Tim Richmond Fall 1986 Interview Auto Racing Digest - A.I. Reconstruction

Tim Richmond did an interview with Auto Racing Digest that appeared in the February/ March 1987 issue. He talks about how the 1986 changed him and how he wants to be viewed in the future.
** This is an interview Tim Richmond did, reconstructed using A.I. so that his words are heard in his voice once again, and available to all in an accessible format. **
Voice Cloning - Eleven Labs
Transcript:
I can remember how I used to be. I would be going down the interstate and I felt like I had to pass every car in sight. I just couldn't stand the thought of looking at somebody's back bumper.
We're a team that has come out of nowhere and can't seem to do any wrong. There was a time when I thought it would be nice to win one race in a whole year, much less six.
This is the best ride I've ever had, but I've made a difference, too. I've brought a more positive way of racing to the table this year. The reason for that is Harry Hyde. He continually pumps me up with praise. When I got with Harry, his confidence in my driving ability helped me gain patience as a race driver. He and his team led me to believe they were impressed with me. I don't have to go out and try to prove myself anymore.
He's like a Benny Hill. He's lovable and he makes you laugh. Harry has meant a whole lot to me.
I had the chance to go with Rick [when Bodine did] and I could kick myself now. Rick is something else. It was inevitable that Rick and I were going to get together. We hit it off as friends and now as an owner-driver combination.
My position as a driver is to be a winner. When I don't do that, I don't feel part of the situation. I've added another dimension to my racing. I was only a one-dimensional racer. I was racing with my foot and not with my brain. Now I can do both.
I've opened my eyes. Now I don't have to go out and burn the tires off the car to win. A few years ago, I would pass somebody on the second lap like it was the last lap.
I used to take too many chances. I don't overextend it anymore. I don't take the chances I used to. Everything is thought about in advance instead of just by wild instinct.
I enjoy being the star. I love being a star. I would love to take my clothes off and do an underwear commercial like Jim Palmer.
When I'm gone, I want to be a figure that's still talked about. When I retire, I want to tell the grandkids that I beat Richard Petty and Cale Yarborough.
Winning has sedated me a bit. I'm so much less intense now in everything. It really has made everything more enjoyable. If I were to change hat sizes, I would have to get a smaller hat rather than a larger one.
I want success bad. I feel good about what has been happening. Everybody always said Tim Richmond had great talent. They said I was going to be a superstar one of these days. Well, it's going to take a lot more wins for me to feel like I've come up and achieved my potential. I think I was born to be a race car driver.

[@nazcarcup]

Tim Richmond is a Legend. Period.

[@victormarrotti2575]

Unbelievable

[@MattDaugherty-jd7my]

Tim was a liar and he was so stupid