(AP Photo/The News Journal, Brian Branch-Price, File)

CONCORD, N.C. (AP) Mark Martin received a piece of advice very early in his career from Dick Trickle that he's never forgotten.

"He was the one that told me, and this is kind of corny, but it isn't when you're 18 or 19 years old - he told me `In order to finish first, first you must finish,'" Martin said. "That stuck with me always."

The NASCAR garage was full of Trickle stories on Friday, a day after the 71-year-old racer died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. An old-school driver with an odd name, and a guy who earned an almost cult-like following among fans, Trickle was mostly remembered Friday for his role as a mentor to many drivers who went on to have far greater success in NASCAR than Trickle ever achieved.

Read More...