News Director 
Story By: TIM BALTZ / BRIGHTON SPEEDWAY – BRIGHTON, ONT – For the DIRTCar 358 Modifieds it’s been a tradition since 2005. Come to the Brighton Speedway in September and put on a spirited battle for another prestigious win and a bushel of apples.
Kyle Dingwall took that first win in the 2005 event and since then 9 other drivers have visited the winners circle. This coming Friday night several Canadian and America drivers will try their hand at the tight quarter mile oval, but one driver has owned this event in recent years.
Alexandria Ontario’s Chris Raabe owns three Applefest Shootout 358 Modified titles in 2019, 2022 and 2023 and will look to join Erick Rudolph as the only drivers to win this race three consecutive years with Rudolph accomplishing the feat in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
Last year Raabe got the best of Rudolph again along with a star studded field behind them, which saw 2018 winner Gary Lindberg cross in 3rd while 2005 winner Kyle Dingwall finished 4th and Johnathon Ferguson rounded out the top 5. Brad Rouse, Corey Wheeler, Tristan Draper, Dalton Slack and Jay Mallory were the top 10.
With the success of the 358 Modifieds, the DIRTCar Sportsman joined the Applefest party in 2007 and have been a fixture on this weekend ever since. Two-time DIRTCar Sportsman Series champion Cody McPherson has owned this race winning it a record six times and comes into the night as the defending winner of both events.
Last year on night one Cody Mac out ran three time Applefest Sportsman Champion Bobby Herrington for the win with William Racine, Jordan Cosco and Xavier Andrews the top 5.
Night two Brennan Moore tried his best but the veteran McPherson once again got the job done, sweeping the weekend for a second time. Moore finished a career best second at Applefest, with Cornwall Sportsman Champion Gabriel Cyr, Bobby Herrington and Shane Stearns completing the top 5.
Another former winner is also set to make his return to Brighton this weekend. 2019 Super DIRTCar Series Champion, three time Billy Whittaker Cars 200 winner and 2023 Salute to the Troops 150 winner at Super DIRT Week Mat Williamson will be looking for a second Applefest crown this weekend.
The Saturday portion of the program is where the 358 Modified and Sportsman drivers will be focusing their attention on. The Saturday 358 Modified winner will get a guaranteed spot into the Outlaw 200 at Fulton on October 5th. The Sportsman winner on Saturday will also get a guaranteed spot into the Outlaw weekend event. Bobby Herrington won that event one year ago.
The weekend will be packed with racing action which kicks off Friday night with a Dash for Cash for the DIRTCar 358 Modifieds plus night one of two for the DIRTCar Sportsman. Regular Brighton Speedway divisions will be on track with the Vanderlaan Building Products Late Models, Bainer’s OilGARD Anti Rust Canadian Mods, Brighton Automotive Thunderstocks and the Bill’s Johns Mini Stocks. Racing Starts at 6pm
Saturday night 75 laps $5000 to win for the DIRTCar 358 Modifieds in the Applefest Shootout, plus day two for the DIRTCar Sportsman division. Brighton Speedway divisions will be back on track for day two as well, with the Vanderlaan Building Products Late Models, Bainer’s OilGARD Anti Rust Canadian Mods, Brighton Automotive Thunderstocks, Bill’s Johns Comp 4 and the Bill’s Johns Mini Stocks. Racing begins at 3pm.
