|
Click
on the images for a bigger picture!
Dale began his racing career driving a 1939 Ford coupe at the Shelby Co.
Fairgrounds racetrack in Harlan,
Ia. Dale also
competed in the coupe circuit in the late 1940s in Nebraska,
Iowa, and Missouri.
Known largely for his car building expertise, Dale owned the
cars driven by Harlan native and racing champion Johnny Beauchamp from
1956-57. During that time Swanson enjoyed factory sponsorship from
Chevrolet's Racing Division to compete in IMCA racing events.
In 1957 he built the Chevy driven by Beauchamp which placed second in the
Daytona 500. while racing in only 11 races in 1960, Swanson's car driven by
Beauchamp finished 11th in the Nascar Grand Nationals points. Also in1960
Swanson built the car for Bob Potter who finished 14th at Daytona.
Another Harlan racing legend, 1963 Daytona 500 winner Tiny Lund, also drove
for Swanson in the early 1950's. Tiny competed many times at Playland and won
a track championship there.
Dale's racing efforts continued up until the late 1970's at area racetracks.
Dale Swanson
1951 prox Playland race cars with Tiny Lund 5, Johnny Beauchamp 55 and Dale
Swanson owner, builder
FIRST LATE MODEL BUILT BY DALE SWANSON JULY 1955 Raced
the next day in Fargo, ND.
1957 DAYTONA
BEACH RACE. NUMBER 50 BUILT BY DALE SWANON FOR SECO
(CHEVROLET RACING DIV) FINISHED 2ND
PLACE TO WINNER COTTON OWENS.
Minnesota State Fair- Sept 1957.
|
