The message was delivered loud and smokey.

Following a dispute between Libby city officials and the Igniters Car Club, the door opened wide for classic car and truck drivers to burn rubber on Mineral Avenue Friday night as the Ignite the Nites car show  returned to its past glory.

One area business, the Pastime Bar and Grill, capitalized on the rift, pitting city officials against the Igniters Car Club while asserting that, “Arguing works up an appetite - something all can agree on.”

Some made T-shirts with slogans such as, “Black lines matter.”

Many social media commenters lauded what they termed the decision of local law enforcement to stand aside.

The air was filled with the pungent odor of burnt rubber. Local tire shop operators were surely rejoicing.

Not since 2019 did “The Gut” see this level of burnouts and white smoke.

Years ago, when an insurance carrier providing coverage for the Friday night cruise learned what was taking place, it was the end of burnouts in the close proximity of people. The liability was deemed too great.

Long-time car club members still reminisce about the good old days of a smoke-filled “Gut.”

The burnout contest eventually moved to a short strip of asphalt near the Millpond Motocross track at the Lincoln County Port Authority. Still loved by fans, the Saturday evening event doesn’t seem to have the same thrill.

The spat between city officials and the car club is primarily due to the fact the city said it would pursue a claim with the club’s insurer if Friday night cruisers laid rubber and blackened the newly painted pedestrian crossings and double yellow lines.

In a Thursday interview with The Western News, Mayor Hugh Taylor said the city received a copy on Aug. 10 of the car club’s $1 million liability event insurance policy. But recent changes dictated a $2 million liability policy.

“This is a requirement from the Montana Municipality Interlocal Authority (MMIA),” Taylor said.

The MMIA and the Independent Insurance Association of Montana (IIAM) worked together to provide access to Special Events Liability Coverage for events held on municipal property in Montana that are sponsored by a private individual or organization.

“But we (the city) were willing to accept the $1 million policy because the club didn’t know about the change and we said we’d make do this year, but in the future, a $2 million policy would be required,” Taylor said.

Taylor instructed city administrator Sam Sikes to send a letter to club about the change. The letter explained the insurance policy increased to $2 million per event a few years ago.

“So going forward, we will require the 2 mil for each occurrence,” Sikes wrote in the letter. “Hugh would like me to remind you that exhibition driving and excess speed are not allowed. Private insurance will not cover these acts either. Also, with the fresh paint downtown, the city will be filing a claim to have a company come in and repaint should the event ruin the paint. Thank you for holding the event and we hope everyone enjoys themselves within reason.”

But when the car club, celebrating its 65th anniversary, decided to cancel the cruise, it opened the door to one of the most interesting government protests and acts of rebellion Libby has seen since the COVID-19 pandemic.

From top to bottom, classic car fans lined Mineral Avenue in anticipation of the styling cars putting their respective rubber stamps on the pavement.

They were not disappointed.

    A classic Chevy Nova put down some rubber on Mineral Avenue during the informal event Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Libby. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)
  

    Classic cars, a few trucks and a van painted it black on Mineral Avenue during the annual car show Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Libby. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)
  

    Burnout smoke drifts west from Mineral Avenue in Libby Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, during the car show cruise. Some driving south into town on Highway 37 thought the Lincoln County Courthouse was on fire as the fumes enveloped the building. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)
  

    Several vehicle cruisers celebrated the USA's 250th anniversary during the event on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)
  

    Several vehicle cruisers celebrated the USA's 250th anniversary during the event on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)