Defending G.E.T. Rich 212 Super Late Model champion Ryan Wells of Hingham likes the new race date.

“Honestly, I prefer it (this way),” he said.

“Usually the first races don’t pay that much. This gives us a chance to make some money to help carry us for the rest of the season.”

Wells won the first G.E.T. Rich 212 last year at Montana Raceway Park when it was held in August. He led for 140 of the 212 laps after starting in the No. 2 spot.

Shane Mitchell of East Wenatchee, Wash., was on the pole. He finished fourth.

That victory earned Wells a nice $8,000 check, along with a dandy trophy, from a total purse of more than $35,000.

Drivers will be battling for the same cash payouts and trophy tonight. Time trials begin at 6 p.m. with racing at 7.

The main event for Super Late Models is tentatively set for 9 p.m. A field of 30 cars is expected.

Bombers and Hornets will also be sharing the track for trophy dashes, heat races and main events.

“Patient and smooth,” Wells said of his racing style.

“It’s completely suited for me,” he said of MRP.

“I like the close competition ... just the short-track aspect of it.”

While this will be the season debut for some of the drivers tonight, Wells opened his season last weekend at Post Falls, Idaho. He posted the fast time, but placed a disappointing 15th in the main event.

“Ran into a lap car,” he said of why he finished so far down the line.

Regarding the G.E.T Rich race, he figures it will be another talented field. He expects many of the Montana 200 drivers to make the trip to the Flathead Valley for this one.

“Pretty stout competition,” he said.

In addition to MRP and Post Falls, Wells also spends a lot of his race time at the speedway in Spokane. This year he’s added trips to Twin Falls, Idaho, for the Rocky Mountain Challege series race and Monroe, Wash., for the Summer Showdown in an effort to strengthen his racing resume.

He is running the same car — No. 5 with a star — but says he is testing different sway bar and spring combinations.

Wells, who turned 29 last Sunday, has been racing for nine years. His career started on dirt tracks in Montana, Wyoming and North Dakota.

“Get up there early, start prepping the car,” he said of his Friday schedule. “Check the car over until we start practice. Just try to get the car balanced. Run as many laps as we can.”

This will mark Wells’ third season of racing at MRP. He finished second in the Montana 200 last year and was eighth and 22nd the two previous years.

“I’m looking to win the (Super Late Model) championship at Montana Raceway Park (for a third-straight year),” he said of goals for this season.

‘“Get a couple more big wins under our belt.”

Race fans tonight who purchase a program will be eligible to win gift certificates, LCD televisions, scooters and other prizes.

A 1-ounce gold bar will handed over to one lucky fan while 24 bikes will be given away to youngsters in attendance.