The 'Hunt For The Bear' In The Alabama 200 Comes With A Special Trophy

This Saturday at Montgomery Motor Speedway, it is bear hunting season.

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Along with a storied history dating back to 1960, the Alabama 200 has a relatively younger tradition with one of the unique trophies in racing.

The trophy features a hand-carved bear, created each year by artisan Keith Hodgens in Tennessee. While the bear trophy has been awarded since 2015, the individual creation process of each trophy makes it one-of-a-kind in the racing world.

The bear trophy is an homage to Alabama’s state mammal, the black bear. Chase Elliott won the first bear trophy in 2015, when the Alabama 200 was contested as a Southern Super Series event.

Since then, it has become a tradition of the event, now a 200-lapper for Pro Late Model competitors. While the race also boasts a strong purse, including $10,000 for the winner, it’s the bear trophy that keeps competitors coming back.

Since Elliott’s victory in 2015, Casey Roderick has collected three Alabama 200 bear trophies, including last year’s win. Donnie Wilson, Augie Grill, Jake Garcia, Christopher Tullis, Hunter Robbins and Seth Christensen have also added bear trophies to their collection.

The bear trophy is also presented to the Modifieds of Mayhem Tour feature winner in that division’s Hunt for the Bear each season. This year, the Modifieds of Mayhem compete for 61 laps, a nod to the 61st running of the Alabama 200.

More than 20 drivers are entered for Saturday's Alabama 200. Racing begins at 6 p.m. CT, with grandstands opening at 3 p.m. CT.

Fans can watch the Alabama 200 on Saturday, March 1 on RacingAmerica.TV. Click here to subscribe today and watch Saturday's Alabama 200, as well as the entire Show Me the Money Series season at Montgomery Motor Speedway in 2025.

Saturday's broadcast begins at 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT, including racing for both the Alabama 200 and the Modifieds of Mayhem Tour's 61-lap feature.

-Photo credit: Will Bellamy