February 26, 2024

This weekend will see the biggest short track race in Central Alabama unfold when the green flag drops for the Alabama 200 at Montgomery Motor Speedway. This storied race is always one of the first premier Pro Late Model events of the year, and fans can’t ask for a much better way to start the season.

Here is all you need to know about the season opener for Montgomery’s Show Me The Money Pro Late Model Series, including the race’s history, entry lists, and more.

History

2024 will see the sixtieth running of the Alabama 200, with the first rendition of the event being ran in 1960. In the race’s history, Montgomery has seen several notable winners etched in its history books. Names such as Red Farmer, Donnie Allison, and Ronnie Sanders mark just a few of the legendary heroes who have achieved victory at the historic half-mile.

More recently, some big names in the stock car scene have been crowned as champions of the Alabama 200. Chase Elliott, Casey Roderick, Donnie Wilson, and Hunter Robbins are some notable winners from the past decade.

Perhaps the biggest name at the Alabama 200 every year is 5-time winner Augie Grill. Sometimes nicknamed “Mr. Montgomery”, Grill won four Alabama 200’s in a row from 2008 to 2011. He also parked in victory lane in 2019.

And finally, the most recent running of the Alabama 200 saw young gun Seth Christensen score the victory in what was his second ever Pro Late Model start at the time. He comes into this year’s race eager to defend his crown.

Schedule

Friday, March 1st will be the start of Alabama 200 action, with rotating practice for the Pro Late Models, Modifieds, and Late Model Sportsman divisions. Friday night will also see the Late Model Sportsman field run their 50-lapper event.

Saturday is the big day, with practice and qualifying for the Pro Late Models and Modifieds, followed by the Alabama 200 LCQ for the Pro Late Models if it is needed. The Modifeds of Mayhem 60-lapper will then unfold, with the 60th Annual Alabama 200 rounding out the weekend’s action.

Alabama 200 Weekend Schedule:

Entries and Divisions

The Alabama 200 has an extremely stacked entry list for the 2024 season opener, as this stout field of drivers all have a chance to be competitive and take home the coveted Alabama 200 accolades.

Previously mentioned, defending winner Seth Christensen will return with Turnco Motorsports and look to defend his win with yet another. The Pendergrass, Georgia native is just one of several contenders looking to score yet another Alabama 200 win.

“Mr. Montgomery” himself, Augie Grill, will return to hunt for his sixth win in the event. Grill will be competing in the no. 43 machine yet again this year, a car which has brought him great success in the past year.

Current ASA STARS National Tour points leader Casey Roderick returns to Pro Late Model action as well, looking to score his third Alabama 200 win, with this being his first Alabama 200 in five years.

Some more big names in the Pro Late Model field include defending Five Flags Speedway champion John Bolen, defending Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway champion Dylan Fetcho, and last year’s Show Me The Money PLM Series champion at Montgomery Motor Speedway, Christopher Tullis.

Alabama 200 Pro Late Model Entry List:

In addition to the Pro Late Models, the Modifieds of Mayhem tour will start their season with a 60-lapper event. Notable names entered at this point include Jeff Letson, Jaxon Bishop, and Jody Anderson to name a few.

Modifieds of Mayhem Entry List:

Finally, another division competing in the weekend’s festivities is the Late Model Sportsman division, a local class at Montgomery Motor Speedway. Several former winners at MMS are included in this year’s entry list, with Dave Mader III, Perry Patino, and Bill Bethea being a select few of said winners.

Late Model Sportsman Entry List:

The Trophy

You can’t talk about the Alabama 200 without talking about the trophy, a hand-carved bear! The “Hunt for the Bear” has become not only a nickname for the Alabama 200, but also a real description of what all racers from all divisions will be doing.

Each division will have a bear trophy, representative of the Alabama state mammal, be presented to the winner. The bear trophies, which are made by Tennessee native Keith Hodgens, have become a staple of the event. Racers from all over the country come to Montgomery for that unique, distinctive piece of hardware.

Liberty Racing Review will bring you coverage of all the weekend’s activities, but we can’t do it without the following partners.

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