Montana 200 coming to Mission Valley Super Oval
Late model stock cars pass by the spotter area in the pits during the 2021 season at the Mission Valley Super Oval. (Scot Heisel/Lake County Leader)
Matt Gollehon of Missoula (85) spins out after getting a nudge from JD Undem of Frenchtown in Turn 1 on Saturday. (Scot Heisel/Lake County Leader)
The closest thing to a NASCAR event you’ll find in Montana this summer will be in Polson next weekend.
For the first time, the Mission Valley Super Oval will be the site of the Montana 200, a 200-lap super late model stock car race set for July 15-17.
The Montana 200 was established in Kalispell in 1991 and was held at Raceway Park until 2020, when the track closed for good. As the Kalispell track was closing, the Polson track was embarking on its second season under new management.
Contractor and stock car driver Tony Undem and his wife, CleAnn, are in their third season as operators of the track, a feat they pull off with the help of a tight-knit staff of friends and family.
Stock car website Speed51.com named this year’s Montana 200 one of its Top 10 intriguing short track events in the country for 2021. “Mission Valley Super Oval … is filling the void and keeping the tradition alive in Big Sky Country,” their article says.
After a rocky first season, the crowds and stock car lineups have slowly grown from event to event. The track saw its largest turnout under the Undems during the June 26 races, and last weekend’s Firecracker Hobby 100 had one of its highest purses — $2,500 to first place in a 100-lap hobby stock main event.
That top prize pales in comparison to next weekend, however, when the Montana 200 winner will walk away with $10,000.
“We’ve been making a lot of improvements to the track, and we just felt like bringing the Montana 200 here was something we wanted to try,” Tony Undem said Saturday.
Recent offseason upgrades included a new tech area, additional lighting and seating, a new spotter stand, a new beer garden and a remodeled concession stand. They also added some pit stalls and upgraded the staging area in the pits.
CleAnn Undem said they’re excited to give it a go, but preparations have been nerve-racking. There are no races this weekend, but the team will be busy setting the stage. Additional parking will be available, and a camping area will be set up in the middle of the track, which is normally empty. Food trucks will be on site to help meet demand for concessions. She said special merchandise for the event is in the works as well.
The latest update, posted June 23 on Facebook, listed 20 entries for the Montana 200, with additional entries expected.
Drivers will have an open practice starting at 1 p.m. Thursday, July 15. Gates open at 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with time trials at 6 p.m. and racing beginning at 7.
Friday night will include Montana 200 qualifying, positioning heats and a trophy dash, as well as hobby stock racing. On Saturday night, there will be Legends and LCQ races prior to the 200-lap main event, which will include two 100-lap sessions with a short break in between for pit adjustments.
Tickets cost $15 for Friday night and $25 for Saturday. Two-day passes for $40 also are available. Visit the racetrack website at missionvalleysuperoval.com to pre-purchase tickets.
