Area drivers gear up for Montana 200 race

One driver has been red-hot. One’s a little rusty. But both Kevin Richards and Marc Groskreutz are raring to get out on the track at Montana Raceway Park this weekend to chase after the $10,000 winners share at the 15th Annual Coors Light Montana 200.

Richards comes into this race never having won it, but riding a three-race winning streak in the Inland Northwest Superstocks. “Our goal is to win the 200,” he said.

Richards said he and his crew have worked five days a week to prepare for the race. “We’re trying to make it just a little better,” Richards said. “We’re as ready as we’ll ever be.”

They will set up their McClintock and Turk entry as if they were going to race at Wenatchee, Richards said. The changes are minor. “This is a new car and doesn’t require a lot of changing,” Richards said.

One thing that concerns Richards is that “we give up a little on the motor,” compared to some of the other 50-plus cars that have already pre-entered. Among those drivers are winners of 11 of the previous 14 races.

Richards hopes the long hours of pre-race preparation help make up for that shortcoming. “The big key to the Montana 200 is you have to qualify in the top 12 and get locked in,” Richards said.

Last year Richards crashed and had to work his way into the race via a last chance race. “To race your way through a last chance race is hard on a car,” Richards said. He knows first hand after an uncharacteristic 20th-place in 2004 where he finished just 73 of 200 laps.

The Montana 200 can be more like the Montana 400 by the time all is said and done, according to Richards. A Thursday practice session can put 40 to 50 laps on a car. Friday practice may put on another 50. Qualifying heats of 25 laps each push a car toward 400.

“You have to have a good sponsor (in Richard’s case, Rent Rite) who is willing to buy tires,” Richards said. In this case, that will be 16 tires at $100 or so apiece.

Richards is excited to reverse his 2004 fortunes. “I told Don (Williams, the car owner) that he can have the $10,000. I just want the 6-foot trophy,” that goes to the race winner, Richards said.

Groskreutz, on the other hand, has tasted victory in what he described as, “the most competitive race in the northwest.”

He’s much more laid back, opting to spend time before the race relaxing at his home at Priest Lake. “We’ve run once a year for the past three or four years,” Groskreutz said. If he’s rusty, Groskreutz admits, “we’ll find out.”

A two-time winner (1993 and 1996), Groskreutz has only seen a few practice laps, coming last weekend at Stateline before rain canceled the race. He liked what he saw. “We were fast right off the bat,” Groskreutz said.

“I know I have a good car and experience,” said the 43 year-old Groskreutz. However, he said his 6-year-old car is a little outdated.

Other Spokane/Coeur d’Alene-area drivers who hope to put together the right combination or preparation, skill and luck and have their names etched into the winner’s trophy include Ron Turner, Jeff Bird, Rick Schultz, Shelby Thompson, Darren Rupinski and Dave Garber.

Activity kicks off today with an open practice from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. On Friday, gates open at 3 p.m. with qualifying set for 7. Saturday’s program starts at 6:30 p.m.

The race usually attracts a standing-room-only crowd. Info: 406-257-7223 or www.montanaracewaypark.com.

Outlaw Street Stocks return to Stateline

The Northwest Outlaw Street Stock series is back at Stateline Speedway this weekend. If they come close to providing the show they did last time, it ought to be a good evening of racing.

That race drew 28 cars, four of which were local drivers.

Brad Borton, the 2003 series champion, won in his last outing here. Points leader Jimmy Allen Jr. was second at Stateline and is out to defend his 2004 title.

Local competitors included Paul Teufert. He was third in qualifying, but broke an axle in the main. Terry Armstrong Jr. won his heat race, and led the main for a while until he was spun out. Aaron Nevers and Kay Burland are also expected to compete.

Time trials begin at 6 p.m. in a program that also features the Northwest Late Model 4s, Winged Sprints and Hobby Cars.

Pit stops

Northport International Raceway returns to dirt track racing Sunday with three classes running on the 3/8 -mile oval. Time trials begin at 1 p.m.

•The Pro Gas Association returns to the Spokane Raceway Park drag strip Saturday, while the Sportsmen compete for their midseason championships. Unconfirmed at press time is a possible rescheduled race of the Northwest Modifieds, who once again were rained out last week. Gates open Friday at 5 p.m. and Saturday at 3.

•A street rod run that features a purse of $1,000 and prizes will be staged on July 24. The event is sponsored by the Early Ford V-8 club but is open to all vehicles. Info: Bill at 924-5219.

•The Spokane Kart Racing Association will run its fifth points race on Saturday at the Spokane Motorsports Complex in Airway Heights, starting at 9 a.m.

•Also at the Motorsports Complex on Saturday, Sunset Speedway will stage its Midseason championships for the Speedway Karts. Racing begins at 7 p.m.

Streaks and stats

Rich Hatton‘s Road Runner Streak at Stateline Speedway streak is at seven after last week’s win in the track’s Wednesday Night Fever program … Joe Kopp will try to rebound from his disappointing 20th-place finish at Lake Odessa, Mich. two weeks ago when he travels to compete in an AMA Flat Track Championship race at Concord, N.C., on Saturday. Kopp led the Lake Odessa race for 20 of the 25 laps before suffering motor problems.