What’s in a name? Well, plenty if you are named after one of the greatest racers of all time.
My parents named me after Dyno (although, he is a “Donald” and I am simply a “Don”) as he was debuting his second Maverick (I’ll let you do the math as to how old I am). Did they know I’d be wrenching and have the need for speed upon first sight of me? Who knows, but I’m glad they named me as they did as it has been a great conversation starter for anyone born before 1970 (anyone younger than that doesn’t have context of Dyno unless they are really a fan of the sport of drag racing). I can’t count how many times I’ve been stopped while walking around the SEMA show with “Don Nicholson” on my name badge and an old-timer will stop to chat about Dyno. So good!
My personal memories of Dyno were mostly at family gatherings in Southern California or at races at Pomona.
At the family gatherings, he was the center of attention. Not by his own doing, as I remember him being very humble, but there was always a “buzz” around him because he was FAMOUS! I was painfully shy then, and my dad (Richard) would encourage me to go engage conversation. So awkward, but Dyno was always gracious.
At the races, there were a few times that he’d been eliminated by the time we got there on Sunday (my parents refused to miss church!). I remember there being some stressful times as he was thrashing in between rounds, but even in the heat of the moment he was kind and engaging. I do remember seeing the Mustang II on TV a few times (ABC’s Wide World of Sports maybe?) which was absolutely AMAZING!
As he campaigned the ’62 Chevy Pro Mod, I’d volunteer to keep it clean while at the event as I was working at Meguiar’s at the time. Because he was doing exhibition runs, there wasn’t quite as much pressure in the pits, but always being the competitor, Dyno was on point making sure everything was ready. He never knew this, but I contemplated hitting the road with him and the ’62. But, I had a great job and by nature am rather risk averse. What might have been…
I’ve heard dozens upon dozens of stories from people that did life and raced with Dyno about how generous he was with his time and “things”. I’ve also heard many say that there was no racer that was better with his fans. I love this excerpt from the October, 1976 issue of Car Craft in an article titled “King of the Hill”:
“The car is warmed up just like a Funny Car, with the rear wheels spinning high up in the air, and the youngsters standing as close as they dare, with grimy fingers jammed into their ears, and eyes as wide as silver dollars. Nicholson shuts the motor down, and speaks a few quiet words to a ten-year-old as he climbs through the spaghetti-like tubing of the rollcage. For the remainder of the day the boy stays within touching distance of his hero.”
Thanks for the legacy you’ve left Uncle Don!
