March 8, 2024

NINE RACES IN 2024 AT NORTHPOINT INTERNATIONAL

Dirt track racing returns again in 2024 for one of the region’s oldest race tracks at Northport, Wash.

Promoter Cory Bell has released a schedule that includes nine points races plus a Father’s Day weekend mud bog.

The track, located across the Columbia River bridge on the way to Canada off State Route 25, is situated in a picturesque natural bowl. It opened in 1953 and has operated for all but a few seasons since.

If some old-fashioned dirt track competition is your game, then Northport’s 3/8’s mile clay surface is a nearby place to soak it up with racing in Modifieds, Street Stocks, Fever 4 and Hornets according to Racingin. com. NIR also runs go kart classes.

Bell said he anticipates at least two 2023 champions to return to attempt to defend their titles. And it ought to be interesting considering the family ties involved.

“I’m thinking Dan Watkins’ boy Daniel is going to take it from him in the modified class,” Bell wrote in Facebook Messenger, adding that “Richard Davies will try to take the street stock title from his brother Gordon.”

While hotel accommodations are limited in the vicinity of the track there is camping onsite with no hook ups. Racingin.com says Upper Columbia RV Park & Campground is another option.

NORTHPORT 2024 SCHEDULE:
April 20 - Work day
May 4 - Opening day
May 18 - Regular racing
June 15 - Mud bogs
June 16 - Regular racing
July 9 - Regular racing
Sept. 7 - Regular racing
Sept. 8 - Regular racing
Sept. 21 - Regular racingOct. 5 - Regular racing
Oct. 19 - Season championships
Racing starts at noon
More information can be found on Facebook

APPLE CUP OPENS NWSLM SEASON APRIL 7

Spokane, WA – As the Northwest Super Late Model Series presented by RaceCals approaches its season opening event on April 7th, we remember the former winners of the prestigious “Apple Cup”.

Tri-City Raceway at RMEC will host the $10,000-to-win 55th annual event for the third consecutive season. This after Yakima Speedway had hosted the previous 52 editions.

The all-time winningest driver of the historic event is Don Dowdy.

Dowdy was a seven-time winner of the “Apple Cup” at Yakima. He was the winner of four straight from 1974 to 1977. He then went on a three-race win streak from 1979 to 1981, making it seven wins in eight events. Dowdy was a multi-time track champion at the now defunct ½-mile and was known as the “Greatest Yakima Speedway Driver of All-Time”.

He began his racing career in 1961, just five years after the track was opened. He was also a multi-time NASCAR Northwest champion.

The annual “Apple Cup” will open the 2024 10-race campaign for the NWSLMs.