Article: THE RACE Seventeen years ago today, NASCAR star Tim Richmond died of AIDS, a disease that his sport was barely willing to acknowledge. But his hometown of Ashland will never forget his ability and his all-too- brief, all-too-bright life.

ASHLAND -- This was supposed to be one of his final resting places. The Evergreen Tavern -- the place on the edge of town that has karaoke the last Saturday of each month, mid-week lunch specials and, a couple of weeks ago, old tractors pulling farm wagons for a bar-hop hay-ride.

Tim Richmond wanted this place.

He'd grown up down the road and come here regularly with his folks. There's a big sign out front now letting everyone know Ashland is his hometown. Inside, there are framed photos and posters of him on the walls and regulars at the bar -- guys like Donnie Cooper with his Santa Claus beard and biker tattoos -- who can tell you story after story.

Cooper can tell you how Richmond used ...

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