Former NASCAR driver Dick Trickle has died of a self-inflicted gun shot. Trickle, 71, competed in 303 Sprint Cup races over a 24-year career. While Trick never won a race he managed 36 finishes inside the top ten.
Trickle gained a lot of fans and notoriety racing dirt tracks around the country earning cult-like status. Trickle was also known for smoking while driving, taking a puff when the racing allowed.
The last time Trickle competed in NASCAR was 2002 when he competed in three events.
As Yahoo Sports notes, Around noon on Thursday, the Lincoln County Communications Center received a call indicating that there would be a dead body at the Forest Lawn Cemetery in Boger City, and that it would be the speaker’s. Return calls to the number went unanswered. When crews arriving at the scene they found Trickle’s body lying near his pickup truck.
Trickle apparently had a suicide note on his body but the contents of that note are unknown at this time.
Needless to say the death of Trickle has shocked the NASCAR community.
Nationwide Series driver Brian Scott tweeted the following “RIP Dick Trickle. Thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.”
CEO Brian France commented on Trickle’s death saying, “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Dick Trickle on his passing today.”
Trickle is survived by his wife Darlene (McMahon)Trickle, three children Victoria Bowman (John), Tod Trickle, and Chad Trickle (Shannon), and 3 grandchildren, Lucas Bowman, Courtney Trickle and Carlee Trickle.
There have been requests for where to send flowers, in lieu of flowers the family has asked that a donation be made in Memory of Dick to: Victory Junction, 4500 Adams Way, Randleman, NC 27317. They thank you for all your love, thoughts, and prayers.
There have been requests for where to send flowers, in lieu of flowers the family has asked that a donation be made in Memory of Dick to: Victory Junction, 4500 Adams Way, Randleman, NC 27317. They thank you for all your love, thoughts, and prayers.
