Stories galore at 61st Annual Igniters Car Show

One of the neat things about car shows are the stories the owners have to share.

For instance, Troy’s Carl Weiss talked about the history of his green 1950 Chevy 5-window pickup truck. It is in its original condition, certainly a rarity for a vehicle approaching its 75th birthday.

Weiss said the only thing that doesn’t work in the truck is its radio.

“An old fellow in Tennessee first bought it,” Weiss said. “Then Hank Williams Jr. bought it and drove it to the Big Hole.”

Yes, it was that Hank Williams Jr., the son of country music legend Hank Williams, who has had a career of considerable note himself writing and performing.

The truck, which was eventually bought by a friend of Williams, stayed in the Big Hole for many years.

“I saw it and my wife, Bobbie, wanted it so I bought it a year ago,” Weiss said. “She wants to replace the wooden floorboards in the bed, but I’m not so sure.”

Also, consider the black 1961 Studebaker Hawk, owned by Wayne and Marge Kroeger of Libby. Wayne explained Marge’s parents bought it brand new, the same year the Igniters Car Club was formed in Libby,

Those were just a few of the hundreds of stories that were shared at last weekend’s Ignite the Nites 61st Annual Car Show in Mineral Avenue in Libby.

Despite hot, humid weather, the show was not disturbed by rain that fell before and near town.

Event organizer Dee Teske said 283 vehicles were registered for the show and 41 which belonged to Igniters Car Club members that were on display.

Here are the winners of the 2022 show:

Antique Stock 1940 and older

Peyton Tritt, Spokane, 1910 Ford Model T

Street Rod 1948 and older

Lonnie and Toni Wallace, Park City, Montana, 1936 Chevy Sedan

Classic Stock 1941-1959

Tom Kumle, Thompson Falls, 1957 Chevy Nomad

Classic Modified 1941-1959

Eamonns/Jenny Culkin, Spokane, 1957 Chevy 210 Wagon Blown

Custom 1949-1975

Joe Ulrich, Post Falls, 1969 Pontiac Firebird

Rat Rod

Jason Culbertson, Eureka, 1934 International C-1

Late Great Stock 1960-1979

Larry Ellsworth, Spokane, 1964 Chevy Impala Convertible

Late Great Modified 1960-1979

Dave and Cindy McManus, Coeur d’Alene, 1970 Nova

Club Participation

The Outlaws of the Flathead

Late Model Stock 1980-1999

Michael Romani/Kaitlyn Tritt, Spokane Valley, 1993 Ford Mustang GT Convertible

Late Model Modified 1980-1999

Bill Watt, Spokane, 1991 Chevy Corvette

Sport Compact

Rich DuBois, Castle Rock, Colorado, 1962 Austin Healy

Sports Car

Tracie Barnes, Libby, 1964 Corvette

Muscle Car 2000-Present

Larry Pasco, Spokane Valley, 2021 Mustang Coupe

Neon Lights

Crystal Redlinger, Spokane, 1955 Ford F-100

Flame Throwing

Cindy Mcmanus, Coeur d’Alene, 1968 Ford Galaxy Convertible

Antique Truck Stock 1940 and older

Debbie Moore, Kalispell, 1937 Ford Pickup

Antique Truck Modified 1940 and older

Rick Blomdahl, Troy, 1935 International

Classic Truck Stock 1941-1959

Robert Carlson, Troy, 1959 GMC Pickup

Classic Truck Modified 1941-1959

Ray Simpson, Whitefish, 1941 Willy Pickup

Selfie Scavenger Hunt/Poker Hand Winner

Asia Jones and Jeremiah Richardson, Libby

Pinup Girl

Iris Sharpe, Calgary, Alberta

RockaBetty

Linda Gibson, Post Falls, Idaho

RockaBilly

Dan Sidmore, Brady, Montana

Long Distance

Leo Weinman, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1,387 miles

Late Great Truck Stock 1960-1979

Shawn Lannen, Coeur d’Alene, 1967 Ford F100

Late Great Truck Modified 1960-1979

Rod Thomas, Kellogg, Idaho, 1961 Ford Truck Unibody

Late Model Truck Stock 1980-1999

Bill Pittman, Rathdrum, Idaho, 1985 GMC High Sierra K2500

Late Model Truck Modified 1980-1999

Jerry Michels, Libby, 1994 Chevy S-10

Truck Stock 2000-Present

John Matlock, Libby, 2002 Chevy Dually Pickup

Truck Modified, 2000-Present

Mark Auge, Libby, 2021 Toyota 4 Runners

Shaggin’ Wagon (Vintage Van)

Jim Klentschy, Spokane, 1976 Dodge B200 Van

Motorcycle Stock

Damian Horst, Lakeside, 2021 Harley Davidson Road Glide Special

Motorcycle Modified

Mike Turiz, Post Falls, 2007 Harley Davidson

Special Interest

Robert Viergutz, Libby, 1930 Chevy

Pedal Car

Ted Anderson

Neater Than Sh*t Award

Wayne Dick, Magrath, Alberta, 1962 Chevy Corvair

People’s Choice

Larry and Cheryl Hall, Spokane, 1957 Ford Del Rio