12-time Grammy Award winner Jack White has paid homage to NASCAR legend Dick Trickle in his latest album. In a release shrouded in secrecy, White distributed unbranded vinyl copies of his new album, “No Name,” to unsuspecting shoppers at Third Man Records.
The album, which had no initial cover art or tracklist, was publicly unveiled on July 27 during a surprise fundraiser event at Nashville’s American Legion Post 82. The event doubled as a concert and a charity gathering aimed at funding a new sound system for the venue. White revealed key album details and performed tracks from “No Name,” which includes heartfelt dedications to several influential figures, notably the late NASCAR driver Dick Trickle.
Trickle, a fan-favorite who began his racing career in the 1950s, inspired the character Cole Trickle in the film ‘Days of Thunder’. Trickle’s tragic passing on May 16, 2013, marked the end of an era but not the influence he left behind.
The Wisconsin-born driver carved a niche for himself with an extraordinary career in short-track racing and NASCAR. Trickle’s journey began on the short tracks of the Midwest, where he became a legend by securing over 1,000 feature wins, earning the moniker “The White Knight” for his trademark white race cars. His dominance in these circuits eventually led to his entry into NASCAR in the late 1970s. Despite beginning his NASCAR career later than most, Trickle quickly showcased his talent, capturing the NASCAR Winston Cup Series Rookie of the Year award in 1989 at the age of 48.
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While he did not achieve a Cup Series win, his career was marked by numerous top-ten finishes and several pole positions. Beyond his race results, Trickle’s legacy includes mentoring young drivers and his profound knowledge of race car mechanics and strategy.
Trickle’s life and career had a profound effect in NASCAR, particularly influencing rising stars like Kyle Busch. Trickle’s legacy threads through tragic and transformative events within NASCAR, notably influencing the careers of the Busch siblings. A fateful moment came with the tragic loss of Trickle’s nephew, Chris Trickle, whose career was abruptly ended by a drive-by shooting.
Reflecting on the impact of this event, current Richard Childress Racing driver Kyle Busch stated, as quoted in a report from Essentially Sports:
“But unfortunately, he [Chris] was shot in a drive-by shooting and never raced again but that moment was actually the turning point for the Busch family and our stature in Vegas.”
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.