AIDS…Tim Richmond…Nascar…

Read Time:1 Minute, 42 Second

Tim Richmond’s Life Took A Turn For The Worse Right Around the 1987 Daytona 500

I just got wind of the fact that the 30 for 30 documentary about former NASCAR driver Tim Richmond, titled Tim Richmond: To the Limit, just finished airing on ABC. As is usually the case whenever one of the 30 for 30 docs airs, Richmond’s name is now lighting up the internet.

I hope you don’t mind me saying that this took me a little by surprise, as I was under the impression that this weekend was going to be all about remember Dale Earnhardt, and only Dale Earnhardt. After all, this year’s Daytona 500 brings with it the 10th anniversary of Earnhardt’s tragic death.

But that’s when one does his research. And perhaps not surprisingly, the fact that ABC chose to air Richmond’s story for reasons more complicated than simply filling a time block.

Indeed, the Daytona 500 holds a significant place in the life of Tim Richmond as well. It was all the way back in 1987 that Richmond was forced to miss the race with an illness that was at first determined to be double pneumonia.

Less than two years later, Richmond died of AIDS. And on balance, his end is undoubtedly one of the more tragic stories in the history of sports.

Of course, this has just as much to do with how he wasn’t exactly treated fairly by NASCAR towards the end of his life. When Richmond made a comeback attempt in 1988, he was suspended for testing positive for banned substances.

Those “banned substances” ended up being Sudafed and Advil. And despite the fact he was eventually reinstated, there was no car for him to drive.

He made his final public appearance in February that year, and he died in August of 1989. Richmond’s family publicly revealed that he had died of AIDS 10 days later.

Several months later, it was reported that falsified drug tests had indeed cut short Richmond’s career, and that NASCAR had intentionally targeted Richmond.

About Post Author

Professor Mike

Professor Mike is a left-leaning, dog loving, political junkie. He has written dozens of articles for Substack, Medium, Simily, and Tribel. Professor Mike has been published at Smerconish.com, among others. He is a strong proponent of the environment, and a passionate protector of animals. In addition he is a fierce anti-Trumper. Take a moment and share his work.

professormike05@gmail.com