The H&G Foundation will host a fundraising benefit race for Jeff Matthews and his family at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Park County Fairgrounds. Proceeds from ticket sales, food and beverage purchases as well as other fundraising activities coinciding with the races will be donated to the Matthews family to help assist with medical costs. 

Matthews was injured in an Oct. 22 motorcycle accident, where he sustained a severe head injury and other injuries. He is currently at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Billings. He’s been moved out of ICU and is no longer under sedation, but doctors have told the family he still has a very long road to recovery. There’s currently no date of when he will be able to return home to his family. 

Jeff and his wife Melanie have three young boys. 

More than 50 drivers from Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota and possibly Kentucky and Canada are expected to compete in six different classes. The classes include, hornets, bombers, street stock, B-Mods, A-Mods and superstocks. 

A-Mods will be the fastest class, running on alcohol or methanol. These cars don’t have front fenders and sometimes have enough momentum to bring their front tires up off the ground coming out of the corners.

Superstocks is the next fastest class, running on 120 octane race fuel; superstocks have front fenders and a bigger spoiler.

B-Mods, or Midwest Modifies, look the same as an A-Mod on the outside, having no front fender and the same chassis. However, B-Mod motors are smaller and can run half-race fuel and half-pump gas.

Street Stock cars basically look like a street car but are modified for racing; modifications are made to the chassis, engine and suspension.

Bombers, meanwhile, are essentially street cars that have  been modified with safety precautions, such as added roll bars and a relocated fuel tank. The best way to describe the class is a derby car that is racing instead of crashing into other cars. This class of cars will also race on street tires.

Hornets, the sixth class, is a four cylinder car with street tires and a roll cage. 

The track is a quarter-mile on the outside with a 45-foot-wide lane. It’s wide enough to fit three, but with the track being the smallest the competitors have raced on, it should keep the spectators on the edge of their seats. 

The drivers are competing for free with no payout for the winners. 

“They are losing money doing this,” said Tommy May, one of the event coordinators. The cost of fuel, tires, and maintenance can run upwards of $500 a race to compete.

To help raise more money for the Matthews family, the event will also feature a 50/50 raffle, donation buckets and a fill the helmet.

Even though the Dirt for Madness event will begin at 1 p.m. on Saturday, spectators are encouraged to come early to meet the drivers and see the cars. The pit will also be open at the conclusion of the event. 

Gates will open at noon or earlier and driver introductions begin at 12:15 p.m.

Due to the noise of the event, ear plugs are encouraged.

Tickers prices are $14 for adults ($10 if you bring a picture of yourself and Matthews) and $10 with military ID. Children aged 12 and under are free.