More than Tim Richmond died in 1989
Ed Hinton argues that it was the end of an era for NASCAR the day Tim Richmond died.
In ‘88 came the uproar that, to this day, keeps me from rushing to judgment on Jeremy Mayfield in the current substance-abuse mess. Intentionally or unintentionally, NASCAR “besmirched” Richmond, his attorney claimed, for substance abuse, widely suspected to involve cocaine. NASCAR never proved the charges, at least not publicly.
NASCAR very likely knew Richmond had AIDS. Any bleeding injuries he might sustain on the track might put at risk their safety workers, who didn’t wear protective gloves at the time. And ordering the workers to take such precautions might spread a panic.
