Competing in the NASCAR Cup Series has always been Tim Brown’s lifelong dream. The 53-year-old gave up on that ambition nearly a quarter of a century ago, as lack of sponsorships proved to be a recurring stumbling block for the Virginia native. However, the veteran has finally got a long overdue chance, as he will be competing in the No. 15 Rick Ware Racing Ford in the upcoming Cook Out Clash at the Bowman Gray.
The quarter-mile oval is a track Brown knows all too well, and he will be going into the race expecting to win. The modified racer is hoping for a clean race at ‘The Clash’ and has issued a warning sign to his Cup Series rivals ahead of the pre-season fixture.
Tim Brown hopes to capitalize on NASCAR debut
All eyes will be on Tim Brown going into the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray. Despite being a NASCAR Cup Series rookie, the veteran racer has immense experience at ‘The Madhouse’, having competed on the short track since the age of 19. No driver has won more races or championships at the iconic venue than Brown, who will hope to make history with his presence. If he advances to Sunday’s 23-car Clash field, the Virginia native will become the oldest Cup Series driver since 2011 when 54-year-old Andy Pilgrim competed at Sonoma Raceway.
It’s an opportunity Tim Brown is hoping to make the most of, even though competing at the Bowman Gray Stadium comes with its own set of risks. When asked about why so many people fight at the venue, the veteran racer candidly replied, “Just the passion. I’m very passionate about what I do on and off the racetrack and we take a lot of pride in our equipment and our race cars are immaculate, so we don’t make a lot of money to do this at this level, so if you tear my race car up, I’m gonna come and see you.”
Brown has been involved in his fair share of scuffles, having raced at the quarter-mile short track for three decades. Unlike his fellow NASCAR Cup Series colleagues, the 53-year-old isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty by throwing a punch or two, revealing that he has been in “ten” fights so far, and won “all of them”. With 101 wins at the Bowman Gray Stadium, the former Modified Tour driver will be far from an underdog going into the race, and his fighting experience will mean many drivers will stay clear of the veteran in the season-opener.
Bowman Gray Stadium
Even though modifications have been made to the Bowman Gray Stadium, the venue still gives off old-school NASCAR vibes. Dominating on the narrow track requires more than raw speed, as passes made with bumpers would be the more effective strategy at the Winston-Salem track. For Brown, the opportunity to race at ‘The Madhouse’ on his Cup Series debut is the stuff dreams are made of, and the veteran racer confessed he was “on cloud nine” when he was given the chance. It remains to be seen if he can capitalize on the opportunity in the upcoming race, despite his relative lack of experience in a Next-Gen car.
Brown reveals expectations from the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray
When Tim Brown announced he would be competing in the NASCAR Cup Series at the Bowman Gray Stadium, the racer along with his wife and 8-year-old son cried ‘happy tears’. The Virginia native comes from a racing background, as his grandfather, Eb Clifton, was a car builder and mechanic, who also competed on the track occasionally. Clifton’s guidance and support helped Brown become a successful racer, who has gone on to secure 12 modified championships at ‘The Madhouse’ over the years.
Sharing his expectations ahead of the pre-season opener, Brown candidly said, “As far as being special, it’s very special just to be here, but I’m a racer and I want to win this thing. That’s why we’re here, and we’ve worked really hard to build the best car at RWR that we could build to put on a good show. I want to run well, and I want to show that we deserve to be here. That it’s not just a, ‘Hey, let’s give this old guy an opportunity to go ride around in a Cup car.’ I feel like I deserve to be here. “
Tim Brown is leaving no stone unturned ahead of the NASCAR Cup Series debut. The veteran driver has been spending time behind the Ford’s Cup simulator to prepare for the pre-season opener. For the 53-year-old, this might be his only chance to compete at the sport’s highest level, and he’s leaving nothing to chance ahead of the highly anticipated clash. Expectations will be high from Brown going into the race. The only question is if he would rise to the occasion, or wilt under the pressure.
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