I had notseen this before, but as I was looking for additional photos to post I found this. Anyone who thought NASCAR was above doing anything sneaky should read this. The web site is listed below.

reference

Controversy

In 1990, The New York Times reported that Dr. Forest Tennant, who was at that time the National Football League 's drug adviser, "falsified drug tests" that ultimately helped shorten Tim Richmond's NASCAR career.Washington television station WJLA-TV , in early 1990, reported that sealed court documents and interviews showed Tennant and NASCAR used "allegedly false drug-test results in 1988 to bar Richmond from racing".Reporter Roberta Baskin stated that NASCAR had targeted Richmond, requesting that Tennant establish a substance-abuse policy with Richmond in mind. "A series of drug tests and falsely reported positive results shortly before the 1988 Daytona 500 kept Richmond from driving in what was to have been his last big race...", the report said. While neither Tennant nor NASCAR supplied an official response at the time, NASCAR did confirm that they were seeking to replace Tennant.

Makes me wonder about the Matfield case. What are your thoughts?

Bumpertag

updated by @bumpertag: 12/05/16 04:02:07PM

You know, B.T., we knew this at the time. I was close to someone who was very close to Tim Richmond, the name of whom I cannot divulge, and I was told all of this was going on but, at the time, it was difficult to believe that MY NASCAR could do something like that. Shows how wrong I can be sometimes. It's like the story I was told at Rockingham last October by the wife of a sports reporter from the area around Charlotte who was invited to lunch by NASCAR. He was to meet them in the parking lot, which he did, and was asked to get in the black GMC SUV. He was told, because of his negative reporting on some NASCAR issues, his press card was being "pulled" and he was unlikely to get another one. He was then told to get out of the vehicle and he was never taken to lunch. Of course, this is all "hear say" as they say in the legal industry and I am, by no means, slandering the ruling class of NASCAR, but just think back over some years of things that have happened within the NASCAR arena. Take a look at the official investigative report of Dale Earnhardt Sr.'s death. Then wonder why the inspectors did not catch the glitch that ultimately caused the death of The Intimidator. The ultimate dictatorship is not in Havana, but in Daytona Beach.Tim


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What a change! It's been awhile since I've checked in and I'm quite surprised. It may take me awhile to figure it our but first look it's really great.

Tim I was blown away when I finished the article. I guess in the back of my mind I kindda figured that sometimes NASCAR had to do things out of the public eye, but I'm bothered that they did this to Richmond. This man had more talent in his finger that most drivers today. He was a huge draw to the sport and helped to excite the masses from which NASCAR grew rich from. I understand now, knowing what was really going on, why NASCAR took suck desperate messures, but I think what they did was shameful.

I totally agree B.T. Totally. Tim was a personality and a driver.


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What a change! It's been awhile since I've checked in and I'm quite surprised. It may take me awhile to figure it our but first look it's really great.

Even if this Tenant story is true how forthcoming was Tim Richmond about his illness ? Did he not attempt to cover up his condition ? Tim Richmond was etremely ill and missed quite a number of events in 1987 as Benny parsons filled his seat to start the season. Richmond came back and won two races in a row and it was pretty a done deal.I do not think nor will I say that Nascar is without fault but there is two sides to this story. The article speaks of getting ready for his last big race being the 1988 Daytona 500.......Tim missed the first 11 races of 1987 and he missed the last 10 events of the 1987 season. Was there discrimination ? Probably so but look at the circumstances at that time.Tim was extremely ill and if this illness made him sick enough to prevent getting in the car and knowing that his condition was terminal it is hard to imagine the thoughts of all those involved.The other team and drivers knew what the deal was but rarely if ever speak of it. Case closed.

Tim Richmond was one of the most talented drivers to ever strap into a race car. He was not however, one of the" good old boys", and was not the first to be shafted by NASCAR. He probably won't be the last. I could tell you some stories I've heard that would curl your hair, but they don't need to be aired here. They say you can"t fight city hall. There have been cases of someone beating city hall, but I don't know of anyone who ever fought NASCAR and won. On the other hand, NASCAR did't get where it is today by mistreating its racers.NASCAR was formed because of fly by night promotors who would leave with the gate money and never pay a purse. I've had that happen to me. But NASCAR would take of its people. Case in point; My first year racing Grand Am, we were invited by ASCA to inter their race a few days before our Paul Revere race at Daytona. About a dozen of us did. We were told we would not have to conform to there rules, but that was not quite true. During the race serveral of us was disqualified for one thing or another. I was dq'ed for jump starting my car in the pitts. The next day a NASCAR rep came into the garage and asked me were I had finished in the race. I said"',I think 12th overall, I'm not sure where in class. " He looked at the pay sheet and wrote me a check for that amount. You don't forget things like that. The playing field may not be level but NASCAR has been instrumental in a lot of good old boys getting rich.

If Nascar was culpable surely we would have known about it by now. Tim rests in peace.Tim Richmond was the only man I have seen that took Earnhardt into a cornerWhat is missing is what we are missing

Well I will say that is some good reading on all sides

What a powerfull post.

One thing I have not been able to figure out, is...was NASCAR scared of AIDS, or were they malicious against Tim Richmond?

I would suggest to anyone who has not read it yet, to read the biography of Tim Richmond that was issued several years ago.

I read it and it's highly recommended. I can guarentee it will also bring up a wide variety of emotions, too...

Dear Bumpertag;Thanks for the article.I remember Speedweeks 88 and the controversy that week.I agreed with Nascar then and now.That cold medicine messed up Tim's report.I wanted to see what Tim could have done in D.K.'s car but I guess that wasn't meant to be.peace,out.

Thanks for the wonderful write up. Lots of info written with great passion. Great job!