KALISPELL, Montana — After a lengthy absence from the racing scene, the last person from Big Sky country to win the famed Coors Light Montana 200 powered by Kalispell Toyota, Ken Kaltschmidt, returns to the site of his biggest race victory with hopes of adding a second title.
Now living in Western Washington with a growing family, Kaltschmidt debuted a brand new race car on July 2 at Yakima Speedway with a top-10 finish. From there the former NASCAR Northwest Series driver put his focus on returning to his home track and the chance for added glory.
“Montana is always going to be my home,” said the driver of the No. 47 Montana Tire Consortium Chevrolet. “I love this race track and we’re fortunate to have Montana Raceway Park in the Flathead Valley with great people behind it. It means a lot to me to be back here and have the chance to enjoy this event and the people of this area.”
With practice sessions set to start on Thursday morning, Kaltschmidt will be busy in his new race car looking to find a racing line that fits his needs, he explained.
“I am hoping to find a sweet spot that makes the car fast for a few laps because the most important thing right now for our team is to qualify well. We need one or two laps on Friday night in qualifying and it’s going to take Thursday’s practice sessions to get there.”
Once qualifying gets underway Friday night, the 2003 Montana 200 champion hopes for two solid laps that get him into the top-14 and a secured spot in Saturday’s 200-lap finale.
“If you didn’t qualifying in the Fast-14 you’re at risk after that because anything could happen in those transfer races (to secure a starting position in the 200 itself),” Kaltschmidt added. “Those transfer races are not the place you want to be but if you’re in them you’ll have to make it work. I know we’d like to lock into the race through qualifying but if we’re in the transfer races it’s a long road but something I have seen drivers make work to secure a starting position in the 200.”
Taking an optimistic approach that Friday works to his advantage, the following evening’s racing strategy can begin at the point, he noted.
“The strategy I take in this race once we’ve qualified is once the 200 starts you need to stay on the lead lap in the first 100 and then let things sort out on the second-half. This field is much tougher than in years past and with so many fast cars it may be harder then it use to be to keep up with the leaders. We know the race will really start when there’s only 50 laps left to go (for the checkered flag) and we need to have a car capable of being there in those final laps to contend for a win.”
NEWS & NOTES-
- Festivities for the 21st Annual Coors Light Montana 200 powered by Kalispell Toyota get underway Thursday night with the State Farm Insurance FanFest featuring a free dinner while supplies last. Beginning at 5 p.m. fans can file into Montana Raceway Park at no charge to have dinner then meet this year’s field at 7. Children’s activities, live entertainment and much more filled the evening until 11 p.m.
- Tickets for this year’s Coors Light Montana 200 are going fast. A two-day pass provide race fans with access to Friday and Saturday night racing and breakfast on those mornings. All tickets are available through the track’s website at www.montanaracewaypark.com or at the ticket office. For more information call (406) 257-RACE (7223)
- Drivers will have their first opportunity to practice on the high-banks of Montana Raceway Park beginning Thursday at 10 a.m. Grandstand admission is free from 10-4 p.m. with FanFest set to follow the open practice session.
- Qualifying for the 21st Annual Coors Light Montana 200 is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday night with opening ceremonies to follow. Trophy Dashes, Fast-14 Heat Races and transfer Mains will follow opening ceremonies.
- A total of 19 drivers will lock into the 21st Annual Montana 200 on Friday night with seven available positions offered in Saturday night’s Last Chance Qualifying races. For those drivers not locked into the 200 field, a 40-lap race that pays $1,000 will be run prior to the start of th
