S2E40: 56th Running of the Apple Cup Preview

As spring settles into the Tri-Cities, engines are roaring back to life at the Tri-City Raceway at the Red Mountain Event Center, where one of the Northwest’s most storied racing traditions — the Apple Cup — returns for its 56th running this weekend.

Once hosted at the legendary Yakima Speedway, the Apple Cup found a new home in West Richland after Yakima’s closure, and local racing fans couldn’t be happier. Promoter Greg Walden joined the Sports Council to share why this event remains a West Coast staple.

“This event originated at Yakima Speedway in 1967 and has run 56 consecutive times except for the COVID years,” Walden explained. “When Yakima shut down, it was only natural to bring the Apple Cup here — and now it’s one of the biggest races on the West Coast.”

Top Talent and Packed Fields

This year’s lineup promises fierce competition, with the Super Late Model class — the crown jewel of the weekend — drawing 29 entries so far, the largest car count in the region. Alongside the Super Late Models, fans can expect tight racing across multiple divisions:

• Mini Stocks: Entry-level four-cylinder cars built for close, exciting battles.

• Northwest Vintage Modifieds: Modern chassis with nostalgic bodies — pure old-school charm.

• Hobby Stocks: A crowd favorite featuring Camaros and other street-style racers with plenty of personality.

• Pro Late Models: Lightweight, purpose-built race cars known for high speeds and close finishes.

• Super Late Models: The pinnacle class, featuring high-powered machines and the region’s top drivers.

“These divisions guarantee fans a full weekend of action,” Walden said. “We run a tight two- to three-hour program each day — but with live racing, expect the unexpected!”

Spotlight on Rising Stars

The Sports Council also caught up with two young drivers looking to make their mark at this year’s Apple Cup.

Evan Goetz, a 17-year-old phenom from Okanogan, is already no stranger to Victory Lane at Tri-City Raceway, having claimed the Fall Classic and a major $225,000 win in Wenatchee last season.

“Tri-City is one of my favorite tracks,” Goetz shared. “It feels like you’re going to wreck every corner — you have to trust your car and drive it hard. It’s rough, abrasive, and a true driver’s track.”

This weekend, Getz will pilot a rebuilt Pro Late Model, owned by his crew chief and close friend. The car’s dramatic comeback story — flipped and burned, then rebuilt in two weeks — only adds to the drama.

Another local standout is Gabe Sessler, a Prosser native now based in Snohomish. Sessler is entering his second Apple Cup with a brand-new Super Late Model purchased from California — and high hopes to contend.

“The Apple Cup has prestige,” Sessler said. “If you win it, your name goes on the back of the sweatshirts. People remember. And with $10,000 on the line, you know everyone’s bringing their best.”

Sessler credits his sponsor, DeBella Exteriors, and a tight-knit crew — including his girlfriend Haley, who will run her new Pro Late Model this weekend too — for making his racing dreams possible.

A Community Effort

Behind the scenes, Walden says it’s an army of volunteers, local families, and die-hard race fans who keep the Tri-City Raceway thriving.

“People like Jesse Brown, Orie Mark, Big Mike, and the Pointer family — they stop by every day to keep improving the track. It takes a village to keep racing alive here.”

If You Go:

• 📅 When: Gates open at 11:00 AM both Saturday and Sunday; racing starts at 1:00 PM sharp.

• 📍 Where: Tri-City Raceway at the Red Mountain Event Center, West Richland, WA

• 🎟️ Tickets & Info: TriCityRaceway.com

Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the track, the Apple Cup promises raw speed, local stories, and the best grassroots racing the West Coast has to offer.

Catch more local sports stories every week on The Sports Council — Thursdays at 11:30 AM on 1340 ESPN Tri-Cities or on-demand wherever you get your podcasts.