|
We Have Lost a Great One!!!
And one of My Closest Personal Friends
It brings me
great sadness to announce that Maryland International
Raceway Hall of Fame member, Dick Estevez, passed away in
the early morning hours of Thursday, December 10, 2020 at 77
years old. Dick was a true legend in our sport, not only
from his successful racing career but because of the caliber
and character of the man that he was. A man’s true wealth in
this world is not measured by his material worth, but by the
love and respect of his family and friends. And in that,
Dick was rich beyond measure.
Dick was one of the region’s most successful Super Stock
racers in the 60’s, 70’s and early 80’s. You could find him
on many special event race days in his “Daddy Warbucks” 65
Ford Falcon… and who hasn’t enjoyed seeing him doing his
signature long smokey burnouts! His love for the sport has
been passed on to his children and grandchildren and there
has never been a truer racing family than the Estevez clan,
led by their patriarch, Dick, and his loving wife, Sandy.
Speaking of his grandchildren, the love and pride he showed
when talking about his grandchildren was amazing.
I have had the honor of having Dick as a close, personal
friend the entire 30-plus years I have been at the helm of
Maryland International Raceway. He and his family have been
there from day-one to help make Maryland International
Raceway into the facility and community it is today. Dick,
and his two sons Pat and Ricky, have been involved in so
many of the improvements that racers and fans enjoy today,
including countless grandstand and sign structure projects,
erecting all the steel for the current tower, building the
stage, erecting the previous and current scoreboards, and
many, many more.
Dick and I also had many exploits away from the track as
well. He was my sidekick when I started traveling and
running the “Pinks All Out” TV shows for Speed Channel and
in true Dick fashion, he would jump in and help with the
event. After the first couple of shows, Speed Channel added
Dick to the payroll as a valued member of the team. I will
also never forget our trip to Sturgis, South Dakota, several
years ago, because we really had a great time there.
My last outing with Dick was just a few weeks ago, when the
two of us went to visit with Pete, George and the crew at
Speed Unlimited as they were closing, to thank them for
their long term support of both the track and for their
support of Dick and his family’s racing endeavors. While it
was sad that the store is closing, we had a great visit and
told lots of stories and shared a lot of laughs. I will miss
my friend deeply as I know everyone that knew him will also.
To the Estevez family, you are his legacy… carry it on
proudly!
With Deep
Sadness, Love and Respect,
Royce
Click photo
below for slideshow
Due to Covid19
restrictions, there will not be any viewing and the burial
will be private. In Lieu of any flowers, the family is
requesting any memorial contributions be made to Hospice of
Charles County. MDIR will pay tribute to Dick Estevez at a
future event in 2021. More details to come.
|
.png)
