Qualifying begins for 17th annual Montana 200

Main event Saturday night

The Daily Inter Lake

The big bucks and top trophies won't be awarded until Saturday night, but the 17th Annual Coors Light Montana 200 gets rolling today at Montana Raceway Park.

Today's action begins with 10 a.m. tech inspections, followed by practice from 1-5 p.m., a pit meeting at 5:15, qualifying at 7, and opening ceremonies at 8. The Super Late Models and Flathead Legends will then take to the short track for multiple trophy dash, heat and abbreviated main races, all leading up to Saturday's grand finale.

Raceway Park's most prestigious event, the Montana 200 features about 50 Super Late Models from across the Pacific Northwest and Canada competing for a purse exceeding $40,000, including $12,000 for the winner.

Points determining top-12 starting positions for Saturday's main event are based 60 percent on qualifying times and 40 percent on heat results.

The top six finishers in tonight's Super Late Models B main also join the field, lining up behind the top 12. Other drivers may still earn Montana 200 berths during Saturday night's last-chance main.