Regardless of what the reason was, it's very sad to see his life end this way. Always rooted for him when I was a kid. RIP, racer.

Very sad, a true legend.

Any word if his wife was alive? Atleast the old man chose his way...

RIP

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Great guy, and a true racer. Impressive where ever he drove. Could beat anyone , anywhere. RIP Dick, and thanks for the great memories.

Dick was one of the true short track racers who was always entertaining. I had the opportunity to watch him run a lot with the old American Speed Association in it's infancy. Whe the #99 was in the pits, the boys all knew that they would have their hands full that day.

After his NASCAR days many folks didn't know that he was one of the test drivers of IROC. He was certainly one of a kind and his former crew chief in ASA, Vic Getsleff (sp?) was also quite the character. Dick certainly knew how to enjoy life and was always the life of the party. RIP!

I saw Dick win the first ever National Short Track Championship in 1966 at Rockford Speedway. I was a fan ever since. He won a record 67 features back in 1972. They ran a 5 night a week schedule and occasionally 6 when Artgo had a Tuesday night special. Oh yeah, with the same car too. Sad ending to a fantastic career.

Wasn't Dick's son, or grandson shot by a sniper out west, I believe Las Vegas, few years ago?
I saw Dick race many times in both ASA and NASCAR; he was a very talented racer.

RIP, Dick

What were the serious health issues? Cancer? Did he leave family behind?

You are thinking of Chris Trickle, he was Dick's nephew. Got shot in a drive by shooting in Vegas in 97.