Chuck Bown '94: NASCAR's overlooked talent

An intriguing but forgotten storyline of the 1994 NASCAR Winston Cup Season was of Chuck Bown, the 40-year-old from Oregon who had spent more than two decades climbing the development ladder. From the Winston West Series to the Busch North Series, and then the Busch Grand National Series, Bown won races and championships, and endeared himself to fans as Most Popular Driver many times over. But a full-time Cup ride eluded him – until an opportunity presented itself with Bobby Allison Motorsports. This is his story.

SPECIAL THANKS
*Bryan Hallman at the BRH Racing Archives for providing photos, plus several articles and press releases
*Tom Corbett and Justin St. Louis of the “Uncommon Deeds Motorsports Podcast.” To listen to their full interview with Chuck Bown, be sure to check out Episode 86, aired October 25, 2022, at this link: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/sh...

MUSIC
"Seasons" - Delicate Steve
(YouTube Music Library)

ARTICLES
*Coleman, Anthony. “Allison finding bad luck again,” The Tennessean, June 21, 1994.
*Janeway, Hal. “Bown beaten up, but manages to go distance,” Johnson City Press, April 11, 1994.
*Lonkhuyzen, Lori Van. “Earnhardt’s late gamble fails to knock Wallace off winning roll,” The Baltimore Sun, June 13, 1994.
*Macenka, Joe. “Bown turns fastest lap at Bristol,” The Montgomery Advertiser, April 9, 1994.
*Macenka, Joe. “Kulwicki memorabilia fading on anniversary,” The Montgomery Advertiser, April 9, 1994.
*Martin, Gerald. “Pole run lifts spirits on struggling Alliston team,” The News & Observer, April 10, 1994.
*Pearce, Al. “Daytona Briefs,” Daily Press, February 21, 1994.
*Rupinski, Patrick. “ReLife Inc. will merge with HealthSouth,” Birmingham Post-Herald, September 20, 1994.
*Stinson, Tom. “Chuck Bown,” NASCAR Scene, 1994.
*Vega, Michael and Allen Lessels, “Bown loses ride,” The Boston Globe, June 11, 1994.

UNCREDITED ARTICLES
*“Allison names Steele to replace Bown,” The Greenville News, July 11, 1994.
*“Bown continues to do more with less,” The Item, April 9, 1994.
*“Bown continues to impress,” Green Bay Press-Gazette, April 9, 1994.
*“Lineup, Odds,” The Press Democrat, May 15, 1994.
*(Martinsville Review), Daily Press, April 24, 1994.
*“Mistakes cost Irvan, Schrader at Darlington,” The Item, March 28, 1994.
*(Update on Bown’s condition), The Greenville News, June 13, 1994.
*“Wrecked Chances,” The Daily Oklahoman, February 20, 1994

OTHER SOURCES
*1990 Nestea Press Release
*1990 Kellogg’s Corn Flakes / Tex Powell Press Release, 1990
*1991 Nestea Press Release
*1992 Nestea Press Release
*1993 ReLife / Bobby Allison Motorsports Press Release
*RacersReunion.com

VIDEO CREDITS
   • Chuck Bown  

CHAPTERS
0:00 – Intro
0:57 - West Coast Star
3:11 - Busch North
5:18 - The Hensley Years
9:43 – Winston Cup
13:50 - Race 1: Daytona
20:25 - Race 2: Rockingham
21:46 - Race 3: Richmond
24:36 - Race 4: Atlanta
26:33 - Race 5: Darlington
29:12 - Race 6: Bristol
37:58 - Race 7: North Wilkesboro
38:44 - Race 8: Martinsville
44:05 - Race 9: Talladega
46:14 - Race 10: Sears Point
48:02 - Race 10a: Winston Select Open
49:04 - Race 11: Charlotte
49:46 - Race 12: Dover
50:51 - Race 13: Pocono
55:58 - Race 14: Michigan
59:20 - Phone Stopped Ringing
1:03:31 - Closing