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Dixon's Death A Shock

By BILL GREEN Tribune correspondent

Published: May 3, 2007

The local racing community is reeling from the death early Sunday of Russell "Rusty" Dixon, a well-known driver at East Bay Raceway Park and other tracks.

Dixon, 32, was killed in a motorcycle accident near Ocala. It was not clear why his motorcycle left the asphalt just a half-mile from his home, the family said, citing conversations with Florida state troopers.

Having moved to the Ocala area recently from Riverview, Dixon was part of a large racing family that also included members of the Alexander and Nosbisch racing families. He started racing in 1994 at DeSoto Speedway, moving to East Bay in 1998, and he had recently driven in asphalt sprint car races throughout Florida.

Dixon had two sons, Alex, 12, and Ryan, 9. Six years ago, Dixon's wife, Lori, was killed in a four-wheeler accident during a family outing near Myakka City.

"He was a great father to his children," said his mother, Ginger Dixon, with tears in her eyes. "He just loved kids. He went out of his way to do things for anyone's kids at the tracks he visited."

Upbeat and positive according to friends, Dixon had victories in 10 different classes of asphalt and dirt racing over the years. Bill Baker, Dixon's father-in-law and a longtime supporter, was his principle car owner, helping him progress from rookie of the year in several classes to a star in the dirt late-model ranks.

Customers at the old Dirt Racing Products shop on the East Bay grounds say they enjoyed Rusty's homespun humor and the stories of his family's racing adventures.

Dixon's family tree reads practically like a who's who of East Bay Raceway and Central Florida racing.

His father, Bobby Dixon, and mother are known for their 205 car numbers. Cousin Devin Dixon has moved up through the ranks to become a winning driver, and uncles Jimmy and Donnie Dixon, along with their wives, Joann and Debbie, were always at Rusty's races whenever possible. Brother-in-law Chris Nosbisch, of the well-known Nosbisch racing family, is married to Rusty's sister Diane, and they owned the Beef O'Brady's where Rusty was the manager.

"Rusty was so personable and had recently organized a monthly Bike Night at the restaurant." Dixon's sister said. "It's just unbelievable this could have happened."

Dixon will be remembered by family, friends and racers from across the state at a visitation from 6 to 8 p.m. tonight at Serenity Meadows Funeral Home, 6919 Providence Road. in Riverview. A service celebrating Dixon's life will follow at 11 a.m. Friday at Bell Shoals Baptist Church, 2102 Bell Shoals Road, Brandon.