Montana Raceway Park facts for kids
Exterior for Montana Raceway Park from U.S. Route 93 in 2013
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| Location | U.S. Route 93 north of Kalispell, Montana |
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| Opened | 1991 |
| Closed | 2020 |
| Former names | Raceway Park Kalispell Raceway Park Flathead Valley Raceway Park |
| Major events | Montana 200 (Super Late Models), ARCA Menards Series West, NASCAR K&N Pro Series West |
| Surface | paved |
| Length | 0.25 mi (0.40 km) |
Montana Raceway Park was a special place for car races near Kalispell, Montana. It had a 1/4-mile-long track shaped like an oval. This track was paved with asphalt and had sloped turns, which made racing even more exciting! Up to 4,000 people could sit and watch the races. The park also had space for over 100 racing teams. Sadly, the track closed its doors for good in May 2020.
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A Look Back at Montana Raceway Park
The racetrack first opened on May 1, 1991. When it first started, it was known by a few different names. These included Raceway Park, Kalispell Raceway Park, and Flathead Valley Raceway Park. For many years, it was a popular spot for weekly car races and other fun events.
Exciting Races and Events
Drivers from the northwestern United States and Canada often came to Montana Raceway Park. They competed in a big yearly race called the Coors Light Montana 200. This event was held every year since the track opened. Many drivers would try to qualify for the race. In past years, the winners shared over $50,000 in prize money!
Other exciting races also took place at the track. These included the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West and the Canadian Super Truck Racing Series. Local racing groups also competed. You could see different types of race cars like Super Late Models, Super Stocks, Bombers, Hobby Stocks, Hornets, Legends, and Bandoleros.
More Than Just Racing
Montana Raceway Park wasn't just for car races. It also hosted other sports competitions. Sometimes, famous music groups and singers performed there. Bands like Foghat and Blue Öyster Cult played concerts. Singers like Eddie Money and Alice Cooper also entertained the crowds.
In 2007, the team at Montana Raceway Park received a special award. They were named "Promoter of the Year." This award came from Charlotte Motor Speedway and its manager, Humpy Wheeler. It showed how well the park was run.
Why the Track Closed
In March 2020, the track announced it would close for the entire 2020 season. This was due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Then, in May 2020, the park shared even bigger news. It announced that it would close permanently. The owners explained that the track had faced many challenges. These included damage to the property and fewer fans coming to watch. The economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis made it impossible for the park to continue. After 30 years of racing, a beloved place for motorsports in Montana closed its doors.
