By Greg Chrapek
WKTV Contributor
greer@wktv.org
The brand-new Michigan Modified Touring Series was the race of the evening last Saturday at Berlin Raceway and the race, featuring NASCAR legend Ryan Newman and his daughter Brooklyn, did not disappoint.
In the inaugural race of the new series, the drivers gave the crowd plenty to cheer about. While the Newmans were the big names in the race, it was Ricky LaDuke, a mainstay at Kalamazoo Speedway, who came away with the checkered flag.
Starting out of the four spot in the opening grid, LaDuke turned in a big effort to come away with the win in the 50-lap feature race. The race was pure action from beginning to end as all 50 laps were run under the green flag. LaDuke grabbed the lead around the halfway mark and managed to stay in front the rest of the way despite several cars in hot pursuit.
Brian Bergakker, a former modified champion at Berlin, returned to familiar surroundings and took second place after starting in the seven spot. Matt Dimit of Ft. Wayne, Ind., placed third followed by Nick Larabee of Hastings, fourth and Trevor Berry of Clio, fifth.
For Bergakker, going against a big-time NASCAR name was nothing new. What was different, however, was that Bergakker was on the same team, 4JTrucking of Grandville, as Ryan Newman.
“It’s an interesting thing,” said Bergakker, a Middleville native. “We’ve done this a few times in my career, raced against Cup guys, but to have them on the same team this time is a little different.”
Being able to go up against a big name on a familiar track close to home just added to the experience.
“I love racing here”
“I love coming to Berlin,” Bergakker said. “Every time we get a chance, I get excited about it. It’s close to home and I love racing here.”
Bergakker has had a solid start to the racing season. The Berlin race was his third of the season and he came into Saturday’s action with a win in his Outlaw car already under his belt.
Bergakker returns to Berlin a few more times this season, including a pair of races in his Outlaw car and two more races in the Modified division.
Ryan Newman, seventh, Brooklyn, 23rd
Ryan Newman finished the race in seventh place, while Brooklyn Newman finished in 23rd position in a race that had 28 drivers competing. Brooklyn was racing in the middle of the pack for much of the race before car problems forced her into the pits for the evening with 12 laps to go.
The race was the first time that father and daughter competed against each other on the race track.
Ryan also provided racing fans with another treat as he drove a car for 4JTrucking that featured a paint scheme that paid tribute to former NASCAR legend Greg Biffle who tragically passed away in an airplane crash this spring.
“It (the paint scheme) is really meaningful,” Ryan said. “Biffle was a great guy. His family was a great family and it was super unfortunate. What he was in the NASCAR world, and what he was and how he stood out, and the tragedies that happened with the hurricane made him a legend. To have the paint scheme and to have, especially in this area, because he was a pretty darn good driver at MIS (Michigan International Speedway), to have these guys put it together with the 16 car all kind of made sense.”
The appearance at Berlin was not new for Newman who competed in an SRX race at the track in 2023. Newman was happy about the opportunity to race against his daughter and give the Berlin fans a good show.
“Jeff Striegle and everybody here at Berlin has helped make all this happen,” Newman said. “I know he has the fans in mind so we wanted to put on a good show for them.”
In the Limited Late Model Feature 1 race, Billy Eppink, of Grand Rapids, took the checkered flag. Tyler Rycenga, Allendale, placed second. Lee VanDyk, who started in the pole position, finished third, while Tim Greene and Josh Frye rounded out the top five.
In the Limited Late Model Feature 2 race, Denny Anderson, Walker, crossed the finish line first. Anderson started in the second position. Scott Root, who started on the pole, came in second. Lee VanDyk took third place followed by Josh Frye and Tim Greene.
Winning the Mini Wedge feature races were Kash Tremble and Jayden Osborne. Matthew Elsey won the National Compact Touring Series race.
Saturday at Berlin:
Racing returns to Berlin this weekend with another exciting show on the docket. The Super Late Models, Limited Late Models, Sportsman and Dwarf Cars are all on the slate for Saturday. Racing starts at 6:30 p.m. as Berlin transitions to their normal summer start time.
