DIRTcar Racing’s Rising Stars Get Ready for Brighton Speedway’s Applefest Shootout

By Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications

At first glance, the youthful appearance of DIRTcar racing’s young lions may lead some to question their abilities but checking the resumes of these talent laden youngsters will paint an entirely different picture.  Saturday, September 22nd, the sport’s brightest boyish stars will battle in the 100 lap Benson Auto Parts Applefest Shootout, featuring the DIRTcar 358 modifieds – presented by VP Fuels and Imagefactor.ca – at Brighton Speedway.

“Maybe its saying something about me, but these kids seem younger every year,” said track promoter Mark Rinaldi.  “From the go karts, through street stocks, sportsman modifieds and eventually the 358’s, there are so many different outlets available to develop their talent and skills.  It’s never a big shock to see the young lions battle the veterans and come out on top.”

While still carrying his ‘Teenage Tornado’ handle, Chris Raabe made headlines as the youngest Mr. DIRTcar sportsman modified champion in the sanctioning body’s long history.  The Napanee, Ontario speedster – who currently attends Queen’s University – missed last year’s Applefest event while making a handful of starts in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series.  While finishing 2nd in points at Mohawk International Raceway and 3rd at Cornwall Motor Speedway, Raabe stunned the touring stars by capturing the Seaway Valley quarter-mile’s Super DIRTcar Big Block show in his small block powered TEO Pro Car.

Turning laps at race speed at the New York State Fairgrounds has been known to intimidate even the most experienced drivers, but no one told Brockville, Ontario’s Matt Billings.  The year was 2009 and as a fresh faced youngster, Billings captured the Super Dirt Week sportsman modified event on the Moody Mile in his first ever attempt. Fast forward to 2012 and Billings’ 5th place point finish, highlighted by 2 wins at Brockville.  There are plans to head back to Syracuse in a couple of weeks, but Matt Billings would love to find victory lane at Brighton with his #74 Bicknell Racing chassis ride.

It was the biggest win of his young career and it just happened to come in front of a capacity crowd at his Saturday night home.  St. Catharines, Ontario’s Mike Bowman – a Merrittville Speedway regular – was lucky enough to select a front row starting spot the pre-race draw and turned that good fortune into a thrilling flag-to-flag victory in the 100 lap Super DIRTcar Series big block modified tour event.  What made Bowman’s triumph most noteworthy is the fact that he – like Raabe had done at Cornwall – accomplished the feat in a small block powered machine, against a field largely comprised of the more potent big blocks.

The Benson Auto Parts Applefest Shootout, featuring the DIRTcar 358 modifieds – presented by VP Fuels and Imagefactor.ca – takes the green flag Saturday, September 22nd at 6:00 at Brighton Speedway.  For a complete schedule of events, see www.brightonspeedway.com, www.imagefactor.ca/applefestshootout

or call 866.681.1102.

Napanee, Ontario’s Chris Raabe would love to add an Applefest Shootout win to his already impressive resume.  The event takes place Saturday, September 22nd at Brighton Speedway.

Prepared by:  Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications
                      clarkemotorsports@hotmail.com
                      613.968.6410  /  613.922.0654