Matt Billings Scores First Win of 2012 Season at Brockville Speedway; Top Five Finish at Mohawk Raceway

It was only a matter of time before Matt Billings picked up his first win of 2012.  With sixth consecutive top ten finishes to start the season, Billings was off to a strong start, and a trip to victory lane was imminent.  After a strong top five finish to start the weekend at Mohawk, Billings was able to capture that first win on Saturday night in front of his hometown fans.

By luck of the draw entering Mohawk Raceway on Friday night, Matt Billings drew the number one position, placing him on the front row for his starting heat race.  He led every lap, picking up the win, and earning the pole position for the night’s 50 lap Frenchie’s “Chevy Runs Deep” Series race.  He looked strong early, leading the first 17 laps, but would struggle in the second half of the race, posting a fifth place finish at the checkered flag.

On to Brockville on Saturday night, Billings once again won his qualifying heat race after starting third.  In the 30 lap main event, he started from position number 10.  After four laps, Billings now had positioned himself inside the top five, and then made an impressive move on a lap seven restart to jump from fourth to second and began to chase down the race leader.  A lap 23 restart put Billings on the outside lane, and he powered to the lead at the drop of the green and never looked back collecting his first win of 2012.

“We had a long couple days trying to get the car running the way it should, we changed everything on it trying to determine why the motor was stumbling”, says Billings in victory lane.  “I really have to thank my Dad, Grandpa, and all the crew for their help.  I also want to thank all of our sponsors for their support this season”.

This coming weekend, Billings will be back at Mohawk International Raceway on Friday night, and then return home for Saturday night’s action at Brockville Speedway where he will be looking for his second consecutive win.

Billings Motorsports would like to thank all of their marketing partners for their support for the upcoming season.  Billings Automotive, Pastime Motors, Stealth Racewear, Snap On Tools, Integra Shocks, Enders Racing Engines, Finish Line Web Design and Babe Design are an integral part of the team’s success, and we thank you all for your support as we approach the 2012 season.

                                                           

For more information on Matt Billings and the Billings Racing Team, please visit our website, www.mattbillings74.com.

Matt Billings Has Successful Victoria Day Weekend With Three Top Ten Finishes; Back to Mohawk and Brockville This Weekend

 It was a busy weekend of racing for Matt Billings and the Billings Motorsports crew over the Victoria Day Weekend.  First, it was the usual Friday night trip to Mohawk International Raceway, then to Brockville Speedway on Saturday night.  On Sunday, the team traveled to Cornwall Speedway for their first race of 2012, as they hosted a 100 lap 358 Modified DIRTcar series race and Canadian National Series combined event.

The first stop of the weekend was Mohawk International Raceway.  Mohawk is located in Hogansburg, New York, just across the border from Cornwall.  In his 10 lap qualifying heat, Billing started fifth, and advance to fourth, and once he returned to the pit area, he deliberated with his team as to what changes to make.  It was soon decided that the changes would be minimal, as they felt that as the track changed before feature time, the car would perform well with the current setup.  Billings, along with the other Mohawk Raceway competitors took to the track for driver autograph night at intermission, and returned to the pit area a few minutes later to prepare for the 25 lap feature event.  Starting from 16th, Billings had a long way to go to get up front, and a very short time to get there.  The entire 25 lap distance went green to checkered without incident, and Matt carved his way through the field to get a seventh place finish.

“The car was really good, but we could have used a caution late in the race to regroup and get in contact with the leaders”, says Billings.  “Overall it was a good run for us, and a good way to start the weekend.

The next day, Billings worked back in the shop preparing for Saturday night’s events at their hometown Brockville Speedway.  Billings charged from his fifth place starting spot, and raced his way to second.  In the 30 lap main event, Billings started from 11th, and by lap ten he had worked his way up to eighth.  As the race approached halfway, Billings was caught up in an accident in turn three and four, sending him to the pits for repairs.  He would rejoin the field for the restart, and would battle his way back to ninth before the checkered flag.

Sunday at Cornwall was the first round of the 358 Modified Series and a combined event with the Canadian National series.  Billings took to the track for opening practice and was fifth quick in his group.  In time trials, Billings struggled to find the speed that he was looking for, and would have to start his heat race from eighth place, but battled back to secure the final starting spot by finishing fifth.  In the 100 lap main event, Billings would roll off the starting grid from the 17th position, and found his way into the top ten by lap 20.  As the race progressed, Billing found the fast lane around the tight quarter-mile track, using the inside of the track to his advantage.  After falling back to 12th Billings moved through the field in the second half of the race to finish seventh.

“It was a good run for us tonight, we were able to battle our way into the top ten”, says Billings after the race.  “It was some good hard racing out there most of the race, and that is a lot of fun”.

This coming week, Billings will be back at Mohawk International Raceway for the first round of the Frenchie’s “Chevy Runs Deep” 358 Modified Series.  It will be a 50 lap main event.  On Saturday night, they will return to the Brockville Ontario Speedway.

Billings Motorsports would like to thank all of their marketing partners for their support for the upcoming season.  Billings Automotive, Pastime Motors, Stealth Racewear, Snap On Tools, Integra Shocks, Enders Racing Engines, Finish Line Web Design and Babe Design are an integral part of the team’s success, and we thank you all for your support as we approach the 2012 season.

For more information on Matt Billings and the Billings Racing Team, please visit our website, www.mattbillings74.com.

Matt Billings Gets Top Five Finishes at Mohawk Raceway and Brockville Speedway Season Openers; Busy Victoria Day Weekend Coming Up

After a couple weeks getting up to speed at Merrittville Speedway, Matt Billings was happy to return to his home tracks for their 2012 season openers this weekend.  He learned a lot at Merrittville, getting valuable experience, but nothing is better then racing closer to home.

First up was the first trip of the season to Mohawk International Raceway in Hogansburg, New York.  Billings finished second in his qualifying heat, and made some minor adjustments to the car to keep up with the track conditions before the 40 lap feature.  Lining up on the outside of the fourth row in 8^th, Billings was confident that he had a fast car.  He patiently bided his time in the first half of the race, saving his tires for a strong finish.  As the race approached halfway, Billings was coming on strong, now back up to seventh after falling as low as tenth early.  By lap 26 he was in the top five, and continued to be one of the fastest cars on the track as they approached lap 30.  With a caution on lap 36 and Billings now up to third, a great battle was in the works.  He had a great restart, getting past the second place car, and almost took the lead before settling into second, glued to the back bumper of the race leader.  On the final corner of the final lap, Billings was about to make a move, but the race leader suddenly lost power right in front of him, slowing him up.  Billings ended up with a fifth place finish on a night that could have been a win.

“I really thought we had this one.  We had a good restart there, and almost made the pass.  We settled in to second, and was hoping to get a good run on Billy (Dunn) coming off turn four, but it wasn’t meant to be”.

The highly anticipated season opener at Brockville Speedway was Saturday night, and Billings was eager to get back on track in front of his hometown fans.  After an uneventful third place finish in his qualifier, Billings started the 30 lap feature from seventh place, and patiently worked his way forward.  By lap six, he was into the top five and moved up one more spot to fourth before halfway.  Billings would go on to finish the race in fourth.

“It was a good start to the season here at Brockville”, says Billings.  “I am happy with how the car performed this weekend, and I am confident that we can build on this and be even better in the coming weeks”.

It will be a busy Victoria Day Weekend for the Billings Motorsports team as they hit Mohawk Raceway and Brockville Speedway on Friday night and Saturday.  Sunday they will be at Cornwall Speedway for their 2012 opener with 100 lap Mr. DIRTcar 358 Modified Series race.  On Monday the team will travel to Merrittville Speedway in Thorold, Ontario for another Mr. DIRTcar 358 Modified tour event.

Billings Motorsports would like to thank all of their marketing partners for their support for the upcoming season.  Billings Automotive, Pastime Motors, Stealth Racewear, Snap On Tools, Integra Shocks, Enders Racing Engines, Finish Line Web Design and Babe Design are an integral part of the team’s success, and we thank you all for your support as we approach the 2012 season.

For more information on Matt Billings and the Billings Racing Team, please visit our website, www.mattbillings74.com.

Matt Billings Continues Pursuit of Merrittville Success; Ready For Home Track Openers This Coming Weekend at Mohawk Raceway and Brockville

For the second week in a row, Matt Billings and the Billings Motorsports team made the trip to Merrittville Speedway.  While the success isn’t there instantly, the team was more interested in learning, and getting valuable track time at one of the most challenging stops on the DIRTcar 358 Modified tour.

With a front row starting spot in his qualifying heat, Billings was hoping to have a good run in the eight lap race, and set the tone for the rest of the evening.  The car was just too tight, and by the end of the race, he had slid back to sixth.  After making several changes to the car before the 35 lap main event, the team was optimistic that they would be able to improve on their 18^th place finish from the previous week.  Billings rolled of the starting grid from 18^th, and hovered around that spot for most of the race.  At lap 24 he had advanced to 16^th and that is where he finished.

“This is a tough track, and we knew that going into this”, explains Billings.  “I am very happy that we came here the last two weeks, as we think that it will put us in a much better position when we come back here in a couple weeks for the series race.  I am looking forward to coming back and see where we stack up against the rest of the tour guys”.

After driving all night and getting back to Brockville in the early hours of Sunday morning, Billings was eager to get back into the car and run some laps at his home track, Brockville Speedway in preparation for their season opening night this coming weekend.

Mohawk Raceway also opens this coming weekend, and Billings will be a mainstay at that track as well through the 2012 season, in addition to Brockville on Saturday nights.  He will also follow the Mr. DIRTcar 358 Modified tour that begins at Cornwall Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 20th and Merrittville Speedway on Monday, May 21^st.

Billings Motorsports would like to thank all of their marketing partners for their support for the upcoming season.  Billings Automotive, Pastime Motors, Stealth Racewear, Snap On Tools, Integra Shocks, Enders Racing Engines, Finish Line Web Design and Babe Design are an integral part of the team’s success, and we thank you all for your support as we approach the 2012 season.

For more information on Matt Billings and the Billings Racing Team, please visit our website, www.mattbillings74.com.