Many of the top Pro Late Model racers from the Southeast will be hunting for the bear this weekend during the 54th Annual Alabama 200 at Montgomery Motor Speedway. With $7,000 and the coveted black bear trophy on the line, a stout field of drivers will battle for bragging rights at the half-mile oval located just west of Montgomery, Alabama.
Among those entered for the event is defending Alabama 200 winner Casey Roderick, who bagged the bear one year ago. Roderick will be looking to join Alabama native Augie Grill and the legendary Red Farmer as the only drivers to win the prestigious race in back-to-back years.
Texas native Chris Davidson is planning to make the trip to Alabama from the Lone Star State to chase his first win in the big race. So far in 2018, Davidson has enjoyed a strong season all over the country, highlighted by a second-place finish in the Summer Showdown at Evergreen Speedway in Washington.
All the way from New York, Giovanni Bromante will join the fun this weekend while in search of the biggest win of his young career. The 15-year-old racer stole headlines earlier this year when he won the Show Me the Money Series opener at Montgomery.
Bobby Knox, Jr., a former Show Me the Money Series winner at Montgomery, has filed an entry and will go after what could be one of the biggest wins of his career. Fellow Alabama natives Jolynn Wilkinson and Perry Patino are also on the latest entry list for the race.
In addition to Roderick, Jake Garcia and Ryan Herbert will represent the Peach State in an attempt to bring the Alabama 200 trophy to the state of Georgia for the sixth time in seven years.
The top two drivers in the Show Me the Money Series point standings — John Bolen and Dustin Smith — are also expected to be in attendance this weekend despite their names not being listed on the current entry list.
All of these drivers and a host of others will be looking to put their names in the record books next to an impressive list of former Alabama 200 winners including Richard Petty, Bobby Allison, Ronnie Sanders and Chase Elliott.
A full weekend of action kicks off Friday with practice and a driver appreciation party. That will lead into a busy day on Saturday with additional practice and qualifying for the Alabama 200. There will also be feature racing that night with Modified Minis, Road Runners, Street Stocks and Late Model Sportsman in competition.
Sunday’s activities begin at 1 p.m. ET with an autograph session. Driver introductions will begin at 1:30 p.m. ET prior to a 75-lap Modifieds of Mayhem race. Mini Cup cars will have the track for 15 laps before the 54th Annual Alabama 200 gets underway.
Race fans can find more information on the Alabama 200 by visiting www.montgomerymotorspeedway.org.
-Story by Brandon Paul, Speed51.com Editor – Twitter: @Brandon_Paul51