Lewis repeats as Montana 200 champ

Tragedy strikes Brandt team before race, drivers and fans offer tribute to fallen owner

Defending champion Gary Lewis, of Snohomish, Wash., overcame a broken power-steering pump during the first 100 laps of the 18th annual Montana 200 to become the event's first back-to-back winner.

Mike Longton, of Moxee, Wash., chased Lewis down and raced him hard over the final 25 laps but fell just short en route to the runner-up position.

Shelby Thompson, who had one of the strongest cars during the first-half of the race, came home third. Mike Obrist and Wes Rhodes rounded out the top-five.

The race was marred by several caution flags and more than an hour-long delay due to an electrical issue in the front-stretch lighting system.

While heading to the event, 2004 Montana 200 champion Christian Roeder's Brandt Law Firm team was involved in an auto accident that claimed the life of their car owner, Frank Brandt. Raceway Park fans, teams and officials raised close to $8,000 in a helmet pass and other fundraisers, with the proceeds donated to the Brandt family and team.

Once replacement lights were in place, the 24-car field took to the track at just past 11 p.m.

Lewis, who was clearly spent at the end of the race, was not at a loss for words on becoming the first back-to-back champion in the event's 18-year history.

"Man that was a lot of hard work," he said. "Mike Longton raced me clean there at the end. I kept looking back in the mirror, and he stayed there over the last few laps, and it was awesome to race him for the win."

Lewis praised his crew for keeping his winning car racing on the track.

"We lost the power steering pump there at about lap 60, and it was all I could do to get my car to turn through the corners until the break," he said. "My crew went to work on it in the break, and we were able to get it taken care of just before they sent us back out for the second-half."

In the night's companion main event, John Hilliker made it two wins in two nights for the INEX Flathead Valley Legend Car Series. Tim Corbett was second, followed by Scott Moore. Adam Bishop and Tyler Corpron rounded out the top-5.

Montana 200 results

1. Gary Lewis 2. Mike Longton 3. Shelby Thompson 4. Mike Obrist 5. Wes Rhodes 6. Brent Harris 7. Micah Sampson 8. Dave Garber 9. Tim Elliott 10. Mark Sundberg 11. Cory Wolfe 12. Kirk Hennefer 13. Agni Howell 14. Erick Hargraves 15. Kevin Goe 16. Rocky Erickson 17. Don Staggs 18. Tom Sweatman 19. Brandon Riehl 20. Kevin Richards 21. Alex Lessor 22. Bodie Morton 23. Troy Schweigert 24. Clayton Richert DNS - Mark Owens, Wrango West, Andy Brown

Legends results

1. John Hilliker 2. Tim Corbett 3. Scott Moore 4. Adam Bishop 5. Tyler Corpron 6. Brandon Sickler 7. Jake Bissett 8. Joey Bissett 9. Scott Dalla 10. Tyfini West 1 1. Zack Havens 12. Wrango West 13. Trevor Corpron 14. Frank Stainbrook