POST FALLS — Just like at his Lakeland High School graduation, Dustan Zirbel was last in line Thursday night at Knudtsen Chevrolet.

It was a good place to be.

Since the keys given to the four graduates before him failed to open the door of the 2021 Chevrolet Trax, it was his to win.

With about 100 people watching, he stepped up, put the key in, turned it, and the door opened. He smiled and the crowd cheered. The all-wheel drive vehicle belonged to him.

“I can’t calm down,” Zirbel said. “For graduation, too, I was last, so I was thinking, ‘Maybe the best for last.’”

Knudtsen Chevrolet hosted its annual community celebration to thank the North Idaho and Eastern Washington communities for their support over the last 82 years. For the eighth year, to celebrate and congratulate graduating seniors, Knudtsen Chevrolet gave away a vehicle. This time, it was the gray Trax, which retails for $25,265.

Students from Post Falls, Lake City, Coeur d’Alene, Lakeland, and Timberlake high schools who stayed at their all-night graduation celebration had their names put in drawings. One student from each school was selected to be in the running for the grand prize.

Grads Derek Gertsch of Timberlake, Jazmine San Juan-Rivas of Coeur d’Alene, Kinsley Finch of Post Falls and Hayden Lenox of Lake City each tried a key in the Trax door. While they didn’t win it, each did receive a MacBook Air laptop

Eric Knudtsen, executive manager and co-owner, said it was an exciting day. His grandfather, Clifford Knudtsen, and Clifford’s brother, Wayne Knudtsen, started the business in 1939.

“Did they ever think this would turn out to be like it is right now?” he asked, smiling. “Kind of inspiring to reflect on it.”

Knudtsen Chevrolet threw a party, too. Dinner was catered by Rustler’s Roost, music provided by the Rhythm Dawgs, and there were cookies, cake and games, too.

“This is a way for us to really say thanks and pay our respect back to the community for helping us continue on in business,” Eric Knudtsen said.

Donating the Trax is their way of promoting safe graduation celebrations.

“We really want to help young people,” he said.

Eric Knudtsen said despite challenges such as inventory shortages due to the coronavirus restrictions, businesses remained strong.

“The community’s been great in helping to support us and we’ve been doing everything we can to reciprocate that,” he said.

Zirbel, the son of Dale and Kim Zirbel of Spirit Lake, appreciates it.

After relaxing for a few minutes and receiving congratulations and the keys, he took a breath and grinned.

“My heart’s still going,” he said.

He drives a 2004 Ford Ranger with 270,000 miles and just replaced the water pump and alternator. He said he’ll likely use the Trax as his daily driver and turn the Ranger into a project truck.

Monday, he starts work with a carpentry company.

“I’ll be able to drive that to the job site,” he said.

Dale Zirbel said his son is a good man and well deserving of the Trax.

“I’m proud of him,” he said.