Raceway Park gears up for first big race

Montana Raceway Park's 2007 season began more than a month ago, but it shifts into high gear this weekend with its first major race of the year.

Raceway Park is host to the Canadian-American Shootout 150 Saturday night as Super Late Models from Canada and the Northwest compete for a purse exceeding $12,000, including $1,200 for first place. The event is a NEWALTA Late Model Challenge Series points race, with a field highlighted by several former Montana 200 champions.

Kalispell's Mark Owens and Ronan's Cory Wolfe are just two past Montana 200 champions looking to qualify for the 24-car main event. Washington's Ron Dexter, who won the 2001 Montana 200, will also be on hand, as will British Columbia's Tim Elliott, who won it in 1998.

Owens won last year's Canadian-American Shootout 150. Repeating will be tough, however, due to a test field featuring 35-40 standout drivers, including about 20 from Canada.

American drivers have won the Canadian-American Shootout 150 each year since its 2001 inception. Alex Lessor, Kalispell's young, emerging superstar, is poised to keep that streak alive, or at least give the race's veterans a run for their money.

"Excitement is definitely brewing," said Raceway Park co-owner Michelle Siderius, who likened the event to a miniature Montana 200. "It is like the kickoff for the Super Late Models. We're just excited to bring our Canadian friends down."

The Montana 200 hits Raceway Park July 20-21 with a $40,000 purse and $12,000 first prize. Many of Saturday's drivers will return for that race, rendering this weekend an intense prelude for what is to come.

Qualifying begins at 6 with racing at 7. The Bandoleros and Legends will also run on Raceway Park's high-bank super oval, but the night clearly belongs to the Super Late Models and their $50,000 engines.

"This is when the big boys come to play," Siderius said.