Dick Dixon

Competitor
CLASS OF 2004

Dick Dixon was a family man from Warehouse Point, Connecticut. He was a top competitor in the United Stock Car Racing Club of the 1950’s & 1960’s, including a pair of track champions at Plainville Stadium (1954, 1957). He then became a star in the Grand American late model division run by United President Harvey Tattersall Jr. One year, he won 13 of 15 races held by United. He earned several wins on the old Big E racetrack in Springfield, MA driving both coupes & late models.

Dixon and the white ‘8-Balls’ that he built in his own shop were synonymous. In an era before fire retardant clothing, Dixon & the 8-Ball crew stood out in their clean white shirts and pressed pants. At a time when most of his competitors were having success with Chevys, he was almost exclusively a Ford man.

Dixon won at New England tracks such as Riverside Park Speedway, Westboro Speedway, Waterford Speedbowl and Thompson Speedway. In 1965, he competed in 8 NASCAR Grand National (now Cup Series) events. He drove Dan Colone’s #8 to seven Top 10’s and five Top 5’s in only eight starts.

Unfortunately, Dick Dixon lost his life after a wreck at Thompson Speedway on May 28, 1967 in the #0 sedan normally driven by Billy Harman. As a tribute to Dixon’s popularity, the Indianapolis Speedway had a moment of silence the weekend after Dick passed away. Sandra Dixon, Dick’s wife, summarized his career by saying,” Racing was his life, his passion. People who knew him loved him, and he loved the people he met through racing. He loved signing autographs, especially for the children. He was the love of my life, and every moment was a special moment.”