"I'm a Montanan," he says.

For years, he was the most feared racer on the 1,000-mile trail across Alaska's rugged Interior. He's also the first musher from outside Alaska to win the Iditarod.

He was selected to the Daily News Iditarod Hall of Fame in 2001.

After making his mark as the 1992 rookie of the year, Swingley quickly propelled himself to the front ranks of contenders. In 2001, he joined the elite group of Iditarod mushers who've won four or more championships -- Rick Swenson, Susan Butcher and Martin Buser are the only others. Swingley's 2001 victory was his third straight.

Swingley showed his speed in 1995, when he recorded the then-swiftest Iditarod time of 9 days, 2 hours, 42 minutes. Five years later, he broke his own record, crossing the finish line under the arch on Nome's Front Street in 2000 in 9 days, 58 minutes -- tantalizingly close to the previously incomprehensible eight-day barrier. (Buser set the record in 2002 with 8 days, 22 hours and 46 minutes.)

Swingley -- who said he was retiring after the 2002 race but changed his mind -- lives on a 40-acre homestead some 5,600 feet above sea level in the Rocky Mountains. He trains at high altitude far from the mainstream Alaska mushing community but lives barely 90 minutes from his childhood home of Great Falls.

Swingley's achievements have provided him growing fame, not only in Alaska and Montana but throughout the Lower 48 in circles where endurance athletes are admired. In 2001, Outside magazine was among those taking notice. The publication ranked Swingley No. 14 among its "25 most extraordinary adventurers, outdoor athletes and explorers." That put him ahead of Tour de France champ Lance Armstrong.

Inducted 2001 Greatest accomplishment Four-time champion who owns two of the three fastest Iditarods. Vital stats Born: Great Falls, Mont. Hometown: Lincoln, Mont. Age: 56 Best finish Iditarod victories in 1995, '99, 2000, '01 Fastest time 2000 -- 9 days, 58 minutes Race Record 1992 9th 1993 8th 1994 6th 1995 1st 1996 2nd 1997 2nd 1998 9th 1999 1st 2000 1st 2001 1st 2002 40th 2004 Scratched 2005 14th 2006 2nd 2007 Scratched Awards Halfway -- 1992, '95, '99, 2000, '01 First to Yukon -- 1995, '99, 2000 Gold Coast -- 1995, '99, 2000, '01 Golden Harness (to outstanding lead dog) -- 1995, '99, '01 Rookie of the year -- 1992