KALISPELL, Mont. - Calgary’s Brian Levant has been knocking on the door of victory in the Kalispell Toyota Late Model Series at Montana Raceway Park for many seasons and vowed 2011 would be the year he broke through for his first career main event trophy on the high-bank oval.
Levant, the driver of the Cowtown Motorsports Cadillac, finally achieved his dream with a win in the Prelude to the 200 presented by Twisted Tea over David Garber and a late charging Cameron Hayley.
Levant never strayed too far from the front runners all night long as 26 drivers took the green flag for the 100-lap shootout. Some of the region’s top late model talent took part in the event and many of them took their runs towards the front of the field including Shane Mitchell, Erick Hargraves and Ryan Wells.
Hayley continued to impress his competitors with as third place finish after recovering from an early-race spin into the infield that collected Cold Smoke Scotch Ale Fast Time Award winner, Chris Skelton.
As the night wore on with 14 yellow flag and two red flag periods, Levant stayed patient to the end despite having a mirror full of Garber at every turn.
“I have been coming down here for alot of years and to finally get (a win) at Montana Raceway Park is awesome,” Levant said in victory circle. “(Garber) ran me hard but I just wasn’t going to let this one get away. I have to give thanks to Bill Clark Sr. who showed me this place years ago. He passed away and we run a memorial race for him each year; I’ll be sure to look for a win in that one too.”
Garber was happy with the effort his team gave after a 12th place run in the season-opener back in May.
“We had a good car tonight. I have to congratulate Brian; he raced us hard. I would try to go around the outside and then underneath but he had a good car all night long and we’ll take this finish.”
Hayley was all smiles after bouncing back from his infield spin.
“This was a tough race for us. I have to thank my Dad and Grant Edwards for giving me a great car. We’re working on getting ready for the (21st Annual Coors Light) Montana 200 and this sure helped us. We’ll be back next month, use some patience and see what we can do in the 200.”