The facilities signature event, the Coors Light Montana 200 presented by Kalispell Toyota, is set for its 21st running beginning July 14 with the 200-lap finale scheduled for July 16. Last season the event hosted 45 drivers from across the United States and Western Canada with Gary Lewis capturing his fourth consecutive 200 championship after a hard-fought battle with Jason Fraser and Jeff Jefferson.
After a historic inaugural trip to the Flathead Valley last summer, the NASCAR K&N Pro Series returns on Aug. 13 for the running of the popular Rumble in the Rockies. Defending NASCAR K&N Pro Series West champion, Eric Holmes, picked up the victory and looks to guide his No. 20 NAPA Toyota Camry to another win again this summer. Also expected to compete in the NASCAR Rumble in the Rockies event will be last summer’s pole award winner and current MRP NASCAR K&N Pro Series qualifying record holder, Greg Pursley, along with David Mayhew, Moses Smith, Paulie Harraka and many more of the series’ brightest stars.
Other highlights of the 2011 season include a return of the Northwest Modified Series on July 30. This will be the first open-wheel race held at MRP in seven years. Featuring drivers from across the region including defending champion Zig Grunert, the series popularity continues to grow and will be one of many highlights for Western Montana race fans in the coming season.
Another first for Montana Raceway Park occurs in 2011 as the ICAR Series makes its inaugural visit to the Flathead Valley. Featuring cars similar to MRP’s Super Stock division, ICAR has become a popular Inland Northwest touring division. Dan Garber is the defending champion in a class that features rising talent Blake Williams along with veterans Russ Osborne, Andy Brown, Darryl Carrillo and Colton Garber. They will battle MRP’s 2011 Super Stock Rookie of the Year, Brandon Sickler, defending champion Chuck Swope, veteran Jason Robinson and a host of local talent out to defend the hometrack.
A continuing tradition for INEX drivers will be the 10th Annual Legend Thunder weekend set for June 25. Tim Corbett, Bob Kronenberg, Nick Carey, Scott Lee and Val Grobmair will be some of the past and present Legend Thunder champions in attendance in an event that allows drivers to qualify for national INEX points and secured positions in the yearly INEX national season finale.