Local drag racer doesn't let the years slow him down

By GWEN ALBERS Western News Reporter

At age 63, Libby's Dave Swenson isn't slowing down.

Swenson is instead winning trophies drag racing his 1967 Chevrolet Nova.

Swenson, who for three consecutive Saturdays in July took first place at Spokane Raceway, this weekend will keep his show local. He is participating in Saturday's burn-out contest at Libby Drive-In Theater as part of The Igniters Car Club's 46th annual "Ignite the Nites."

"My slicks are just about worn out," Swenson said about a need for a new $600 pair of racing tires. "I figured I'd give them a proper death."

"Ignite the Nites" will be held Friday and Saturday, Aug. 18 and 19, in downtown Libby. More than 200 cars are expected for Saturday's car show. A dance will be held Saturday night at the Memorial Center.

Swenson, one of the car club's founding members 45 years ago, got into "racing on Libby's roadways" as soon as he began driving at 16.

In the early 1960s, he did some drag racing in Deer Park, Wash., but got out of it while raising his family. Swenson got back into drag racing 11 years ago.

"My son (Chris) had just graduated from high school and I thought it would be a fun thing to do," he said. "Now I'm hooked. I've always had an interest in cars."

A former co-owner of Libby Auto Sales, Swenson has raced a 1955 Chevrolet 210, 1963 Cadillac, 1967 El Camino and 1967 Camaro. Two years ago, he purchased his black 1967 Nova in Kalispell. It's the fastest car he's ever owned. Equipped with a 427 Chevrolet engine, it can reach 134.5 m.p.h. in 10 seconds.

Over the years, Swenson has won about 70 trophies drag racing. Swenson took second on Aug. 5 during the 2006 American Hot Rod Association World Finals in Spokane. There were 52 competitors in his class.

In 1998, he took a first in the AHRA finals with his El Camino, and in 2004 was a runner-up in super street with his 1967 Camaro.

Swenson was featured in the January issue of "Hot Rod" magazine with his Camaro. The exposure helped sell the car.

In the off season, Swenson works on his car. He'll be the first to tell you racing is no cheap sport.

"If you want to make a small fortune, take a large fortune and go racing. It's an expensive hobby," he said.

Swenson also has no plans to retire from racing.

"I'm a legend," he joked. "I'm told there are a few guys my age racing. Most are younger than I am."

The following is a schedule for "Ignite the Nites:"

Aug. 18

1 p.m. - Best of 9 Golf Tournament.

3-8 p.m. - Registration and poker run on Mineral Avenue across from the Dome Theater.

6-10 p.m. - Cruise the Gut on Mineral Avenue for car show participants only.

10 p.m. - Neon & Flame Throwing Contest on the Gut.

Aug. 19

8 a.m. to noon - Registration on Mineral Avenue.

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Car show and Poker Walk.

3 p.m. - Awards and raffle drawing for the pedal car.

5 p.m. - Burn out contest at Libby Drive-In on Highway 2 West.

9 p.m. - Dance with band, Bone Orchard, at Memorial Center. Cost is $10.

For more information, call Gary Rantala at 293-2633 or e-mail him at grantala@libby.org ; Norma Hanson, 293-2276, or e-mail her at hanson@kvis.net ; or Dee Teske, dteske@mt.gov .