A longtime local drag racer, with a history of big wins, died in a tragic accident at the Woodburn Dragstrip this weekend.
Around 7 p.m. Saturday night, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office says 77-year-old Dave Sattem won a race at the ‘Oldies but Goodies’ event at the Woodburn Drag Strip. He then lost control of the vehicle, crashed, and died.
“Before he got into drag racing, he would motorcycle race, so he had a love of speed, ” said Sattem’s wife, Linda. “He was a very outgoing person. He had a great smile.”
Linda says Sattem was known as the ‘Silver Fox’ and loved his racing community.
“He liked to help people. If they were just new to drag racing, he would try to give them advice,” she said. “He was laughing, joking with people. He was always trying to keep people safe and enjoying the sport that he loved so much.”
She says Sattem was driving his 1933 Willys Coupe when he crashed, but wasn’t in attendance for the race.
Now Linda is leaning on family and friends for support.
“There’s been so many people that have come out to help me, called me, brought me food, and I’m still trying to deal with all the paperwork that goes along with death,” she said. “I think I’m doing okay.”
