Top Row Seat - Honoring A Legend
Dateline: 01/07/98Guide Note: I ran across Mr. Walters as a result of an item on the StockCarFans Mailing List and agreed to hand over the reigns this week to help his cause.
Let's play a game. I'll give you a description and you tell me the driver's name.
Driving Bush series cars he wins 20% of the time and finishes in the top ten 40% of the time. He has victories at all three racing venues of NASCAR (short track, road course, and superspeedway). Named Rookie of the Year by United States Auto Club (USAC). He raced in the Indianapolis 500, led the race and he was named the Rookie of the Race. During the his 2nd full season of full time Winston Cup driving he swept both spring and fall races at a California track. During a single season he: placed in the top ten 59% of the time, top five 45% of the time, and finished in the winners circle 24% of the time.
The sad part is that despite these accomplishments Tim Richmond may go unknown to many of NASCAR's new fans. Tim Richmond was the one who kicked the door open for drivers to enter Winston Cup from places other than the south. He broke the mold and was not the good OLE' boy type. He had killer good looks and style. He had everything. Unfortunately that 'everything' also included the AIDS virus. Because of the AIDS virus his contributions and accomplishments in racing may go unheralded in a sport that typically idolizes its fallen heroes.
There is a growing movement of devoted race fans who want to see a wrong righted by NASCAR. Nearly ten years ago NASCAR instituted a drug testing program in which Tim was, and still remains, the only person ever tested. NASCAR announced that Tim had failed the drug test. They later admitted that they had incorrectly identified simple over-the-counter cold medication as the cause for the failure of the test. Tim was never reinstated and filed court proceedings against NASCAR. However, in order to prevail Tim was ordered by a judge to surrender his personal medical records to NASCAR and the Court for review. Tim withdrew his lawsuit rather than disclose his illness. Tim Richmond was a proud and cocky race car driver who feared being stereotyped as to the source of his illness.
In an effort to remember Tim Richmond and his accomplishments a grass roots campaign has been started by a group of race fans who would like to see NASCAR's forgotten legend remembered. They have begun writing letters and forwarding petitions to Pocono Raceway to have a race dedicated to his memory. If you wish to help with this cause you can email rwalters@mailcity.com or visit our web site at http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Speedway/5264 or Simply write:
Pocono International Raceway
PO Box 500
Long Pond, Pa. 18344
Attn: Dr. J. Mattioli
Thanks,
Rob Walters
The Bud Shootout is now just 4 1/2 weeks away.
Go Fast, Turn Left, Stay Safe!
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