What's in a name? Everything, if you're a middle-aged driver who happens to be blessed with a moniker that thrills ESPN sportscasters. But once you get past the name, you find a driver that has proved his skill in various smaller series over the past 35 years. Driving eight or nine times a week on the short tracks of the Midwest, Trickle had won more than 1,200 races, before joining the NASCAR Series and moving south. A seasoned veteran, two-time ASA champion, nine-time ASA runner up, a nine-time ARTGO champion and in 1997, he became a winner in the Busch Series for the first time.
There is some controversy as to how many wins Dick Trickle has actually earned. His reputation, like most drivers, preceeds him; his "official" website touts him as "America's Winningest Driver" with over 1,200 victories in North America. While this number seems a little steep, Dick Trickle certainly has made a name for himself among racing fans as a loyal, dedicated, and skilled driver.
But he has had trouble finding much success at the sport's highest level. He was rookie of the year-at age 48-in 1989, finishing a career-best 15th in the standings. The next year, he won his first pole (at Dover) and won the Winston Open. Dick Trickle, who has no career wins in 252 career Winston Cup starts, has developed a cult following among NASCAR fans, who in 1997 voted him to fourth place in NASCAR's Driver Popularity Poll and have made him a millionaire by buying merchandise.
Garage Poll: NASCAR Winston Cup Series
Asked of the men in the trenches, the men who make the NASCAR Winston Cup Series go. If you were trapped in a dark alley and had to fight your way out, which NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver would you want on your side?
Driver
Percent
Jimmy Spencer
65%
Dale Earnhardt
9%
Rich Bickle
9%
Michael Waltrip
3%
Chad Little
3%
Robert Pressley
3%
Dick Trickle
3%
Ward Burton
3%
Tony Stewart
3%
There are some chihuahuas mixed in with the rottweilers here. One response said "Dick Trickle, unless he was smoking or drinking coffee, then I'd take Jimmy Spencer."
Larry (Git-R-Done) The Cable Guy, a moniker he picked up because he used to install cable, For years was a big Dick Trickle fan. His cousin, Mike Keneoke, raced against Trickle at La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway in Wisconsoin for a long time, so his passion for racing is only natural and his popularity has not escaped race fans or the drivers.
Dick Trickle is an American auto racer born on October 27, 1941 in Wisconsin Rapids, WI, which he still calls his hometown. He isn't very tall at 5' 6" or weigh much at 163 lbs., but it's not the size of the dog that's in the fight ... well, OK, maybe it is. He now resides in Iron Station, NC, with his wife Darlene, has three kids, and at least the same number of grandchildren. When not racing on Sundays, Trickle and fellow Wisconsin native Dave Marcis are rooting for the Green Bay Packers ... Middle name is Leroy.
Dick Trickle is perhaps one of the most colorful characters in the sport. During his time in NASCAR, Dick was famous for having a cigarette lighter in his racecars, and having his full-face helmet drilled so that a cigarette would fit in front of his mouth thru the helmet allowing him to smoke during caution laps.
The most influential person in my career, the No. 1, is Dick Trickle. Dick is the fella who helped me get my cars handling, told me about competition, told me about a lot of things and helped me win the championship with ASA in 1983 that spring boarded me into Cup.
Rusty Wallace
From The Fan Club President
Newsletter #7 - 2003
January 16, 2004
It has taken me so long to write this page. I've given up count on how many times I've written then deleted sentences. It's difficult to find the appropriate words, so please excuse me if I fumble somewhat.
I started the fan club in 1990 out of respect for my Dad and all his fans. I wasn't sure how they ran "NASCAR" fan clubs so I just went with what I felt was right for everyone. Little did I know the fan club would grow to be at one time one of the largest in racing or that it would continue for fourteen years.
Throughout the fourteen years it changed from being a fan club, to one big racing family. In the newsletters I not only wrote about Dick's racing, but also tried to share some of the personal side of the family. You responded by sharing yourselves and families as well. We've shared happy times (how many grown men cried when Dick won his first Busch race at Hickory?) and we've made it through bad luck, cars, teams, hardships and losses together. That's why I've found it so hard to find the words to say that the fan club will not continue in 2004. If in my heart I feel it's just one big family, well then it makes it a little easier. There are plenty of family members who are out there that I don't necessarily get to write to often or call, but I know that if I ever need them, they'll be there for us and we for them. I feel that way about the fan club. We don't need anything official anymore. You'll be watching and supporting Dick the same as you always have if he gets any racing opportunities. Yet I know you'll also be happy for him and the family if we just take time to enjoy what time we have together.
I've been able to see the amazement sometimes across Dick's face when I tell him about things the fan club members have done or said. You've certainly made an impact on his life. Sometimes I don't really think he thinks he's more than just a kid from Rudolph, WI who loved to drive race cars. I think that's part of what the fans see as well. He's always respected the role the fans play in racing. I remember many late nights asking if we could go home but he always said not until the last person gets and autograph, autographs have never been a task or chore for Dick, they're a way to say thanks. The other thing I feel is unique about Dick is that what you see is what you get with Dick Trickle. Many have known him for years, and whether he was dirt trackin', racing short tracks in the Midwest, then ARTGO, ASA, even on to NASCAR, he never really changed, he walked, talked, and raced with the same heart and desire.
In the last year or more I'd foreseen that Dick wouldn't be racing as much. I'll always be his personal manager, but I felt it was time for me to look into another direction for my career. I've taken on several clients (not in racing), but that require assistance in business management, accounting, payroll, etc. It's what I seem to do best, and I've enjoyed it very much. Now I'm coming to the point where I've found that I can't do it all (and that's hard for me to admit, wonder where I get that from?) It's been 14 years since I've sat on a couch at home without opening mail, writing orders, folding letters, stamping envelopes, and such. I'm not complaining it's sounds crazy but I enjoyed it, but now it's time for me to "retire" at least some of my responsibilities. It seems like the right time to do so with the fan club.
This is not a good-bye. I will continue the web site in 2004, it's been neglected but we'll have it updated and will send occasional mailings to everyone registered. You still have my email address and phone number, never hesitate to contact me if you have questions or need anything.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for the support, cheers, tears, and memories ...
