For Tim Brown, a dream nearly 35 years in the making is about to become a reality. The Bowman Gray Stadium legend will make his NASCAR Cup Series debut at the NASCAR Clash exhibition race on February 2, driving the No. 15 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Rick Ware Racing (RWR).
Brown’s journey to the Cup Series has been a long and dedicated one. Since beginning his racing career at age 19, competing in NASCAR’s premier division has been a consistent goal. Now, at 53, he’ll finally get his chance on one of the sport’s biggest stages.
Known as “The Madhouse,” Bowman Gray Stadium is a special place for Brown. He’s the all-time winningest driver at the historic quarter-mile oval, with 101 victories, 12 track championships, and 146 pole positions. He holds the track’s fastest lap record and even swept every pole position in the 2003 season. His championship wins span four decades, showcasing his impressive longevity and skill.
Beyond his driving accomplishments, Brown is also a dedicated mechanic, currently working full-time at RWR as a suspension and drivetrain specialist. This unique perspective gives him an intimate understanding of the cars he’ll be racing. He’s been building Cup cars since high school, working with renowned teams like Cale Yarborough Motorsports and experiencing the evolution of Cup technology firsthand.
“I’ve worked my whole life to try to be a Cup driver,” Brown said. He expressed his gratitude to Rick Ware and the entire RWR team for giving him this opportunity.
Ware, a former driver himself, understands the dedication and hard work it takes to climb the racing ladder. He expressed pride in giving Brown this well-deserved opportunity, noting RWR’s history of providing first Cup starts to numerous drivers.
Brown will have plenty of track time leading up to the Clash. He’ll also be competing in his Modified car in the Madhouse Clash undercard event on February 1. This will provide valuable experience on the recently updated track, which now includes soft walls that have slightly altered the racing line.
Brown’s experience building and working on Cup cars, combined with his extensive knowledge of Bowman Gray, could give him an advantage at the Clash. He’s approaching the event with a humble attitude, focused on giving his best performance and enjoying the experience.
The NASCAR Clash will be broadcast live on FOX and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Greg is the author of "The Nuts and Bolts of NASCAR: The Definitive Viewers' Guide to Big-Time Stock Car Auto Racing" and has been published in major publications across the country including the Los Angeles Times, the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was also a contributor to Chicken Soup for the NASCAR Soul, published in 2010, and the Christmas edition in 2016. He wrote as the NASCAR, Formula 1, Auto Reviews and National Veterans Affairs Examiner for Examiner.com and has appeared on Fox News. He holds a BS degree in communications, a Masters degree in psychology and is currently a PhD candidate majoring in psychology. He is currently the weekend Motorsports Editor for Autoweek.
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