Thirty-five years ago, Tim Brown, a young guy in his twenties, performed a range of jobs for Cale Yarborough’s racing crew. He built motors. Car bodies were put in place. hungs that are suspended. He was busy repairing his own car and winning at little tracks throughout the Southeast, especially in North Carolina, where he was born, when he wasn’t repairing other people’s. He had high NASCAR aspirations when racing short courses. He is currently caught up in a “whirlwind.” He calls it a “Cinderella story” with good reason.
One that concludes with the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season opener at the racetrack he might as well call home. Returning to its roots, NASCAR will host The Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem on Sunday at 8 p.m.
Additionally, when the Cup Series comes to a historic racetrack in North Carolina, Brown, a native of Yadkinville, a staff member of Rick Ware Racing, and the most successful driver in Bowman Gray Stadium history, will make his first Cup Series appearance. On Monday morning, Brown responded to a question about the month that has passed since the announcement by telling The Charlotte Observer,
“I’ve described it as a whirlwind, but it’s been excellent.” He was splicing in before heading to his next media appearance, which was on The Dale Jr. Download, after wrapping off his morning job at the RWR store. “And the car is freaking amazing,” he continued. “Dude, I can’t wait.”
The path used by Tim Brown to become Bowman Gray’s greatest driver ever
To understand how this all came together, take a look at the distinct paths taken by Brown and NASCAR, as well as the major role Bowman Gray plays in each. Brown first: The 53-year-old vehicle constructor, mechanic, and driver was first exposed to racing as a young boy by his grandfather, Eb Clifton, who owned a race shop in Yadkinville. Tim and his brother Ben were practically raised by Clifton because Brown’s father was not there. Their granddad took Tim and Ben to racetracks in North Carolina and overseas. After graduating from Starmount High School, Tim wanted to pursue a career as a racer.
Since he lacked funds and a source of them, he joined the Yarborough’s Cup squad by using his grandfather’s connections.
It was his first job in racing. After working from the race shop and spending some time traveling with the team, he would “come back and race my car,” which was a modified car that he had financed for himself. Wins began to mount up slowly at first, then nearly at the same time. He was most successful during the weekly features at Bowman Gray Stadium, a quarter-mile oval and one of North Carolina’s oldest racetracks that had not held a NASCAR race since 1971 but was still thriving. At Bowman Gray, he is without a doubt the favorite to win. It’s similar to his initial one from the early nineties. He also records his 70th victory, making him the most successful driver in the racetrack’s Modified Division.
He claims that the first one he won in front of his whole family—wife Megan, son Cam (8), and daughter Marley (3)—is his favorite. His 100th victory at the Winston-Salem track, when he surpassed Jimmy Johnson as the most successful driver in all of the stadium’s racing series, is the most well-known. Brown now has 12 track titles, 101 victories, and 146 poles at the track. When he makes his NASCAR Cup debut in a few days, he will be able to realize a lifelong dream.
He claims that the first one he won in front of his whole family—wife Megan, son Cam (8), and daughter Marley (3)—is his favorite. His 100th victory at the Winston-Salem track, when he surpassed Jimmy Johnson as the most successful driver in all of the stadium’s racing series, is the most well-known. Brown now has 12 track titles, 101 victories, and 146 poles at the track. When he makes his NASCAR Cup debut in a few days, he will be able to realize a lifelong dream.
His story is comparable to that of other legendary short-track drivers who were passed over for full-time NASCAR competition because they lacked sponsorship funds or had other extenuating circumstances. Take the example of one of the greatest short-track pavement racers of all time, Bubba Pollard. “From the stands, I watched my grandpa’s cars race, and they didn’t do very well, to be honest,” Brown said. Although they only won a few races, they did manage to win a few. And all I wanted to do as a kid was sit up there. I never imagined that I would win a race, let alone be the most successful driver in the establishment’s history.