 Richmond fell ill the day after the 1986 <unk> annual banquet during a promotional trip to New York . He was not well enough to begin the 1987 <unk> season despite lengthy hospitalization in Cleveland and further rest at home ; when Richmond missed the <unk> 500 , his condition was reported as double pneumonia . Media later reported that he had tested positive for acquired immune <unk> syndrome ( AIDS ) . He returned to <unk> for the Miller High Life 500 during the middle of the year . Starting third , he led by the fifth lap and ultimately led 82 laps , including the final 46 , to win the race by eight car @-@ lengths over Bill Elliott . In the middle of the race , Richmond 's car suffered <unk> problems . Because he could use only fourth ( high ) gear , he had to use that gear to slowly exit the pits . Richmond was emotional after the victory , saying , " I had tears in my eyes when I took the <unk> flag . Then every time anyone <unk> me , I started <unk> again . " Richmond earned a victory in the next race at Riverside , and made his final 1987 start at Michigan International <unk> 's Champion <unk> <unk> 400 that August , finishing 29th with a blown engine . He resigned from <unk> <unk> in September 1987 . 
