Veteran Montana Raceway Park official Marie AuClaire says the focus for the 22nd season of auto racing at the quarter-mile, high-banked asphalt oval north of Kalispell is — community.

“It’s important to build community loyalty,” the co-track manager of MRP said.

“That’s very important to me, Aaron (AuClaire, the other co-track manager) and the Thorton family (owners).

“Focus on who has supported the track over the years,” she said of the drivers, pit crew members, sponsors, workers and fans.

“We want to make each event big for these guys.

“Everyone has been real supportive of that (approach),” she continued.

“That’s a huge testament to our community.”

The season opens tonight with Super Stocks, Hobby Stocks, Bombers and Hornets on the track.

Gates open at 5:30 p.m. with time trials at 6 and racing 7.

Weather conditions should also be perfect.

“That’s always a big stressful thing every year,” she said of dealing with Mother Nature.

“We hope to have a fun year with everyone ... have a good year.”

AuClair, who started working in the MRP concession stand at the age of 15 in 1993, says drivers will benefit from the 2012 schedule.

Although there are three fewer races — 21 overall — from the previous year, many of the classes will enjoy bigger payouts.

Bombers, Hobby Stocks and Super Stocks will have three “big purse races” this year, AuClaire said, instead of one.

The Hornets will also have one payday race.

“That’s the fun class,” AuClaire said.

“The radio has to work (in Hornets). They don’t run for money, just trophies.”

MRP’s other classes are the highly competitve Late Models and Hobby Stocks.

Two classes have been dropped — Compacts and Thunder Roadsters.

“Lack of interest,” AuClaire said for both.

“Most of the cars (Thunder Roadsters) were owned by the track,” she said. “We told the Compacts if they could get six cars together, we’d put them on the schedule.”

That never happened.

AuClaire said the Late Models will average from 15 to 24 cars for its six races. Four dates are classified as big events.

The biggie is the 22nd Annual Coors Light Montana 200 July 19-21. That race draws drivers from the Pacific Northwest, Canada, California and occassionally one or two from the East Coast.

AuClaire says she is elated with the rebirth of the Hobby Stocks.

“A few years ago, we scheduled four races due to (the fact) they only had three cars. With some rule changes, (they now) average 16-18 cars per race.”

One major rule change involved tires.

“They had to buy new tires,” she said previously. “Now they can run take-offs.”

The take-offs are used tires from the Late Models. That has reduced expenses and made the class more affordable.

One massive change at the track is the new scoreboard standing tall in Turn 1-2. Fans will now be able to see who the top 10 drivers are for each race. The old scoreboard listed just the top three.

MRP is also offering wireless live timing and scoring. Race fans with smart phones can get live updates at www.race-monitor.com. It is also available on iPhone and Android.

For more information visit www.montanaracewaypark.com or call 257-RACE (7223).

MRP also has a Facebook page.