Gary Densham is behind the wheel of Team Force's Auto Club Ford nitro Funny Car.

Gary Densham is still enjoying the biggest weekend of his 35-year drag-racing career. By winning the recent National Hot Rod Association Mac Tools U.S. Nationals and the prestigious Skoal Showdown, the popular driver pocketed nearly $250,000, including a $50,000 bonus from the NHRA for winning both races the same weekend.

Densham, however, hasn’t always had it easy on the nation’s drag strips. Beginning in 1982, he went winless as an independent or semi-independent in his first 243 races on the NHRA tour, although he came close six times, falling in the final round. Looked on by some as a “great field-filler with win capabilities,” he was perhaps following the career path of 74-year-old Chris “The Greek” Karamesines, a noted legend in nitro racing who also fell a bit short with no wins in the competitive NHRA PowerAde Championship series.

When it came to mingling with fans, however, Densham was always similar to superstar John Force’s winning ways. He would stay later than most drivers, signing autographs and interacting with the fans. Densham credits the fans for making the sport possible in the first place.

“If it weren’t for the fans and their support in all areas, there wouldn’t be any drag racing. We owe them for their loyalty, and fans have always been a high priority (for me and my team) from when I began NHRA racing in 1982 to this day,” said Densham.

Thanks to his popular personality, a close friendship with John Force and the fact that he was ready to park his personally owned Funny Car due to lack of sponsorship four years ago, things changed drastically for Densham in 2001.

The relationship between Densham and Force dates back to 1974 when the two toured together in Australia. Force knew little about running a Funny Car, and Densham taught Force the ins and outs during the tour. It was the beginning of Force’s full-time involvement. The two remained friends, which is why Force made that phone call to Densham in 2001 to help the struggling driver. Force added a third funny car to his team, signed the Automobile Club of Southern California as the major sponsor and named Densham as driver. Densham proceeded to crack the winner’s circle at the age of 54 at Memphis that same year for the very first time.

Since then, Densham has won two races in each of his first four seasons at the wheel of Team Force’s Auto Club Ford, and his Indy victory at the age of 57 years and 321 days makes him the oldest professional champion in the history of drag racing’s oldest, largest and most esteemed event. He replaces Connie Kalitta in the “oldest winner” category, the latter winning Indy in 1994 at the age of 56 years and 193 days.

However, it’s not just drag racing that has made a major impact on Densham’s life. For 27 years, he taught auto shop at Gahr High School in Cerritos, Calif., while running his own independent Funny Car team with volunteers instead of high-paid crewmen. Many of the volunteers were students, who to this day greet him enthusiastically at NHRA championship races.

When Densham is not behind the wheel of his nitro Funny Car, he’s the official crew chief for his son, Steve’s, Top Alcohol Funny Car. His son is a graduate of the NHRA’s popular Jr. Dragster division.

“I’m thrilled to be doing what I’m doing,” said Densham. “I thought my days were numbered four years ago, but John (Force) turned everything around for me, and for that I’ll always be grateful.”

(c) 2004 King Features Synd., Inc.