Applefest shootout 2026

schedule of events

The 2026 Applefest Shootout is presented by Cool 100!

APPLES EVE
September 25

Cool 100 presents APPLES EVE! ROC Sportsman $1,500 to Win, Canadian Modified, Thunder Stock, Mini Stock Duel on the Dirt Combined Race, NLMA Late Model Heats, and DIRTCar 358 Hot Laps and Dash for Cash (6:00PM start time).

APPLEfest shootout
September 26

Cool 100 APPLEFEST SHOOTOUT! DIRTCar 358 75 Lap $5,000 to Win Applefest Shootout, ROC Sportsman Series Race $2,000 to Win, 40 Lap Late Model Great Create Race, Thunder Stock Duel on the Dirt Combined Race, 4 Cylinder Open Event (3:00PM start time).

Applefest 2025 race report

Adrenaline-fueled weekend of non-stop action at Brighton Speedway.

Hosted by Cool 100 and Bellevue Fabricating Ltd., the event brought together over 300 cars and racers from Ontario 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, ROC Sportsman, Northeast Late Model Alliance, Canadian Modifieds, Thunder Stocks, Mini Stocks, and 4-Cylinders.

Williamson Wins 3rd Applefest Shootout

Brad Rouse and Lucas Fuller brought the field of 22 DIRTcar 358 Modifieds to green for the 75-lap Applefest Shootout. Fuller and Rouse battled side by side in the opening 8 laps before Rouse took over the top spot, leaving Fuller to battle with former Applefest champions Gary Lindberg and Mat Williamson.

2025 Drivers purse

Purse for Friday, September 26th

Purse for saturday, September 27th

HISTORY OF APPLEFEST

During the middle of the 2004 racing season several drivers in the northeast expressed the interest in having a series of ‘big’ events in the fall as an alternative to making the long haul south of the border. The topic was brought up by 358 modified driver Jeff Ciglich on an internet web forum at DirtTrackDigest.com. After many replies from interested competitors and fans the news travelled to Brighton Speedway promoter Mark Rinaldi through long-time dirt racing fan Dale Calnan. Dale and son Greg, of ImageFactor.ca, passed the idea along to Mark and he was instantly intrigued by the idea and considered making a late season addition to the 2004 schedule. However, not having enough time to properly promote an event of this magnitude it was decided that a meeting would take place during the off-season to further discuss the possibility for a race in 2005. 

On a cold winter day in February race teams, drivers and fans met in Kingston, Ontario to exchange ideas and work out the details for a possible event in late September at Brighton. Long time driver Mark Hitchcock graciously hosted the gathering at his shop. The meeting was a positive one and when the 2005 Brighton Speedway schedule was released a 358 Dirt Modified race had been slotted in for Saturday September 24th. The event was scheduled for 40 laps in distance with a solid $10,000 CDN purse up for grabs. Although this was a stand-alone event the race was run under 2005 358 DIRT Modified rules.

With the world of northeastern Dirt Modified racing up in the air it was apparent that teams and drivers were searching for alternatives. The ImageFactor.ca Applefest 358 Dirt Modified Shootout was just that, a chance for local teams to compete for a solid purse without having to travel three or four hours to a nationally sanctioned event just to be upstaged by high dollar tour regulars. Instead of packing up their cars and equipment by the second weekend of September the 358 Dirt Modified drivers in the area had a new date on their calendar at a track most have never competed on. 
The first ever running of the event in 2005 was a success with 18 small block modifieds taking part in the inaugural running of the Applefest Shootout. Kyle Dingwall of Brockville, Ontario claimed the 40 lap feature win over Chris Jones and Lee Ladeceur. The teams enjoyed their first visit to the Brighton Speedway in 22 years and gave rave reviews of the event. 

The race that was born on an internet forum in 2004 became a reality on Saturday September 24th, 2005. With added fan, team and sponsor support the Applefest Shootout has become a fall classic at the Brighton Speedway!

Applefest Shootout Winners
2025 – Mat Williamson
2024 – Mat Williamson
2023 – Chris Raabe
2022 – Chris Raabe
2021 – Danny O’Brien
2020 – No Race Held (Covid-19)
2019 – Chris Raabe
2018 – Gary Lindberg
2017 – Mat Williamson
2016 – Erick Rudolph
2015 – Erick Rudolph
2014 – Erick Rudolph
2013 – Rained Out
2012 – Mario Clair
2011 – Tim O’Brien
2010 – Pete Bicknell
2009 – Rained Out
2008 – Pete Bicknell
2007 – Mario Clair
2006 – Rained Out
2005 – Kyle Dingwall
Sportsman Winners
2025 – Dylan Kirkland (Night 2)
2025 – Cody McPherson (Night 1)
2024 – Cody McPherson (Night 2)
2023 – Cody McPherson (Night 1)
2022 – Bobby Herrington (Night 2)
2022 – Bobby Herrington (Night 1)
2021 – Ryan Scott (Night 2)
2021 – Bobby Herrington (Night 1)
2020 – Brad Rouse
2019 – Cody McPherson (Night 2)
2019 – Cody McPherson (Night 1)
2018 – Brad Rouse (Night 2)
2018 – James Michael Friesen (Night 1)
2017 – Johnathon Ferguson (Night 2)
2017 – Brent Begolo (Night 1)
2016 – Martin Pelletier (Night 2)
2016 – Cody McPherson (Night 1)
2015 – Gary Lindberg
2014 – Gary Lindberg
2013 – Shane Pecore
2012 – Cody McPherson
2011 – Rained Out
2010 – Chris Herbison
2009 – Nic Cupolo
2008 – James Michael Friesen
2007 – Mark D’Ilario
Lucas Oil Clash for Cash Winners
2010 – Pete Bicknell
2009 – Rained Out
2008 – Pete Bicknell
2007 – Chris Steel
2006 – Pete Bicknell

OUR SPONSORS

KART RESULTS

"Thursday June 15th"
Kart # Name
Box Stock 1
1 797 Luke Cuthbertson
2 29 Deegan Sudsbury
3 37 Ella Wannamaker
4 11 Bentley Fulton
5 03 Luke Ramsay
6 68 Gunner Ellis
7 39 Lucas Wannamaker
8 5 Liam Baldwin
Box Stock 2
1 29 Lily Walters
2 92 Race Turner
3 77 Max Van Dyk
Rookie 1
1 87 Weston Mitts
2 15 Charlotte de Wal
3 48 Knoxin Wells
4 07 Conor Vancott
Rookie 2
1 88 Reagan Grimmon
2 14 Chase White
3 08 Lilly Ray
4 2 Liam McPeak
5 54 Rae-lynn Branscombe
6 10 Hanna Merry
JR Sportsman 1
1 01 Blake Gregory
2 7 Tate Black
3 19 Bentley Davidson
4 15 Liam Pakenham
5 23 Alby Hodkinson
JR Sportsman 2
1 629 Thomas Mcgale
2 20 Aj Peeters
3 91 Jackson Veenstra
4 31 Brody Davidson
5 99 Bryce Massey
JR Restricted/Stock Lite
1 1 Coleson Gregory
2 89 Kolby Ellis
3 22 Nolan  Chatten
4 99 Jonelle Burke
5 14 Holden Paul
6 9 Cooper McKeown
7 70 Finley Mahoney
8 18 Elliot Stacey
Thursday, June 1st
Kart # Name
Box Stock 1
1 797 Luke Cuthbertson
2 29 Deegan Sudsbury
3 37 Ella Wannamaker
4 11 Bentley Fulton
5 3 Luke Ramsay
6 68 Gunner Ellis
7 39 Lucas Wannamaker
8 5 Liam Baldwin
Box Stock 2
1 29 Lily Walters
2 92 Race Turner
3 77 Max Van Dyk
Rookie 1
1 87 Weston Mitts
2 15 Charlotte de Wal
3 48 Knoxin Wells
4 7 Conor Vancott
Rookie 2
1 88 Reagan Grimmon
2 14 Chase White
3 8 Lilly Ray
4 2 Liam McPeak
5 54 Rae-lynn Branscombe
6 10 Hanna Merry
JR Sportsman 1
1 1 Blake Gregory
2 7 Tate Black
3 19 Bentley Davidson
4 15 Liam Pakenham
5 23 Alby Hodkinson
JR Sportsman 2
1 629 Thomas Mcgale
2 20 Aj Peeters
3 91 Jackson Veenstra
4 31 Brody Davidson
5 99 Bryce Massey
JR Restricted/Stock Lite
1 1 Coleson Gregory
2 89 Kolby Ellis
3 22 Nolan  Chatten
4 99 Jonelle Burke
5 14 Holden Paul
6 9 Cooper McKeown
7 70 Finley Mahoney
8 18 Elliot Stacey

KART POINTS