The body of the retired race car driver was found at the Forest Lawn Cemetery in Boger City, North Carolina, 30 miles west of Charlotte. His body was discovered near his pickup truck.
Trickle reportedly called police before shooting himself and forewarned them "there would be a dead body and it would be his."
One of racing's most renowned Good Ol' Boys, Trickle's career spanned three decades after he made his debut on the NASCAR circuit in the #84 Miller High Life Buick for Stavola Brothers Racing. He competed in a total of 2,200 races — never winning a Cup race in 303 tries.
Dubbed the "White Knight" by his corporate sponsor SuperAmerica, he was said to have nabbed the most wins in short track racing.
He was named the Rookie of the Year in NASCAR's Winston Cup in 1989 at age 48.
During his racing career, the charismatic driver attracted attention when he drilled a hole in his safety helmet to allow him to smoke a cigarette as he competed. He also installed cigarette lighters in his cars so he could smoke during races, recall race fans.
Television anchors enjoyed making light of the alliteration in his colorful name and would always take notice of Trickle's finish, regardless of his placement, just to say it on the air.
Tom Cruise's character's name, Cole Trickle, in "Days of Thunder" was an homage to the racing legend who had lived in Lincoln County, North Carolina since the 1990s.
Tom Cruise's character's name, Cole Trickle, in "Days of Thunder" was an homage to the racing legend who had lived in Lincoln County, North Carolina since the 1990s.
Sheriff's Lieutenant Tim Johnson says foul play is not suspected.
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