5 fascinating facts about late NASCAR legend Dick Trickle on his birthday

Richard Dick Trickle remains one of American motorsport’s most memorable figures. The blue-collar racer, whose legend far exceeded his NASCAR record, would have turned 84 today.

Born on October 27, 1941, the Wisconsin native built an unmatched short-track career before transitioning to the national stage in the late 1980s. Across five decades, he competed in over 2,200 races and won more than 1,200 of those. Despite never winning a NASCAR Cup race, his achievements in regional racing made him one of the sport’s most prolific competitors.

Trickle’s life ended tragically in 2013, but his memory lives on through countless racers he inspired, like Rusty Wallace, Mark Martin, and Alan Kulwicki. Here are five fascinating facts about Dick Trickle, who defined short-track racing excellence.

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#1 Dick Trickle smoked during races

Trickle was famous for smoking cigarettes during the race. During the 1980s and 1990s, fans viewed it as part of his old-school persona. The image of Trickle drilling a small hole in his helmet to light a cigarette under caution became an enduring part of NASCAR folklore.

He once quipped that a cigarette “helped him relax” in the car, a sign of how naturally he felt behind the wheel, and fans loved him for it.

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#2 The oldest Rookie of the Year in NASCAR

When Trickle joined NASCAR’s top level full-time in 1989, he was already 48 years old and a grandfather. That didn’t stop him from winning Rookie of the Year honors, making him the oldest driver ever to do so.

Dick Trickle during the 1988 Dura Lube 500 at Phoenix International. Source: Imagn

Even as NASCAR shifted its focus toward younger stars, Trickle kept racing and winning well into his 50s and 60s. He dominated regional late-model events, often beating drivers half his age, with his last NASCAR win coming in the Xfinity Series at Darlington Raceway in 1998.

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#3 The winningest American driver in history

While Dick Trickle went winless in 303 Cup Series starts, he remains statistically unmatched across American racing. Between the 1960s and 1980s, he averaged more than 100 short-track victories a year. His 67-win 1972 season remains one of the most dominant in the history of stock car racing.

Dick Trickle (99) celebrates the 1978 Bluegrass 300 (ASA) late model race at Fairgrounds. Source: Getty

He also collected seven ARTGO championships, two ASA titles, and two NASCAR Busch Series (now Xfinity) wins. While his national record doesn’t reflect it, on short tracks, “The White Knight” was considered unbeatable.

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#4 Dick Trickle didn’t need practice

Trickle was so confident in his feel for a car that he often skipped practice entirely. At short tracks across the Midwest, it became routine. He’d arrive late, unload his car, set the fastest qualifying lap, and win the feature race, while his rivals would spend hours fine-tuning setups.

Dick Trickle (5) during the 1998 Daytona 500 Speedweek. Source: Getty

Fans admired his no-nonsense style, and competitors respected his uncanny ability to find speed without ever seeming to chase it.

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#5 Banned for winning too much

At the height of his dominance, Trickle’s success became a problem for organizers. In the 1960s, the Wisconsin-based Midwest Sportsmen Racing Association banned him because his constant wins frustrated other drivers.

Richard D. Trickle during the 1988 Daytona 500. Source: Imagn

The same happened later when he competed in the World Championship Snowmobile Derby, where officials asked him to “take a break” to give others a chance.

Trickle accepted with grace, returned later, and promptly won again.