Money matters

What started out as an innocent enough request back in May has sure blossomed into quite the fan/driver relationship.

Lonne Dull helped his son Austin send an e-mail to super late model driver Gary Lewis of Snohomish, Wash., about purchasing a spot on Lewis’ car for the 20th annual Montana 200 auto race at Montana Raceway Park.

The 9-year-old fourth grader at Ruder Elementary School in Columbia Falls was saving his money to secure a sponsorship spot, but was wondering how much it would cost.

Lewis responded in a e-mail a couple weeks later and said “maybe $2 would be reasonable for you to pay to have your name on my car. It wouldn’t be real big lettering or anything, but it’s a good way to get started in learning the value of sponsoring a race car.”

Lewis told Dull to talk it over with his parents and closed by saying “I would be proud to put your name on my car.”

When Lewis takes the track today and Saturday to defend his Montana 200 title for the fourth-straight year, Austin James Dull is proudly on display on the right rear back panel of Lewis’ bright orange No. 73 car in bold white letters.

Dull was given an up close and personal look at the car and his name in the pit area Thursday evening during Montana 200 FanFest festivities at MRP. Dull happily signed his name on a $2 bill and handed it over to Lewis, which was followed by a big hug.“This was a special deal,” Lewis said of why he did it.“I get a lot of e-mails, requests (for sponsorships), but it’s pretty special to have someone like that follow through.”Dull was more than satisfied to see where his name was displayed. “I wanted it where it was so that people in the crowd could see it,” he said.

And that will happen tonight when Lewis drives past the grandstands. Racing is set to begin at 7 with the 12 fastest times from the trials advancing drivers to Saturday’s main event.

Six more cars from tonight’s consolation race will qualify.

Then on Saturday, a last chance qualifying race will send six more to the grand 200-lap finale, which is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. The main event starts at 9.

As of Thursday, 45 drivers were at the raceway.

Also racing this weekend is the Legend Series.

Dull met his racing hero for the first time last August after Lewis won a super late model race at MRP. Dull told Lewis he was his No. 1 fan and Lewis gave him an autographed left front fender piece from his car.

 Dull has that fender hanging in his room, along with a wall covered with Lewis autographed photos and caps.

“If Lewis has autographed it, it’s there (in Austin’s room),” Lonne said.

Austin has been closely watching Lewis turn laps at MRP since 2007, the first year Lewis won the Montana 200.

Austin also told his father Lewis would win that race.

“I like the color (orange) and 73 is my lucky number,” Austin said of why he chose Lewis.

Lewis is anxious to repeat this weekend in Montana’s richest auto race. Drivers are competing for a total purse of more than $50,000.

“It’s great for my driving style,” Lewis said of MRP.

“A good track for us.”

Lewis says to be successful, one has to stay out of trouble, take care of the tires and have a little luck.

“I like the track because you have to stay up on the wheel, then drive it hard,” he said.

NOTE: Officials with Montana Raceway Park have announced that Robin Pflugrad, head football coach at the University of Montana, will be the grand marshal of Saturday night’s 20th annual Montana 200.

“Through the assistance of Jim and Sharon Palmer we were able to contact coach Pflugrad and he is excited to be part of this year’s Montana 200,” said general manager and promoter Justin Rody.

 “His excitement, the chance for the drivers to meet him and hear his words of inspiration just before the race goes green will be an unbelievable experience for everyone.”