BRIGHTON, ON (September 24, 2022)- Night number two of the Applefest Shootout at the Brighton Speedway saw more excitement and, in the end, it was familiar faces rolling into victory lane and taking home another bushel of apples.
DIRTcar Sportsman
Justin Cyr was the early pace setter in the 35 lap DIRTcar Sportsman feature and was looking to score his first career feature win.
On lap five, Friday night’s winner Bobby Herrington would take over the lead and start to pull away from a stout field of cars while using the outside lane. Behind the leader it was a battle of brothers as Justin and Gabriel Cyr put on a great battle for the number two spot. Michael Dillon would bring out the first yellow with a spin in turn four. He would recover to finish 12th. When the green flew it was Herrington in control once again as Gabriel Cyr charged by his brother to second with Noah Mamo and Dylan Kirkland rounding out the top five.
Herrington again was too strong in the early going, as he marched away and built up a sizeable advantage as Gabriel Cyr and the rest of the field tried to keep pace. On lap 23 things got interesting as Brennan Moore who was battling in the top 10, was involved in an accident on the back stretch, while in turn four, leader Bobby Herrington was taken off the track as he tried to avoid a spinning Jamie Young. Herrington was able to keep going without coming to a stop and keep the lead as the yellow flag flew.
When the green flew it was Herrington again in front over Gabriel Cyr as two-time Applefest champion Brad Rouse charged into the top three. Herrington proved to be too strong on this night, worked through the lapped traffic perfectly and marched on to become the first driver since Cody McPherson to sweep the DIRTcar Sportsman portion of Applefest weekend. Gabriel Cyr finished a career best second while Brad Rouse claimed a record 13th consecutive top fve finish at Applefest with a third-place run. Ryan Ferri came from 17th to fourth with Jordan Cosco claiming his best Applefest finish of fifth.
DIRTcar 358 Modifieds
2017 Applefest DIRTcar Sportsman champion Johnathon Ferguson took the lead at the start of the 75 lap DIRTcar 358 Modified feature from the outside pole, over Tristan Draper Erick Rudolph Chris Raabe and Corey Wheeler. Ferguson was working the top side of the speedway perfectly in the early laps and appeared to have a great car to contend for a DIRTcar 358 Modified Applefest title. On lap 15 Ferguson and Draper remained in control but 2019 champion Chris Raabe was on the move taking third from Rudolph, as he set sail for the top two drivers. Raabe continued his charge forward taking second from Draper and on lap 21 would use the bottom to take over the lead and begin a dominant run.
Nearing the halfway point Raabe began to enter traffic with Draper and Rudolph a straightaway behind. Heading into turn three Derek Vanmill, Chris Herbison, Jarrett Herbison and Todd Gordon all spun and Raabe was able to somehow get by without issues and the yellow flew. On the restart Raabe again charged out front while Erick Rudolph and David Hebert made a charge into the top three as they both got by Tristan Draper. As the laps clicked off it became clear, that it was going to take something major to happen, in order for anyone to catch the leader. Unlike last season, that did not happen, as Chris Raabe would get redemption, author a dominant performance throughout the night and claim his second Applefest Shootout at the Brighton Speedway. Rudolph would claim 2nd with David Hebert coming home third in his Applefest debut. Gary Lindberg and Tristan Draper filled out the top five.
The top talent in the local divisions were also on hand for day two of Applefest weekend at Brighton.
Justin Ramsay, who picked up an exciting win Friday night in Thunderstock, would make it look easy on this night as he cruised to the weekend sweep in the 40 lap event. Chris Hale crossed in second over Dave Bailey Jeff Humphry and 2022 track champion Tyler French.
Shawn Gregory was the class of the field in the UMP/Canadian Modified challenge. Gregory was challenged by veteran Ron Wadforth, but Gregory held on for the win in the 30 lap event. Leslie Mowat Carissa Burrows and Dylan Boyle completed the top five.
Charlie Sandercock would claim one of the crown jewel events at the Brighton Speedway for Crate Late Models. Sandercock would hold off Andrew Hennessy and 2022 Track champion Steve Baldwin to win the Great Crate Race with Brandon Mowat and Adam Turner making up the rest of the top five.
The COMP4/Mini Stock Open feature saw some great racing action. Cornwall Speedway regular Pierre Picard would hold off a determined Devon Kippen to collect his first Brighton Speedway win. Picard was fortunate the race ended when it did, as he finished the race on a right rear flat tire.
Report from Tim Baltz
