Richard Charles Atkins[1] (April 23, 1936 – November 13, 1966) was an American racing driver from Oakland, California.

Dick Atkins
BornRichard Charles Atkins
(1936-04-23)April 23, 1936
Oakland, California, U.S.
DiedNovember 13, 1966(1966-11-13) (aged 30)
Gardena, California, U.S.
Champ Car career
13 races run over 2 years
Years active1965–1966
Best finish12th – 1966
First race1965 Golden State 100 (Sacramento)
Last race1966 Golden State 100 (Sacramento)
First win1966 Golden State 100 (Sacramento)
Wins Podiums Poles
1 2 0

Atkins came up in sprint cars and won the Turkey Night Grand Prix in 1965 and was rewarded by race promoter J. C. Agajanian with a chance to race in the USAC National Championship in 1966. He failed to qualify for the 1966 Indianapolis 500, but finished fourth at Trenton Speedway in September then won on the dirt oval at Sacramento in October, for his first "big car" win. However, he was killed just a month later in a sprint car crash at Ascot Park in California in a wreck that also killed Don Branson. He finished 11th in 1966 USAC National Championship points.

Awards

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Complete USAC Championship Car results

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Year 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Pos Points
1965 PHX
TRE
INDY
MIL
LAN
PPR
TRE
IRP
ATL
LAN
MIL
ISF
MIL
DSF
INF
TRE
SAC
12
PHX
12
49th 30
1966 PHX
22
TRE
INDY
DNQ
MIL
20
LAN
DNQ
ATL
23
PIP
IRP
10
LAN
9
SPR
12
MIL
12
DUQ
2
ISF
6
TRE
4
SAC
1
PHX
11th 815

References

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  1. ^ "Dick Atkins". www.champcarstats.com. Retrieved 2023-06-29.
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