Racers take your marks; the checkered flag dropped during Montana Raceway Park’s first competition of the year Saturday with the Coca-Cola Spring Opener.
Perched high on the hill off U.S. Highway 93, this is the valley’s premier place for race enthusiasts. Find a seat in the 4,000-capacity grandstand and even the novice racer, or those curious about the event, will immediately become addicted to the speed and rattling noise of the sport.
This weekend featured the Limited Sportsman, Hobby Stocks, Bombers, Hornets, Legends and Bandoleros.
The track itself is a one-quarter mile asphalt oval inside and 3/8-mile outside. Racers eat up the 300-foot long straight-aways as they scream into the banked 180-degree turns. The start and finish line is at the center of the front straight stretch.
With a pit capacity for 100 teams, there is plenty of room for last-minute mechanical changes, preparation and upkeep.
A great family environment, the park regularly features the following categories: Limited Sportsman, Super Late Models, Hobby Stocks, Bombers, Compacts, Cruisers, Flathead Legends, Bandoleros, Thunder Roadsters and Hornets.
For track records, race schedules and more information visit www.montanaracewaypark.com.
How to get there: Montana Raceway Park is located six miles north of Kalispell and nine miles south of Whitefish on U.S. Highway 93.