Time and again, if there is one complaint that has surfaced among drivers, it is about how money has become a big deterrent for their careers. Seasoned drivers have had to give up on their careers and get accustomed to lower-tier racing, all thanks to their inability to bring in money. Only recently, Hailie Deegan resonated with a similar feeling when she pointed out what made her switch to IndyNXT and how getting money became a consistent pressure. 

In a conversation with NASCAR veteran Dale Earnhardt Jr., a legendary driver and upcoming racer for Rick Ware Racing at the Daytona 500 revealed a similar stance he had to go through. Here’s what the 53-year-old had to reveal about his career getting jeopardized due to lack of sponsorship options. 

Bowman Legend exposes monetary pressure from NASCAR as a deterrent for his career

Rightfully, Tim Brown can be easily referred to as the ‘Bowman Legend’ given that he has already encompassed 12 victories in the Modified Division. The 53-year-old racing veteran achieved a remarkable milestone last season. This is when he reached a total of  100 feature wins, the highest in the all-time standings. He has since increased that total to 101 victories. This has also been complimented by an impressive 146 pole positions.

Despite the exceptional skills he houses, his ventures in the world of NASCAR have been fairly limited. Brown made his sole appearance in a NASCAR national series in 2009, partnering with the Ware operation. In this case, he was employed with the team as a full-time suspension and drivetrain specialist. Competing in the Craftsman Truck Series at Martinsville Speedway, he secured a 27th-place finish in that race. Then what prompted the skilled driver to not venture further into NASCAR?

Speaking of the same, Brown mentioned, “I’ve enjoyed a lot of success at Bowman Gray, with 101 wins and 12 track championships. I had several opportunities that looked like they might materialize into deals in trucks or Xfinity, but they always came down to money. I’d get phone calls, but it always ended with the question, ‘How much money can you bring?’ Coming from a small town without much financial backing, I couldn’t afford to fund a truck team or buy a ride.” 

Time and again there have been concerns when it comes to NASCAR as to how much talent matters and whether money would take precedence over the same if needed. Despite his exceptional control of the cars, Brown realized that he wouldn’t be able to live up to the number game. Citing the same, he added, “By my late 20s, I realized I wouldn’t have the funds to move up, so I focused on racing at a high level in modifieds. I worked on being the best I could be at that level, and with long-term partners like Haz Jewelers, who’ve been with me for 30 years, I’ve had the equipment I need to be successful. While I regret not getting the opportunity to move up, I’ve accepted it and am content with what I’ve achieved”. 

Brown has spent decades as a car builder and mechanic for NASCAR Cup Series teams. Over the years, he has been working with prominent owners like Cale Yarborough, Michael Waltrip, Jack Roush, and Rick Ware. A fixture at Bowman Gray Stadium, he began his weekly racing career there 35 years ago. This is also when he had secured his first track championship in 1996. However, despite the legacy, Brown’s encounter with NASCAR remains limited, thanks to the money component that is associated with most drivers. The absence of a sponsor will eventually lead to a missed seat that can jeopardize the career of even the best. This is a risk that not many would want to take up. 

Trending

1

Fans Worried for NASCAR Drivers’ Safety as Controversial Wrecker Rumored to Return for Talladega Race

2

NASCAR Team Shuts Down Operations as 40 Years of Legacy Bites the Dust Against Financial Strain

3

Ex-NASCAR Champion & Motorsports Hall of Famer’s Death Leaves Racing World Mourning

4

Former NASCAR Driver Mourns the Tragic Loss of the “Strongest Woman” in His Life

5

Kyle Busch & Wife Samantha Flaunts Easter Fits for ‘Modern’ Church Visit Long After Confessing Catholic Dilemma

Brown shares feelings about first-time Cup Series ride 

The good news is that Tim Brown is now set to get back to the tracks, all thanks to Rick Ware Racing. At 53, this opportunity seems to be a golden ticket to achieve his dreams. Brown is set to drive the No. 15 Ford for Rick Ware Racing and this will mark his debut at the Cup Series. The Clash is scheduled to take place on Sunday, February 2, two weeks ahead of the regular season opener at the Daytona 500 on February 16.

Speaking of the opportunity that has come his way, something that he had been waiting for years, Brown said, “I’m hoping it’s going to be a really good race. The fear that I have is that if it’s really, really cold, like 30 degrees and the track is cold and the tires are cold, they’ll be slipping and sliding quite a bit. Racing at the stadium is hard. I think it’s going to be more difficult than even racing at the Coliseum in LA, just because of the asphalt difference and the weather, the temperature difference. It’s going to be the same for everybody, so I think the bottom will definitely be dominant. Just got to have your car turning really good in the center and have plenty of forward drive and you’ll be fine.” 

The team is also ecstatic to have Brown behind the steering after he has spent years as a key member behind the mechanics. Adding to the same, team owner Rick Ware said, “Tim was with Roush Racing for decades before he was with us. He’s a very good mechanic. He’s built all his own race cars and he understands racing. I think he’s got an inside track just because he has touched every single part of these cars. He’s a racer, and particularly at this track, he’s got a lot of experience”. With his extensive experience and passion for racing, Brown’s Cup Series debut promises to be a testament to his enduring dedication and love for the sport.