He Was The Golden Boy
In the early 1980s, Tim Richmond hit the NASCAR circuit and most immediately noticed that he was an outsider. He wasn't your typical good-old-boy driver. Richmond came from money, and he showed it off with his fancy clothes and Hollywood friendships. Richmond—and his crazy antics—brought loads of publicity to NASCAR, which they loved.
But when Richmond got a stunning diagnosis, the folks at NASCAR could not get far enough away from their golden boy driver.
1. His Parents Met On The Road
Richmond’s parents met in Ohio while doing road work. Al was a welder, and Evelyn worked in the field office. When Dad invented a way to make installing pipes under a road easier, the Richmond family became rich. They were ready to welcome baby Tim into extreme wealth.
The world was his oyster.
Ted Van Pelt, Wikimedia Commons
2. He Learned To Drive At A Young Age
Tim Richmond was born on June 7, 1955, in Ashland, Ohio. Dad was now marketing his invention across the world, and they were just getting richer and richer. As a toddler, Richmond was using a go-kart his parents had given him to hone his skills as a driver. But his school life was not quite what it should have been.
3. She Packed Him Off
The Richmonds were very wealthy, which led to Tim getting strange treatment from his classmates because of the family’s money. Mom did not want to see her son suffer at all, so she sent him to military school in Miami, Florida. Weirdly enough, Mom also packed up her own life and moved to Miami to be with her son.
Mom and Dad loved their son…maybe a little too much.
4. He Had A Special Birthday
When Tim Richmond turned 16, he got what many kids from well-to-do families receive for this milestone birthday: a new car. But they didn’t stop there. They gleefully handed over a speedboat and an airplane to a stunned Richmond. Mom admitted they spoiled their son rotten. Do ya think?
He had a car, a boat and an airplane. All he had to do now was choose which would be his passion.
Ted Van Pelt, Wikimedia Commons
5. He Joined A Crew
In 1976, through a connection provided by his father, Tim Richmond became a crew member for Dave Shoemaker, who drove sprint cars. When Richmond got behind the wheel for a test lap, they noticed something amazing. Richmond was actually faster than Shoemaker. Stranger still, this was the first time Richmond had driven a race car.
Clearly, Richmond had a gift, and it was time to get his own car.
6. He Fulfilled A Fantasy
When Richmond was a child, he had a model car that was red, white, and blue, with the number 98 emblazoned on it. Fulfilling every kid’s fantasy, Dad bought his son a real-life replica of that model. Richmond was ready to hit the tarmac in his first actual race.
Things would not go as planned.
7. He Broke An Important Part
Because he was a new racer, the officials placed Tim Richmond in the heat that was the slowest. Richmond wanted to prove them wrong, so he quickly started passing cars. But he was pushing too hard. He spun out and in the process broke the axle of his car and could not get back in the race. His first race was a disaster.
He needed to redeem himself in his second.
8. He Got Fired
Richmond’s second attempt at racing was at the Eldora Speedway in Ohio. Sadly, Richmond crashed again, resulting in him losing his job as driver. The saddest part? The man firing him was his own father. But don’t worry. Dad had other—more extravagant—plans for his golden boy son.
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9. He Tried Again
Sure, Dad had fired Richmond as the driver of the sprint car, but then he turned around and bought his son a SuperModified vehicle. Dad thought that this was the best car for his son’s abilities. Dad was right, and in 1977 Richmond took home the Rookie of the Year award at Sandusky Speedway.
But Richmond couldn’t give up on sprint car driving.
Robert Alexander, Getty Images
10. He Returned
By 1978, Tim Richmond was in a sprint car again. He raced in the United States Automobile Club tour. He finished in 30th place after 12 races. This was good enough for him to earn another Rookie of the Year Award. It was at this point that Richmond realized something.
If he was going to be big, he’d need to go back to school.
Robert Alexander, Getty Images
11. He Hit The Books
Richmond had already dropped out of university, but now it was time for him to attend a school that would cater to his interests. This was Jim Russell’s road racing school. Richmond exceled and even broke a record for the student course. He was ready to take what he learned at school and get himself a win.
Robert Alexander, Getty Images
12. He Got What He Wanted
Richmond’s first post-school event was a Mini Indy race at Phoenix International Raceway. School had done wonders for Richmond, and he took home the top prize. Finally, Richmond was ready to go to the next level, and dad was ready to help him get there.
13. He Was Disappointed
Once again, Dad was there with his wallet to help his son’s career. In 1979, he put together an Eagle Indy car with an engine by Offenhauser. They took this vehicle to the Michigan International Speedway, but sadly, they were met with disappointment. Tim Richmond only qualified as the 21st fastest.
When the race began, things went from bad to worse.
14. He Came In Last
In this race at the Michigan International Speedway, Richmond ended up in 23rd place, which was actually last place. Well, he had a good reason. In lap number four, his car blew up. Still, it could have been worse. At least he walked away in one piece.
Well, at least things were looking up in his love life.
Icon Sports Wire, Getty Images
15. He Met A Beauty Queen
In 1980, Tim Richmond met the Miss World 600 beauty queen LaGena Lookabill. At the time, Richmond was the Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year. So there were a lot of numbers swarming around this relationship. The two definitely hit it off, but it was an on-again-off-again thing, as they were pursuing their careers in different parts of the country.
Richmond had to put love on hold and refocus on his career.
Robert Alexander, Getty Images
16. He Worked His Way Up
At this point, Richmond threw himself into the world of NASCAR. He made his first appearance at the Pocono Raceway in the Coca-Cola 500. He came in 12th. But Richmond remained patient and slowly moved his way up. In 1983, he had a win again at the Pocono Raceway, and Esquire magazine called him “the best of the new generation”.
But Richmond wasn't your average NASCAR driver.
17. He Was Different
At this time, NASCAR drivers were mostly from the Southern US and had a reputation as being “gruff, tough characters”. Tim Richmond was different. He wore designer clothes, fancy shoes, and even, on occasion, donned fur. And when it came to socializing, Richmond was in a league of his own.
18. He Had Famous Friends
Instead of only hanging around with his peers at the race track, Tim Richmond had a whole other social circle. He was friends with both actors and musicians. When it came to his dating life, Richmond took it to the next level with some incredibly beautiful women.
Even though he was different, he made some close friendships with other drivers.
Robert Alexander, Getty Images
19. He Liked To Fight
Even though Richmond didn’t really fit in with the other NASCAR drivers, he made a close friend in Dale Earnhardt. Earnhardt had a habit of renting an entire bar and paying for everyone’s drinks. At one of these events, Richmond had only been there for 10 minutes before he got involved in a fight. Richmond may have been fancier than his cohorts, but he loved a good brawl.
He also liked to drink.
Darryl Moran, Wikimedia Commons
20. He Showed His Disappointment
At one racing event, Tim Richmond, along with the other racers, had to introduce themselves. Richmond was likely disappointed that he hadn't qualified for pole position. When it came time for Richmond to introduce himself, most noticed that he was staggering on his way to the stage. He was also holding a half-empty drinking cup.
The crowd got ready for a classic Richmond performance.
21. He Was Under The Influence
When Richmond got to the stage, it was clear that he was inebriated. He had unzipped his racing uniform so far down that everyone could see his belly button. He looked over the crowd and took a big, messy gulp of his drink. When he introduced himself, his voice clearly displayed his lack of sobriety. But there was a wild twist.
It later came out that Richmond was faking the whole thing. Richmond wasn’t afraid of ruffling feathers with his crazy antics.
Robert Alexander, Getty Images
22. He Was Showy
Another friend Tim Richmond made in the racing world was team owner Rick Hendrick. The straight-laced Henrick didn’t really approve of Richmond’s theatrics, but appreciated his driving skill. When Hendrik told Richmond he had to clean up his act, Richmond responded by arriving at an event in a silk suit and sporting both a cane and a purse.
For sure, he was fancy, but sometimes it got the better of him.
Zach Catanzareti Photo, Wikimedia Commons
23. He Liked To Cruise
A reporter filed a story about Tim Richmond and a night in a limo. Someone had seen him cruising around Atlanta and drinking bottle after bottle of the very expensive Dom Perignon. As the story goes, the night ended mysteriously. When Richmond woke up, there was something incredibly wrong.
24. She Left A Clue
After his night in Atlanta sipping—well, maybe chugging—Dom Perignon, Richmond woke up in the back of the limo and to the harsh light of day. The driver was still cruising around the city, but Richmond couldn’t locate his wallet or his Rolex watch. The only clue to their disappearance was a pair of panties and a business card.
The dark side of Richmond’s wild adventures was settling in. Maybe it was time to settle down with just one woman.
25. Fate Through Them Together
Tim Richmond hadn’t forgotten about Lookabill, the beauty queen who he’ds had an on-again-off-again relationship with. As it turned out, she’d gotten a part in a movie that would bring her closer to him. The film was Born to Race and they were filming in Charlotte, North Carolina. Suddenly, this relationship went from zero to 60 in two seconds flat.
Richmond was ready with a very important question.
26. He Had A Request
On September 10, 1986, Richmond hinted to Lookabill that he had an important question to ask her. This was the second time Richmond had proposed, but this time he had a convincing argument. He said he had purchased a $33,000 diamond ring. Besides the ring, there was something else different about Richmond that day.
Robert Alexander, Getty Images
27. He Overwhelmed Her
Lookabill later said that Richmond was suddenly full of promises to her. He’d even said he would give up racing and start trying to be an actor. He thought they’d make a great team. This new Richmond overwhelmed Lookabill, and she finally agreed to be Mrs Tim Richmond.
It’s not clear if she knew what she was getting herself into.
Robert Alexander, Getty Images
28. They Were Different
Throughout his career, Tim Richmond had a reputation as a ladies’ man. While there are no numbers available, it's safe to say that he’d been with his share—or likely more than his share—of women. On the other hand, Lookabill called her romantic history very limited. In fact, at this point, Richmond and Lookabill had not been intimate.
That was about to change
Ted Van Pelt, Wikimedia Commons
29. He Ghosted Her
Lookabill did sleep with Richmond after he’d proposed, because she thought their wedding was a sure thing and just around the corner. Sadly, after Richmond had his way with her, he ghosted her. He didn’t return her calls and when they’d finally agreed to meet up in LA, he simply didn't show. This no-show devastated Lookabill.
But her drama was just beginning.
Robert Alexander, Getty Images
30. He Started Missing Races
The truth was that Tim Richmond was sick. He’d been too sick to begin the 1987 NASCAR season and then missed the Daytona 500. He’d even been in the hospital. Someone told the media Richmond had double pneumonia, and they reported that. But this was the late 1980s, and double pneumonia was becoming a code for something much more devastating.
Robert Alexander, Getty Images
31. The Doctor Had Bad News
Back in December of 1986, Tim Richmond got a call from a doctor in Cleveland he’d seen about a cold that just wouldn’t go away. The doctor now had some frightening news, but he wanted to confirm it with more tests. The new tests, like the previous ones, said the same thing. Richmond had HIV/AIDS.
Since Richmond had been very promiscuous, this news did not just affect him.
Robert Alexander, Getty Images
32. She Got A Disturbing Call
On December 8, 1986, Lookabill got a call from a sports agent, and he wanted to get a comment from her about Tim Richmond. He told her that doctors had diagnosed Richmond with AIDS. Lookabill couldn't believe her ears. First, she just assumed it was a joke. Years later, Lookabill would announce to the world that she had AIDS, and that Richmond had given it to her.
In the meantime, Richmond continued to race.
Robert Alexander, Getty Images
33. He Cried
In 1997, Richmond entered the Miller High Life 500 and took the top prize, in spite of gearbox problems. He was emotional, even crying at the victory. Besides being overemotional, there was something else different about Richmond. He didn’t look well. In fact, people said he looked gaunt.
This was going to get worse, not better.
34. He Wasted Away
As the days and weeks passed, Tim Richmond just looked frailer and frailer. When he finished in 29th place at the Michigan International Speedway’s Champion Spark Plug 400, he resigned. It looked like his career was over. But he still had some fight left in him.
Robert Alexander, Getty Images
35. He Instigated a Comeback
In 1988, Tim Richmond planned for a comeback—but it wasn't going to happen. Suddenly, NASCAR had created “on the spot” substance testing for drivers. A shrewd Richmond had anticipated this and carefully avoided taking any medicine—apparently for six weeks—before the test. When his test came back clean, a baffled NASCAR had to do something.
What they came up with was disturbing.
Robert Alexander, Getty Images
36. He Failed The Test
NASCAR said they found banned substances in Richmond’s system and used this as a reason to suspend him. When Richmond demanded a second test, he came back clean. But the damage was already done. The racing world would now see him as a banned-substance user. Richmond’s only defense was to take the matter to court.
37. He Refused To Comply
The lawsuit was later settled out of court, but before that, NASCAR demanded to see Richmond’s medical records. They wanted to know what Richmond had found out at the Cleveland Clinic he had done tests at. Richmond said he wouldn’t release them, as he knew that the records would end his career.
NASCAR was playing rough.
38. They Wanted Him Out
It came out later that the only substances that NASCAR had found in the first test were over-the-counter pain and allergy medicine. Clearly, NASCAR was willing to do anything to keep a suspected AIDS sufferer from racing in any of its events. It certainly wasn't a part of the NASCAR brand.
Tim Richmond was in two battles. One for his life, and the other for his career.
Robert Alexander, Getty Images
39. No One Wanted Him
With all this controversy swirling around Tim Richmond, no one wanted him as a driver. All people knew was that he wasn’t well. Some thought it was drug use, others suspected AIDS. Richmond went public and promised that he did not have a drug issue, but it didn’t change anything.
He was fighting the system, and it looked like he would lose.
Robert Alexander, Getty Images
40. There Was No Cure
At this time in the history of AIDS and HIV, there was no cure for the people suffering. What could Richmond do? With nowhere else to go, he went to his condo in Florida. His sister later reported that he sat in his bedroom, lowered the blinds to keep the sun out, and sat in the darkness. Eventually, Richmond had to go to the hospital.
He’d reached an incredibly low point in his life.
Robert Alexander, Getty Images
41. ESPN Reached Out
While Tim Richmond was in a West Palm Beach Hospital, ESPN kindly aired a get-well-soon message. In the message, commentator Dr Jerry Punch, who was also a friend of Richmond’s, reminded viewers of Richmond's good-looks and his success on the race track. He didn’t want the workers at the hospital to see him as just another patient.
It's true, Richmond was just one of many people dying, but he had a fan base, and he needed to reach out to them.
42. He Said Goodbye
Richmond must have known that the end was near. All he wanted to do was reach out to his fans. To do this, he hired a small plane to circle around the Daytona International Speedway. Fans at Speedweek looked up and saw the huge banner behind the plane. It read: “Fans, I Miss You—Tim Richmond”.
While the banner didn’t say goodbye, it was a farewell of sorts.
Robert Alexander, Getty Images
43. Rumors Were Flying
Tim Richmond lived until August 13, 1989. When he passed, he was just 34 years old. It didn't take long for rumors to start flying around about the cause. Punch tried to hide the truth by saying his friend had passed because of a motorcycle accident. Most didn’t buy this and started speculating. Some thought Richmond had gotten HIV using needles, or maybe he’d been having relations with men.
Tired of the rumors, the family decided to tell the truth.
Robert Alexander, Getty Images
44. They Came Clean
The Richmond family held a press conference where they said that Richmond’s life had ended due to complications from AIDS. They made it clear that he had gotten the disease from a woman. Clearly, they were trying to distance Richmond from the mostly gay men who were succumbing to AIDS.
What his doctor said at the press conference was a shocker.
Robert Alexander, Getty Images
45. There Were A Lot Of Women
Dr David Dobson, Richmond’s physician, attended the press conference as well. He explained that Richmond was handsome, a celebrity, and that he attracted many women. He was trying to say it politely. Richmond had been with so many women that it was impossible to find out where he had contracted HIV.
The news was out: now what were people going to do with it?
46. He Prompted Testing
Shortly after Richmond’s truth had come out, approximately 90 race car drivers and their crew members received tests for HIV. They all came back negative, and the car races continued without Richmond. In fact, they didn’t seem to remember him at all. But there was another change.
Ted Van Pelt, Wikimedia Commons
47. He Changed NASCAR
After Tim Richmond, NASCAR drivers started to clam up and were generally less media-friendly. A lot of them let their PR people do the talking for them, in case they said something incriminating. They also partied less with outsiders. It was a different time. Some even say it was the end of an era.
Robert Alexander, Getty Images
48. The Truth Came Out
In 1990, NASCAR fired Dr Forest Tennant. This was because he had allegedly provided the falsified drug test results that ended Richmond’s career. In 1998, NASCAR announced its 50 greatest drivers of all time and Richmond made the list. I guess time heals all wounds.
Now it was time for Hollywood to honor Richmond.
49. He Got The Hollywood Treatment
In 1990, Paramount Pictures released the race car movie Days of Thunder, starring Tom Cruise. While it is not the story of Richmond’s life, many believe that Cruise fashioned his character—called Cole Trickle—after Richmond. Sadly, Richmond did not live to see Cruise portraying him up on the big screen. It premiered one year after his passing.
Even without Cruise and the movie, fans still remember their hero, Tim Richmond.
Screenshot from Days of Thunder, Paramount Pictures (1990)
50. They’ll Never Forget
Fans can’t seem to forget about Richmond. Twenty years after one of his more triumphant victories, they decided to honor their hero. The crowd at Watkins Glen held up a banner much like the one Richmond had used to thank his fans. This one simply read: “Tim Richmond–We Miss You–Your Fans”.
Robert Alexander, Getty Images
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