KALISPELL, Montana — Ryan Wells journey from Montana dirt tracks to winning the 2010 Kalispell Toyota Late Model Series Rookie of the Year title has been filled with promise and the hope of a career first win at Montana Raceway Park looming just around the corner.
The turn of fate that leads to victory lane may come in this weekend’s Prelude to the 200 presented by Twisted Tea. The 100-lap shootout is the last late model event at the Kalispell high-banked oval before next month’s 21st Annual Coors Light Montana 200.
With all eyes on Saturday’s big race, Wells looks to continue to shine.
Coming into the weekend the Hingham, Mont. native has two top-5 finishes to his credit in the early 2011 season and sees the impending race as another chance to prove his worth to the top late model talent in the Northwest.
“For sure there is a stronger focus (on Saturday’s higher profile race),” Wells said. “You have to be completely focused when you’re out there racing against the likes Cory Wolfe, Mark Owens, Shane Mitchell and the rest of the guys who will be in the field.”
Always looking to prove he belongs with the best late model drivers in the region after a successful dirt racing career is one of many motivations Wells uses each weekend, he added.
“In our eyes we haven’t had the success (on asphalt) that we have wanted but feel we are getting closer and closer to achieving our goals. This weekend we want to have a superior qualifying effort, start upfront, stay out of trouble and late in the race move up and take the point all while trying to keep the competition behind us. If that can happen we could take our first checkered flag.”
Success prior to launching a career in late models has kept Wells focused on the goal of being the best driver he can in a talented division, he noted.
“I would have to say my dirt track experience has been key (to being consistent in late models). We have been able to meet some great people along the way (in late model racing) who have helped us get to this point. We want to be a consistent top-5 car anywhere we go and do it in a Hershel McGriff type of style.”
Kalispell Toyota Late Model Series racing returns to Montana Raceway Park this Saturday night along with the Pabst Blue Ribbon Hobby Stocks, Flathead Beacon Bombers and the Wanna Race Bandoleros.
Tickets are sale through the track’s website at www.montanaracewaypark.com Qualifying gets underway at 6 p.m. on June 18 with racing at 7:05 p.m. For more information call (406) 257-RACE (7223).
