This weekend, we will be honoring not only a great driver but a great man. Rusty Dixon was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident on April 29, 2007.
Rusty spent most of his childhood Saturday nights at a dirt track, many of them right here at East Bay Raceway Park. From chasing girls to sneaking into the pits, Rusty grew up with racing in his veins.
He developed his love of racing by watching his dad, Bobby Dixon, driving the #205 car. Bobby started racing in 1978 and retired in 2011. Rusty started his own racing career at the age of 13, running Go-Karts on dirt. In 1994, he stepped up to a full-size race car with a Limited Late Model that he raced on asphalt at DeSoto Speedway.
Over the next 10 years, he drove in six different classes, dirt and asphalt, ranging from Mini Stocks to Sprint Cars. Rusty was a talented driver who always managed to find a way to Victory Lane.
Rusty’s winning personality extended beyond the race track. He had a charming way about him that always made YOU feel special. Although he truly loved being behind the wheel, that love was surpassed by the love he held for his children, sons Ryan and Alex and daughter Mackenzie. He adored his kids more than anything in this world. His love for all family is immeasurable.
After all these years, we find comfort in knowing that Rusty is still with us, in our thoughts and forever in our hearts.
Tonight’s racing program will feature the second annual Rusty Dixon Memorial, a 50-lap main event for the Gagel’s Open Wheel Modifieds. The #97 parade car to lead the field at the start of the race will be driven by Tanner Cobb. (Special thanks to Stevie Mathis for donating his car for this). Rusty’s 10-year-old niece Taylor will throw the green flag to get the action underway. A special tribute race will also take place as part of the Saturday night program,
We would like to thank those who have helped present tonight’s activity in memory of Rusty. Brandon Ford Collision Center and Transportation Specialists are Top Sponsors for the evening presentation. Additional sponsors include Crawford Signs, Dean’s Custom Sheet Metal, Family Jewelry & Pawn, MAVERICK’s Portable Restrooms, ADAM’s Used Auto Parts, Earthscapes, T. Carreno Fill Haulers, Choo Choo Lawn Equipment, All Steel Buildings & Components, TNT Donnie & Devin Dixon, Mathis Farms, Silver Ring, Brandon Rental, Evergreen Development, DC&N, Payne’s Environmental, KD Auto Sales, Emergency Property Preservation, Buddy’s Roofing, Brandon Auto Salvage, RCP America, Love’s Tire & Service Center, Boyd’s Fabrications, Fatback Racing Engines, Tommy’s Towing, Loetscher Auto Parts, EL’LAY Boutique, Reutimann Collision, No Limits Tree Service, Ken’s Lawn Maintenance, Pro Systems Racing Carburetors, Sanders Family, Tosca Roofing, Next Level Signs Printing & Apparel, Double D Productions, Busybdesigns, SD Designs, Riverview AutoZone, Snap On – David Mortensen, DirtDobber Video, Precision Wallboard.