Tim Richmond (Later outbreak of HIV/AIDS)

Tim Richmond (June 7, 1955 - February 18th 2001) was an American race car driver. He competed in IndyCar before winning Eleven NASCAR Winston Cup (now Sprint Cup Series) victories.

The movie Days of Thunder was loosely based on Richmond's life, with main character Cole Trickle (played by Tom Cruise) inspired by Richmond, Rowdy Burns (Michael Rooker) inspired by Dale Earnhardt, Harry Hogge (Robert Duvall) inspired by crew chief Harry Hyde,[6] and Tim Daland (Randy Quaid) inspired by owner Rick Hendrick.[citation needed]

Richmond was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2002.

He appeared in the 1983 Burt Reynolds movie Stroker Ace.

He retired from NASCAR in 1999 however he was pursuaded to return for the 2001 season. He was killed in a multi vehicle pile up on the last lap at the Dayton 500 in a crash which also killed Dale Earnhart Sr.