Riddle tops Montana 200 qualifying

Owen Riddle of Naches, Wash., topped the list of the first 14 qualifiers for the 21st annual Montana 200 on Friday at Montana Raceway Park.

Riddle posted the fastest go in time trials, covering the high-banked, quarter-mile oval in 13.047 seconds.

Alex Lessor of Kalispell finished second in 13.144.

Lessor wrecked his car in his season debut in Spokane two weeks ago, but his rebuilt Chevorlet was ready roll.

Shane Mitchell of East Wenatchee, Wash., was third, 13.168.

Four-time Montana 200 winner Gary Lewis of Snohomish, Wash., was fourth, 13.172.

Kalispell's Mark Owens had the sixth best time, 13.217.

Chris Eggelston of Erie, Colo., who competes in NASCAR's Camping World Truck Series, had the seventh best clocking, 13.229.

The youngest driver to qualify on the first day was 16-year-old Blake Williams of Newman Lake, Wash. He was 13th in 13.274.

Williams qualified for the Montana 200 Main Event last year, but not in the time trials.

Last year's pole sitter, Mike Longton of Moxee, Wash., just missed out on qualifying for the main event, finishing 15th.

Five more drivers qualified in a late-night 40-lap B Main Event on Friday.

Racing resumes tonight at 7 p.m.

Top 14 Qualifiers

Based on Time Trials

Friday at Montana Raceway Park

Owen Riddle, Naches, Wash. 13.047

Alex Lessor, Kalispell 13.144

Shane Mitchell, East Wenatchee, Wash. 13.168

Gary Lewis, Snohomish, Wash. 13.172

Chris Skelton, Calgary, Alberta 13.188

Mark Owens, Kalispell 13.217

Chris Eggelston, Erie, Colo. 13.229

Jason Fraser, Snohomish, Wash. 13.231

Ronnie Hults, Centennial, Colo. 13.245

Brandon Riehl, Boring, Ore. 13.257

Brian Levant, Calgary, Alberta 13.260

Eric Schmidt, Roseville, Calif. 13.273

Blake Williams, Newman Lake, Wash. 13.274

Jason Jefferson, Naches, Wash. 13.286