Dick Trickle, a NASCAR driver who became known for his fun personality and unique behavior, has died at age 71 of an apparent suicide.
According to The Associated Press, the Lincoln County, North Carolina Sheriff’s Office said that he died of a self-inflicted gun wound. Authorities believe Trickle called police, telling them that “there would be a dead body and it would be his.” They tried to call him back, but he did not answer.
Trickle’s body was found in Boger City, NC, northwest of Charlotte. He was near his pickup truck, which he drove to a cemetery.
NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France released a statement, expressing his condolences to Trickle’s family. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Dick Trickle on his passing today,” France said. “Dick was a legend in the short-track racing community, particularly in his home state of Wisconsin, and he was a true fan favorite. Personalities like Dick Trickle helped shape our sport. He will be missed.”
Although Trickle was a popular figure in the sport, he never won a Cup race in over 300 starts, notes USA Today. He did win two Busch Series cups and was named the Winston Cup Series rookie of the year in 1989.
In an interview with the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Trickle’s brother, Chuck Trickle, said that he was surprised to hear of his brother’s suicide, but he was in pain just before his death. Chuck said that Trickle had been going to a doctor twice a day to try to treat a pain in his chest.
“It’s a shock to me,” Chuck told the paper. “It’s real hard to think about. He was my brother, my friend and my hero, in that order.”