LESSOR READY TO DEFEND HOME TURF IN 19th ANNUAL COORS LIGHT MONTANA 200
Montana Raceway Park late model points leader, Alex Lessor, awaits with nervous engery the arrival of the region's best drivers out to take a shot at the Coors Light Montana 200 powered by Kalispell Toyota. Lessor hopes when the smoke clears he's the won left holding the big prize.
For Immediate Release: Montana Raceway Park
KALLISPELL, Mont. (July 15, 2009)-For Alex Lessor the build-up to the 19th Annual Coors Light Montana 200 powered by Kalispell Toyota reaches its peak with this weekend’s event on his hometrack. As the late model points leader for Montana Raceway Park’s super late model division Lessor and his No. 53 Army-Navy Chevrolet team have had all season to think about defending the hometown honor over the likes of Gary Lewis, Jared Vorse, David Garber, Jason Fraser and Kevin Richards just to name a few.
Having a good set-up all season has led to a pair of main event victories but that may not matter much when the West Coast’s best late model drivers show up for the Montana 200, according to Lessor.
“I really don’t think hometrack advantage means anything in a race like the Coors Light Montana 200. Doing well as a local driver does put a spotlight for fans and sponsors on what we do up here during our Saturday night late model races because if we can run with the best like Gary Lewis or Mike Longton it just goes to show that you’re as good, learning how to be that good at Montana Raceway Park and can maybe beat some of those guys that travel from all over to run here just once a year.”
Lessor has won big races before with victories in Montana Raceway Park’s annual Legends Thunder event and has showcased his late model talent with strong runs in past 200’s along with ARCA West racing. To even think of having a chance to return the Montana 200 title to his home state is a bit nerve racking, he noted.
“It’s become stressful as the years go by with this race getting bigger and guys coming from all over to win it but it’s still fun. Leading up to this week and getting ready after what we’ve been able to do to lead the points and win races is stressful no doubt but once the 200 gets here there is nothing as fun as this race. The level of competition is increasing each year and you have to come into this race at your very best which puts pressure on everyone on our team, but to have a chance to win the 200 makes it all worthwhile.
“I do feel that car wise this is my best chance to win the Coors Light Montana 200 but there are alot of good guys coming here that will have just as good a chance to win it. You know you have to deal with out of towner’s who will be good but I think a guy like (fellow Kalispell native) Mark Owens who had a good race last time out on the 4th of July could challenge for a 200 win.”
Annual late model high-dollar races are well known across the United States from the Snowball Derby in Florida to the Yakima, Wash. Speedway’s Fall Classic to Irwindale, Calif. and the annual NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown. For Lessor the Coors Light Montana 200 is still the best of all of those races simply based on the talented drivers who come from as far as California, Utah, Southern Idaho, Washington and Canada to try their hand at taking home the $12,000 winner’s check.
“It’s the best race I have ever been to anywhere in the country simply from the standpoint of the drivers like Lewis, Longton, Shelby Thompson, Brent Harris and others who have won races across the country and circle the Coors Light Montana 200 as something they want to come here and win,” Lessor said. “The key to beating talented drivers like that is to keep your nose clean and stay out of trouble so you can have a car capable of being there at the end of the night that could challenge for a win. We hope this year that we’re able to do that and put on a good show for the fans.”
WHAT: The 19th Annual Coors Light Montana 200 powered by Kalispell Toyota.
WHEN: July 16-18, 2009
WHERE: Montana Raceway Park located just north of Kalispell, Mont. on Highway 93 South
PURSE: $40,000 with winner’s payout a minimum of $12,000
STARTING FIELD: 24 cars with 12 locked in through time trials, six from Friday, July 17, 2009 consolation race and four from Saturday, July 18 B-Main.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS (subject to change): Open practice on Thursday, July 16, 2009 from 10 a.m. MST to 5 p.m., FanFest begins at 5:15 p.m. with free BBQ dinner and live entertainment. Driver’s autograph session is at 7 p.m. On Friday, July 17 open practice from Noon to 5 p.m. Qualifying begins at 7 p.m. followed by opening ceremonies at 8 p.m. with consolation and Fast 12 racing to follow. Westward Bound Construction Legends main event 9 p.m. On Saturday, July 18 late model open practice from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Opening ceremonies begin at 7 p.m. with 40-lap B-Main to follow, 7:45 p.m. Westward Bound Construction Legends 50-lap main event, 8:45 p.m. driver introductions, 9:00 p.m. 19th Annual Coors Light Montana 200 powered by Kalispell Toyota
BROADCAST SCHEDULE: Live radio on KDBR 106.3 FM begins at 8:45 p.m. MST on July 18, 2009. Live Internet video and audio streaming will be available at www.montanaracewaypark.com beginning at 7:00 p.m. on July 18, 2009. Live audio available on the track’s website for Friday, July 17 events beginning at 7 p.m.
TRACK CONTACTS: General Manager Justin Rody (406) 257-7223 or Media Relations Doug Pace (509) 294-0945.
