29th annual Montana 200 Peltier eyes Victory Lane

Preston Peltier of Brighton, Colorado, was the runner-up at last year’s 28th annual Montana 200 at Montana Raceway Park.

“Third the year before that,” he said.

“That leaves one more spot.”

And that spot is No. 1 — Victory Lane.

Peltier has been the pole sitter for this event the last two years and would love nothing more than to take the checkered flag on his fourth attempt this weekend.

Last year’s 200 winner, Jeremy Doss of Upper Lake, California, is not back to defend his title.

So Peltier will be the car, a black and blue No. 48 Rowdy car, everyone will be chasing.

“I really don’t know,” Peltier said when asked if that makes him a favorite this time out with Doss gone.

“Probably.”

Qualifying for the 29th Montana 200 begins tonight at 7. The 200-lap finale for the super late models is Saturday at 8:30 p.m.

The 200 winner will receive a check for $10,000.

Also racing this weekend are bandoleros, legends and hobby stocks.

“I love this place,” Peltier said.

“I love the track. To be honest with you, I could live up here.”

Peltier, 41, has been racing super late models since 2003.

“A long time,” he said.

He’s enjoying another successful season, pocketing $25,000 for a victory at the Summer Showdown in Monroe, Washington, winning at Irwindale, California, taking third at the Winter Showdown, in Kern, California, and finishing fourth at the Milwaukee Mile in Wisconsin. He’s won the Showdown three straight years.

“Should have won all four,” he said of the Showdown.

“I was leading with six laps to go and the battery died.”

Peltier drives for Generator Source.

“This is all we do,” he said of racing.

“We should be pretty good at it.”

Peltier turned a few laps Thursday during a test and tune outing on the quarter-mile, high-banked asphalt oval.

“Just little stuff to make sure we are in the hunt,” he said of car adjustments.

“We’re always trying to improve,” he said.

Regarding his super late model future ...

“I’ll just do this until I retire,” he said. “Then I’ll raise my kids and they will probably race, too.”