Grant Thompson Looks to Carry Momentum into Montana 200

Montana may be known for its wide-open spaces and towering mountains, but this weekend a group of Super Late Models will roar to life in the 32^nd running of the Montana 200 at Mission Valley Speedway.

Nestled next to the Pablo National Wildlife Refuge, Mission Valley Speedway is a 0.375-mile track in Polson, Montana, that opened in 1970 but has been hosting the Montana 200 for only the past two seasons.

The Montana 200 was first run in 1991 and was originally held at Montana Raceway Park, a 0.25-mile track in Kalispell, Montana. Lance Wade took the checkered flag in the inaugural running of the Montana 200, while BJ Tidrick has been the winner of the last two events at Mission Valley.

Tidrick is the first driver to win back-to-back Montana 200 races since Gary Lewis won four consecutive races from 2007 to 2010.

While the Montana 200 is not an officially sanctioned points-paying race by the Northwest Super Late Model Series, their officials will provide direction when it comes to technical inspection and race control for Saturday’s main event.

Heading into this year’s race, the third at Mission Valley Speedway, Grant Thompson is one of the favorites, especially after the Mobile, Alabama, native won the Montana 200 Prelude on July 1. Thompson also has three Pro Truck wins this season at Houston Motorsports Park and Five Flags Speedway.

“Working with Travis Sharpe and the Racing Dynamiks group is a great experience and I’m learning a ton every day as we prepare,” said Thompson. “I know we'll have a fast Rogers Dabbs Performance Kevtron Media Chevy when it's time to go racing Saturday night for $10,000."

The Montana 200 is available to Racing America subscribers on Saturday, July 15, starting at 7 p.m. ET. Racing America will also have coverage of the Montana 200 qualifying races and a 40-lap hobby Stock feature on Friday, July 14, starting at 9 p.m. ET.

The entry list for this weekend’s race is still filling up, but here is a look at the preliminary list of drivers looking to compete for the Montana 200:

Photo Courtesy Kevtron Media