| East Bay Raceway Rocked By Racers Death Off The Track | by Bill Green
 The local racing community is reeling from the death early Sunday of Russell “Rusty” Dixon, a well-known driver at East Bay Raceway Park and other tracks.
Dixon, 32, was killed in a motorcycle accident near Ocala. It was not clear why his motorcycle left the asphalt, just a half-mile from his home, stated Florida State Troops whom completed their investigation early Sunday morning.
Having moved to the Ocala area recently from Riverview, Dixon was part of a large racing family that also included members of the racing Alexander and Nosbisch families. He started racing in 1994 at DeSoto Speedway, moving to East Bay Raceway in 1998 and had recently driven in the local asphalt sprint car races around Florida.
Dixon had two sons: Alex, 12, and Ryan, 9, plus one step-daughter, Mackenzie. Just six years ago, Dixon’s wife, Lori, was killed in a four-wheeler accident while on a family outing near Myakka City.
"He was a great father to his children." remembered his mom, Ginger Dixon, with tears in her eyes. "He just loved kids, he went out of his way to do things for anyone's kids at the tracks he visited."
 Upbeat and positive, according to friends, Dixon had won in some 10 different classes of asphalt and dirt racing over the years. Bill Baker, Dixon’s father-in-law and longtime supporter, was his principle car owner, helping him progress from “Rookie of the Year” in several classes to a star in the dirt late-model ranks.
Customers at the old Dirt Racing Products shop on the East Bay grounds say they enjoyed Rusty’s homespun humor and stories of family racing adventures.
Dixon’s family tree reads practically like a who’s who of East Bay Raceway and central Florida racing.
His father, Bobby Dixon, and mother, Ginger, are well known for their three-digit 205 car numbers. Cousin Devin Dixon has moved up through the ranks to become a winner. Uncle's Jimmy and Donnie Dixon, along with their wives, Joann and Debbie, were always found at Rusty's races when possible. Brother-in-law Chris Nosbisch, of the Late Model Champion Nosbisch’s, is married to Rusty's sister Diane and they owned the Beef O’Brady’s, Rusty was managing.
 “Rusty was so personable and had recently organized a monthly Bike Night at the restaurant.” Dixon’s sister, Diane Nosbisch, said. “It’s just unbelievable this could have happened.”
Dixon will be remembered by family, friends and racers from across the state at a visitation from 6 to 8 p.m. tonight at Serenity Meadows Funeral Home, 6919 Providence Rd. in Riverview. A service celebrating Dixon’s life will follow at 11 a.m. Friday at Bellshoals Baptist Church, 2102 Bellshoals Rd, Brandon, Florida.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alex and Ryan Dixon in care of M & I Bank, 601 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa, FL 33602, (813) 204-1900.
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