I was the competition director/marketing director for Stacy. J.D. talked him into coming to sign autographs. True to form, he was fairly well inebriated with two very hot babes hanging on him when he left. I offered any assistance he might need, but he said he had it under control.

 

[doozer]

Just look at those Meth user mugshot timeline things. Does Mayfield look like a 10 year user to you?

that's my hang up as far as he is concerned. there's no such thing as a casual meth user and the affects of the drug seem to be quick and debilitating.

broyles, i know you've been critical of the way Hendrick handled the situation around his 'failed' drug test and his AIDS diagnosis. in the book, it paints the picture of Rick being one of the few guys who was there for Richmond during his time of declining health. i've read several stories about this not being the case. as somebody who knew Richmond on a more personal level, would you care to share your thoughts on that?

 

[rbroyles]

that's my hang up as far as he is concerned. there's no such thing as a casual meth user and the affects of the drug seem to be quick and debilitating.

broyles, i know you've been critical of the way Hendrick handled the situation around his 'failed' drug test and his AIDS diagnosis. in the book, it paints the picture of Rick being one of the few guys who was there for Richmond during his time of declining health. i've read several stories about this not being the case. as somebody who knew Richmond on a more personal level, would you care to share your thoughts on that?

By the time of the bogus drug usage reports, I had been out of contact with him for a couple years. I knew he had a medical condition, suspected it might be Aids, and was skeptical of the drug reports.

Everything I had heard indicated Hendrick had little to no contact with Richmond, but that does seem to be opposite of the way Hendrick apparently treats his people. I know you have little regard for him, but almost all the drivers and crew chiefs, past and present speak well of him.

I'll have to ask my friend in Ohio if he knows more about it.

 

[SpecialKVolfan20]

Thanks for the review. I was not watching the sport when Tim was in it but am facinated by his story. I will search out the book.