As the NASCAR Cup Series gears up for an exciting season, several seasoned veterans are making a splash by returning to the track after the age of 50. One notable comeback is that of Tim Brown, the all-time win leader at Bowman Gray Stadium. Recently announced by Rick Ware Racing, Brown will take the wheel of the team’s No. 15 Ford in the highly anticipated Clash at the quarter-mile oval. Scheduled for February 2 at 8 p.m. ET, this event marks Brown’s debut in the NASCAR Cup Series

But did you know that Tim Brown’s presence on tracks is marked by struggles?

Tim Brown: The struggle behind the return to track

Tim Brown, a standout in the Modified Division at Bowman Gray Stadium, holds the record with 12 championships, a feat he achieved in 2022. At 53 years old, the seasoned competitor reached a significant milestone last season with a total of 100 feature wins, currently setting the record at 101, along with 146 pole positions. Brown’s sole experience in the NASCAR national series occurred in 2009 when he partnered with the Ware operation, where he works as a full-time specialist in suspension and drivetrain. Despite his achievements, his start in racing wasn’t easy.

On a recent NASCAR Live Spotify podcast, Tim Brown said, “I grew up in my grandfather’s race shop. Back then, it was Bush Grand National Cars, and he had modified. My dream was to be a Cup driver. And that’s all I worked for. I dedicated basically my whole life to racing, but I didn’t have the money. I’d have to borrow money from Alfred Hill, Pudding Swisher, or whoever else to get to the race track. And, if we didn’t run well, I’d have to borrow money to get home. So, when I finally started having some success, and I talked to some teams like, they were like, hey, if you bring us like $3000000….and you know, back then to me, $25 or $30 was a lot of money.”

Tim Brown addressed a very real problem NASCAR drivers face. Despite having the skill to compete for wins, the lack of sponsorship keeps them from competing in the sport. At the same time, it’s an unfortunate reality of the sport. Running a car in the sport has a lot of costs and it’s usually sponsorship that pays for it. Now that Brown is picked up for the Cup Series, he can look forward focusing on racing.

Brown is gearing up to compete in the Madhouse Classic on February 1 at 1:45 p.m. ET, a 125-lap preliminary race for the Modified Division at the track. This event will provide him with a chance to experience the recent enhancements made to the historic layout, including the addition of new SAFER barriers along the outer perimeter of the racing surface. His weekly racing journey began over 35 years ago at Bowman Gray, where he won his first track title in 1996.

Now, as he prepares for the NASCAR Cup Series return to the track—its first event since 1971, the year he was born—Brown is filled with excitement and anticipation for this special moment in his racing career. “I had always worked in racing, like on Cup Cars and cup teams. So, then I just focused on my career as a mechanic and shop forming and things like that to provide for the family. And, I didn’t give up on my racing teams because, then, I was like, okay, I’ll just focus on trying to be the best-modified racer that I can be and be a great husband and father,” Brown added about his journey.

With a long history as a car builder and mechanic for NASCAR Cup Series teams, Brown has worked with well-known car owners such as Cale Yarborough, Michael Waltrip, Jack Roush, and Rick Ware.

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Another veteran returns

At 65, Mike Wallace is determined to compete in the Daytona 500 with MBM Motorsports, feeling optimistic about his chances despite a decade since his last NASCAR Cup Series appearance. With only four open entries available, he faces tough competition but has experience on his side, having qualified for the Daytona 500 11 times and achieving a notable P4 finish in 2007.

Though he emphasizes the importance of practicing and prioritizing his health—especially after the recent loss of his wife, Clara, to cancer—he expresses confidence in his ability to compete. Wallace has a strong racing history with three top-10 finishes in the Cup Series Daytona 500 and a victory in the Xfinity race at Daytona in 2004.

Facing an unusually high number of entries this season, Wallace knows the competition will be fierce, but he remains hopeful and confident about securing a spot in the race. As he prepares to bridge the gap between his experience and the talent of younger drivers, he remains focused on the challenge ahead, understanding that excitement is essential for NASCAR’s future.

How do you feel about the recent return of veterans to the tracks?