Trackside Now: Montana 200 Saturday at Montana Raceway Park – 7/19/14

12:12

This will conclude our Trackside Now coverage of the 24th Annual Coors Light Montana 200. We would like to thank everyone who was a part of this special evening, the Thornton family and staff at Montana Raceway Park and all of the teams who allowed us access to their pits areas throughout the weekend. Congratulations again to Garrett Evans on his amazing victory in the 2014 Montana 200.

12:09

Morton and Tidrick have been released and are vacating the technical inspection area. Havens and Mitchell have been released as well. This race is now official with Garrett Evans you’re 2014 Montana 200 champion.

12:07

As noted Morton’s car passed post-race tech and his crew is awaiting Tidrick’s team to move so the pair can exit the technical inspection area.

12:06

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12:05

Tidrick’s crew is finishing up their post-race inspection work.

12:04

Evans car has passed post-race inspection. (Speed51.com photo)

12:02

Montana 200 trophy returns to the state of Washington with Evans win. He becomes the second driver from Wenatchee Valley’s Super Oval to win the race (Mitchell, 2011)

12:00

Unofficial Finishing Order:
Evans
Tidrick
Morton
Jefferson
Havens
Mitchell
Doss
Emond
McClennon
Reed
Admiraal
Garber
Thornton
Brown
Longton
Lessor
O. Riddle
Wells
Raz
Schmidt
Thompson
Gomez
Bird
Behar
Pettit
T. Riddle

11:57

Jefferson’s car has been released from post-race tech

11:56

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11:56

Jefferson, Havens and Mitchell will not be teched unless one of the top-3 is disqualified per race officials.

11:51

Dave Berglund buttons up Bodie Morton\’s car. (Speed51.com photo)

11:50

Darrell Tidrick works on the engine of 2nd place BJ Tidrick. (Speed51.com photo)

11:47

Evans team tearing the car down in post-race tech. (Speed51.com photo)

11:44

Now more work to wrap up this race as the top-6 teams are in post race tech.

11:40

Fireworks in the air. (Speed51.com photo)

11:38

Thank you for being part of our Trackside Now coverage of the Montana 200.

11:38

Comment From Bob

Thank you very much Speed 51. Hope you cover more west coast races in the near future. Us west coasters have some great racing series including the SRL, the RMCS, and the Lucas Oil Modifieds.

11:37

Your winner, Garrett Evans. (Speed51.com photo)

11:35

This is also the first time in the race’s history that two of the top3 came out of the LCQ race

11:35

Someone asked earlier today during our coverage how it is that the great Garrett Evans has not won the Montana 200. That all changed tonight. Evans had one of the strongest cars in the history of this race as no driver has one the LCQ then gone onto win the Montana 200.

11:34

Tidrick says in victory lane “I had nothing for Garrett tonight.”

11:32

Evans, Tidrick and Morton conduct post race interviews

11:24

Veteran move as Evans pulls up to victory circle with no burnouts

11:24

Tidrick, Morton, Jefferson and Havens round out the top-5

11:23

Garrett Evans wins the 24th Annual Montana 200

11:23

Checkered Flag

11:23

White flag

11:23

Doss pressures Mitchell for 6th

11:23

Evans maintains the lead

11:22

Green flag

11:21

Single file restart as we’re under 10 laps to go

11:21

Thornton’s car has been cleared by track personnel

11:21

3 drivers in the top-10 running order transferred out of the LCQ when you add in Reed who runs 10th

11:20

Morton and Evans both transferred into this race from the LCQ

11:19

Tow rig out to get Thornton’s car

11:19

Emond would be the lucky dog

11:19

Top-7 are on the lead lap-
Evans
Tidrick
Morton
Jefferson
Havens
Mitchell
Doss

11:18

Everybody can catch their breath here at Montana Raceway Park

11:18

Thornton spins off turn No. 4

11:18

Yellow flag

11:17

Lap 193: Evans has clear track in front of him

11:17

Lap 190: Havens is catching Mitchell to set-up a 5th place battle

11:16

Lap 189: Emond in 8th is about to lose a lap to our leader Garrett Evans

11:16

Lap 188: Tidrick stuck in traffic

11:16

Lap 186: Evans clears McClennon

11:15

Lap 184: McClennon up next for Evans to lap

11:15

Lap 182: Garber nearly brushes the wall entering turn 3

11:14

Lap 181: Evans gets by Reed

11:14

Lap 177: Lapped traffic again for Evans and Tidrick as Reed is just in front of the leaders

11:13

Lap 175: Tidrick has moved to right behind Evans

11:13

Lap 174: Tidrick’s car can hold the bottom of the track while Evans washes up in the corners

11:12

Lap 172: Tidrick is to Evans back bumper

11:12

Lap 169: Tidrick has cleared lapped traffic and now runs 3 car lengths behind Evans

11:11

Lap 167: Havens gets by Emond for 6th

11:11

Lap 165: Evans is on a rail to this point

11:10

Lap 164: Mitchell gets by Emond and now runs 5th

11:10

Tidrick having trouble clearing lapped traffic

11:10

Lap 160: 40 to go with Evans, Tidrick and Morton your top-3

11:09

Lap 158:Jefferson gets around Emond

11:09

Lap 157: Evans laps Garber (12th place)

11:08

Lap 155: Evans laps Brown

11:08

Lap 154: Best battle on the track is between Emond and Jefferson for 4th place

11:08

Lap 153:Evans has Brown in front of him to lap the Spokane driver

11:07

Lap 151: Jefferson looked underneath Emond but checks up

11:06

Lap 148: Evans and the field are moving at a very quick pace

11:06

Lap 144: Evans leads Tidrick by 3 car lengths

11:05

Lap 142:Emond can not keep the car on the bottom as Jefferson challenges for 4th place

11:05

Lap 140: Emond’s car is sliding in the corners with a loose condition

11:04

Lap 138: Morton has moved to 3rd place past Emond

11:04

Lap 137: Tidrick retakes 2nd place

11:04

Lap 135: Tidrick trying the low line on Emond for 2nd place

11:03

Lap 134: Morton has caught Tidrick and Emond

11:03

Lap 132: Havens and McClennon battle for 8th place

11:02

Lap 130: Tidrick is starting to catch Emond

11:02

Lap 128: Morton gets past Jefferson for 4th place

11:02

Lap 126: Emond has changed his racing line and moved up to the high side

11:01

Lap 124: Evans has gone from winning the LCQ to leading the Montana 200

11:01

Lap 123: Evans pulls away just a bit from Emond

11:00

Owen Riddle did not come back out at the break

10:59

Lap 117: Emond has caught Evans and challenges for the lead

10:59

Lap 115: Doss looking to the inside of Mitchell for 6th

10:59

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10:58

Lap 111: Single file from Evans back to the tail of the field

10:58

Lap 110: Thornton has returned to the track

10:57

Lap 109: Tight racing in the top-3 has now drawn Morton, Mitchell and Doss to the leaders

10:57

Lap 108: Emond pressuring Tidrick for 2nd

10:57

Lap 106: Emond gets by Jefferson for 3rd place

10:57

Lap 105: Evans to the lead

10:56

Lap 104: Evans challenges Tidrick

10:56

Lap 103: Morton, Mitchell and Doss battle for 5th place

10:56

Lap 102: Top-4 break away nose to tail
Tidrick
Evans
Jefferson
Emond

10:55

Thornton pits

10:55

Lap 101: Evans gets by Jefferson

10:55

Tidrick rockets to the lead

10:55

Green flag

10:55

Pace car is off

10:54

Evans/Emond
Morton/Havens
Mitchell/McCLennon
Doss/Reed
Thornton/Garber
Admiraal/Longton
Brown

10:54

Jefferson takes the high side

10:53

Tidrick down low

10:53

Cone out

10:53

15 cars still on track

10:52

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10:52

Yellow Flag with drivers lined up behind the pace car

10:52

Drivers have fired the motors

10:50

Lessor is out of the race with a broken upper control arm

10:49

Longton is scored in 19th place two laps down

10:49

Comment From Rick

Will Longton be down a lap at the restart?

10:48

Race leader BJ Tidrick has returned to the track

10:47

5 minute warning given to the end of the halfway break

10:46

Mitchell, Havens, Jefferson and Thornton are the first four drivers to return to the track.

10:45

Wells is out of the race with a broken rear end gear. (Speed51.com photo)

10:43

Havens readies to go back and assume his 6th place position. \”We went from nearly getting lapped to cashing in on the yellow and getting up to 6th. We have a good car to contend after the changes we made in the break.\” (Speed51.com photo)

10:40

12 minutes left in the break

10:39

Riddle\’s team making repairs. (Speed51.com photo)

10:36

Yes he would be the lucky dog.

10:34

Comment From Tim

Is there a lucky dog for the halfway break? Meaning, will Thornton get his lap back?

10:34

Fueling BJ Tidrick\’s during the break. (Speed51.com photo)

10:31

13 cars on the lead lap with Thornton shown as the first car one lap down

10:30

Top-10-
Tidrick
Jefferson
Evans
Emond
Morton
Havens
Mitchell
McClennon
Doss
Lessor

10:29

Yellow flag for the halfway break

10:29

Riddle fell all the way back to 13th

10:29

Havens rallied to 6th after the restart

10:28

Lap 96: Tidrick leads Jefferson, Evans, Emond and Morton

10:28

Riddle falls back through the field with left side damage to the door area

10:27

Lap 94: Contact between Evans and Riddle

10:27

Lap 93: Riddle in 3rd with pressure from Emond on the outside and Evans form behind

10:27

Lap 92: Jefferson gets around Riddle

10:26

Tidrick with a jump on Riddle for the lead

10:26

Green flag

10:26

Pace car is off

10:26

Row 3is Morton and Emond

10:26

Tidrick and Jefferson go upstairs

10:26

Riddle takes the low line with Evans behind him

10:25

Cone is out

10:25

Mitchell will give up the 10th position

10:24

Yellow flag still out

10:24

Mitchell being placed to the rear of the field for contact with Reed

10:22

Conversation among officials to check if he passed the pace car without being signaled

10:21

Comment From Alex

Doss should be lucky dog, no?

10:21

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10:21

Officials working to determine the lucky dog

10:21

Officials working to determine the lucky dog

10:21

Brown being shown two laps down in the scoring, but only passed once by Riddle. Race officials penalized him a lap for working on the car during the last Red Flag period

10:19

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10:19

Clean up is complete on the backstretch

10:19

Officials working to determine the lucky dog

10:17

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10:16

Field behind the pace car

10:16

Reed will drop to the back for bringing out the yellow

10:16

6-10th:
Emond
Lessor
Mitchell
McClennon
Havens

10:15

Top-5
Riddle
Tidrick
Evans
Jefferson
Morton

10:15

Evans had just completed a pass on 3rd place Jefferson right before the yellow came out and it will stand

10:14

Reed spins to the infield

10:14

Lap 90: Yellow Flag

10:14

Lap 89: Next position for Riddle to lap will be Havens in 12th

10:13

Lap 85: Next up for Riddle is Raz and Longton who are already a lap down

10:13

Lap 84: Riddle has gotten around Thornton and now 13th place Doss is going a lap down.

10:12

Lap 81: Less then 20 laps to go until the halfway break. 20 minutes the duration of the break

10:11

Lap 76: Riddle’s pace may put him in a position to lap all drivers up to the 10th place of Lessor

10:11

Lap 75: Riddle has caught Thornton

10:10

Lap 74: Morton and Reed battle for position

10:10

Lap 72: Lessor gets around Havens

10:10

Lap 71: Morton clears Havens for 10th

10:09

Lap 69: 14th place Thornton is 10 car lengths in front of the leader Owen Riddle

10:09

Lap 66: Morton is pressuring Havens for 10th. Best battle on the track right now

10:08

Lap 65 Top-5:
Riddle
Tidrick
Jefferson
Emond
Evan

10:08

Lap 63: 10th place Havens is only a straightway from being lapped by Riddle.

10:07

Lap 60: Riddle is about to lap 15th place Admiraal

10:07

Lap 59: Riddle is on a torrid pace right now

10:06

Lap 58: Riddle puts 17th place Wells a lap down

10:06

Lap 57: Evans up to 5th

10:06

Lap 55: Riddle has caught Brown to put him a lap down

10:05

20 cars on track

10:05

Lap 50: Riddle is in turn 1 while 10th place Havens is just now entering turn 3

10:04

Lap 49: Riddle has lapped Longton

10:04

Lap 45: Everyone nose to tail for now

10:03

Lap 44: Riddle has Longton in his sights to put him a lap down

10:03

Lap 42: Brown gets around Longton for 17th place

10:03

Lap 41: Brown still ahead of the leader by 10 car lengths

10:02

Lap 40: Brown will be the first car Riddle catches

10:02

Lap 37:Riddle within a straightaway of catching the tail-end of the field

10:01

Lap 36: Garber is using this line to now go alongside Morton in a race for 11th place

10:01

Lap 32: Garber is running in the second groove in almost every lap

10:00

Lap 31:All cars single file with no battles for position

10:00

Lap 29: Raz back out scored 20th

10:00

Lap 28: Raz has pitted

9:59

Lap 27 Longton is last car in line, scored 18th

9:59

Lap 26: Longton is dropping back through the field

9:59

Lap 24: Single file 1st back to 15th place

9:58

Best battle on the track is for 13th place between Morton, Longton, Lessor

9:58

Lap 21: Riddle by 3 car lengths on Tidrick

9:57

Lap 19 Running Order:
Riddle
Tidrick
Jefferson
Emond
Mitchell
Evans
Reed
McClennon
Havens
Garber
Longton
Wells
Morton
Lessor
Thornton
Doss
Admiraal
Brown

9:56

Lap 13: Emond is stuck on the high side and can not get clear of Jefferson

9:56

Lap 12: Evans has moved to 6th place

9:55

Emond challenges Jefferson on the high side for 3rd place

9:55

Lao 11: Riddle to the lead

9:55

Green Flag

9:55

Riddle picks the low side again

9:54

Cone is out

9:54

Admiraal back to the pits

9:54

Top-5:
Riddle
Tidrick
Jefferson
Emond
Mitchell

9:52

Admiaraal is fixed up by his crew and returns to the track

9:52

Engines firing

9:52

Yellow Flag being displayed

9:52

Pettit’s car is cleared

9:51

Thompson’s car is heading to the pits on a rollback

9:49

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9:49

Side by side racing got very tight entering turn No. 3 and someone checked up to cause an accordion effect

9:47

Comment From Guest

What Happened?

9:45

Tow rig has gotten Riddle’s car free of Pettit and is heading to the team’s pit area

9:45

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9:44

Thompson’s car was built in 2009 and until tonight had never been wrecked to the point of needing a clip, Richards added.

9:43

9:42

Kevin Richard’s, crew chief for Shelby Thompson says his driver’s car will need a front clip.

9:40	Kelly Admiraal\’s team awaits the yellow flag to go to work on his car. Admiraal was part of this incident in turn No. 3 as well. (Speed51.com photo)

9:37

Riddle’s car is being loaded onto a roll back.

9:35

Behar has returned to her pits

9:35

Clean up continues

9:34

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9:32

Scoring will be updated once cars are fired and running on the track

9:31

Gomez (8th), Bird (10th) and Behar (11th) will also fall out of the running order

9:30

Gracin Raz is scored 7th but will move up in the running order

9:30

Thompson was running in 6th place prior to the incident

9:29

Lap 10 Running Order Top-5:
O. Riddle
Tidrick
Jefferson
Emond
Schmidt

9:29

18 cars still on track under the red flag

9:28

All drivers have been released by safety workers except for Behar

9:28

Behar being checked by safety crew

9:27

Only Joey Bird was able to drive away from this incident.

9:27

Still under the Red Flag

9:27

9:26

Yes they can go to either side of the cone when signaled.

9:25	Behar being hooked to the row rig. (Speed51.com photo)

9:24	Pettit and Taylor Riddle rest along the turn 3 wall. (Speed51.com photo)

9:20

Red Flag is being displayed

9:20

Behar’s car catches the worst of it. Thompson also involved

9:20

Involved
Pettit
Gomez
Behar
T. Riddle
Bird

9:19

Big incident in the back stretch

9:19

Yellow Flag

9:18

Lap 10:Riddle to the lead over Tidrick

9:18

Green flag

9:18

Pace car is off

9:18

Riddle takes the low side

9:18

Cone restarts here tonight

9:17

Both of these drivers have attempted the Montana 200

9:17

Comment From Tim

Cameron Hayley runs 2nd tonight in K & N race at Columbus,Ohio. Jesse Little takes 4th.

9:17

Longton falls to the rear of the field

9:16

Top-10-
10 Owen Riddle
100 BJ Tidrick
42 Jeff Jefferson
17 Trevor Emond
05 Eric Schmidt
15g Gracin Raz
20 Shelby Thompson
24b Joey Bird
22 Jonathon Gomez
99 Shane Mitchell

9:15

Longton spins in turn No. 4

9:15

Lap 9 Yellow Flag

9:14

Lap 6: Single file from Tidrick back through the field

9:14

Lap 5:Riddle by 10 car lengths on Tidrick

9:14

Top-5:
Riddle
Tidrick
Jefferson
Emond
Schmidt

9:13

Lap 3: Emond now behind Jefferson

9:13

Jefferson pulls in behind Tidrick

9:13

Lap 2: Riddle has clearedTidrick

9:13

Lap 1:Side by side through the field

9:12

Riddle to the lead

9:12

Green flag

9:12

Pace car is off

9:12

One to go at the line

9:12

Yellow Flag is out to grid the cars back up

9:11

Pace car off as drivers are warming tires and motors

9:10

This facility is an incredible sight. That would be amazing to be a part of.

9:10

Comment From Bob

Would love to see speed 51 do a video broadcast of this race next year like they did with slinger this past week.

9:10

26 car field is the largest in the history of the Montana 200

9:10

Wind has shifted to now blowing at 20 mph from the Southwest

9:09

Sunset is at 9:27 but the clouds are blocking much of that now

9:08

Owen Riddle leads a slow train around the track as cars continue to pull away from the front stretch

9:07

Lights are on atop the Corvette pace car

9:07

Jon Desart, Montana Raceway Park PA announcer urging “Drivers start your engines”

9:06

Most of the team’s have cleared from the front stretch

9:06

All drivers have been introduced and now the crews are helping their drivers get strapped into the race car

9:05

9:04

Per track officials their PA system is being played over the website.

9:03

Comment From Guest

is the speedway going to do the coverage on thier web page?

9:03

24TH ANNUAL COORS LIGHT MONTANA 200 STARTING LINEUP:
10 OWEN RIDDLE
15 GRACIN RAZ
100 BJ TIDRICK
42 JEFF JEFFERSON
17 TREVOR EMOND
05 ERIC SCHMIDT
20 SHELBY THOMPSON
24 JOEY BIRD
33 NICOLE BEHAR
22 JONATHON GOMEZ
33 JAMIE MCCLENNON
99 SHANE MITCHELL
37 MIKE LONGTON
18 JIM PETTIT II
75 JEREMY DOSS
15 TAYLOR RIDDLE
8 KELLY ADMIRAL
64 GARRETT EVANS
83 BRAEDEN HAVENS
5 RYAN WELLS
14 AUSTIN REED
93 DAVE GARBER
77 BODIE MORTON
12G GILES THORNTON
53 ALEX LESSOR
41 ANDY BROWN

9:01

Comment From Sam

What is the line-up? Thanks.

9:01

Yes a break comes on or near lap 100. Tires can and will be changed and all adjustments allowed that could be done under a yellow flag pit stop.

8:59

Comment From Mike

Will there be a halfway break in this race? If so, can the teams change tires. Thank you.

8:59

Owens owns a golf course he in Kalispell and has not raced since 2011.

8:58

Comment From Bob

What ever happened to Montana Raceway Park driver Mark Owens? Did he retire? Thank you.

8:58	The last driver to be introduced is your pole winner, Owen Riddle. (Speed51.com photo)

8:54

About halfway through driver introductions

8:50

Current NASCAR K&N Pro Series drivers in this race:
Havens
Admiraal
Thornton
Jefferson (crew chief for Brandon McReynolds)

8:48

Andy Brown: “We were packing up, had the travel shocks on the car and we;re ready to go sit in the stands and watch this race when they came and told us Agni (Howell) lost the engine and we’re in. It;s tough break for him but we had alot of people step up and help gets us here by offering a $100 here and there. We have an engine that doesn’t make as much power so that should help us keep the tires underneath in the first half. I have to thank my family and friends and all the customer’s who come into Zip’s (a Spokane hamburger stand) on Market Street. They helped get us here as well.”

8:41

Montana Raceway Park drivers in the field include Alex Lessor, Bodie Morton, Giles Thornton and Ryan Wells

8:40

All Yakima Speedway drivers make the field as Zach Beaman was forced to withdraw with motor issues. Drivers from that area in the field are Owen Riddle, Jeff Jefferson, BJ Tidrick, Mike Longton and Taylor Riddle

8:39

Spokane drivers that entered this race all made the field once Andy Brown was added to the field. He is joined by Joey Bird, Braeden Havens, Shelby Thompson, Nicole Behar and David Garber.

8:37

Crowd being entertained with YMCA as cars are pushed out to the front stretch. Drivers will ride out in the back of pick-up trucks with each one introduced at the flag stand

8:36

Weather continues to stay nice with temperature now at 77 degrees per the National Weather Service. Clouds are still above the track

8:35

8:34

All cars were passed by the track’s technical inspectors

8:31

Crews are pushing their cars to the front stretch

8:27	Andy Brown\’s team pushes his car into pre-race tech. (Speed51.com photo)

8:25

Line up was set on points earned in the time trials and finishes in the Fast 14 Heat except for front row that locked in by time. Positions 15-26 transferred in through finishes in lower main event racing

8:24

Comment From Sam

Will the line up go by qualifying or will there be an inversion??

8:23	Jeff Jefferson (l) talks with BJ Tidrick. (Speed51.com photo)

8:17

Track clean up continues from Agni Howell’s motor that poured fluids onto the track.

8:11

Owen Riddle is very relaxed as drivers chat near the staging area. He’s smiling and making jokes and does not show any signs of being nervous as he’ll lead the field to the green flag

8:09

Just 20 minutes until driver introductions

8:09

Drivers that transferred into the main event from last night’s B-Main are now going through tech

8:07

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8:05

You’re welcome and thank you for being part of our Trackside Now coverage of the Montana 200

8:04

Comment From Bob

Thank you. Tis nice to be able to learn about an area while following a race there.

8:04	BJ Tidrick pushes towards his spot on the grid. (Speed51.com photo)

8:03

All cars will go through inspection prior to being released to the starting grid

8:02

Comment From SSS Fan

ummm they get to hot lap right before the race? Do they tech anything out there or is it a free for all?

8:02

The Flathead Indians inhabited this area for centuries and still have native land in and around Kalispell

8:01

Comment From Bob

Can you give all of us a little geography lesson? Why is it called the Flathead Valley?

8:01

Howell is out. Brown will now race in the Montana 200

7:59

7:58

Only turn No. 2 escapes the fluid

7:58

Track crew cleaning up fluid from Howell that runs down the backstretch, through turns 3 & 4 and onto the front stretch.

7:57

If Howell withdraws officials are discussing adding Brown to the race

7:55

Howell just lost a motor

7:55

Howell on track

7:54

Drivers going through tech are being told to be ready for driver introductions at 8:30 p.m. MST

7:54

Havens exits the track

7:53

Havens returns to the track after an adjustment

7:53

7:52

Havens turns 6 laps and exits the track

7:51

Havens on track

7:51

Havens crew preparing his car to test

7:51

Only Bird has tested in this hot lap session thus far

7:50

7:49

Drivers that were already locked into the Montana 200 are being asked to bring their cars to the technical inspection area

7:49

Evans posted the fastest lap at a 13.362
Havens 13.395
Garber 13.405
Habart 13.425
Reed 13.426

7:47

Comment From Kyleo

Possible to get best times from the LCQ?

7:46

A packed grandstands shows the Flathead Valley thinks like you.

7:45

Comment From Bob

PS – I love Kalispell and Montana Raceway Park – from way down here in Southern California.

7:45

Smoke has been clearing up over the course of the day.

7:45

Comment From Guest

How is the smoke tonight compared to last night? Thank you.

7:44

Joey Bird is the only driving taking hot laps at this time.

7:44	Agni Howell makes adjustments to his car in preparation for tonight\’s main event. (Speed51.com photo)

7:40

Track will go to a hot lap session for those drivers who wish to test. Race to begin at 8:30 p.m. MST per race officials

7:38

Evans on the front stretch to accept his LCQ trophy

7:37

Finishing order 8-14
Brown
Habart
Elliott
Lee
Wigley
Newhouse
Corpron

7:37

Top-7 transfer into the Montana 200
Evans
Havens
Wells
Reed
Garber
Morton
Thornton

7:36

Checkered flag

7:36

White Flag to Evans

7:36

Lap 35: Evans can see Newhouse in front of him to put the Idaho driver a lap down

7:35

Lap 34: Top-8 cars are all within the same straightaway

7:35

Lap 33: Brown is losing ground in trying to catch Thornton for the final transfer spot

7:34

Lap 30: Top-7 are running single file now

7:34

Lap 29: Havens has put some distance on 3rd place Wells

7:34

Lap 27: Garber using high side to stay with Morton in a battle for position

7:33

Lap 26: Thornton has moved to 7th place

7:33

Lap 25: Morton clears Garber for 5th place

7:33

Lap 24: Reed gets underneath Garber for 4th place

7:32

Lap 23: Wells is catching Havens

7:32

Lap 22: Evans driving away from Havens now

7:32

Lap 21: Evans and Havens pull away from Wells and Garber

7:31

GREEN FLAG

7:31

Outside looking in to transfer in order of position
Brown
Habart
Thornton
Wigley
Lee
Newhouse
Corpron

7:31

Top-7 line-up:
Evans
Havens
Wells
Garber
Reed
Morton
Elliott

7:30

Lap 20: Newhouse spins out of turn No. 2

7:30

YELLOW FLAG

7:30

Lap 18: Evans can see the tail end of the field at the end of the backstretch

7:29

Lap 16: Evans and Havens lead over Wells has grown to 10 car lengths

7:29

Lap 15: Morton looking underneath Elliott for 6th

7:29

Lap 14: Morton passes Brown exiting turn No. 4

7:28

Lap 13: Morton to Brown’s back bumper in a battle for the last transfer spot

7:28

Lap 12: Evans and Havens by 5 car lengths back to 3rd place Wells

7:27

Lap 8: Elliott fights Brown off using the high side of the track

7:27

Lap 6: Brown is in the transfer spot of 7th place

7:27

Lap 5: Brown inside of Elliott for 6th

7:26

Reed pressures Garber for 4th

7:26

Lap 3:Top-4 single file
Evans
Havens
Wells
Garber

7:25

Lap 2: havens to the inside of Wells for 2nd

7:25

Lap 1: Evans to the lead

7:25

Evans and Wells side by side

7:25

Green Flag

7:25

Pace car exits

7:25

Side by side now lights are out on the pace car

7:24

Yellow Flag out to back field down and grid up

7:24

Green flag to warm up tires and motors

7:23

Hoosier tires being scrubbed in

7:23

Talk between Havens, who lines up behind Evans on the initial start, that the two will go together to clear the outside line of cars.

7:22

Corvette pace car has field in tow

7:22

Crowd urges engines to be started

7:22

Drivers are in their cars for introductions

7:21

Front row of Evans and Wells being introduced to the crowd.

7:20	No. 24 Joey Bird is excited to watch the LCQ. Last year he was in this race. (Speed51.com photo)

7:18

Drivers have taken their cars to the front stretch for introductions

7:17

Top-7 transfer to the 200-lap main event

7:17

Motors are being fired up
LCQ 40-lap line-up:
Evans
Wells
Havens
Reed
Garber
Elliott
Brown
Lee
Wigley
Morton
Thornton
Habart
Corpron
Newhouse

7:15

Fun Beverage trucks making laps as they exit the track

7:11	Colors being presented. (Speed51.com photo)

7:09	Jonathon Gomez presents flowers to the trophy queen. (Speed51.com photo)

7:07	Red light out as opening ceremonies continue. (Speed51.com photo)

7:06	Track announcer Jon Desart at his best. (Speed51.com photo)

7:04	Safety rigs lined up for opening ceremonies. (Speed51.com photo)

7:01

Fun Beverage trucks on track to get opening ceremonies underway.

6:57	The Monster 103.9 FM mascot gets ready for opening ceremonies. (Speed51.com photo)

6:52

6:51

Jeremy Doss on his chances of moving through the field to challenge for win tonight: “We qualified on stickers and that seemed to hurt our car. We ran finished 2nd here in the GET Rich 212 back in May so I know we can do it. We started 15th that night and got up there. I think we have a chance to get up there and challenge for the Montana 200. This is one of the coolest races I’ve ever been a part of.”

6:47

Pace car is buttoned up with safety lights. All is well according to its driver, Justin Rody.

6:40

The Southern Super Series will get ready for another exciting Gulf Coast Weekend on July 25-26th. They will visit Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida on Friday, July 25th and Mobile International Speedway in Mobile, Alabama on Saturday, July 26th.Click here for more information.

6:39

A dilemma with the pace car is developing as the safety lights are not adhering to the Corvette’s body work. The lights are on a suction cup and the car’s wax is to slick for it to stay.

6:31

Ron Bemis of Yakima Speedway fame talks old racing stories with Garrett Evans spotter, Larry Gargett and Todd Havens. Much of the talk is about the fact they’re no longer racing “Those laps wear you out,” Bemis said with a smile.

6:28

AP Brakes is the official sponsor of Speed51.com’s Twitter account.Follow us today @Speed51dotcom. Click here to follow Speed51.com on Twitter, @speed51dotcom.

6:28

Temperature is continuing to drop. Currently 78 degrees according to the National Weather Service.

6:25

6:25	All cars have cleared technical inspection and are in line for their 40-lap LCQ race. (Speed51.com photo)

6:23

Less then 40 minutes before opening ceremonies and then into the LCQ 40-lap race.

6:21	John Newhouse has the only Chevrolet Camaro in today\’s field. (Speed51.com photo)

6:19

6:18

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6:17

Eric Schmidt has been competing in the Montana 200 since 2010: “We love coming to this race. When I was approached to run the Montana 200 the track hoped that others from the SRL and California wold follow me up here. This year to see (Jim) Pettit and (Jeremy) Doss up here is pretty cool. It’s a lot of work to come to Kalispell for the 200 and I can’t do this without the help of America’s Best Value Inn here in Kalispell, They’ve been with us each year I’ve raced in the 200 and they’re a great supporter of our team.”

6:14

While the radar does not show rain in the area, the clouds above look ominous.

6:11

6:11	Dave Berglund adjusts tire pressures on the No. 77 of Bodie Morton. (Speed51.com photo)

6:09

51 TV’s LIVE pay-per-view coverage of the Battle at Berlin weekend continues tonight. Order now for $14.99. Click here to order it now. http://speed51.com/51livetv…

6:08	Ryan Wells is all smiles in the inspection line. (Speed51.com photo)

6:07

Lessor ran 12 laps of practice this afternoon

6:06

Comment From Greg

Did Lessor get any laps in on the backup engine?

6:06

Thanks for sharing the information.

6:06

Comment From Kyleo

live audio available at Montanaracewaypark.com. I am loving all the coverage.

6:05

6:05	Garrett Evans (c) chats with his crew while waiting to go through inspection. (Speed51.com photo)

5:53

A local driver does have a chance to bring the Montana 200 trophy home this year.

5:52

Comment From Kyleo

Shout out to our local boys! Go get ’em Bodie Morton, Giles thorton, Alex Lessor, Agni Howell, Scott Lee, Tyler Corpron and Tylor Schweigert. Also hoping for a speedy recovery for Corey Wolfe!

5:52	Cars are lining up to go through LCQ technical inspection. (Speed51.com photo)

5:45

Clouds are starting to roll in as the wind has pushed much of the fire smoke out of the area. Temperature currently is 80 degrees.

5:44

5:38	Race director Ryan Dennison has the driver\’s undivided attention. (Speed51.com photo)

5:36

Again thank you for being part of our Trackside Now coverage of the Montana 200.

5:35

Comment From Kyleo

Thank You!

5:35	Two drivers who have won late model championships at Montana Raceway Park, Alex Lessor (l) and Bodie Morton, listen into instructions during the driver\’s meeting. (Speed51.com photo)

5:33

There is no radio broadcast of this year’s race. Thank you for being part of our Trackside Now coverage.

5:32

Comment From Kyleo

SO I have this and Nearlive up and running but wondering is there a radio broadcast of the MT 200 this year?

5:31	Austin Reed chats with Todd Havens who owns the Killer \”B\” Racing team that features Braeden Havens and Shelby Thompson. (Speed51.com photo)

5:26

Drivers and spotters are starting to gather at the technical inspectors tower.

5:26

5:25

Another favorite of Montana Raceway Park and the Montana 200 is 1995 champion, Mark Owens. While not an official retirement from racing, Owens now focuses on fishing and golf while maintaining his Village Greens Golf Course located in Kalispell.

5:23

One driver that everyone asks about when it comes to Montana 200 time is 3-time champion, Tom Sweatman. Known as the Sweathog, the veteran driver raced most recently in Evergreen Speedway’s Summer Showdown but has not been to the Montana 200 in several years.

5:18

Race officials require spotters and drivers to attend to the driver’s meeting or risk losing their starting position and will be put to the back of their respective race line-ups.

5:16

Driver’s meeting at 5:30

5:15

Track is now closed for practice

5:14

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5:14

Fans are beginning to file into the grandstands which opened to the public at 5:00 p.m.

5:13

5:12	Tonight\’s pace car is a 2013 Chevrolet Corvette valued at over $94,000. Justin Rody is the track\’s pace car driver tonight. (Speed51.com photo)

5:09

51 TV’s LIVE pay-per-view coverage of the Battle at Berlin weekend continues tonight. Order now for $14.99. Click here to order it now. http://speed51.com/51livetv…

5:08

7 minutes left in the extended practice session

5:08

Howell exits the track

5:08

5:07

The temperature has dropped slightly to 82 degrees.

5:06

Sunset tonight is scheduled for 9:27 p.m.. The drivers will be going into the sun through turns 3 and 4.

5:05

5:04

Race Officials have reopened the track for practice until 5:15 p.m. Howell is on track now

5:04

Top-5 lap times today:
Pettit 13.175
Jefferson 13.250
Mitchell 13.254
Morton 13.274
Garber 13.313

5:03

Top-5 most laps completed:
Habart 97
Corpron 83
Thompson 81
Evans 81
Mitchell 78

5:01

Track is now closed for practice

5:01

Mitchell ran 78 laps of practice today

5:00

Update on Shane Mitchell’s car: “We finally hit on something and we think we have a rocket ship now,” said crew member Kevin Bull

4:59

Less then two minutes left in practice as Evans heads out for what may be his final laps of the afternoon

4:59

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4:58

Ryan Dennison is today’s Race Director

4:58

Race officials passing the time in the tech tower sharing favorite NFL game stories as practice winds down.

4:56

Thompson and Habart are the only cars on the track at this time

4:56

Up next will be a driver’s meeting at 5:30 p.m. MST

4:55

Race officials have announced 5 minutes left in practice

4:51

4:50

Tim Elliott heads out to take advantage of the last few minutes of practice.

4:48

Wind is picking up to nearly 25 mph now.

4:47

15 minutes left in practice

4:43

Business is picking up and several teams are making their way towards to track for a final few laps of practice. Many are drivers that will be in the LCQ race including Garber and Wigley

4:40

Top-5 times in practice:
Pettit 13.175
Jefferson 13.250
Mitchell 13.254
Garber 13.13.313
Admiraal 13.323

4:37

51 TV’s LIVE pay-per-view coverage of the Battle at Berlin weekend continues tonight. Order now for $14.99. Click here to order it now. http://speed51.com/51livetv…

4:37	Joey Bird leads Alex Lessor out of turn No. 2 at Montana Raceway Park. (Speed51.com photo)

4:36

Thank you for being part of today’s Trackside Now coverage of the 24th Annual Coors Light Montana 200.

4:35

Comment From Gary

Thanks for that Info On Garret Evans. Also thanks for the great coverage. As I said before Spped51 Is the best.

4:33

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4:33

30 minutes left in today’s practice session

4:28

4:26

Jefferson looks to join Tom Sweatman as 3-time Montana 200 champion should he prevail tonight. Only Gary Lewis has more 200 wins (4) then Sweatman.

4:22

Owen Riddle back to the track

4:21

4:20

Back to green

4:20

Habart spins to bring out the yellow. He turns the car around and gets going.

4:18	Andy Brown on track. (Speed51.com photo)

4:17

Between Evans, Harding and Eaton you have 8 NASCAR Northwest Tour championships

4:16

Harding has competed in the Montana 200 beginning in 2011.

4:15

Eaton and Biffle have never entered the race per track officials.

4:14

Garret Evans is one of this country’s top late model drivers, but he’s not alone as a Northwest veteran without a Montana 200 crown. Others include Pete Harding, Ron Eaton and the great Greg Biffle.

4:13

Comment From Gary

I find It hard to believe that since 1991 Garret Evans name not on past winners list through 2013. Cheering on Garret Evans from Brown Deer Wisconsin

4:13

Longton out again after making adjustments to his Ford.

4:12

Cars back on track with 45 minutes of practice left for the day.

4:10

Evans quickly exits the track

4:10

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4:10

Evans throttle up his Leonard Evans Used Car Superstore Chevrolet and heads back onto the track.

4:08

All quiet again in the pits and on the track

4:06

All 34 cars that are still part of today’s competition have taken laps in practice this afternoon.

4:05

Longton exits the track after 7 laps of practice and heads to his pits.

4:05

Longton posts a 13.72

4:05

Longton’s car is stable with good handling in the corners. Best lap so far for Longton is 13.80 on old tires

4:04

Longton has entered the track for practice

4:03

4:03	Nicole Behar\’s team keep an eye on their driver as she enters turn No. 3. (Speed51.com photo)

4:01

Inspections are done in the pit area adjacent to the technical inspectors tower.

4:01

Per race officials: The top-6 finishers of the Montana 200 will be impounded for post-race technical inspection.

3:57

51 TV’s LIVE pay-per-view coverage of the Battle at Berlin weekend continues tonight. Order now for $14.99. Click here to order it now. http://speed51.com/51livetv…

3:57	Lessor on track and breaking in the back-up motor. (Speed51.com photo)

3:56

Yes Lewis is out of the race. He battled motor issues all day on Friday. He was offered back-up motors, a back-up car but instead will watch this year’s race from the stands.

3:55

Comment From Gary

Is Gary Lewis out of the big show?

3:55	Fast time winner and the driver who will lead the field to the green flag, Owen Riddle, watches practice. (Speed51.com photo)

3:50

Thornton competed in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race held last weekend in New Hampshire where he posted an 18th place finish after starting dead last in the field. He stayed on the lead lap in his back-up TTC Racing Ford Fusion. He competes on both the East and West Series this season.

3:48

Thornton’s family owns Montana Raceway Park.

3:48

Giving Giles Thornton an introduction to Trackside Now coverage from our location in the technical inspection tower.

3:46

Morton only turned 6 laps in practice thus far

3:45

Morton’s fastest lap: 13.455

3:44

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3:44

Morton is on track

3:43

Owen Riddle heads back to the track

3:42

Gomez fast time so far: 13.652

3:42

Gomez is turning laps on the track

3:41

3:39

Cars out of the race:
I. Admiraal
Wolfe
Lewis
Schweigert
Fischer
Kleyn
Beaman

3:38

Per race officials: Ian Admiraal has withdrawn from the Montana 200 with mechanical issues.

3:37

29 drivers have made at least one lap today. Those who have not include Longton, Gomez, Howell, Brown, Lessor, Morton and Ian Admiraal.

3:34

Mitchell continues to lead all drivers in most laps run today with 66. Tyler Corpron has run 61 with Evans posting 60 thus far.

3:31

51 TV’s LIVE pay-per-view coverage of the Battle at Berlin weekend continues tonight. Order now for $14.99. Click here to order it now. http://speed51.com/51livetv…

3:31	Alex Lessor\’s Chevrolet has the front nose back on A he attaches the side skirts to prepare to practice. (Speed51.com photo)

3:29

Recent high school graduate, Joey Bird, also on track

3:28

Gracin Raz breaks the silence and returns to the track

3:26

3:25

A rare sight with the brisk wind is the blue sky above Montana Raceway Park. 82 degrees here in Kalispell, Mont. according to the National Weather Service.

3:24

One noise that can be heard is the flags fluttering in the brisk 20 mph wind.

3:23

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3:23

A quiet lull has fallen over Montana Raceway Park for this first time since practice opened at 1:00 p.m. MST. No motors are running and there are no cars on the track at this time.

3:22

3:21

Per race officials: Cory Wolfe, driver of the No. 88 Team Late Night Ford Fusion, who was involved in an incident during last night’s B-Main, is being held today for observation and testing at a local hospital. No information was released as to the nature of his injuries.

3:19

Lessor has fired the back-up motor in his Bob’s Alley Speed Chevrolet

3:17

Most teams will go through 20 tires during the course of the weekend according to race officials. Some have elected to add one more set to their inventory for the LCQ race coming up later tonight.

3:16

3:14	Mt. Hoosier is building in the tire area. (Speed51.com photo)

3:10

Just under two hours left in today’s practice session.

3:08

51 TV’s LIVE pay-per-view coverage of the Battle at Berlin weekend continues tonight. Order now for $14.99. Click here to order it now. http://speed51.com/51livetv…

3:08

Lessor’s motor change nearly completed. He will start at the back of the field tonight because of the motor change as he locked in on Friday through time trials.

3:06

3:05	No. 24 Joey Bird up to speed. (Speed51.com photo)

3:04

Top-5 lap times:
Jefferson 13.250
Garber 13.313
Thornton 13. 372
Admiraal 13.376
Raz 13.384

3:01

Havens has also returned to the track after making adjustments.

3:00

McClennon heads to the track for the first time today.

3:00

2:59

Still in the pits but as noted earlier they do plan to run this afternoon.

2:59

Comment From Guest

Longton?

2:58	No. 72 Scott Lee races down the backstretch at Montana Raceway Park. (Speed51.com photo)

2:55

Zach Beaman on having to withdraw from the Montana 200: “We had gotten a miss in the motor but thought we’d worked it out in the practice today. We made some adjustments to the set-up and the car handled well but then it lost power so I pulled in. We think it sucked a valve. It’s a crate motor so we’ll just yard it out and finish up our compression motor to get back to the track here in a few weeks.”

2:53

Lewis will not be a part of this race tonight as he had motor issues on Friday and was forced to withdraw.

2:52

From 2007-2012 Gary Lewis has won four straight Montana 200 races and had not posted a DNF until last season.

2:51

From 2004-2012 a driver from the state of Washington had won the Montana 200 until Gomez broke the streak last year. Ken Kaltschmidt (2003) is the last Montana driver to win the race.

2:49

Montana 200 champions racing today include:
Jeff Jefferson
Shane Mitchell
Bj Tidrick
Tim Elliott
Jonathon Gomez

2:48

1998 champion Tim Elliott is the only Canadian driver to win the Montana 200.

2:45

All of the champions of the Montana 200 have a unique and special racing resume, but one, 1991 winner Lance Wade, is the only driver to have attempted NASCAR’s Brickyard 400. Wade was part of the inaugural Brickyard 400 qualifying field back in 1994.

2:41

Cars have returned to the track with Emond, Doss and Thompson turning laps

2:40

2:40	A slight break in practice. (Speed51.com photo)

2:38

2:37	Garrett Sawyer tracks information for his driver, Shelby Thompson. (Speed51.com photo)

2:35

Kevin Bull: “We’re throwing everything at this car including the kitchen sink.”

2:35	Shane Mitchell (l) discusses a shock change with his crew member, Kevin Bull. (Speed51.com photo)

2:33

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2:33

Giles Thornton: “We considered using a back-up car last night but instead the crew worked to get our primary car repaired. In the practice today I worked on a few things as we really were just shaking it down. We had 80 laps tires on and ran a (13).40 so I’m pretty happy with how the car has come back around. We’ll make another run in a bit with some better tires as we’re trying to dial it in for the LCQ.”

2:28

Checked with Mike Longton’s team and they are just about ready to practice. Gomez’s team has the car on scale pads as they are nearly complete with their repairs.

2:24

Repairs to Thompson’s car have been completed and he is line to practice

2:22

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2:22

Four drivers compete on the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West:
Braeden Havens
Nicole Behar
Giles Thornton
Kelly Admiraal

2:21

This race has NASCAR champions of the Northwest and Southwest Tour’s entered:
Garrett Evans and Gary Lewis from the Northwest
Jim Pettit from the Southwest

2:19

Tracks represented this weekend by their drivers include:
Montana Raceway Park
Evergreen Speedway
Yakima Speedway
Wenatchee Valley’s Super Oval
Stateline Speedway
All-American Speedway
Magic Valley Speedway
Auto Clearing Speedway
Mission Valley Speedway

2:18

Series represented include:
SRL Southwest Tour
Tri-Track Late Model Series
Dakota Dunes Late Model Series
NASCAR K&N Pro Series
Rocky Mountain Challenge Series

2:12

2:11

Habart has posted the 4th quickest lap of the day showing his car is getting back to form after the repairs this morning. His last lap was a 13.535.

2:08

Mitchell has turned the most laps today with 44 circuits around the .250-mile.

2:07

Kleyn has withdrawn from the Montana 200 per race officials

2:06

51 TV’s LIVE pay-per-view coverage of the Battle at Berlin weekend continues tomorrow. Order tomorrow for $14.99. Click here to order it now.http://speed51.com/51livetv…

2:06

Owen Riddle has returned to the track and is up to speed this time

2:04

Revised LCQ Starting Line-up:
Evans
Wells
Havens
Reed
Garber
Elliott
Brown
Lee
Wigley
Morton
Thornton
Habart
Kleyn
Corpron
Newhouse

2:02

Doug Fischer also withdrawn from the race

2:01

Beaman has lost a motor and withdrawn from the Montana 200

2:01	Shane Mitchell\’s team making adjustments. (Speed51.com photo)

1:59

21 drivers have practiced thus far this afternoon

1:59

Riddle made two laps and has pulled off

1:58

Pettit on track

1:58

Many of the locked in drivers are coming out now to scuff in tires for the 2nd half of tonight’s race.

1:57

Owen Riddle on track

1:57

Historical note: No driver from the state of Oregon has won the Montana 200. Idaho driver and defending champion Jonathan Gomez became the first from his state to accomplish the feat.

1:55

Emond on track

1:55

Mitchell returns to the track

1:54

Admiraal on track

1:54

Garber posts the 2nd fastest lap of the day: 13.313

1:54

Garber on track

1:54

Jefferson with the fast lap of the day: 13.250

1:53

Jefferson on track

1:53

Cars locked into the 200-lap main event that have not practiced include Thompson, Behar, Owen Riddle, Raz, Bird, Emond, McClennon and Howell

1:51

Tidrick on track

1:50

1:49

Lessor’s team is finishing up their work on an the engine swap

1:49

Of cars that were noted as damaged in racing incidents during Friday’s racing only Longton and Gomez have yet to take any practice laps

1:48

Schmidt on track with Thornton

1:48

Giles Thornton’s team has completed repairs to his Toyota and the NASCAR K&N Pro Series driver is on track for practice.

1:45

Habart’s team worked most of the morning to repair damage from an incident in last night’s B-Main. His first laps on track were a shake down, with laps being run now at near full speed.

1:45

Elliott on track

1:44

Mitchell back on track along with Habart

1:42

Admiraal to the top of the board: 13.376

1:41

Pettit back on track

1:41

Reed, K. Admiraal and Wigley on track

1:38

Riddle with the 2nd fastest lap of the day: 13.399

1:38

Clint Habart and Austin Reed join Riddle

1:38

Taylor Riddle on track

1:37

Pettit just posted the fastest lap of the day at a 13.396-second clip

1:37

Garber is a four-time Inland Northwest Super Stock Association champion. The now defunct series competed at Stateline Speedway in Idaho, Spokane County Raceway, Montana Raceway Park and Mission Valley Speedway.

1:36

David Garber on track

1:36

Wells is a two-time late model champion at Montana Raceway Park

1:35

Wells in the points leader of Auto Clearing’s late model division. The Hingham, Mont. native calls Montana Raceway Park and Auto Clearing Speedway home tracks as they’re the two closest to his team’s shop.

1:34

Wells is a recent late model main event winner at Auto Clearing Speedway in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

1:34

Ryan Wells on track

1:33

This is Pettit’s first trip to the Montana 200 and second northern trek of the year. The SRL champion out of the state of California competed in June’s Evergreen Speedway Summer Showdown held in Monroe, Wash.

1:32

Jim Pettit is on track

1:31

The 24th Annual Coors Light Montana 200 features drivers from across the country including the states of North Carolina, Idaho, Washington, Montana, California along with the Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Alberta

1:29

Wenatchee Valley’s Super Oval owner, Garrett Evans, continues to pace the field in practice with fast lap of 13.428-seconds

1:28

Wigley on track as driver’s are reporting the surface is slick with grip at a premium.

1:27

51 TV’s LIVE pay-per-view coverage of the Battle at Berlin weekend continues tomorrow. Order tomorrow for $14.99. Click here to order it now.http://speed51.com/51livetv…

1:27

Evans, Beaman and Newhouse on track

1:26

Beaman has run the most laps today by far: 30 and still going

1:25

Corpron and Beaman head onto the track

1:24

Track is quiet at this time

1:21	No. 93 David Garber preparing for technical inspections. (Speed51.com photo)

1:17

John Newhouse on track with Beaman

1:17

Beaman back on track

1:16

Fast laps:
Evans 13.428
Mitchell 13.501
Havens 13.563
Beaman 13.695
Wigley 14.032

1:15

Only 5 cars have taken practice laps at this time:
Evans
Mitchell
Havens
Beaman
Wigley

1:13

Havens back on track

1:10

Beaman has made the most laps thus far in practice with 16 circuits around the high-banked .250-mile track.

1:09

Roy Wigley on track

1:08

Beaman will be in the LCQ event while Mitchell is locked into the Montana 200.

1:07

Mitchell has returned to the track

1:07

With so much time in the practice session most teams are not showing a sense of urgency to get track time in the early going.

1:05

Evans with the fastest lap of the day so far: 13.428-seconds

1:05

Zach Beaman has joined Evans on track

1:03

Garrett Evans is the third car to take to the track for practice in the session.

1:02

This practice session is scheduled to run from 1-5:15 virtually non-stop.

1:02

No other teams are in line to practice at this time as Mitchell exits the track.

1:01

Cars are on track as Havens makes a short run while Mitchell continues to turn laps.

1:00	No. 83 Braeden Havens and No. 99 Shane Mitchell are the first two cars in line for practice. (Speed51.com photo)

12:59

Practice opened two minutes early. Track is green

12:56

As noted during Friday’s coverage: No. 73 Gary Lewis, a four-time champion of the Montana 200, was forced to withdraw from the event with a motor issue.

12:55

12:52

No. 56 Tyler Corpron in the tech line. (Speed51.com photo)

12:52

There is no support race for tonight’s Montana 200 as was the case last evening when the Canadian Super Truck Series ran a 125-lap main event.

12:50

12:49

51 TV’s LIVE pay-per-view coverage of the Battle at Berlin weekend continues tomorrow. Order tomorrow for $14.99. Click here to order it now.http://speed51.com/51livetv…

12:49

Cars are making their to the technical inspection area prior to heading out for practice.

12:46

While some teams are making repairs to their race cars, No. 53 Alex Lessor is working to change a motor. (Speed51.com photo)

12:42

The wind has started to pick-up with force. Estimates by track officials is over 20 mph from the West. With that the smoke from the Washington state fires is starting to settle in thicker then when the morning sun rose.

12:40

Derek Copeland oversees repairs on the No. 22 of Jonathan Gomez. (Speed51.com photo)

12:38

AP Brakes is the official sponsor of Speed51.com’s Twitter account.Follow us today @Speed51dotcom. Click here to follow Speed51.com on Twitter, @speed51dotcom.

12:38

Every year this race becomes more and more popular. As such the challenges of holding the event for the track’s staff are always changing. This year RV parking is at a premium with much of the track’s main lot full of campers, trailers and RV’s. With the lower parking lot flooded track officials are asking RVer’s to park tight to allow more room for automobile parking.

12:34

Looking for awesome looking hero cards for the 2014 season? Let the Speed51.com Graphics Department design it for you today. Email Speed51.com’s Graphic Arts Department

12:34

Mike Longton\’s crew hard at work. (Speed51.com photo)

12:32

Mike Longton was caught-up in a Fast 14 Heat Race incident that caused damage to the left-rear of his Ford Fusion His team is making repairs. Longton has been in this spot before: “We got tore-up in a Fast Heat race back in 2004 and spent the whole night working on the car. Since then we’ve pretty much brought every part and piece you could imagine to fix the car expect for a spare chassis, which on occasion we’ve done as well. The guys will get this GTB Ford Fusion buttoned up and we’ll be fine once the 200 gets going.”

12:30

Craig Raudman, crew chief for No. 8 Kelly Admiraal, looks over the right front of the race car. (Speed51.com photo)

12:28

Discussions amongst those running the LCQ race is to bolt on new tires or run the 40-lap race on scuffs. If new tires are bought, then the driver advances to the Montana 200 starting line-up, the tires used in time trials must be on the car when the main event starts per race officials

12:25

Montana Raceway Park\’s turn No. 2 banking. (Speed51.com photo)

12:22

No. 12 Giles Thornton\’s crew makes repairs after he was collected in a turn No. 3 incident. (Speed51.com photo)

12:20

12:18

LCQ Starting Line-up:
64 Garrett Evans
5 Ryan Wells
83 Braeden Havens
14 Austin Reed
93 David Garber
27 Tim Elliott
41 Andy Brown
25B Zach Beaman
72 Scott Lee
88 Roy Wigley
77 Bodie Morton
12 Giles Thornton
09 Clint Habart
1K Mitch Kleyn
99 Doug Fischer
56 Tyler Corpron
6 John Newhouse

12:16

Practice as noted will begin at 1:00 p.m. MST
Practice Ends at 5:15
Driver’s Meeting 5:30
Opening Ceremonies 7:00 p.m.
Time TBD 40-lap LCQ Race Top-7 advance to the Montana 200
Time TBD Hot Lap Session
Halftime Break
Time TBD Montana 200 green flag

12:14

Every driver wants to be in this spot when the night is done. (Speed51.com photo)

12:13

Driver’s locked into the starting line-up for tonight’s Montana 200 by position:

10 Owen Riddle
15 Gracin Raz
100 BJ Tidrick
42 Jeff Jefferson
17 Trevor Emond
05 Eric Schmidt
20 Shelby Thompson
24 Joey Bird
33 Nicole Behar
22 Jonathan Gomez
33M Jamie McClennon
99 Shane Mitchell
37 Mike Longton
18 Jim Pettit
75 Jeremy Doss
15 Tayler Riddle
8 Kelly Admiraal
1 Agni Howell

12:08

Several of the team\’s call this their Montana 200 breakfast of champions. (Speed51.com photo)

12:06

Teams have been in the pits since 10 a.m. MST with many working on damaged cars from last night’s racing action.

12:05

Late Models will be on track at the top of the hour.

12:04

Welcome to day 2 of the 24th Annual Coors Light Montana 200. The weather is listed as smoke per the National Weather Service with a hazy 73 degree afternoon upon.

12:03

DISCLAIMER: All updates posted on Speed51.com’s Trackside Now are property of 51 Sports, LLC and may not be duplicated in any form unless prior permission has been given by 51 Sports, LLC.

Garrett Evans, Montana 200, Montana Raceway Park

July 19, 2014 8:00 pm

Trackside Now: Montana 200 Saturday at Montana Raceway Park – 7/19/14

Trackside Now: Montana 200 Saturday at Montana Raceway Park – 7/19/14

A Pair of Round & Round Recaps From Plymouth & Slinger

Trackside Now: Battle at Berlin 251 at Berlin Raceway (MI) – 7/19/14