Owens fastest qualifier for Montana 200

The Daily Inter Lake

Twelve down, 12 to go.

Qualifying for the 19th Annual Montana 200 began Friday evening at Montana Raceway Park with a dozen Super Late Model cars in a field of 30 posting fast times and earning the right to advance to tonight's 200-lap Main Event.

Mark Owens of Kalispell topped the fast laps, flirting with the 12-second mark before finishing with a blistering time of 13.016 on a perfect night for racing.

Two-time defending champion Gary Lewis of Snohomish, Wash., had the second-best time, 13.179.

Dave Garber of Spokane was third, 13.187, Bodie Morton of Kalispell fourth, 13.192, and Mark Sundberg of Seattle fifth, 13.224.

Six more cars were scheduled to qualify for the 200-lap finale later Friday evening, and six more will qualify today.

Also advancing Friday based on fast times was Wrango West of Kalispell.

He clocked in with a 13.287, which was 10th best.

Racing continues tonight with opening ceremonies at 7.

19th Annual Montana 200

Friday Night

First 12 Qualifiers for today's Main Event

Based on Fast Times

1. Mark Owens, Kalispell, 13.016; 2. Gary Lewis, Snohomish, Wash., 13.179; 3. Dave Garber, Spokane, 13.187; 4. Bodie Morton, Kalispell, 13.192; 5. Mark Sundberg, Seattle, 13.224; 6. Erick Hargraves, Yakima, 13.239.

7. Jay Sauls, Puyallup, Wash., 13.254; 8. Jared Vorse, Olympia, Wash., 13.257; 9. Joey Tanner, Portland, Ore., 13.265; 10. Wrango West, Kalispell, 13.287; 11. Jason Fraser, Snohomish, Wash., 13.325; 12. Mike Obrist, Portland, Ore., 13.327.