Deke Astle

Competitor
CLASS OF 2014

Richard “Deke” Astle Sr was known in racing circles as “The Little Man with The Big Cigar.” Part of one of New England’s premier racing families, the Westport, MA product began in the early 1950s. He emerged from the flathead days into a versatile contender throughout the Northeast, but especially at the Massachusetts tracks.

He won the 1966 Class A Championship at Seekonk Speedway. He also earned a championship on the dirt at Lakeville Speedway. Over his three-decade career, he visited victory lane at Seekonk Speedway (28), Westboro Speedway and Lakeville Speedway.

He would also branch out to have strong runs at Thompson Speedway, Waterford Speedbowl and Lebanon Valley in New York. He ended his career competing in the Pro Stocks at Seekonk in the 1980’s.

One of Seekonk’s most popular drivers, he was inducted into Seekonk’s Wall of Fame in 2015. Deke passed away on March 1, 2021.