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During the 70’s,
when many teenagers were focused on rock-n-roll, tie-dyed t-shirts,
smiley faces, and peace signs, one Western Kentucky teen already had
his sights on something a little more “racy.” At the ages of
fourteen-years-old, Benton native, Tim Brown, already knew that he
wanted to be a racecar driver. That decision, made early on in his
life, has resulted in a driving career that has spanned almost 30
years.
Brown, who was born in 1962, is the son of Roy and Peggy Brown, of
Calvert City, Kentucky. He also has a sister named Carol. Brown
has lived in Marshall County his entire life. He and his wife, Kim,
who were married in 2004, have five children between them: Dustin,
Austin, Cameron, Cary, and Keylee.
When not racing, Brown works in the family business, Custom
Automotive, located in Calvert City, where they sell wheels, tires,
and custom automotive products. The business is easy to find on
Hwy. 62, where many locals associate the place with all of the
vintage gas pumps and other various gas station memorabilia found
there.
When asked why he wanted to become a racecar driver, Brown
responded, “From the time I was about four-years-old, my dad always
took me to the races. Back then when we went to the track in
Reidland, and then later on to Paducah International Raceway (PIR).
You see, my dad liked racing too. It’s kind of in our blood,
although Dad never raced one himself,” said Brown. Roy Brown helped
his son get his start and supported him in many ways throughout the
years. He served as a member of Tim’s pit crew until the 1980’s.
“My dad bought me my first racecar back in ‘76, but we didn’t begin
racing until April of 1977,” says Brown. He says that all of their
excitement and hard work paid off because, “on May 14, the very
first month after starting to race, I won my first race.” Brown’s
other accomplishments include winning the 1978 Mid-Season
Championship at PIR in both 1978 and 1979. In 2000, he won nine
feature races at KLMS, as well as the Points Championship there.
 There have been gaps of time over the years where Brown was unable
to race. For example, as in 2001, after having an accident and
breaking his arm. That incident kept him from racing until the arm
healed. Although he hasn’t been able to race every year over the
almost 30-year span since he began, time has not diminished his love
for the sport.
“These days, I drive a Late Model car, with a 2006 Masterbilt
Chassis, which was built by Ronnie Stucky,” Brown says. The engine
in his #T14 Late Model is made by Custom Race Engines of Knoxville,
Tennessee.
When asked if he had a favorite track, he said, “It’s hard for me to
pick a favorite track, but I won a lot of races at the track in
Calvert,” says Brown. “Of course, Paducah ‘is’ where I started out,”
he reminds me. “It always makes me feel like I’m goin’ back home
when I race at PIR,” he stated.
Brown credits his racing crewmembers for keeping him rolling each
week. They include: Cary King, Ronnie Irvan, Tait Davenport, and
Cameron Brown (Tim’s son).
Tim Brown’s dream to become a racecar driver was
realized at the young age of 14, and should stand as a reminder to
all young people and their parents. Take a serious look at “all” of
your interests in life, and not only in what may be “popular” at the
time. Setting goals early in life can result in an enjoyable hobby,
or maybe even a successful career that can last a lifetime. Doing
what you “truly” love and enjoy can make all the difference in the
world when it comes down to happiness. |
