BRIGHTON, ON – The 20th annual Applefest Shootout was an adrenaline-fueled weekend of non-stop action at Brighton Speedway. Hosted by Coca-Cola, Cool 100, and McDougall Insurance, the event brought together nearly 300 cars and racers from Ontario, Quebec, and Upper New York State for two days of heart-pounding dirt track racing. The track’s biggest racing event of the year featured DIRTcar 358 Modifieds, DIRTcar Sportsman, Late Models, Canadian Modifieds, Thunder Stocks, Mini Stocks, and Comp 4s.
Mat is Money
The DIRTCar 358 Modifieds had a 75-lap, $5,000-to-win event, with the winner also earning a spot in the Outlaw 200 at Fulton Speedway in October. Pole sitter Kyle Dingwall grabbed the lead over Mat Williamson and Brianna Ladouceur. Dingwall stretched his advantage over Williamson in the early laps on a track that changed quickly. The first yellow flag flew on lap 11, setting up a restart that Williamson was eager for. When the green flag waved again, Dingwall maintained the lead, but Williamson found traction in the middle of the track, powering by for the lead on lap 25.
Once in front, Williamson pulled away, but Chris Raabe, who started ninth on the grid, was making moves. Raabe advanced to second after several restarts, trying his best to chase down the leader. With 10 laps to go, Williamson remained in front, but Raabe was closing in, searching for his record fourth Applefest 358 title. Williamson defended his position on the bottom and fended off Raabe’s late charge to secure his second Applefest title, the first since 2017. Raabe made the most significant advancement, going from ninth to second, followed by Kyle Dingwall, Tristan Draper, and Brad Rouse in the top five.
On Apples Eve, a special dash for cash saw Kyle Dingwall lead all 10 laps to victory, finishing ahead of Corey Wheeler, Tristan Draper, Ryan Stabler, and Kalen Draper.
McPherson Makes 3rd Applefest Sweep
The DIRTCar Sportsman 35-lap event began with Nigel Pendykoski taking the lead, but Cody McPherson was quick to challenge. McPherson seized the lead as Gavin Eisele, Shane Stearns, Bobby Herrington, and Brennan Moore made their moves. McPherson established a comfortable lead as Eisele, Stearns, and Herrington continued their battle in the top five.
A pile-up involving nearly 10 cars occurred on lap 22 in turn two, bringing out the yellow flag. On the restart, McPherson held his lead, but Herrington moved into second, trying to chase down the leader. Another yellow flag came out late in the event when Michael Dillon lost a left front tire, leading to another restart. When the green flag returned, Herrington made a strong attempt, but McPherson stayed in control. Local favorite Kraig Handley moved from 15th to challenge Eisele for third.
In the closing laps, despite Herrington’s efforts, Cody McPherson was not to be denied, claiming his record eighth Applefest Shootout Sportsman win and securing a guaranteed spot in the Outlaw 200 weekend Sportsman race at Fulton Speedway. Herrington crossed the line in second, followed by Eisele, Handley, and Brennan Moore.
The night before, Dan Ferguson dominated the 35-lap chase early on, with Moore, Dave Rogers, McPherson, and Herrington battling for second place. Lapped traffic caused issues for Ferguson, allowing Moore and McPherson to close in. A yellow flag on lap 29 ended Moore’s night due to transmission issues. After several yellow and red flags, McPherson took the lead on lap 30 and won the Applefest Shootout for the seventh time. Ferguson finished second, followed by Herrington, Stearns, and Eisele.
Sandercock Scores Applefest 3-Peat
The 40-lap Northeast Late Model Alliance Great Crate Race was also part of the festivities. It started with a significant pile-up in turns 1 and 2, but all drivers were able to pull away. Kyle Sopaz made a charge to the front, but Charlie Sandercock fought his way forward and took the lead on lap 15, with Adam Turner close behind, eventually taking second from Eli Mayhew. Despite a few late-race yellows and repeated challenges from Turner, Sandercock remained in front. A lap 36 caution bunched the field again, but Sandercock pulled away on the restart, with Turner and Mayhew right behind him. Ultimately, Charlie Sandercock held off Turner’s late charge, earning his third consecutive Applefest Shootout win. David Vandertoorn, Eli Mayhew, and Brian McDonald rounded out the top five. Brighton’s Nathan Rinaldi was crowned the NLMA series champion during the victory lane celebration.
Sandercock also won the NLMA and Canadian Modified/UMP dash for cash events the previous night.
Gregory Grabs Checkers
The Canadian/UMP Modified challenge featured a 30-lap contest on Saturday night, which went green to checkered. Shawn Gregory took the early lead and lapped up to the sixth-place car for a dominant win. However, post-race tech inspection found Gregory in violation, declaring veteran Ron Wadforth the winner, with Charlie Sandercock in second, Leslie Mowat third, Adam Turner fourth, and Greg Belyea rounding out the top five.
Applefest Checkers Fly for French
Saturday night action featured a 40-lap Thunder Stock Duel on the Dirt finale. Several yellows slowed the event’s start. Justin Ramsay held the lead, but Tyler French was on the move and took the lead on lap 9. Once in front, French pulled away as Brock Gregory challenged Ramsay for second. Despite having a dominant car, a yellow on lap 20 slowed the field, setting up another restart. When the green flag waved again, French maintained control, while Ramsay reclaimed the runner-up spot, pushing Gregory back to third. With 13 laps to go, Ramsay and Gregory made contact, sending Ramsay around in turn 2. Gregory was sent to the rear for the contact, while Ramsay regained his second spot. On the final restart, Tyler French jumped to the front and never looked back, scoring the win. Ramsay crossed in second, followed by Carter Rhodes, Shawn Gregory, and Zack Bleich in the top five. When the dust settled, Mark Fawcett overcame a 16th-place starting position to win the Duel in the Dirt championship over Brock Gregory and Dave Bailey.
On Friday night, Jason Fontaine held off a tough field of 25 drivers in a 20-lap Thunder Stock feature to score the win over Carter Rhodes, Justin Ramsay, Shawn Gregory, and Brock Gregory.
Black Brings Home the Apples
In other action during the Applefest Shootout, a 20-lap Comp4/Mini Stock Challenge event took place, with Adrian Black holding off repeated challenges from Josh Bogaard to take the win. Brandon McMillan, Tyson Gregory, and Travis McLean completed the top five.
Friday’s Apples Eve hosted a 25-lap Mini Stock Duel on the Dirt championship event, which saw several late-race cautions. At the finish, it was Jason Tolton taking the feature win after a great battle with Travis McLean. Landon Mutch, Tyson Gregory, and Caleb Severin rounded out the top five.
The regular season is now complete for 2024 at Brighton Speedway. The staff, management, and Rinaldi family thank the teams, drivers, and race fans for their continued support this season. The year will conclude with the Brighton Recycling Eve of Destruction event on October 5th.
