Auto racing season begins at MRP

Gentlemen, start your engines!

It’s time for the Pepsi Cola Spring Opener at Montana Raceway Park.

Super stocks, legends, hobby stocks, bombers and bandoleros will all make their 2014 debut tonight on the quarter-mile high-banked oval. All the action begins with qualifying at 6 p.m. and racing at 7.

The featured main event will be the super stocks.

Admission is $9 for adults and $7 for juniors. Kids 5-and-under are admitted free.

This is the first of 19 race dates as the raceway celebrates its 24th season.

“Looks like we have a very good bomber class, bandoleros and hobbys,” Ryan Augusta, general manager and track promoter, said for the opener.

“We’re good to go.”

Hornets will make their first appearance on May 17.

Super late models are up May 31 for the Coors Light G.E.T. Rich at the Montana Gold 212.

The other two major events are the CHS and Nesquick 13th annual 4-H and FFA Legend Thunder on June 28 and the 24th annual Coors Light Montana 200 on July 19.

“We’re approaching it from the basics,” Augusta said this season.

“We’ve really worked hard to make it right.”

Augusta said new sponsors this year include Kalispell Center Mall, Kalispell Chamber of Commerce, 4H and FFA.

“We’re reaching out to the community,” he said.

“That’s real important to us. We’re a service to the community that benefits everyone who participates with us.”

Although the season experienced a wet start with the Test and Tune event rained out on April 26, more than 180 people showed up the following day on short notice to participate.

Augusta said that number was “impressive.”

For more information on the racing season, visit www.montanaracewaypark.com or call 257 (RACE).