WEST RICHLAND — The 56th running of the Apple Cup, April 6 at Tri City Raceway will certainly crown a new champion, if not possibly a past winner.
BJ Tidrick of Kennewick was the lone entry in the $10,000 to win super late model race in the past and that has come twice in 2005 and 2008 at its former home, Yakima Speedway. Tidrick’s father, Brad is a two-time Apple Cup winner in 1987 and 1988. And BJ is also a two-time, back-to-back Montana 200 champ in 2021 and 2022.
Other drivers in the field, however, are those who have won a leg of the Pacific Northwest’s premiere races such as the Fall Classic, Montana 200 and Idaho 200.
Haeden Plybon from Spokane captured the Idaho 200 in 2022 while Kasey Kleyn is the defending Fall Classic champ at Tri City. Lynnwood’s Naima Lang is a three-time Fall Classic champ in 2011 2012 and 2022 at Yakima.
Defending champion, Garrett Evans, will not be in this field, nor at this time other late model racing as he plans to drive regionally in a modified in 2025.
Tidrick was recently interviewed about his experiences at the half-mile tri-oval and offered thoughts on a variety of subjects.
He likes what he termed the “The lack of symmetry,” Tidrick said. “The car tends to slide from entry of turn one, to exit of turn two. There’s little balance,” he added.
On the flip side for Tidrick, the scariest place on track, there are two.
“The tire shed, it’s a horrific sight paying that tire bill,” Tidrick joked. “And two, coming off turn two down back stretch when the sun is setting. It’s like driving a drag car in a blizzard. You can’t see s**t, and you’re just hoping your spotter isn’t on snooze mode.”
In addition to the featured class for the opening of the 2025 NW Super Late Model Series, the Apple Cup will have a variety of support classes such as Vintage Modifieds and Hobby Stocks.
56th Apple Cup is April 4-6 at Tri City Raceway 2025 Apple Cup Schedule!
Friday (Open Practice)
Practice: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Break: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
(Open for public to watch)
Saturday - Race Day 1
Qualifying: 11:00 AM
Racing Begins: 1:00 PM
Sunday - Race Day 2
Qualifying: 11:00 AM
Racing Begins: 1:00 PM