The annual Montana 200 at Montana Raceway Park has not had a local winner since Ken Kaltschmidt of Marion took the checkered flag back in 2003.

Giles Thornton of Whitefish is one of several area super late model drivers hoping to end that dry spell Saturday night by celebrating in Victory Lane after the 24th edition has been completed.

Thornton, last year’s pole sitter for this prestigious event, will be one of the favorites along with a host of drivers from Idaho, Washington, Canada and the Flathead Valley.

“The car is ready, I’m ready and I’m looking forward to it,” Thornton said Thursday afternoon after a practice session at the quarter-mile, high-banked oval.

Washington drivers have dominated this race, winning eight of the last nine and 16 total.

Jonathon Gomez of Twin Falls, Idaho, held off hard-charging Alex Lessor of Kalispell to win it last year.

Kalispell’s Bodie Morton, who backed into the main event with a thrilling victory in the 40-lap last chance qualifier, finished fifth.

Jeff Jefferson of Naches, Wash., the 2012 winner, finished 14th.

Shane Mitchell of East Wenatchee, Wash., won the 200 in 2011 to snap a string of four-straight wins by Gary Lewis of Snohomish, Wash.

“The field is always stoked (with talent),” Thornton said.

“When you get that every year, you know you are doing something right.”

Thornton will be driving in his fourth 200. He has qualified for the big show — the 200 lap main event on the final night — twice.

Last year he held the lead during the early going, dropped back as far as fourth place before moving back up to the second position at the 100-lap break.

Then with 82 laps left, disaster struck.

His car was pinched in the wall by Cameron Haley of Calgary, Alberta, heading into Turn 3.

Thornton was towed off the track and did not finish.

“Last year we were going for the lead and we get into the wall,” he said.

“Lots of front end damage, so there was no way to get back out there.

“It was definitely awesome to be on the pole,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to doing it again this year.”

Doing it here would also be extra special.

“I’ve got tons and tons of laps at this place,” he said.

“I know every nook and cranny.”

Thornton was one of the final drivers to get ready for tonight’s qualifying and Saturday’s big race with some late laps Thursday afternoon. His final ones came with two minutes left in the practice session.

“Shaking it down,” he said of his test runs.

Thornton, now 16, was the youngest pole sitter ever for the 200 in 2013.

Another young gun to keep an eye on is Nicole Behar, 16, of Otis Orchards, Wash. She finished 14th in the qualifying last year and ninth in the main event with her bright lime green and yellow Sun Drop, car No. 33.

Qualifying for the Montana 200 begins tonight at 7. The fastest 14 drivers move on to Saturday’s main event.

The top five finishers from the 40 lap B-main tonight also advance to the 200.

The final five Montana 200 entrants will be determined Saturday with a 40- lap last chance qualifier before the main event.

Opening ceremonies on Saturday are set for 6 p.m.

24th annual Montana 200

Montana Raceway Park

Main Event (200 laps) Purse

Saturday Night

1. $15,000; 2. $5,000; 3. $2,500; 4. $1,500; 5. $1,250.

6.-24. $1,000.

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Montana 200 Past Champions

2013 — Jonathon Gomez, Twin Falls, Idaho

2012 — Jeff Jefferson, Naches, Wash.

2011 — Shane Mitchell, East Wenatchee, Wash.

2010 — Gary Lewis, Snohomish, Wash.

2009 — Gary Lewis, Snohomish, Wash.

2008 — Gary Lewis, Snohomish, Wash.

2007 — Gary Lewis, Snohomish, Wash.

2006 — Jeff Jefferson, Naches, Wash.

2005 — B.J. Tidrick, Yakima, Wash.

2004 — Christian Roeder, Ephrata, Wash.

2003 — Ken Kaltschmidt, Marion

2002 — Tom Sweatman, Cosmopolis, Wash.

2001 — Ron Dexter, Selah, Wash.

2000 — Tom Sweatman, Cosmopolis, Wash.

1999 — Troy Conrad, Puyallup, Wash.

1998 — Tim Elliott, Creston, B.C.

1997 — Tom Sweatman, Cosmopolis, Wash.

1996 — Mark Groskreutz, Spokane, Wash.

1995 — Mark Owens, Libby

1994 — Cory Wolfe, Ronan

1993 — Mark Groskreutz, Spokane

1992 — Bob Schweigert, Kalispell

1991 — Lance Wade, Victoria, B.C.