Larry was an awesome race car driver. I recall that year at Indy in 78 when his car owner got him that year old Penske McLaren. Larry proved what he could do if given good equipment.
Robin Miller, my all time fave racing journalist. When Robin Miller speaks, REAL Indycar fans listen! Keep it up! Looking fwd to NBC coverage of Indycar in 2019!
I was hired to be a mechanic by his nephew Steve at Tasman. I remember doing a test somewhere and some local old guy saw the cars on the track and wondered into the track to watch. Might have been Gingerman. The guy told me he was really a sprint fan from way back. I asked him If he knew about Larry Dickson. His face lit up and he proceeded to tell me stories about Thunder and Lightning. I'd actually never knew about the rivalry until then. It gave me great pleasure to say to him "That's Larry's nephew over there" and call my stern hard ass boss over to reminisce with the old timer.
Larry lived in my neighborhood still has homes here I have spoke with him a few times and he has even been in my home I seen all the Indy 500 he has been in I was there as a teen I lived on the west side of Indy and went to all the race's back then he was always nice to me real good man in my book. After racing he started investing in property in my neighborhood and remodeled homes here and still dose to this day.
I got to see Larry race a lot at Ohio Valley Speedway & Hilltop Speedway , also Paul & tom Dickson , all were real good drivers . Miss those good old days ...
In one of your shows I heard you talk about Gary Irvin, Steve Stapp, and some of the other local Indianapolis racers, I had a close friend that did engines for those guy - Donnie Ray Everette -- another racer Jerry Miller --- Thanks for these great stories
Hey Robin, thanks for continuing the tough man series. I have memories of being out at indy with Todd and Cary B and seeing you wondering around, Todd B would start laughing seeing you sometimes chase the drivers around who didn't want to talk to you. Todd told me you was the only one who understands racing and had the balls to ask the tough questions. I know the mayor of Monrovia (Gary B.) Liked and laughed about some of the things you did. Just a real pleasure seeing you on racer.
@Bobb Grimley Don't mean to start a myth...I went to so many races at Reading 1966-74 ..I'll take Foyt and Andretti out of that observation with Gary & Larry...but I'm sure in the Spring of '71 the other three did race when Reading hosted more USAC sprint car events than any race track in the country up to the early 70's. Indy champions loved to compete at “The Home of Champions. ”...There's a cool 1966 photo showing Mario Andretti # 9 dueling with “Lone Star JR ” Johnny Rutherford. They would often fill in a Saturday run before the Indy cars raced at Trenton or Langhorne...just an old brain recalling great days. Peace
I knew Larry because his ex wife owned a rental house next door to one of my rental house. We would often bump into each other over on Luett Ave (Next to the IMS track). He was very humble when speaking of his old racing days and seemed content about working on whatever job he was doing at the time. Nobody knows this little fact but he shared with me that the house at 1623 N Luett (next to mine) was where they actually built the car that won in 1955, Larry told me about the guy and how he had died in a race a year or so after winning in '55. He had told me back in the early days Luett & Livingston was just full of racers. Now, it's just meth heads. Sad.
![SAFEPLANET - ดาวเคราะห์ [ THE PLANET ]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/4X1XL3I_k3c/mqdefault.jpg)
Larry was an awesome race car driver. I recall that year at Indy in 78 when his car owner got him that year old Penske McLaren. Larry proved what he could do if given good equipment.
Robin Miller, my all time fave racing journalist. When Robin Miller speaks, REAL Indycar fans listen! Keep it up! Looking fwd to NBC coverage of Indycar in 2019!
I was hired to be a mechanic by his nephew Steve at Tasman. I remember doing a test somewhere and some local old guy saw the cars on the track and wondered into the track to watch. Might have been Gingerman. The guy told me he was really a sprint fan from way back. I asked him If he knew about Larry Dickson. His face lit up and he proceeded to tell me stories about Thunder and Lightning. I'd actually never knew about the rivalry until then. It gave me great pleasure to say to him "That's Larry's nephew over there" and call my stern hard ass boss over to reminisce with the old timer.
Lighting is an awesome guy I'm thankful to be able to call him a great friend
Larry lived in my neighborhood still has homes here I have spoke with him a few times and he has even been in my home I seen all the Indy 500 he has been in I was there as a teen I lived on the west side of Indy and went to all the race's back then he was always nice to me real good man in my book. After racing he started investing in property in my neighborhood and remodeled homes here and still dose to this day.
I got to see Larry race a lot at Ohio Valley Speedway & Hilltop Speedway , also Paul & tom Dickson , all were real good drivers . Miss those good old days ...
In one of your shows I heard you talk about Gary Irvin, Steve Stapp, and some of the other local Indianapolis racers, I had a close friend that did engines for those guy - Donnie Ray Everette -- another racer Jerry Miller --- Thanks for these great stories
Love the history lessons, Robin Miller
Hey Robin, thanks for continuing the tough man series. I have memories of being out at indy with Todd and Cary B and seeing you wondering around, Todd B would start laughing seeing you sometimes chase the drivers around who didn't want to talk to you. Todd told me you was the only one who understands racing and had the balls to ask the tough questions. I know the mayor of Monrovia (Gary B.) Liked and laughed about some of the things you did. Just a real pleasure seeing you on racer.
Get well soon Robin
Thank you Robin!! Nice piece on my uncle..
who is your father , Paul or Tommy ?????
MrEd Tommy
Great video. Thanks
Great stuff, thanks!
Not to fail to mention Foyt, Andretti, Carter, and Parsons and Oppermann could all show up...I remember day at Reading....wow...what a great time
@Bobb Grimley Don't mean to start a myth...I went to so many races at Reading 1966-74 ..I'll take Foyt and Andretti out of that observation with Gary & Larry...but I'm sure in the Spring of '71 the other three did race when Reading hosted more USAC sprint car events than any race track in the country up to the early 70's. Indy champions loved to compete at “The Home of Champions. ”...There's a cool 1966 photo showing Mario Andretti # 9 dueling with “Lone Star JR ” Johnny Rutherford. They would often fill in a Saturday run before the Indy cars raced at Trenton or Langhorne...just an old brain recalling great days. Peace
Robin, can you do a Vid on Sammy Sessions? I understand he lost his life in a horrendous Sno Pro crash in 76 or 77?
I knew Larry because his ex wife owned a rental house next door to one of my rental house. We would often bump into each other over on Luett Ave (Next to the IMS track). He was very humble when speaking of his old racing days and seemed content about working on whatever job he was doing at the time. Nobody knows this little fact but he shared with me that the house at 1623 N Luett (next to mine) was where they actually built the car that won in 1955, Larry told me about the guy and how he had died in a race a year or so after winning in '55. He had told me back in the early days Luett & Livingston was just full of racers. Now, it's just meth heads. Sad.