Tim Brown Celebrates Historic Track Title

Tim Brown (center) celebrates his ninth Bowman Gray Stadium track championship Saturday

Tim Brown proved dreams can come true.

Brown, who has raced at Bowman Gray Stadium since 1991 and owned or shared many track records at the historic track, now owns another one all to himself.

Brown finished ninth in the season ending Carolina Farm Credit 150, and his top-10 finish helped him clinch his ninth track championship in the modified division to break Ralph Brinkley’s 26-year record of eight track titles.

Any racer will tell you it takes a total team effort and Brown was quick to thank everyone on his crew.

LIVING THE DREAM

From spotter Mike Jones watching from above to his brother Ben, longtime sponsor Bruce Hayes, Brown thanked everyone for helping make his dream come true.

“I used to come out here to the stadium and just dream of riding around here in a car, much less winning a race or championships,” said Brown.

Brown got to the track early in the afternoon and was one of the first cars out on the track during practice.

“This isn’t good,” said Jones from the spotters stand after a car dropped oil all over the track during practice. “I told Tim to take it easy for a few laps when he came back out for second practice.”

OVERCOMING THE PAIN

Brown, who last won the track title in 2009 at BGS, was in some serious pain from his back and had to have his brother Ben help him out of the car, but that didn’t let him stop enjoying the record-setting night.

“We had a better car than it showed in the final results but I wanted to just make sure we got the championship,” Brown added. “Now if I hadn’t won a race all year it might have been a different story.”

Defending track champion Burt Myers won the race, but it was Brown who was walking on the clouds – albeit gingerly – after his winning his ninth track title.

“This is a dream come true,” Brown said. “I am just glad we got rained out last week because I wasn’t able to move with my back. I have to thank my crew for working on the car because I wasn’t able to do much this week with my back pain.”

THE RACE

Brown got as high as sixth-place during the 150-lap season-ending event and had to avoid a four-car collision late in the race just in front of him.

Defending track champion Burt Myers won the race, but it was Brown who was walking on the clouds – albeit gingerly – after his winning his ninth track title.

“We had a better car than it showed in the final results but I wanted to just make sure we got the championship,” Brown added. “Now if I hadn’t won a race all year it might have been a different story.”

CELEBRATION IN VICTORY LANE

One special guest on hand was eight-time track champion Ralph Brinkley. Still popular with the fans who cheered him as he walked to the stage to present Brown with his commemorative plaque, Brinkley always felt his record would fall someday.

“Records are meant to be broken aren’t they,” quipped Brinkley while Brown celebrated with his crew. “We probably could have won a couple more [titles] but I built a plane and decided to do other things. If anybody was going to break it I am glad Tim did.”

One common bond Brinkley and Brown share is an affiliation with longtime supporter Bruce Hayes of Hayes Jewelers. While it is known that sponsorship helps keep race cars on the track, Brown made sure his sponsors know how much he appreciates them.

“Nine-time champion that is pretty sweet,” said Brown. “It has been a great ride and to beat Ralph’s record while we are still young feels great.”

THANKS FOR THE HELP & READY FOR NEXT YEAR

“I can’t thank Bruce {Hayes] and everyone at Hayes Jewelers enough for all of their support through the years,” Brown added. “I wouldn’t be standing here celebrating this championship without him, he is the backbone of our team.

“I am so lucky and I have the best crew, sponsors and fans in the world and Megan stands by me through thick and thin – I am just blessed.”

While he was still standing in pain after making it back to his hauler, Brown already sounded like he was ready for the 2013 season to start.

“We are going to celebrate this title and it feels good, but now we can set our sights on getting that 10th title and going after Junior’s [Miller] all-time race win record here at the stadium. We are going to get busy so we have that shot at No. 10.”

Judging by his performance this season, that record could fall next year and a repeat celebration can be taking place this time next year.