Raceway ends season crowning champs
Montana Raceway Park ended the 2011 season Saturday night with five drivers claiming championships in five divisions - Bombers, Hobby Stock, Legends, Hornets and Super Stocks.
Kyle Kohler entered the season finale in the Bomber division with a tight nine-point lead on Ray Young, Jr.
Although Kohler finished fourth in the main, that was still good enough to give him his first season championship.
Chris Warburton took the checkered flag in the main with Young second and Kelley Dupuis third.
Dustin Martel, who had a comfortable lead in the Hobby Stock, only needed to complete one lap in the main event to stay on top. Martel wound up seventh in the main to pick up his title. He opened the night by posting the fast time (15.164).
Main event honors went to Jason Robinson. Ed Linn was second.
With titles already wrapped up in the Bandoleros division, it was just another night of racing. Champion of the Young Gun division - Brock Denney - finished first in the main ahead of Super Late Model driver Micah Sampson.
Kyle Bassler took a 13-point lead into the Hornets division final over Josh Brinton. Ryan Krause was also contending, sitting third and 30 points behind the leader.
But Bassler wrapped up the season by winning the main event. Zach Havens was next across the finish line and Keith Sheppard followed in third place.
Legends driver Tyler Corpron, competing in his sixth season and holding a sizeable points lead on the field, finished up by winning the main event, along with having the fast time (15.007) for the championship in the Semi-Pro class.
Devin Clayton and Dylan Walker were second and third, respectively in the main.
Corpron secured the Montana Pro Division championship and overall point champ for MRWP, while Clayton is the Montana State Semi-Pro champion and Dave Daughtry is the Montana State Masters Champion.
Sampson, who pulled double duty Saturday, got over his earlier runner-up finish in the Bandoleros to win the Super Stock main event. Brandon Sickler, who came in with an 18-point lead on Adam Kinkle, finished third to take the title in his second season of racing Super Stocks.
Giles Thornton, who posted the fast time (13.684), was second in the main.
Scott Lee held a slim four-point advantage on Tim Hatlen in the battle for third place in the final point standings.
The season officially ends with the 21st annual Awards Banquet on Oct. 15 at the Hilton Garden Inn. Doors open at 5 p.m. with a dinner at 7 and the awards presentations following.
Tickets are $33 and are for sale online at www.montanaracewaypark.com and at the track. Contact Marie AuClaire at 253-7357 for more information.
Drivers must have Awards Voting Sheets turned in by Oct. 1.
MRP Season Champions
Super Late Models - Ryan Wells
Super Stocks - Brandon Sickler
Hobby Stocks - Dustin Martel
Bombers - Kyle Kohler
Compacts - Tim Davis
Hornets - Kyle Bassler
Bandoleros - Brock Denney - Young Gun Division; Bryce Denney - Bandit Division
Legends - Tyler Corpron - Pro; Devin Clayton - Semi Pro; Dave Daughtry - Master
Championship Night at MRP
Saturday's Results
Bandoleros
Fast Time - Brock Denney, 15.826
Main Event - Brock Denney, Micah Sampson, Bryce Denney, Todd Holleman
Legends
Fast Time - Tyler Corpron, 15.007
Main Event - Tyler Corpron, Devin Clayton, Dylan Walker, Hal Rogers, David Cannon, Dave Daughtry, Dalton Halden
Hornets
Fast Time - Zach Havens, 17.903
Main Event - Kyle Bassler, Zach Havens, Keith Sheppard, Ryan Krause, Josh Brinton, Kendra Bickne, Marianne Hanson, Dennis Galloway, Tyler Volkman
Bombers
Fast Time - Chris Warburton, 16.148
Main Event - Chris Warburton, Ray Young, Kelley Dupuis, Kyle Kohler, Troy Pilgram, Bill McCallum, Josh Norris, Matt Gollehon
Super Stocks
Fast Time - Giles Thornton, 13.684
Main Event - Micah Sampson, Giles Thornton, Brandon Sickler, Adam Kinkel, Bruce Stinger, Scott Lee, Cory Wolfe, Justin Drake
Hobby Stocks
Fast Time - Dustin Martel, 15.164
Main Event - Jason Robinson, Ed Lynn, Josh Robinson, Dave Oldham, Marvin Stone, Casey Brandt, Dustin Martel, Josh Davis, Chuck Swope, Mike Rowe, Brandon Martel, Mike Burke, Cory Reum, Scott Seltzer, Rick Mitchell, Sam Naldrett