Legend Thunder race this weekend

By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot

The sound of screaming fans and revving high-performance engines will mingle with the smell of burning tires and cotton candy to over-stimulate the senses this weekend.

Montana Raceway Park, located between Whitefish and Kalispell on U.S. Highway 93, is hosting the seventh annual Legend Thunder National Qualifier race on Saturday at 7 p.m., with a pre-party and autograph signing on Friday evening.

There will be free food, live music by Blue Onion, a dunk booth, bounce houses for the kids and plenty of other sights and sounds starting at 5 p.m. Friday.

Legend Thunder includes races for Legends, Masters, Pros, Semi-Pros, Bandoleros and Thunder Roadsters.

"It's the largest field of racers ever," park manager Justan Rody said. "We're going to have kids from as far away as Las Vegas competing in the Thunder Roadsters."

Rody said the party is one of the can't-miss events of the summer.

"It is a big to-do," he said. "We have the party every year, but this is the first year the party will be at the track. Families can meet their favorite drivers and get autographs. It's a way for the drivers to check their egos at the gate and just hang out. Kids can meet their heroes."

Montana Raceway Park is under new ownership this year — the Thornhill family, from Whitefish.

"They're a great group of people to work for," Rody said. "They want to provide a top-notch track and family atmosphere. They've put a lot of money into improvements. There are new changes almost every week with these guys."

The park is sporting a new alcohol-free family section this year, as well as a brand new catch-fence to improve safety and visibility for spectators. There's a new P.A. system, new handrails for the elderly, new bleachers and even a new road leading into the park.

There have been upgrades on the concession stands, and the park's Web site, www.montanaracewaypark.com, has been enhanced so people can buy tickets online in a secure way.

"It's a more vibrant, colorful atmosphere," Rody said.

The Firecracker USA race and car show is coming to town on July 5, with a rain date of July 6. The 18th annual Montana 200 will take place on July 18, with a kick-off party at the track on July 17.

"The Montana 200 is the largest motorsport event in the state," Rody said. "There are tons of late-model cars. The race is 200 laps, and there will be at least 35 drivers competing for $40,000 in prize money, with $12,000 going to the winner. There'll be a lot of people here."

Last year, the race lasted until past midnight, with Gary Lewis, of Bothell, Wash., winning the title by one-tenth of a second in a wild finish. There were several fiery wrecks, and skydivers and live music kept the crowds entertained.

Rody said the pre-party on July 17 will also have dancing, free food, time trials and autograph sessions.

A new event this year will be the Freestyle Motocross Tour on Aug. 15.

"We'll have national riders who have been in the X-Games," Rody said. "It's going to be three solid hours of aerial jumps, tricks and showmanship."

Rody said the park will be giving away kids bicycles to children ages 6-11 at many of the major races this summer.

"What impresses us the most is all the families that are coming out to the events, and this is our way of showing them that we appreciate their business," he said. "It's neat — it gives them a treat for coming."

Also new this year will be several outdoor concerts. Blue Oyster Cult and Foghat will team up to kick things off on July 11, with Eddie Money and John Waite headlining a show on July 25. The big event of the summer will be Alice Cooper on Aug. 1. There are still tickets available, but Rody said sales have been brisk.

"It's been fun watching the online ticket sales and seeing which concert is going to sell out first," he said.

For a full schedule of events, visit the park Web site (www.montanaracewaypark.com) or call Bob Abrams at 406-212-6933. More information on the motocross event can be found at www.freestylemx.com.