AMX Motorsports: 2 DAY RACE BENEFITS CANCER VICTIM

Though there was plenty of room in the stands for more to be seated, the 2 day event that was held for the benefit of TJ Kindle hosted by the Dodson Speedway was deemed a success. Despite a usual Montana breeze and rain during the night, the families of racing enthusiasts managed to look beyond the nip of the cool morning and put on a show of volume and success.

There was a record turnout of racers over the two day event, with sixteen cars showing up and competing for the honors and trophies. But there was more to be said about the giving and sharing of the participants than one would realize. It isn’t just about the trophy…it isn’t just about placing. In fact it isn’t about just beating your rival from another town. This sport is more about family. They are a family bonded by the love they share, that of racing and legal “speed” – and the giving and generosity from within that some don’t realize or recognize.

In Saturday’s race with the modified cars, the winning drivers were: 1st Seth Hamilton $75.00 (Havre), 2nd Larry Glidewell (Lewistown) and 3rd Jamie Jaynes (Dodson). Other competitors were Garrett Powell – Chinook, Tyler Stidham – Lewistown, and Brett Jaynes – Dodson.

The B Main finished with all local drivers placing: 1st Frank Kindle, 2nd Luke Brown and 3rd Robert Kindle. In the A Main 1st Dustin McKinney claimed honors, with 2nd Frank Williams and 3rd George Anderson of Dodson (who is possibly the oldest driver who competed and gave them boys a race til the end!). Also in the race were: Grace Williams, Troy Manoukian, Luke Brown, Scott Hould, Robert Kindle, and Wes Lundstrom.

An added event to this year’s race was the Derby, spearheaded by Jerey McEwen. This exciting, loud and unique event had Garrett Powell, Justin Skoyen, Mike Plouffe, Scott Hould and Colton Pekovitch giving the winners, 1st Jake Brown, 2nd Taylor Klein, and 3rd Sheldon Molyneaux no easy task to come out victorious. The event was hosted to be able to promote a derby at the 100th Anniversary of the Phillips County Fair next summer.

Sunday was a new day, new races and new challenges, as well as obstacles for the drivers and pit crew. The mod race had 4 competitors with three placers: 1st Tyler Stidham, 2nd Larry Glidewell and 3rd Brett Jaynes.

Ten cars were in for the run in the B Main event, and claiming honors were: 1st Mike Plouffe, 2nd Wes Lundstrom and 3rd Robert Kindle; while the A Main fame for the day went home to: 1st Chase Gerer (Denton) 2nd Frank Williams and 3rd Dustin Mckinney (Great Falls). They were pushed and paced by Grace Williams (Lewistown), and the revving (and sometimes overheating, leaking, stinking and dripping oil) racers from local talent in Malta Troy Manoukian Luke Brown, Mike Plouffe, Robert Kindle, Wes Lundstrom and Frank Kindle.

Due to there being a few cars still running at the end of the afternoon on Sunday, there was the opportunities for the Powder Puff competition and Pitman Race. When the dust settled and all was said and done Powderpuff honors were headed home with Nichole Fulbright in Lewistown, while Malta’s Katie Peterson claimed 2nd and somewhere out there (perhaps on the first turn) Janine Tuss of Roundup experienced her first race ever with 3rd place claim. Saco driver Matt Suddeth won the Pitman Race and trophy. By means of a vote among the drivers and competitors it was decided that the Hard Luck honors would be awarded to Troy Manoukian of Malta.

The outpouring of donations and contributions from generous and giving people cannot be explained… it has to be experienced. Thank you to everyone for your acts of kindness to make the event and fund raiser a success. Like the saying goes, you may have paid for a seat, but you only needed the edge as the action left one with two days of memories and pace maker testing. A special thank you to all those who were silent and not in the lime light – it isn’t always about being noticed… it’s about what you have done that makes you feel good inside. There are MANY who can feel good inside about the weekend of helping hands and caring hearts. Thanks for the memories. If you race it… they will come. Hope to see you in the dust next year.