Dick Trickle On Racing
Then And Now Part 1
by Marty Tyler-Staff Writer
09/12/2003

Aside from being known as a "hard racer" or a "racer's racer," Dick Trickle is also known as a colorful guy and driver. In his early 60s now, Dick doesn't race as often as he used to, but, it isn't because he wants it that way, believe me.

I spoke with Dick earlier this week on his career, racing "then and now" and much more. His desire and enthusiasm for racing has not diminished with age. He loves EVERY minute he has spent behind the wheel of a race car. And, he still craves the excitement.

Racing has changed so much over the years and greatly so in the last decade. The cost of competition is so high today and has (multi million) dollar and dimed the independent right out that competition.

"What happened is," began Trickle, "racing has become very much commercialized. We can sit and say the way we did it was right and we can say the way they're doing it is wrong. But, you've got to remember the driver now is of the new era. The fan of the future is of the new wave. To package this thing up, I would say that I'm very proud and very happy that there was racing before Dick Trickle and there's going to be racing after Dick Trickle."

"And even though I'm still here doing some (racing), I believe I would not trade the era of racing that I was in from '59 and '60 'til today, because I'm still involved today. I'm on the way out, naturally, because of the changing of the guard and that doesn't make it all wrong. I would not trade my last 46 years, or whatever. I'm pretty happy and content."

What has Dick got to say about the types of recent behavior we've seen in racing that has caused so much negative media attention, NASCAR fines, probations and suspensions?

"Well, most of these actions you see today, you know, there used to be peer pressure, " he believes. "Now it's commercial pressure, you might say. You know, getting the job done. I think a lot of the respect for each other's equipment, all the way from the owners to drivers to pit crews, I think the racing fraternity was tighter as far as friendship and honor through the years. I think the commercial part of it that takes it away."

"There's just not the respect there used to be, "continued Dick. "Everybody is afraid of losing their job. Everybody is protecting themselves whether it's a mechanic, a driver, a crew chief, a whatever and I think what used to be the fraternity is gone. You could borrow parts back and forth and a lot of that has gone away. The dynamics of it has spiked everything up to where everybody has to prove themselves too much."

"It's the evolution of time. I'm not knocking it. The 25 year fan or racer probably doesn't like the new way. The new person isn't going to know the old way, so, he isn't going to feel the loss. I don't know if our opinion (long term fan/driver) is fair, but, it is our opinion and there are a lot of us. I think that should be noted. The baby boomers are still around. Right? So, if they (NASCAR) lose the baby boomer fan, they're going to lose a share of their market."

"Take me, I've raced for the best part of 46 years. The reason I race is I enjoy and love driving. Driving a race car is what it's all about to me. I didn't do it because I wanted to be an owner. I didn't do it because I wanted to be famous. I did it because I enjoy driving and because of the competition. I did enjoy figuring things out. I built my own "mouse trap". "

"In '89 when I finally went to Winston Cup, I drove as a reserve driver for Bobby Allison and I won Rookie Of The Year at 48. That means that the next year I'm looking at 49 years old. Most guys today at 49, even if they won Rookie Of The Year, wouldn't get a ride. So, I was pretty fortunate to get a ride for the next 10 years. Maybe because I was 49 I didn't get the Hendrick's car, I didn't the DEI car or the Roush car or Childress car. I got the intermediate car. So, therefore, although I believe I could have whipped them all, I had a mediocre car through the years."


During his full time Winston Cup career, who does Dick Trickle most admire? "The answer to that question is two fold," explained Dick. "I probably have the most respect for Richard Petty. He has probably done more for racing than any other single driver I know of. He's a perfect spokesman for racing and looked on by his peers and by the public very well. And then, during that era when I was there, Earnhardt was probably the most respected driver."

I have heard it said over the years that Dick Trickle doesn't just want to race, he HAS to race. How close to accurate is that?

" Well, there's some truth to that," he said chuckling. "I'd say I'd race for nothing, but, my wife won't let me. I love racing. And they don't really have a senior program for us. And maybe they shouldn't have. I'm not trying to change everything, but, if you can make it through 46 years and you can still walk and talk and all you've got are a few war wounds, maybe, after 46 years a guy should step back and be happy he still has all his limbs and his head's in the right place."

Speaking of those war wounds, what was the worst accident Trickle had in his career and where? "There's been so many of them. I haven't been hospitalized so much as maybe over night. Over twenty years ago, I got in a pretty good wreck at Michigan and got a pretty bad concussion. I continued racing, and I wasn't 100% for a couple of years. And up at Watkins Glen in Cale's car, a guy spun through the esses and I t-boned him. And Mark Martin got in there with me. I broke my ankle and heel, that kind of stuff. That heel bone still bothers me today. It's livable, but, before then I always wore cowboy boots and since then, I've got to wear more of a soft shoe. If I over do it, I have trouble with it. Also, a lot of whiplashes. You end up with a few aches and pains on bad days. Nothing serious, but I'm still pretty lucky to be as healthy as I am."

Dick Trickle is pretty amazing, isn't he? In Part 2, Trickle talks about how he got "hooked" on racing. He talks about those early years, his first race and much more. Known as "America's Winningest Stock Car Driver", Dick has plenty to say! So, be sure to look for the column next week.

Thank's again, Dick!

In the meantime be sure to check out his official website at www.dicktricklefanclub.com

You can reach Marty Tyler at: mtyler@catchfence.com