| The “King” Makes Plans to Return to the Drivers Seat | A KARNAC.com FLORIDA STOCK CAR RACING SPECIAL REPORT
By Rick Warren
Imagine if you will, that the current year is 1980. Now, imagine that you are a racer in the premier Late Model Division at any race track in the Sunshine State. It’s Saturday afternoon, and you are busy in the pit area making a few final adjustments to your race car.
You glance around, and notice quite a few people staring at the pit entrance. You take a look, and all your preparation suddenly seems inadequate, as you realize that the “ King of Florida Short Track Racing” has arrived on the scene.
The Man.
This is the racer that in 1979 had won at least 1 feature race at every asphalt short track in Florida. You realize that the competition for the win has just increased exponentially. You know that Dick Anderson did not come to run second.
Fast forward 20 years, to the year 2000. Anderson wins the Florida Pro Late Model Series Championship. Anderson wins the Sunbelt Super Series Championship. Anderson wins the Florida Triple Crown. Anybody see a pattern here?
In his career, which began some 42 years ago at Hialeah Speedway in the Street Stock division, Anderson has won well over 1000 feature races.
The list of accomplishments is long indeed. Here are just a few:
-1980- Entered 64 Feature Events; 51 Wins
-19 feature wins in a row at West Palm Beach Speedway.
-2001- Entered 36 Extended Distance Features. 26 Wins.
Eventually, all of us get tired, even in the best of circumstances. When you add in lots of travel, cheap hotels, and too many racetrack hotdogs for meals, it is understandable how 35 years of racing could be considered enough.
Dick Anderson teamed up with son Wayne Anderson to get to Winners Cirlce
The “King” stepped aside, and left the long tows to the younger men. The “King” enjoyed a little free time. But the “King” never left the world of Florida Short Track Racing. From setting up race cars for others, to building race cars, to Tutoring young racers and teaching a few classes at selected racing seminars, Anderson kept his hand in the sport that he loved, and that had been so good to him. Anderson was still a presence at Florida Race Tracks, as
Dick still fielded a Super Late Model Racer, as car Owner, Car Chief, and Crew Chief. Working with several young racers, such as Mike Franklin, B.J. McLeod, Ted Christopher, Jason Boyd, and even calling on Wayne Anderson to drive from time to time, the cars of Dick Anderson’s New Dixie Racing continued to meet with success.
Not too long ago, Anderson was given an opportunity that few racers ever get. Dick was asked to design a Super Late Model chassis, incorporating all the tricks and tweaks he had learned over the years. After much thought and hard work, the first chassis was finished, and several more begun. Unfortunately, the company suffered financial difficulties, and production was stopped. Anderson was able to purchase the assembly jigs, and moved them to his shop in Wildwood, Fl. The chassis that Dick designed is still in production at New Dixie Racing, although in very limited numbers.
Now, fast forward one more time, to the year 2006. The “King” is planning his return to the Short Track Wars of Florida. The #92 will once more carry Dick Anderson around Florida’s Race Tracks. Two big questions arise.
Does he still have “it” ? Why climb back in the saddle?
While waiting out a rain delay at New Smyrna Speedway I asked Dick Anderson to answer these questions. As to the question do you still have “it”,(with “it” being that intangible ability to drive a Super Late Model right to the edge of control, and do it fearlessly)
Dick replied, ”If I honestly thought I couldn’t be competitive, I wouldn’t do this. I know that I might have lost a little bit of that edge. That is why I’m not rushing it. I’m doing a lot of distance walking, watching my diet, and working at the gym a couple days a week. I plan on entering some shorter races at first, and then moving up to the extra distance races. I’m planning on the first race in May, and working up to the bigger races, probably in July or August.”
When I asked Dick what it was that lit the fire for him to climb back in the race car, I found his answer somewhat surprising.
After a short pause, Dick responded this way; “ I’m not doing this because I think I have something to prove as a driver. I’ve really had fun working with the younger drivers. I like to teach. I really enjoyed watching Wayne (Anderson) in the car. I think we both have the same feel for the car, and it’s been cool working with him. In fact, if Wayne didn’t have so many commitments, and was able to drive this car more often, I would be happy to stay out of the seat".
Anderson continued "But here’s the thing. I still have the competitive fire, but more as a builder than a driver. I designed this car from the ground up. There isn’t one like it out there. I know what this car is capable of, and as good as these other guys have done, I know that there is more there. I want to see the New Dixie Racing #92 out front and in control. The race that Wayne won at Citrus (in Jan.) in this car was just a sample of what this car can do. I’ve got some real good people backing me in this, and I know that we will be successful.”
With Jesse Stavola and Stavola Builders, Dan O’Connell Racing Engines, Gladiator Trailers, The Roadside Lounge, Diamond Remodeling, and Simmons Construction as backers, Anderson is set to once again be a force to be reckoned with in the Florida racing scene.
Time will tell the outcome, but having watched the “King” from the very beginning, I wouldn’t bet against him.
Watch for the “King” coming to a racetrack near you.
[EDITORS NOTE: For much more on the "King of the Short Tracks, type in Dick Anderson on the KARNAC Search page. You will be busy for a few hours.]
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