Tim Flock

Julius "Tim" Flock the younger brother of Fonty Flock had a shorter career than his brother. Tim's career was very successful and paid more because he was in his prime when the purses were much bigger. Tim's brothers Fonty and Bob actually tried to talk Tim out of racing.

It was Tim's older sister Ethel and her husband who helped

Tim get his career going in 1948. Tim ran modified cars in '48 and completed enough Grand National races in '49 to place eighth in the points standing. Brother's Bob and Fonty finished 3rd. and 5th. respectively. Wow three brothers in the Top-10, the first for the Grand National. Tim did not race in 1950 due to injuries he suffered in a four-car crash at Charlotte Speedway. However he did come back strong and finished third in 1951 and won the championship in 1952.

Tim finished sixth behind brother Fonty, in 1953. In 1955 Tim had one of his greatest seasons ever with Tim, Fonty, Bob Flock

eighteen wins, a NASCAR record, and won his second Grand National championship. Tim earned $3,000. for his first title and $5,000. for his second title. Not much compared to the purses today.

Tim was the only driver in NASCAR history to have a monkey as a passenger when he raced. The monkey called Jocko Flocko raced with Tim in eight races. When Jocko died and the children asked about him, Tim told them he had to get rid of Jocko because he couldn't sign autographs. Jocko got loose once and grabbed Tim around the neck, forcing Tim to make a costly pit stop.

Tim won 21.2% of the 189 races he ran. In 1955 and '56 Tim won a race each year and in 1954 he had a victory taken away because of an illegal carburetor. Tim captured NASCAR season points championship in '52 and '55 and won 40 races in a career that ended in 1962. Tim was considered the best beach course racer.

During the '55 season when Tim won 18 races he also led more than 40% of the laps ran that season. He also earned 19 poles in '55 as well. Tim passed away on March 31, 1998 a short time after being named one of NASCAR's 50 greatest drivers. Actually they held a private informal ceremony in his hometown to honor him for being one of the 50 greatest drivers for NASCAR a month before he died. In January 1999 he was officially honored.

Other awards earned by Tim were the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) Hall of Fame, State of Georgia Hall of Fame(72), International Motorsports Hall of Fame (91) and the Charlotte Motor Speedway Court of Legends (94). From http://www.decadesofracing.net/TimFlock.htm

Vital Statistics

Name: Julius Timothy "Tim" Flock
Born: May 11, 1924
Died: March 31, 1998
Spouse: Frances
Children: Richard, Donald, Carl, Peggy, Joy
Hometown: Born in Ft. Payne, Alabama. Also lived in Atlanta, Ga. & Charlotte, North Carolina.

Notable Achievements

Other Trivia

The Story of "Jocko Flocko"

Jocko Flocko was a Rhesus monkey and remains the only known "co-driver" in NASCAR history. On May 16, 1953, Jocko helped Tim win the Grand National race at Hickory, N.C. - becoming the only winning monkey to date. Unfortunately, Jocko was forced to retire from "driving" duties two weeks later in Raleigh, N.C. Tim Flock recalls the incident:

"I actually raced with a monkey, which I named Jocko Flocko, for eight races in 1953. It started as a publicity stunt, and we gave him his own driving uniform and a specially designed seat. Back then the cars had a trap door that we could pull open with a chain to check our tire wear. Well, during the Raleigh 300, Jocko got loose from his seat and stuck his head through the trap door, and he went berserk! Listen, it was hard enough to drive those heavy old cars back then under normal circumstances, but with a crazed monkey clawing you at the same time, it becomes nearly impossible! I had to come into the pits to put him out and ended up third. The pit stop cost me second place and a $600.00 difference in my paycheck. Jocko was retired immediately. I had to get that monkey off my back!"

With Ted Chester folding his NASCAR Grand National team after the close of the 1953 season,
Tim Flock had to look for a ride in 1954. Colonel Ernest Woods was just entering NASCAR and
picked up Flock to drive his #88 Oldsmobile at Daytona. The car was equipped with a General
Electric two-way radio, the first used in NASCAR Grand National competition. Woods could
communicate with Flock during the race -- a major innovation for the day.

Tim Flock in his trophy room

Tim Flock and the 1952 Championship Trophy shaking Cannonball Baker's hand,
Bill France, Sr. at the microphone

In the middle 'Rebel' Frank Mundy, Tim Flock to the right

Tim Flock was born in Ft. Payne, Alabama. Tim, his brothers, Bob and Fonty, and his sister Ethel loved race cars. They loved racing, race tracks – anything about racing and especially beach racing. Tim raced through the 40's, 50's and 60's.

Tim raced on the beach; he raced on dirt tracks; and he raced on super speedways. He raced anywhere, anytime. The stiffer the competition, the faster the cars, the better Tim liked it. The roar of the cars, the smell of the gas, the heat of the engines, and the race to the checkered flag were glorious. Racing? "It's in a man's blood," Tim Flock once said. He followed the circuit and got his share of wins, but he was most proud of his record 18 pole positions in a single season and his two Grand National championships.

Tim frequently appeared at race tracks and other racing events as a goodwill ambassador. He had a special rapport with the fans, and they loved him.

But the beach races were his best memories, and Tim wished for one last ride on the beautiful sands of Daytona. Tim got that wish on February 10, 1997 when he rode in the Living Legends beach parade with his wife, his children, and his long-time friends, Billy Watson and J.B. Day, at his side. Tim had a big smile. Tim Flock is truly a legend, and his friends and fans will miss him.

I can still see Tim driving his Chrysler 300 down the beach -- full throttle, the wind in his face, the water at his side, and the sand beneath his wheels. There goes Tim Flock out in front and racing toward the checkered flag. May he drive forever. I know God has a beach waiting, and the race is ready to start. Tim has the inside pole and is off - racing on forever. From Living Legends of Auto Racing Website

Year

Age

Races

Win

T10

Pole

Laps

Led

Earnings

Rank

AvSt

AvFn

Miles

1949

5 of 8

347

1,510

3.5

12.8

414.5

1950

12 of 19

1403

190

4,080

6.4

10.2

1274.7

1951

30 of 41

2259

844

15,155

5.3

7.7

1661.2

1952

33 of 34

5345

1469

22,890

5.3

7.6

3564.4

1953

26 of 37

1990

289

8,282

4.2

10.8

1774.3

1954

5 of 37

800

180

1,050

4.0

20.6

790.9

1955

39 of 45

6208

3495

37,780

3.2

4.6

4555.9

1956

22 of 56

3076

445

15,768

6.7

9.3

2695.8

1957

1 of 53

135

10.0

12.0

0.0

1958

3 of 51

167

410

11.3

30.0

176.3

1959

2 of 44

223

850

22.0

16.5

557.5

1960

2 of 44

235

850

16.5

21.5

347.9

1961

7 of 52

1227

1,605

19.0

21.7

1397.5