Memories of Dick Trickle: A Candid Story

Dick Trickle is certainly one of the unforgettable names in NASCAR history, and recently, his former crew chief, Jimmy Fennig, has shared a fascinating story about the 1989 Rookie of the Year.

Fennig, who has had a lengthy career as a crew chief, worked with several well-known drivers including Mark Martin, Kurt Busch, and Carl Edwards. Back in 1989, he teamed up with Trickle, who was stepping into the NASCAR scene at the age of 48 after earlier stints in other racing circuits.

During a recent episode of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s podcast, Fennig reflected on his time with Trickle, another Wisconsin native. “I remember our first race at Rockingham,” he started. “Dick, being from up north, always wore cowboy boots. I brought him some driving shoes, knowing how much hotter it gets inside those cars than in the ASA cars.”

But Trickle had other ideas. “He insisted he was fine with his boots,” Fennig recalled. So, reluctantly, Fennig let it be, and Trickle climbed into the car fully equipped in his cowboy boots—a choice that, looking back, didn’t seem too wise.

Eventually, during the race, Trickle realized his blunder. “I think that’s when they threw a yellow flag,” Fennig said, chuckling. “He needed shoes, so I said, ‘Alright, you’re getting four tires and a set of shoes too.’”

As the conversation continued, Earnhardt inquired about another interesting part of Trickle’s persona. “Did he keep a cigarette lighter in your car?” Fennig affirmed that he had indeed installed one at Trickle’s request. Fennig humorously recounted an incident when Trickle crashed entering the pit lane at Dover—he suspected it might have been because Trickle was lighting up a cigarette.

Of course, we may never know the complete story behind that incident, but just before this interview was released, a video popped up online showing Trickle puffing away during a race. A sight that, let’s just say, might make modern racing officials raise some eyebrows.