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 The Crown Jewel of West Coast Short Track RacingFor nearly six decades, the Apple Cup has stood as the crown jewel of West Coast short track racing — a race where reputations are built, legends are made, and the best drivers in the Pacific Northwest come to test themselves. From NASCAR Hall of Famer Hershel McGriff, to Daytona 500 champion Derrike Cope, to West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame inductee Garrett Evans, the Apple Cup has long served as a proving ground for some of the most accomplished drivers in the sport.  First held in 1967 at Yakima Speedway, the race quickly grew into one of the most prestigious events in Northwest racing. For decades, generations of drivers battled for the honor of hoisting the Apple Cup trophy and adding their name to one of the most storied winner’s lists in regional motorsports. When Yakima Speedway eventually closed its doors, the future of the Apple Cup was uncertain. Some races disappear when the track closes. The Apple Cup was too important to let that happen. In 2022, the tradition found new life when Tri-City Raceway reopened and carried the Apple Cup forward — ensuring the historic race would continue for a new generation of drivers and fans. Today, the tradition continues at Tri-City Raceway - the Nation’s Fastest ½-Mile Tri-Oval, where the 57th Running of the Apple Cup presented by Bonney’s TYM Tractors and Legends Casino will once again bring together the region’s top talent for one of the most anticipated racing weekends of the year.
57th Running of the Apple CupApril 11–12, 2026 | Tri-City Raceway The 57th Running of the Apple Cup returns to Tri-City Raceway on April 11–12, 2026, kicking off the Pacific Northwest racing season with two days of high-intensity competition. Fans will experience a star-studded weekend of racing, featuring premier touring divisions, rising stars of the sport, and fan-favorite local classes. With packed grandstands, intense battles on track, and nearly six decades of history behind it, the Apple Cup remains one of the most anticipated events in West Coast motorsports. APPLE CUP  Saturday – April 11, 2026Gates Open: 12:00 PM Racing Begins: 3:00 PM Saturday’s program features an exciting lineup headlined by the CARS Tour West Pro Late Models, including rising young star Keelan Harvick, as drivers from across the region battle on the fast tri-oval. Saturday Divisions Include: • CARS Tour West Pro Late Models • Hobby Stocks • SpeedTour Type Modifieds Sunday – April 12, 2026Gates Open: 10:00 AM Racing Begins: 1:00 PM Sunday’s main event brings the Northwest Super Late Model Series to Tri-City Raceway for the prestigious Apple Cup 125, where drivers will compete to add their name to one of the most historic winner’s lists in Northwest racing. Sunday Divisions Include: • Northwest Super Late Model Series • Northwest Vintage Modifieds • Mini Stocks fanfest is comingFans will have the chance to get closer to the action giving attendees the opportunity to meet drivers, see the race cars up close, collect autographs, and experience the excitement of race day before the green flag drops. Defending Apple Cup ChampionZach Riehl, the 2025 Apple Cup winner, returns looking to defend his title against a stacked field of competitors eager to claim victory in one of the most prestigious races in West Coast short track racing. Each year, drivers from across the Pacific Northwest arrive with the same goal — to add their name to the legendary Apple Cup winner’s list. Apple Cup Historical NotesThroughout its history, the Apple Cup has been won by some of the most accomplished drivers in Northwest racing. Don Dowdy holds the all-time record with seven Apple Cup victories, while Garrett Evans has captured six wins across multiple decades, further cementing his place among the race’s greatest competitors. NASCAR stars such as Hershel McGriff and Derrike Cope have also claimed Apple Cup victories, highlighting the event’s long-standing reputation as a proving ground for drivers who would go on to succeed at the highest levels of motorsports. Today, the Apple Cup continues that legacy - serving as a proving ground for the next generation of drivers hoping to join the legends who came before them. apple cup legends1967 — Gordy Haines
1968 — Jack Jeffery 1969 — Dick Bown 1970 — Gary Kershaw 1971 — Jack Jeffery 1972 — Rusty Gott 1973 — Hershel McGriff 1974 — Don Dowdy 1975 — Don Dowdy 1976 — Don Dowdy 1977 — Don Dowdy 1978 — Ron Eaton 1979 — Don Dowdy 1980 — Don Dowdy 1981 — Don Dowdy 1982 — Derrike Cope 1983 — Derrike Cope 1984 — Derrike Cope 1985 — Jerry Bowers 1986 — Mike Kelly 1987 — Brad Tidrick 1988 — Brad Tidrick 1989 — Roger Hall 1990 — Roger Hall 1991 — Steve Olsen 1992 — Bob Schweigert 1993 — Dan Obrist 1994 — Bob Schweigert 1995 — Bob Schweigert 1996 — Jeff Bird 1997 — Garrett Evans 1998 — Pete Harding 1999 — Pete Harding 2000 — Garrett Evans 2001 — Garrett Evans 2002 — Jeff Jefferson 2003 — Jason Jefferson 2004 — Shane Mitchell 2005 — B.J. Tidrick 2006 — Travis Bennett 2007 — Travis Bennett 2008 — B.J. Tidrick 2009 — Jason Fraser 2010 — Mike Longton 2011 — Pete Harding 2012 — Owen Riddle 2013 — Owen Riddle 2014 — Pete Harding 2015 — Shelby Thompson 2016 — Garrett Evans 2017 — Owen Riddle 2018 — No Contest 2019 — Garrett Evans 2020 — No Contest 2021 — No Contest 2022 — Preston Peltier 2023 — Kyle Tellstrom 2024 — Garrett Evans 2025 — Zach Riehl
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AuthorLaci Tolar Archives
March 2026
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