NASCAR legend Tim Flock died today from the liver and lung cancer that invaded his body. The strong battle that Flock mounted against the sickness spanned a three month period but in the end he was not able to fight on. Flock, who met the press at the old Charlotte Raceway in mid-January to kick off NASCAR’s 50th Anniversary Celebration, was a strong man with a clear booming voice that still felt the excitement of driving a race car in his heart. The youngest of three brothers, Tim Flock had a very successful career that showed 40 wins in 187 starts as well as two championships (1952 and ’55) in what would be called the Winston Cup series today. Flock retired from a full time schedule in 1956 and his last race came in 1960. Flock was perhaps most remembered for having a pet monkey ride with him while he drove races. The last time the monkey rode with Flock in a race it got loose and started to bother the driver. Flock figured it cost him $750.00 to stop and hand the monkey over to the crew chief as he lost a position on the track. As mentioned Flock was the youngest of three racing brothers as both his brother Bob and Truman Fontell “Fonty” Flock ran in the NASCAR series. Flock is survived by his wife Frances and sons Richard, Donald and Carl and daughters Joy Kirkpatrick and Peggy Black. Flock said earlier this year, “I’m proud of my record and I hope people never forget what I’ve done.” We won’t Tim.(GoRacing – Tim Flock Passes at 73also see the story at TNN:Tim Flock: Racing Loved Him Back), Memorial donations honoring NASCAR pioneer Tim Flock can be made to: Hospice at Charlotte, 1420 E. Seventh St., Charlotte, NC 28204.(3-31-98) (03-31-1998)
