Tim Flock facts for kids

Tim Flock (born May 11, 1924, died March 31, 1998) was an amazing American stock car driver. He became a champion in NASCAR two times! Tim wasn't the only racer in his family. His brothers, Bob and Fonty Flock, also raced in NASCAR. Even his sister, Ethel Mobley, was a NASCAR driver, being the second woman to ever race in the series.

Tim Flock's Racing Career

Tim Flock's 1955 Ford

Flock's Fabulous Hudson Hornet

Tim Flock started his NASCAR journey in 1949. He finished 5th in the very first Strictly Stock race in Charlotte, North Carolina. He even borrowed an Oldsmobile 88 from his neighbors for that race! At the end of NASCAR's first season, Tim finished eighth overall. His brothers, Fonty and Bob, also did well, finishing fifth and third.

Tim won his first official NASCAR race in 1950 in Charlotte. In 1951, he won seven races. The year 1952 was even better, with eight wins and four pole positions. A pole position means starting the race from the very front. Tim won his first NASCAR Grand National Championship title in 1952. He had 106 more points than the second-place driver, Herb Thomas. Tim even joked about winning the championship upside down after his car flipped in the final race!

In 1954, Tim won a race at the Daytona Beach Road Course. However, he was disqualified because of a small rule about his carburetor screws.

Jocko Flocko: The Monkey Co-Driver

Tim Flock had a very unusual co-driver named "Jocko Flocko." Jocko was a rhesus monkey! On May 16, 1953, Jocko Flocko was with Tim when he won a Grand National race at Hickory Motor Speedway. This made Jocko the only monkey ever to win a race!

Jocko retired from racing just two weeks later. During a race in Raleigh, the monkey accidentally pulled a device that allowed Tim to check his right front tire. A small rock hit Jocko, and Tim had to make an extra pit stop to remove the monkey. Tim finished third in that race. He probably would have won without the monkey trouble!

Record-Breaking Year

The year 1955 was amazing for Tim Flock and for NASCAR history. Tim won his second Grand National Championship title. He also set incredible records that year. He earned 19 pole positions and won 18 races out of 45! The 18 victories were a record until Richard Petty broke it in 1967. However, Tim's 19 pole positions in one season is still the highest number in NASCAR history!

In 1956, Tim won the International Stock Car Road Race. This was the first NASCAR Cup event ever held at Road America. Tim followed the leader, Buck Baker, for most of the race. But when other top drivers had problems, Tim took the lead and won.

Tim left his team owner, Carl Kiekhaefer, in 1956. Even though they had a lot of success together, Tim left because of health issues. He had won 21 races with Kiekhaefer's team.

Later Years and Legacy

After his main racing career, Tim Flock worked for the Ford Motor Company. He would entertain customers at racing events. In 1959, he started working for Charlotte Motor Speedway. He helped with public relations and ticket sales.

Tim's very last race was the Battle of the NASCAR Legends race in 1991. This race featured many famous drivers like Cale Yarborough and Junior Johnson. Tim finished 10th out of 22 drivers.

Tim Flock passed away on March 31, 1998, at the age of 73. He had liver and throat cancer. His death happened during NASCAR's 50th anniversary season. Weeks before he died, driver Darrell Waltrip honored Tim with a special paint scheme on his car. Tim did not have medical insurance, and Waltrip wanted to help raise money for Tim and his family.

A month before he died, Tim Flock was named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers. He has been honored in many halls of fame, including:

• International Motorsports Hall of Fame (1991)
• Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (1999)
• National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame (1972)
• State of Georgia Hall of Fame (1972)
• Charlotte Motor Speedway Court of Legends (1994)
• Alabama Sports Hall of Fame (2006)
• NASCAR Hall of Fame (2014)