Montana 200 champion to take home a cool $15,000

Kalispell, MT (7-10-12) - Late Model racing’s largest event in the Pacific Northwest, the 22nd Annual Coors Light Montana 200 powered by Kalispell Toyota and TTC is less than two weeks away.  Montana Raceway Park officials are excited for the event to kick off.  “Every day we are getting calls from drivers asking about the 200, the phones and internet have been a buzz for the event” said Montana Raceway Park Manager Marie AuClaire.  Competitors have until July 12th to get their pre entry into the office and save over $50.

Over 40 drivers have confirmed their registration for this prestigious event.  The defending 21st Annual Montana 200 Champion Shane Mitchell headlines the roster as he is on the hunt for his second Montana 200 championship.  Mitchell who has been a competitor of the event for over 10 years was on a mission last year to claim the title win.  Mitchell beat out Four time Montana 200 Champion (’07, ’08, ’09, ’10), Gary Lewis who came in third last year and Owen Riddle who came in second.  Both Riddle and Lewis have confirmed their entries.  Other past champions that will be competing include Jeff Jefferson (’06), BJ Tidrick (’05) Corey Wolfe (’94), and Tim Elliot (’96). 

Drivers from Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, California, Illinois, British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan have confirmed their entries. Over $50,000 in prize money is up for grabs during the 200.  The 22nd Champion will come home with $15,000 and new this season they will qualify for a position in the PASS All American 400 race that we be held in Nashville, TN in October.  The Pro All Stars Series (PASS), a racing series the runs primarily in the South Eastern US, announced in late March the creation of an exciting new program aimed at giving short track racers across the country a chance at racing in one of the sport’s most legendary events. In 2012, PASS will sanction the revitalized All-American 400 at the Fairgrounds Speedway in Nashville, TN. “The Road To The All-American 400” will give racers in other major events around the country a chance at racing at Nashville in October.

The event will kick off on Thursday July 19 with open practice.  The Practice sessions will run from 10 am to 4pm.  Spectators are encouraged to attend.  At 5pm the State Farm Fan Fest kicks off with a FREE BBQ Dinner, Live Music, activities for the kids, and the popular driver’s autograph session.  On Friday the pits open at 9am and practice runs from 12pm to 5pm.  Qualifying will start at 7pm and opening ceremonies will fire up at 8pm.  The top 14 qualifiers will be locked into the Coors Light Montana 200, with the rest of the field locked in through qualifying main events.  The top 14 qualifiers will run a 25 lap positioning main on Friday Night.  Friday Night will also feature a 40 lap Consolation Main where the top 5 finishers will be locked into the 200.  Saturday the pits open at 9am and practice sessions run from 1pm to 5pm.  Opening Ceremonies start at 6pm.  The final five positions for the 24 car main will be taken from the very popular 40 lap Last Chance Qualifier main event.  24 modern day gladiators will be locked into the 22nd Annual Coors Light Montana 200, that will fire up after a 10 minute hot lap and shake down session and driver intros. 

Race Fans are encouraged to buy their tickets early for this sellout event.  Tickets can be purchased at montanaracewaypark.com, by calling 406-257-7223, or by stopping at the track during the week of the Montana 200.  This is an event not to be missed.  Everyone is encouraged to attend as these drivers go for a shot at over $50,000 in prize money.  Camping is available at the track.  A free hot breakfast is provided on Friday and Saturday morning (July 20 and 21) for drivers and spectators. 

05 Eric Schmidt – Roseville, CA

1 Agni Howell – Kalispell, MT

1k Mitch Kehl – Quincy. WA

5 Ryan Wells – Hingham, MT

6 Chris Skelton – Calgary, AB Canada

7 Mark Sundberg – Seattle, WA

09 Clint Habart – Cranbrook, BC Canada

10 Owen Riddle – Naches, WA

11 Chad Clampitt – Glasgow, MT

12 Giles Thornton – Whitefish, MT

12o Dan Obrist – Portland, OR

14 Don Staggs – Marion, MT

14t Shelby Thompson – Spokane, WA

16 Blake Williams – Spokane, WA

17 Trevor Emond -  Leduc, AB Canada

22 Jonathon Gomez -  Twin Falls, ID

24 Cameron Hayley – Calgary, AB Canada

25 Kirk Hennefer – Missoula, MT

27 Tim Elliott – Creston, BC Canada

31 Jason Fraser – Snohomish, WA

36 Wrango West – Kalispell, MT

37 Mike Longton – Yakima, WA

38 Grant Brown – Calgary, AB Canada

42 Jeff Jefferson – Naches, WA

49 Brian Levant – Calgary, AB Canada

51 Erick Hargraves – Yakima, WA

53 Alex Lessor – Kalispell, MT

55 Billy Salmonsen - Kalispell, MT

64 Garret Evans – Wenatchee, WA

67 Tim Johnson – Calgary, AB Canada

72 BJ Tidrick – Yakima, WA

73 Gary Lewis – Bothell, WA

75 Troy Schweigert – Kalispell, MT

76 Brian Johnson Jr. -  Machesaey Park, IL

77 Bodie Morton – Kalispell, MT

77v Greg Vangool – Saskatoon, SK Canada

83 Braedon Havens – Spokane, WA

88 Corey Wolfe – Ronan, MT

93 David Garber – Spokane, WA

97 Jason Jefferson – Naches, WA

99 Shane Mitchell – Orondo, WA