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A three-time champion, the 50-year-old Shaw came back from a four-year hiatus last month to capture the national victory in his division at the AMA Black Cat Gold Dirt Track Grand Championships in DuQuoin, Illinois.

The Decker native, self-employed in a livestock related business, needed just one warm-up at Lucky Thumb race track (Hemans) this summer, his first race since 2003, to get ready for his triumph in the Super Senior 50-Plus Division on the flat track at the Illinois State Fairgrounds facility. The win was his fourth in TT scrambles this decade, winning national titles in 2000 and 2002 and a State crown in 2003. Shaw was a State points champion from District 14 in 1998 and 1999. Before that, he had not raced since he was in his 20s.

"I've been riding for awhile. I rode back in the Ô70s," noted Shaw, who won his first State points titles during that time. "I didn't get back into it until the Ô90s, so I took about 20 years off. Then, (after the 2003 win), I put my daughter through college, and then it was getting her married. Back then I set a goal, when I turned 50, to go back into competition."

Shaw is sponsored by Thumb Motor Sports of Cass City, which is owned by Brian Nelson (Sandusky), his nephew, and Chad Fitzpatrick, a former national champion. He also has a sponsorship from Hooters Restaurants. It's Thumb Motor Sports, though, that keeps his motorcycle, a KTM 400 SX, in winning shape.

"They brought the bike back to life (after being idle)," commended Shaw. "They cater a lot to the racing crowd. Chad and Shawn (Coltson)....have a lot of racing background."

Nelson, who also owns Nelson Manufacturing in Sandusky, gives credit for the technical work on his uncle's bike to Fitzpatrick and Coltson, a top mechanic.

"They do all of the suspension work and the engine work," Nelson stated. "When somebody buys one, it's not ready for the race track...there are modifications. Chad and Shawn work on (bikes) every day."

Nelson also admires his Uncle Dan's tenacity.

"He's done really good for someone that gets up every day and goes to work. He has a job. You see other guys out there that have big sponsors and they do (racing) for a living. For a guy to compete at this level, with those guys, it's pretty amazing."

The tough flat track at DuQuoin had three left-hand turns, two sharp right turns , along with two jumps. TT scrambles usually have, at least, one jump. "Every track has a different shape, though," noted Shaw. The DuQuoin track also had a long, back straightaway that ended with a 180-degree left-hand turn.

After reaching the eight-lap final in his division, Shaw found himself trailing two riders after the first lap and had to prove he hadn't forgotten how to win.

"Being third and having to work your way to the front is what is the real challenge," he said.

Two top riders - Vince Holt (Washington), the overall points champion in the Super Senior 50 Plus Division, and Randy Blackwell (Missouri) - were in front of him.

"I actually passed (Holt) halfway through the race. But, there was another guy (Blackwell) in front of me," Shaw continued. "I followed him for about four laps and in that time I knew I Had to pick a spot to pass him."

Shaw then saw the white flag, signaling the final lap. "I made a move two-thirds away through (the last lap) and got by him. It was a clean pass, but I've got his tire marks on my number plate." A few seconds later, Blackwell took a spill in his effort to regain the lead and Shaw roared across the finish line for the win.

While Shaw may not race again soon, he's not ready to give up the thrill of the competition.

"Right now I've got sights set on next year. There's the regional stuff in the spring...and then the Nationals after that in July," Shaw remarked. He added that he might run in the State championships in Midland yet this year, but also said a new bike may be in the works, too.

"What's exciting to me is I could be even faster with a few equipment changes."

So, if his next event is this year or next, Shaw said he was going to race as long as he can. "Win or not, I still enjoy being out there on the track. I have just as much fun if I don't win."