Dick Trickle was short-track racing's winningest legend, credited with more than 1,000 feature victories across the Midwest. He finally reached Winston Cup full-time at 48 and was named 1989 Rookie of the Year – the oldest rookie in the award's history – and became a cult hero for his ever-present cigarette.
Trickle died by suicide in 2013 at 71, shooting himself at a North Carolina cemetery after telling his brother he was in unbearable pain. His death highlighted the hidden struggles of aging athletes.
At a Glance
- Born: October 27, 1941, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
- Died: May 16, 2013, Lincoln County, North Carolina
- Age: 71
- Cause of death: Suicide by gunshot
Final Resting Place
Forest Lawn Cemetery and Mausoleum, Lincolnton, North Carolina.
Photo: EMS via Find a Grave
From the Book
This profile is adapted from Legends at Rest: NASCAR Legends by Howard Wear.
Portrait: from the Legends at Rest: NASCAR Legends book files. Grave photo: Photo: EMS via Find a Grave.