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