River Racing got its start back in 1979, when Dave and his engine builder/ racing mentor Russ Eversole went to Byron, IL - now a home-track for Dave and the team. Dave met Russ when he took some parts in to be machined at the local engine shop, and Russ still performs engine work for Dave to this day. Dave remembers taking a 70-1/2 Z28 Camaro big block 4 speed car to the track for the first time, and he's been hooked ever since.  



  "There was a sense of accomplishment, we had done it.

 We even built the trailer we took to the track that day"

 says Dave.   

​Dave's passion for racing started when he was very young. Dave was always very inclined when it came to the mechanics of the machinery while growing up as part of a very large family farming operation. There was generally always something to be worked on, and most times Dave would be expected to and was certainly capable to fix it. Eventually, this applied not just to farm machinery. Before he knew it, Dave was interested and working on the mechanics of and building all kinds of things. Working on a wide variety of cars, trucks, farm equipment and machining & engineering parts became an interest. Over the years, Dave has driven a plethora of different cars. These include a 70-1/2 Z28 Camaro, 63' Nova, 68’ Camaro, 89' Firebird, and of course the current 2010 Pro Stock Chevrolet Cobalt. He has also been a member of numerous race groups and organizations, including The Ozark Mountain Super Shifters, NHRA Pro Stock, Midwest Top Sportsman, Mid American Pro Stock, and Midwest Pro Stock. Altogether, Dave figures he has raced at 22 race tracks nationwide. Home tracks for River Racing include Byron Dragway in Byron, IL and Cordova Dragway Park in Cordova, Il. Some of the furthest tracks that the River Racing team has traveled to include Houston, TX, Memphis, TN and Witchita, KS.   Not surprisingly, among Dave's favorite memories are those that include his children and them growing up at the tracks and being a part of the racing operation. He recalls fondly the first time he and his son, Robert, got to race together at a track.    



 "That was a really neat moment," he says. 



 He also looks back and remembers when his oldest daughter, River, was in the driver's seat as well.  Over 35 years, there is no comparison to the memories that were made and people that were met along the way.    



 "There are so many great memories; it's hard to narrow it down. 

 And the people we get the opportunity to meet and call our friends 

 are as good as they come" says Dave.  

​ In fact, Some of the people he met actually inspired him to continue racing and take the operation to the level it's at today. In 1982, Dave got to meet his race idol - the legendary late Lee Shepherd at an outing at The Playground of Power (Byron Dragway) in Byron, Il. He is still humbled by the experience. 

 "He's a race legend, even still to this day. Definitely an inspiration of

 mine". 

Another moment Dave remembers was meeting the late Bill "The Grump" Jenkins.    

 "I had seen him numerous times, but I actually met him for the first 

 time at a race in Joliet. He was one of the greats," he says. 

​Like anything else, racing comes with its challenges and its rewards. As far as challenges are concerned, racing takes a lot of resources - time, finances, patience, and dedication.    

 "The majority of racers will tell you if you are into racing thinking it's 

 a way to get rich, you are in the wrong sport", says Dave. 

 Dave and a handful of other people including Robert and Russ perform all the mechanical work on the cars themselves. 



  

 "We are a family operation, we always have been. Of course, if would 

 be great to have some major sponsorship -but we've always done 

 everything on our own", he notes. 

​ There is no doubt that this is how Robert got involved and developed an interest in cars and racing himself. Growing up, all of Dave's children spent their weekends in the summer at the race tracks, and many weeknights and winters in the shop helping their Dad with the race cars. And this is why despite the inevitable challenges; racing has been very fulfilling for Dave throughout the years.   

 "I would have to say when you do have success in racing it is definitely 

 gratifying, and of course this outweighs the challenges and 

 that's we do it.

 It's worth it when all the hard work comes together and you 

 have a good race. You can earn the respect of the race teams you 

 respect and feel like you've really accomplished something", 

 says Dave.   

One of the greatest accomplishments to date for River Racing has been qualifying for the NHRA Pro Stock Race in Memphis in 2009.    

​ "It was such a great feeling, and all of my kids were there. What a great 

 moment that was to share with them", he says.   Dave also notes that it is not without great effort that these accomplishments are made.   "There's a lot of sacrifice that has to be made. But, when I know that at

 the end of the day we get to be a part of the same organization, 

 crews,and group of people as the racers I looked up to 

 throughout my career like Warren Johnson, that's what we have 

 worked for and that's what keeps us racing", says Dave. 

Robert will be actively racing with the Ozark Mountain Super Shifters and some comp eliminator races at other local tracks yes again this season. Dave looks forward getting the fine tuning complete for the Chevrolet Cobalt     "We have a lot of changes we have to adapt to in the pro stock program this year for the Cobalt, so that will serve as a challenge this season. As always, we are looking forward to qualifying at the national events. Hopefully we have a chance to do that again this year. It's really a great opportunity for the team, to be able to qualify and even go a few rounds", says Dave. The whole team is looking forward to an exciting 2016 race season, and we hope to see you all at the track!