Biography

 

The old Jackson's Machine Shop in Kalispell turned out many talented engine builders before it closed its doors several years ago. Hall of Famers Lum Owens and Bert Seymour honed their skills there while serving as apprentices in the fifties. Along side them also serving his apprenticeship was a young man named Don who turned his love for the automobile into a winning racing career and a profitable auto dealership.

Don Aadsen aquired an Edsel dealership in Kalispell in 1957 and started his present day Ford dealership in Ronan in the 1960's. All along he couldnt stay away from his roots at Jackson's. His first love was always racing and he provided many drivers with winning racecars over the years. If there was a race going on anywhere in the Flathead valley you would find Don in the pits fine tuning the engine or suspension of his race car.

As a matter of fact, racing was a family affair in the Aadsen household. One of Don's granddaughters was almost born in the pits of the old Big Sky Speedway.It was quite a site at the hospital with everyone standing around in their racing whites, which were required in the pits at Big Sky, waiting for the wail of a newborn before passing out congratulations and cigars. There is not a family member or friend of Don Aadsen that doesnt have a memorable story to tell about him.

Don Aadsen passed away in 1986 but his influence is still felt on the racetrack today. He made it possible for Ford to compete with powerhouse Chevy at our local tracks and gave many drivers, including hall of famer and 1992 MT. 200 winner Bob Schweigert and 1994 MT. 200 winner Cory Wolfe, the chance to drive a winning race car.