Billings Has Solid Weekend With Win at Can Am; Top Five at Brockville
Craig Revelle – Finish Line Web Design
September 7, 2010
It was a busy three days for Matt Billings and his race team. First, it was a trip to Can Am on Friday night, with a fresh paint scheme on the car. Saturday night was the final points night at the Brockville Speedway and Sunday was a 100 lap Mr. DIRTcar 358 Modified series race at Cornwall.
The weather was on everyone’s mind at Chapman’s Can Am Motorsports Park on Friday night. Rain was in the area for much of the night, but remained dry at the Lafargeville New York track for the most of the evening. Billings started the night with second place finish in his qualifying heat. He led the race early, but as good as his Enders Racing powerplant is, it is tough running against the Big Blocks, especially when the track is tacky. Come feature time, Billings was confident in the car, but still overmatched by some of his Big Block counterparts. Before the race could go the full 30 lap distance, the rain that held off for much of the night began to fall, and track officials through the checkered flag just seven laps shy of the scheduled distance. Billings was on top of the 358 Modified class at the finish.
Rain again was forecasted for Saturday night, but the show went on at Brockville. Billings finished third in his qualifying heat, and then started the 30 lap feature from sixth place. Billings settled into the top five early, and finished the race in fourth.
“It was a good finish, but we are still looking for win here this season. We have been close a few times, and we are running out of chances”, says Billings after the 30 lap feature.
At Cornwall Speedway on Sunday, the night started off well for Matt, as he posted the eighth fastest time of the 40 cars on hand. This put him on the outside pole for his qualifying heat. Billings then went out and took the checkered flag placing him in the redraw for one of the top 12 starting spots for the 100 lap Mr. DIRTcar Series race. Billings drew starting spot number three and lined up from the inside of the second row. As good as the night started, it soon took a turn for the worse, early in the feature, as Billings ill handling car dropped through the field. Just before the halfway point of the race, Billings was forced to take his car to the pits and did not return.
While the points are over, there is still plenty of racing left in 2010 for Matt Billings and his Billings Automotive, Stealth Racewear, Race 101, Turn One High Performance Steering Systems, Pastime Motors, Babe Design, Finish Line Web Design, Carquest and Enders Racing Engines powered Bicknell car. This coming weekend, they have yet to make a decision, but the choice is a Saturday night show at Brockville, or head to Quebec for a 150-lap event at Autodrome Granby on Friday night, and a 160-lap race at Autodrome Drummond on Saturday night. Both races are part of the 358 Modified Mr. DIRTcar Series. The following Friday night, September 17th, Mohawk Raceway will host the same touring series. From there, on Saturday September 25th, Billings and team will be at the Applefest Shootout in Brighton, and then the following Saturday is the SUNY Canton 200 at Fulton Speedway. After that, it is Super DIRT Week, and then the Northeast Fall Nationals at Brockville to conclude the 2010 season.
In reference to Super DIRT Week, Matt Billings would certainly love to run the mile as well as all of Mr. DIRTcar events that lead up to the big race at Syracuse. Billings won the Sportsman race at Syracuse just one year ago, and would like to concentrate on a good solid finish at the Syracuse in his first appearance in a 358 Modified. With being a single car family operated team, to run the series shows at DIRT Week, and field a competitive car at Syracuse just isn’t feasible. Unless an opportunity comes up in the weeks leading up to Super DIRT Week, Billings will focus on his own car at Syracuse.
For more information on Matt Billings and the Billings Racing Team, please visit our website,
www.mattbillings74.com.
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