Entering the final week of
2012 regular season last week, Matt Billings was in a position to put him self
amongst the top five in points at both weekly tracks that he races at. With an outstanding field of cars in the 358
Modified division each week at both Mohawk Raceway and Brockville Speedway,
finishing amongst the top five is no easy task, but Billings and his team were
up to the challenge.
The Labor Day weekend events
kicked off a day early at Mohawk Raceway, as they raced on Thursday night
instead of their usual Friday night date.
It was a big night with plenty on the line as the 2012 overall track
championship would be decided as would the 2012 Frenchie’s “Chevy Runs Deep”
358 Modified Series. While the track
championship was out of reach as long as the point leaders finished the race,
the Frenchie’s Series was very much up for grabs as Matt entered the night tied
for the lead. After a second place
finish in his qualifying heat, he started in the eighth position for the 50 lap
main event. Over the opening laps, he
patiently bided his time, and as the race hit the 20 lap mark, he was up to
fourth place and maintained that spot for most of the final laps.
Brockville Speedway was up
next on Saturday night for their final regular season race of the season. With two wins at Brockville already this
season, Billings would be looking for another as he tries to move back into the
all important Brockville Speedway Top Five.
After an uneventful fourth place finish in his heat race, Matt returned
to the pit area for some adjustments before returning to the track for the 30
lap main event. Matt lined up on the
outside of row five to start the race and just 10 laps later he had made his
way into the top five. As the final
laps counted down, Billings moved up even more, and crossed the finish line
with a solid third place result and placing him into the top five overall after
the final points had been calculated.
Billings is the only driver from the top five in points in 2011 to
return to the top five in 2012.
“We have had a good season,
but there is always room for improvement”, says Billings. “We set our goals at the starting of the
season wanting to win the championship here, and we came up a little
short. I really have to thank the crew
for all their work, and all the sponsors and race fans that have supported is,
it really means a lot”.
The final race on the busy
Labor Day Weekend schedule was at Cornwall Speedway for their 125 lap Mr.
DIRTcar Series/Canadian Nationals Series event. The unique format would see 75 laps, followed by a 10 minute break
as teams were able to work on their car on the track in front of the
grandstands. Billings started the night
well, setting the fastest time in his time trial group, earning a front row
starting spot for his heat race.
Billings would go on to win his heat, earning a spot in the redraw for a
top 12 starting spot. Prior to the main
event, Billings would draw for his starting position, and would also be part of
the perfect attendance draw for the three race Canadian Nationals Series. As luck would have it, Billings drew
starting spot number one, and also won a set of Hoosier tires in the Canadian
Nationals draw. After the initial
restart, Matt got in line in second place, but after ten laps he made a pass
for the lead and held the top spot through lap 25. By the time the planned caution came out at lap 75, Billings had
began to struggle, and had slid back to eighth place. After making some changes, Billings resumed the race, but the car
continued to struggle and he would finish with a disappointing 10th
place run.
The next race on the
schedule for Billings will be this coming Friday night at Autodrome Granby for
the next round of the Mr. DIRTcar 358 Modified Series. From there, Billings will race at Mohawk
Raceway on Saturday, September 15th, Brighton Speedway and Brighton
Speedway on September 22nd before switching gears to focus on their
Super DIRT Week plans.
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.
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