Billings Has Top Ten Finish at Super DIRT Week XL

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Billings Has Top Ten Finish at Super DIRT Week XL; Brockville Speedway Season Finale Coming up Next

Craig Revelle – Finish Line Web Design

October 12, 2011



One of the most anticipated weeks of racing has now come and gone with the passing of Super DIRT Week XL, and for the second year in a row in the 358 Modified division, Matt Billings has met his goal of achieving a top ten finish at the biggest event of the season.



Billings arrived at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, New York on Tuesday and was one of the first 358 Modifieds to go through the rigorous technical inspection process that all cars competing during the week must go through. After clearing tech, Billings had hoped their first on track practice session would come on Wednesday, but it was soon announced that due to wet track conditions, all practice set for Wednesday had been canceled.



On Thursday, Billings was eager to get on track to display his new Super DIRT Week colors, and to see how fast his car was, but problems soon arose and Billings was not as fast on the practice sheets that he had hoped to be. The problems continued throughout the day on Thursday giving them a slow speed during time trials, but by the time pit area closed, the team was confident that they had it resolved.



Friday was a new day for Billings, and after a solid practice run, Billings was in the top ten, confirming that the problems from Thursday were now behind them. For the first time ever, the 20 lap qualifying heat races were run under the lights at the fairgrounds, and as a result of Thursday poor qualifying time, Billings was relegated to a starting position deep in the pack, and he would have to race his way into the show. Billings finished his heat race from 15th place, securing the final transfer spot into Saturday’s Nationwide 150 main event.



On Saturday, Billings started the race from back in 33rd position. Billings showed patience early, and with a strong car, and good pit strategy, he was up into the top six by lap 70. Soon after, Billings made his pit stop, dropping him to 20th place, but methodically, he worked his way forward, and by the 100 lap mark, he was up to 16th. In the final 50 laps of the race, Billings was able to move up to ninth place before the checkered flag, just narrowly missing the Hard Charger of the Race Award.



“It was a really good day for us. I love running here at the mile”, says Billings after the race. “Our goal was to come out here and improve on our (10th place) finish from last year, and we were able to do that”.



This coming weekend, Billings will end his 2011 racing season back home at the Brockville Ontario Speedway. He will race with the 358 Modifieds on Saturday afternoon, and if all goes well, he will race Sunday against the Big Blocks.



Matt Billings is a proud supporter of the Heart and Stroke Foundation, taking part in a fundraiser earlier this year. He also participated in a fundraiser for Alzheimer’s Society of Canada. For more information on the Heart and Stroke Foundation, please visit www.heartandstroke.ca or for the Alzheimer’s Society, please visit www.alzheimer.ca.



Billings Motorsports would like to thank all of their sponsors for their continued support. Billings Automotive, Carquest, Stealth Racewear, Pastime Motors, Hansler Smith Limited, Enders Racing Engines, Brockville Physiotherapy, Babe Design, Finish Line Web Design, and Enders Racing are an integral part of the team’s success, and we thank you all for your support this season.



Stop by the Billings Motorsports trailer at the track and pick up your Billings Motorsports t-shirts and hoodies. T-shirts are being sold for $20 and hoodies are on sale for $35.



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