LMCS GEARS UP FOR A DOUBLE-HEADER WEEKEND IN MONTANA

Source: LMCS media
Date: 06/27/2006

GRAHAM, Washington -- Many of the best Late Model Super Stock teams from throughout the northwest are expected to participate in this special Forth-of-July weekend event, dubbed the twin ‘Firecracker 100s’. The NW Late Model Challenge Series (LMCS) is hosting these double-header races at two of Montana’s finest high-banked asphalt venues. On Saturday July 1st, the series has a 100-lap race at Montana Raceway Park in Kalispell MT; and on Sunday July 2nd, the teams travel a short distance south to Mission Valley Speedway in Pablo MT for a second 100-lap race. This will be the series first back-to-back point races at separate facilities, and offers over $20,000.00 in available purse, bonus awards, & tow money.

On Saturday, a large field of late model super stock teams are expected to compete for the twenty-two main event grid positions available at Montana Raceway Park’s ¼-mile, high-banked oval. The first 100-lap race, dubbed the ‘Firecracker USA 100’, will draw teams that run regularly in the Washington-based LMCS program, many Montana area teams, and several drivers from the Canadian Late Model Challenge Series. The LMCS, CLMC, and Montana Raceway have similar rule packages that allow a wide variety of Late Model style cars, while maintaining parity of competition, i.e.: straight rail & perimeter chassis, cast iron heads & ‘spec’ aluminum heads, and ABC or standard/offset bodies. B.J. Tidrick of the LMCS won last year’s event. Many teams are expected to take advantage of this scheduled race in preparation for the popular Montana 200 event that will be held two weeks later on July 14-15th.

Sunday, many of the teams will travel an hour south to the southern tip of Flathead Lake and make necessary adjustments to their cars for the 3/8-mile, high-banked tri-oval of Mission Valley Speedway in Pablo, MT. This 100-lap event, the ‘Firecracker 100’, will have a starting grid of 24 cars. Drivers will be competing for over $10,000.00 in available purse, which has a larger payout scale structured to help the teams stay for this second event. This is the third appearance of the LMCS to Mission Valley; last season local driver Cory Wolfe won the event and in 2004, prior LMCS driver Jay Sauls of Puyallup WA won his first-ever Late Model event at this venue.

The Montana events will be number five & six of 10 scheduled races for the LMCS this season, and vital points will be awarded towards their 2006 championship. Current top 5 in points are: Troy Conrad, Shelby Thompson, Christian Roeder, Jason Hedrick, and Gaylon Stewart; all separated by only 74 points. Remaining top-10 include Wes Rhodes, Billy Coates, Mike Zamora, James Spiering, and Rick Thompson. With both Montana events being point races, it will be interesting to observe each team’s race strategy to protect, yet advance their championship standings.

Contingency & Series Bonus Awards are provided by: Circle Racing Wheels, Frank’s Radio Service, K- Motorsports, Mechanix Wear Gloves, NW Racing Enterprises, Pro-Pack Racing, Pro-Shocks, TRICK Racing Fuel, Vogtland Springs, Blue Oval – Gus Carlson, ARP & Five Star Race Car Bodies, Microsoft ‘Real Heroes’& The Valvoline Cup Challenge. Contributing Series Sponsors include: Bart’s Trailer Sales, Bay Cities Motorsports, Big John's Trophies, Don Small & Son's Oil Distributing Inc., M.E. Wright Motorsports Photos & Tanner Racing Products.

Raceday schedule for both events: Saturday practice begins at 3:00pm, qualifying at 6:00pm, with racing to start at 7:00pm. Sunday’s practice begins at 2pm, qualifying at 5pm, and racing at 6pm. Large crowds are expected at each event, arrive early for best seating.

See Also .:

• Montana Raceway Park Track Page

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