Montana Raceway Park is a closed
motorsport
Motorsport, motorsports or motor sport is a global term used to encompass the group of competitive sporting events which primarily involve the use of motorized vehicles. The terminology can also be used to describe forms of competition of two ...
s facility located near
Kalispell, Montana, in the state's
Flathead Valley
The Flathead Valley is a region of the U.S. state located in the Northwestern Montana. It includes parts of Flathead County and Lake County. Notable communities include Kalispell, Bigfork, Whitefish, Columbia Falls, Polson, Ronan, and St. ...
region. It features a 1/4-mile-long high-banked oval track paved with
asphalt. Seating at the facility accommodates 4,000
spectators and parking areas can stage more than 100 race teams.
The track announced in March 2020 that it would close for the entire 2020 season.
In May 2020, the track announced that it would close permanently due to "constant vandalism, declining fan bases and support."
History
The
racetrack opened on May 1, 1991, as Raceway Park. During its first year, the facility also carried the names Kalispell Raceway Park and Flathead Valley Raceway Park. Weekly
auto races
Auto may refer to:
* An automaton
* An automobile
* An autonomous car
* An automatic transmission
* An auto rickshaw
* Short for automatic
* Auto (art), a form of Portuguese dramatic play
* ''Auto'' (film), 2007 Tamil comedy film
* Auto (play), ...
and specialty events are currently the main uses for the facility.
Drivers from the
northwestern United States and
Canada travel to Montana Raceway Park for the annual Coors Light Montana 200, a racing event hosted by the racetrack each year since the track opened.
Typically, a field of approximately 40–50 drivers competes for the 24 positions available in the race, which has yielded more than $50,000 in prize money during past years.
Other racing at the track includes the
NASCAR K&N Pro Series West,
Canadian Super Truck Racing Series
and local divisions of
Super Late Models,
Super Stocks, Bombers, Hobby Stocks, Hornets,
Legends, and
Bandoleros.
[
Beyond racing, the facility hosts other sports competitions and music performances. Foghat, Blue Öyster Cult, Eddie Money, and Alice Cooper have entertained crowds at the racetrack.]
References
External links
Montana Raceway Park
{{Authority control
Buildings and structures in Flathead County, Montana
Motorsport venues in Montana
NASCAR tracks
Tourist attractions in Flathead County, Montana
Kalispell, Montana
1991 establishments in Montana
Sports venues completed in 1991
2020 disestablishments in Montana