Abbott looks to defend Legend Thunder title
Only one driver has claimed two pro division titles in the Legend Thunder. That's Micah Sampson of Kalispell. He won it the first year it was held - 2002 - and two years later.
Kory Abbott of Apopka, Fla., hopes to be the second one to do it.
Abbott will try and defend his title tonight in the 7th Annual Legend Thunder at Montana Raceway Park.
This event is a national qualifying race with the main event winner earning a spot in nationals to be held during October in Minnesota.
Abbott's victory here in 2007 advanced him to nationals in Las Vegas, where he finished fifth overall out of 70.
"We would have liked to have done a little better," Abbott said.
"I thought we had a better car, but getting fifth is nothing to complain about."
Abbott has already qualified for nationals, winning a qualifier during speed week in Florida last month.
"We came up here for fun (vacation and racing)," he said.
Abbott said last year's victory featured a close, competitive race. He expects the same tonight.
"Better cars, faster cars this year," he said.
Abbott, who turns 20 on Monday, has been racing for 14 years. He started in quarter midgets before moving up to bandoleros. He's been with the legends for four years.
"These are a lot harder to drive, more fun," he said.
"There is a lot more competition (at this level)."
Abbott is competing in the same car, owned by Kendirk Performance, for a second-straight season.
"We haven't had too many problems with it," he said.
"It does what we want.
"I'd like to run limited or super late models," Abbott said.
"As soon as possible. I've had some offers.
"I feel we have been pretty successful with the legends," he continued.
"I feel I'm ready to be successful in something else."
In addition to the pro class, legends will also have masters and semi-pro divisions tonight. All will have main events: 50 laps for semi-pro, 30-50 for masters and 50-75 for pro.
The legends' main event will start at approximately 10.
Tonight's race is the fourth, and final, of Legend Speed Week in the Pacific Northwest. The first race was held last Saturday in Roseburg, Ore. The series moved to State Line on Tuesday near Spokane, Wash., and then to Mission Valley Speedway in Pablo on Wednesday.
Sharing the track with the legends will be thunder roadsters and bandoleros.
"Largest field ever," Justin Rody, manager and promoter at Montana Raceway Park, said of the bandoleros.
"Twelve to 13 (cars). We have four from Lake Havasu (Ariz.) and two from Las Vegas."
The bandoleros are for young drivers between the ages of eight and 14.
There are five thunder roadsters entered.
Bandoleros and thunder roadsters will have fast times, trophy dashes and heat races before main events, scheduled to start at 9 p.m. The main in the bandoleros will be 25-30 laps. In thunder roadsters, 30-35.
Larry Gerek of Columbia Falls, thunder roadsters; Mike Hilliker of Sheridan, bandoleros bandit; and Trevor Corpron of Kalispell, bandoleros young guns; were last year's winners at Legend Thunder.
Time trials begin at 6 with racing at 7.
Ticket prices are $15 for adults, $40 for a family pass (two adults and three children), $12 for seniors, $11 for students and $7 for youngsters ages 6-11. Children under six are admitted free.
7th Annual Legend Thunder
Pro Division
2007 - Kory Abbott, Apopka, Fla.
2006 - Randy Thompson, Calgary, Alberta
2005 - Alex Lessor, Kalispell
2004 - Micah Sampson, Kalispell
2003 - Michael Hubert III, Anderson, Calif.
2002 - Micah Sampson, Kalispell
Masters Division
2007 - Tim Corbett, Ronan
2006 - Terry Plummer, Loveland, Colo.
2005 - Frank Winchel, Sebastopol, Calif.
2004 - Rick McNeil, Bail, Wash.
2003 - Rick McNeil, Ball, Wash.
2002 - Billy Webber, Tacoma, Wash.
Semi-Pro Division
2007 - Kyle Oman, Bellingham, Wash.
2006 - Nick Carey, Snohomish, Wash.
2005 - Rowan Carey, Snohomish, Wash.
2004 - Evan Margeson, Tacoma, Wash.
2003 - Joe Martin, Bremerton, Wash.
2002 - Eric Brechel, Kalispell