NASCAR

NASCAR Notebook: Rick Ware Racing Tabs Local Favorite Tim Brown for Busch Light Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium

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By
Jeff Hawkins
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Jeff Hawkins Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He joined the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on NASCAR's increasing corporate influences, particularly in northern racetracks — commentary which you might find Jeff building on as part of the Motorsports writing team at Sportscasting now.  

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Published18 Dec 2024

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With the NASCAR Cup Series poised to debut at Bowman Gray Stadium for February’s Busch Light Clash, Rick Ware Racing reached out to a local legend to compete in the preseason showcase. 

 The Concord, North Carolina-based organization agreed to terms Tuesday with Tim Brown, the track’s all-time winningest driver. The 53-year-old pilot compiled 101 career victories and 12 Modified Division championships. 

“I’ve worked my whole life to try to be a [NASCAR Cup Series] driver,” Brown said per Motorsports Wire. “I’m good with working on race cars for a living because it’s still a pretty cool gig, but I always wanted to drive for a living. For Rick Ware and everybody involved here at [Rick Ware Racing] to give me the chance to go run a Cup race is so humbling and so heartwarming. It’s really cool.”   

Scheduled to drive the No. 15 Ford, Brown previously competed in one Truck Series event in 2009, placing P27 at Martinsville Speedway. 

Rick Ware Racing has not announced a driver for the garage’s No. 51 team. 

NASCAR Officials ‘Debating’ Championship 4 Weekend Rotation 

Championship 4 destination site rumors are beginning to take root. 

Phoenix Raceway, which will host the title race Nov. 2, 2025, may be falling out of discussions for staging future championship weekend races as NASCAR officials reportedly mull alternate options. 

Since the playoff system was introduced in 2014, only two tracks have hosted the finale, Homestead-Miami Speedway (2014-19) and Phoenix. Industry officials are also analyzing the “winner-take-all” final race concept and a potential rotation of facilities for the finals.