First Annual Montana Asphalt Challenge held Saturday

By Carrie Benson

PABLO — The first annual Montana Asphalt Challenge, featuring the Montana Limited Late Models, was held Saturday, June 16, at Mission Valley Speedway. Twelve cars lined up for some close racing with #1 Don Staggs winning the series first main event. This series has two organizations, Big Sky Pro Racing (BSPRA) and Mission Valley Auto Racers (MVAR), racing together for the first time.

The night started out with two 6-car heat races. These heats were lined up according to time-in's with the fastest cars having to work their way through the pack after starting in the back. This worked for both heat winners, who started in the back and made their way past the other 5 cars for the wins. Staggs worked his way up in the first half of Heat A to battle with #7 Tracy Burland and #8 Chuck Morigeau. Staggs got around Morigeau with two laps to go but had to battle trying to pass Burland. He finally got by him coming out of the last turn to take the checkered flag. As the rest of the field finished the race, #3 Brad Lee started on fire. The fire was quickly out and Lee sent to the pits to try and repair the damage before the next race.

As the cars for Heat B were taking laps to warm the tires, #6 Willy Ovitt's fly wheel broke causing him to hit the back wall. As the flywheel came apart, it took out everything in front and behind it, including the transmission. Pieces of the car flew down the track and came into the car tearing out the undercarriage and breaking the windshield. Luckily, Ovitt was not injured in the incident. After clean-up, #21 Chuck Weich was able to come from the back in 4 laps and led the remainder of the race to get the win.

During the running of other MVAR classes, the pits were full of activity with cars trying to make repairs before the trophy dashes. #40 Duane Olsen lost his water pump and was unable to return. Lee was attempting repairs after the fire; he was able to get on the track for some safety laps, but had an oil leak that couldn't be fixed. #4 Wade Shepard also had some minor problems after the heat and missed the dashes but made it out for the main.

Due to these problems, two dashes were run instead of the scheduled three. #43 Jarred Burland and Morigeau raced hard with Morigeau passing on the last lap of Trophy Dash A. In Dash B, Weich took the lead and stayed there for the last 4 laps for the win. The trophy car was provided by Tim Long with his fiancé Lynzee Mathews serving as the trophy girl.

Driver introductions were done prior to the main, with BSPRA announcer, Lynn Olsen, talking to all the drivers. The drivers also had signed hats, provided by NAPA, and cars to give out to kids. Nine of the twelve-car field was on the track to take the green, but that quickly dropped as Morigeau blew a head gasket prior to completing a lap and returned to the pits.

Jarred Burland took a little shortcut through the infield to pass his dad Tracy on the inside, but Tracy ended up coming down the track and Jarred ended up in the grass. He was able to keep going and no caution was thrown. Shepard looked like the car to beat early in the race, but there were five cars battling for first. They were all running hard and not wanting to let off an inch, as they all knew that they would be passed. Tracy Burland was in the midst of the five cars and was running good until he didn't let off enough through turn 4 and ended up in the wall. Burland was fine, but was done for the night.

On the restart, Staggs got a good jump on the field and took the lead, not looking back and leading the last 20 laps of the race. Staggs was followed by Weich and Jarred Burland. The top three places received trophies, with Staggs also receiving a coat provided by Goodyear Tires.

The next series race is planned for August at Mission Valley Speedway. The race Saturday was ran on Goodyear tires, while the August race will be on American Racer tires, which will also provide a coat for the main winner. For additional information on this or other races go to www.bigskyracing.net