KALISPELL, Montana — Gary Lewis is humbled each and every day he thinks about being a three-time Coors Light Montana 200 champion. To win one of the most prestigious races in the Northwest is an incredible accomplishment but three consecutive with a chance at four straight has still not settled in heading into this weekend's event.
"Each and every year has provided so many great memories. If we pull this off it will be something to see that's for sure," Lewis said. "This will be a tough challenge for sure. We just need to do what we do best and that's racing for the win."
To become a four time champion requires working through several obstacles, he added.
"43 other cars that are also going to win is our biggest challenge this weekend."
The Montana 200 will be only the second late model start of the season for Lewis behind the wheel of his SEFNCO Communications Chevrolet. With a win at Pacific Raceways in the NOS Energy Drinks Road Course Challenge, a solid finish in the ASA Trans Continental race in South Africa and a top-5 run in his only start on the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West, Lewis feels comfortable with the limited amount of seat time he's had in 2010.
"We have logged many laps already this year in three different types of cars that provided three totally different challenges. I think that the diversity of what we have done so far has only made us grow as a team even more."
With many laps logged in two different countries and states this season, Lewis still longs for a return to Montana Raceway Park, he added.
"I love this fast multi-grooved banked track. When your brain is telling you that it's time to slow down but in reality you need to be on the gas, that's my type of track."
Practice sessions are set for Thursday, July 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Activities continue that evening with the State Farm Insurance FanFest beginning at 5 p.m., a drivers autograph session at 7 p.m. and plenty of live music and entertainment for young and old through 11 p.m. Admission and dinner are free to the general public for FanFest.
Qualifying for the Montana 200 is set for 7 p.m. Friday with the top-12 drivers locked into the 24-car field. Consolation racing will be held Friday night giving six more drivers entry into Saturday's main event. Also on tap will be the Westward Bound Construction/Keller-Williams Realty Legend Series.
The 20th Annual Coors Light Montana 200 rounds out the starting grid with a Last Chance Qualifying Race with six more drivers advancing to the main event based on their finishing positions. That shootout is set for 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 17. Competitors take the green flag for the Montana 200 at 9 p.m. MST with the race broadcast live on Montana Country, 106.3 The Bear, on the track's website and the website of The Bear.
Advanced tickets are on sale at www.montanaracewaypark.com with two-day packages offering a savings for fans to enjoy all of the racing action. Family ticket packages are also available at the track and online. For more information regarding the 20th Annual Coors Light Montana 200 log onto montanaracewaypark.com or racingwest.com
Accommodations are still available in the Flathead Valley for those traveling to Western Montana and hotel partners and contact information is available on the track's website.
For up-to-date information text MTRACE to 91011 or call (406) 257-RACE (7223)
REGISTERED DRIVERS FOR THE 2010 MONTANA 200 INCLUDE:
Car Num./Name/Sponsor/Manufacturer/Hometown
04 Rusty Webb, Mark & Jan Klein Chevrolet Deer Park, Wash.
05 Eric Schmidt, Long Engine Systems Chevrolet Roseville, Calif.
0 Brent Harris, Ambitions Chevrolet Wenatchee, Wash.
1 Agni Howell, Murphy's Carpet Cleaning Chevrolet Kalispell, Mont.
5 Ryan Wells, Blue Sky Heating & AC Chevrolet Hingham, Mont.
5x Chris Hart IPM/TQT Ford Terrace Heights, Wash.
6 Chris Skelton, Ryan Brown Competition Engines Chevrolet Calgary, AB
7 Mark Sundberg International Parking Management Ford Seattle, Wash.
9 Kelly Mann, Central Welding Supply Chevrolet Monroe, Wash.
10 Owen Riddle, Don Riddle Excavating Ford Naches, Wash.
11 Greg Funk, Supernal Homes Ltd. Chevrolet Medicine Hat, AB
11x John Nesmith, Meridian Automotive Chevrolet Meridian, Idaho
12 Dan Obrist, Dan Obrist Demolition & Recycling Chevrolet Portland, Ore.
14 Kevin Richards, McClintock & Turk Chevrolet Newman Lake, Wash.
16 Blake Williams, Rent-Rite Ford Spokane, Wash.
17 Trevor Emond, Paradise RV Chevrolet Leduc, AB
20 Jay Sauls, Canyon Auto Paint Chevrolet Puyallup, Wash.
21 Jared Vorse, Knight Fire Protection Chevrolet Olympia, Wash.
25 Kirk Hennefer, Sorenson's Transport Chevrolet Missoula, Mont.
27 Tim Elliott, Lordco Auto Parts Chevrolet Creston, BC
31 Jason Fraser, Joes Racing Products Chevrolet Snohomish, Wash.
36 Wrango West, Westward Bound Construction Chevrolet Kalispell, Mont.
36x Joey Tanner, Engage Pure Adrenalin Chevrolet Portland, Ore.
37 Mike Longton, CLS Farms Chevrolet Moxee, Wash.
38 Grant Brown, Madco Ratchet Fit Fasteners Chevrolet Red Deer, AB
42 Jeff Jefferson, Bemis Appliances Chevrolet Naches, Wash.
42x Ronnie Hults, Speedy's Auto Sales Cadillac Centennial, Colo.
44 Mark Owens, Village Greens Golf Community Chevrolet Kalispell, Mont.
49 Brian Levant, Baja Bar & Grill Toyota Calgary, AB
51 Erick Hargraves, Rick's Garage Chevrolet Yakima, Wash.
53 Alex Lessor, Bob's Alley Speed Ford Kalispell, Mont.
54 Mike Obrist, Darrel's Economy Muffler Ford Portland, Ore.
55 Billie Salmonsen, Bob Herron Insurance Chevrolet Kalispell, Mont.
73 Gary Lewis, SEFNCO Communications Chevrolet Snohomish, Wash.
75 Troy Schweigert, Jeff Bronson Construction Chevrolet Kalispell, Mont.
76 Amanda MacDonald, United Country Chevrolet Ephrata, Wash.
77 Bodie Morton, Carlson Law Office Chevrolet Kalispell, Mont.
77x Greg Vangool, CDM Systems Chevrolet Saskatoon, SK
83 Braeden Havens, Power Systems International Chevrolet Spokane, Wash.
88 Cory Wolfe, Don Aadsen Ford Ronan, Mont.
89 Chuck Dills, Somerset Glass & Mirror Chevrolet Ellensburg, Wash.
93 David Garber, Concrete Cutters Pontiac Spokane, Wash.
95 Dan Garber, Hilliard Enterprises Chevrolet Spokane Valley, Wash.
99 Shane Mitchell, Mitchell Trucking & Paving Chevrolet East Wenatchee, Wash.
