Tag Archives: Berlin

Ty Majeski captures first Money in the Bank win Wednesday at Berlin

Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Kent County, Local Sports, Sports, Upcoming Events, West Michigan, , ,
Berlin’s Money in the Bank race took place Wednesday. (WKTV/Greg Chrapek)


Greg Chrapek — Retired sportswriter who began writing about West Michigan high school sports back in 1988. Retired from the Advance Newspapers/MLive in 2019. Also contributed to various publications during his career including The Hoop Scoop, Spartanmagazine.com and High School Sports Scene Magazine.

By Greg Chrapek
WKTV Contributor
greer@wktv.org


Ty Majeski has won plenty of big Late Model races during his career, but coming away with a big win at Berlin Raceway was something that has eluded the 2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion.


That was until Wednesday evening, when Majeski not only outlasted a field that included a pair of NASCAR stars in Carson Hocevar and Erik Jones, but some severe storms that rolled through the area, to take the checkered flag in the 10th annual running of the Money in the Bank race.

Majeski, from Seymour, Wisconsin, was making his fifth start at Berlin. Last year he placed fourth at the Tekton 250 Battle of Berlin, which was his highest finish ever at the track. This time, however, Majeski made it first to the finish line as he not only outlasted Hocevar and Jones, but also some of the top Berlin regulars.


One of those Berlin standouts was Wyoming’s Brian Campbell, a two-time Money in the Bank champion, who took second place. Wayland’s Dylan Stovall, who came into the race atop the leaderboard in the Late Model division at Berlin, placed third. The finish was the fifth Top 10 by Stovall this year as he has finished in the Top 10 in all five of the feature races he has competed in this season.


Veteran Wyoming driver Brian Campbell finished in second place in Wednesday’s Money in the Bank race. (WKTV/Greg Chrapek)



Max Reaves took fourth place, while Chase Pinsonneault placed fifth. Evan Shotko, of Coopersville, took seventh and Belmont’s Austin Hull, last year’s Money in the Bank champion, came in eighth. Hocevar, a three-time winner of the race, finished 23rd, while Jones came in two spots ahead of Hocevar at 21st.


Coopersville’s Evan Shotko placed seventh in Berlin’s Money in the Bank race Wednesday. (WKTV/Greg Chrapek)


More racing action is on tap later this week at Berlin; the Michigan Modified Series, Limited Late Models, 4-Cylinders and VROA.

A look at the Limited Late Models standings shows Josh Frye, of Coopersville, at the top of the leaderboard. Holland’s Nick DeLongpre is in second place with Tyler Rycenga, of Allendale, Mike Root and Billy Eppink, Grand Rapids, rounding out the Top 5. Byron Center’s Eric Bupp is in the 11th spot, while Tyler Davis, of Wyoming, 13th, in the Limited Late Model Division.

In the 4-Cylinders division, White Cloud’s Dennis Holtzlander III is atop the leaderboard. Luke Bouma, of Hudsonville, is in second place, followed by Marne’s Matt McCarthy, Ravenna’s Justin Roelofs and Tyler Westveld, Marne, rounding out the Top 5. Coopersville’s Hunter Wiersma is in sixth, while Nicolas Scholl, of Caledonia, seventh.

In the VROA division, Lowell’s Brady Musser is at the top of the leaderboard with Dave Sensiba, Middleville, second. James Bond is in third place, followed by Wayland’s Jeremy Cutler, fourth and Wayland’s Dave Cutler rounding out the Top 5.   

Michigander Night

This Saturday also will be Michigander Night at Berlin Raceway. Michigander Night Specials (while supplies last) include Founders, Bell’s, Coopersville Brewing Company and Harmony Brewing Company draft beer on special. Peppinos Detroit style deep dish slices will be special at the North Concessions. On the concourse you can enter to win two tickets to see Bring Me The Horizon at Van Andel Arena. Live music after the race will be provided by Sounds Familiar.

Gates open at 4 p.m. Saturday with racing starting at 6:30.

NASCAR stars Carson Hocevar, Erik Jones headline Money in the Bank race at Berlin Raceway 

Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Kent County, Local Sports, Sports, West Michigan, , ,
Veteran Wyoming driver Brian Campbell is looking to win the Money in the Bank race for a third time on Wednesday. (WKTV/Greg Chrapek)

Greg Chrapek — Retired sportswriter who began writing about West Michigan high school sports back in 1988. Retired from the Advance/MLive in 2019. Also contributed to various publications during his career including The Hoop Scoop, Spartanmagazine.com and High School Sports Scene Magazine.

By Greg Chrapek
Wyoming-Kentwood News Today Contributor
greer@wktv.org


On Sunday, NASCAR stars Carson Hocevar and Erik Jones battled it out in the FireKeepers Casino 400 in front of a sold-out crowd at Michigan International Speedway. This Wednesday, the Michigan natives will bring their talents to Berlin Raceway as they headline the Money in the Bank race.

One of the highlights of the yearly schedule at Berlin Raceway, the Money in the Bank race, is a 150-lap National Super Late Model race with an $80,000 purse, including $15,000 to the winner.

Hocevar, a native of Portage, and Jones, a Byron native, come into the second stage of their Michigan week riding plenty of momentum. Jones finished second at the FireKeepers Casino 400 on Sunday, while Hocevar finished close behind in fifth place. Low tire pressure at the end of Sunday’s race prevented Hocevar from possibly an even loftier finish.

Hocevar is no stranger to either Berlin or the Money in the Bank race. The 23-year old is a Berlin veteran who began his racing career there at age 12 when he won the Outlaw Late Model Division in 2015. Two years later as a 14-year old, Hocevar won the track championship at Berlin in the Super Late Model Division.

Hocevar is the defending Money in the Bank champion having won the race for the third time in his young career last June.

 This year’s Money in the Bank race is the 10th. Last year’s win by Hocevar broke a three-way tie for the most wins in the race as Brian Campbell of Wyoming and Bubba Pollard also came in with two wins each in the history of the race.


NASCAR star and former Berlin track champion Carson Hocevar is looking to win the Money in the Bank race for a fourth time. (WKTV/Greg Chrapek)


Hocevar edged Andrew Scheid by 2.392 seconds to win last year’s race with Brian Campbell placing third, Erik Jones finishing fourth and Tyler Rycenga, fifth.

Jones, from Byron, southwest of Flint, won the Money in the Bank 150 in 2023.

This year’s field also includes Ty Majeski who was the 2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion. Majeski, a Seymour, Wisconsin native, is one of the top Late Model racers in the country.

Other big names in the field include Pollard and Campbell, who are both looking for their third Money in the Bank checkered flag, Austin Hull of Belmont and Terry Senneker of Wayland.

The field includes the top Late Model drivers at Berlin so far this season, including Dylan Stoval, Wayland, who is atop this year’s leaderboard. Stovall has finished in the Top 10 in all four feature races he has competed in this season. Senneker is second in this year’s standings, while Sparta’s Andrew Scheid, third; Campbell, fourth and Hull, fifth. 


Coopersville’s Evan Shotko takes in some practice laps in preparation for the Money in the Bank race Wednesday. (WKTV/Greg Chrapek)


Hull is one to watch as he bested a field that included Hocevar, Jones, Pollard and Majeski to win the Tekton 250 Battle at Berlin last August. Hull also won the 2025 Super Late Model season track championship at Berlin.

Also slated to run are Keith Herp (Alto) who’s sixth in points; Scott Thomas, Holland, seventh; Boris Jurkovic, eighth; Rockford’s Ken Wobma, 10th; Justin Thomas, Middleville, 11th; Buddy Head, Middleville, 12th; Lawton’s Chris Shannon, 13th; Evan Shotko, Coopersville, 15th; Blake Rowe, 16th and Tyler Lupton, 18th.  




Ricky LaDuke takes checkered flag in feature race last Saturday at Berlin

Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Kent County, Local Sports, Sports, West Michigan, , , , ,
Ryan Newman gets ready to head out for some practice at Berlin Raceway. (Photo: WKTV/Greg Chrapek)


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.


Brian Bergakker of Middleville raced his No. 12 car to second place. (Photo: WKTV/Greg Chrapek)



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 Newman looks on as his daughter Brooklyn Newman prepares to head out on to the track for some practice laps. (Photo: WKTV/Greg Chrapek)


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.  

NASCAR legend Ryan Newman to headline at Berlin Raceway Saturday; races daughter for first time

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Ryan Newman and his daughter Brooklyn are competing in the same race during action at Berlin Raceway Saturday.
(WKTV/Greg Chrapek)


By Greg Chrapek
WKTV Contributor
greer@wktv.org


Ryan Newman, one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers, will headline what is shaping up to be a great evening of racing this Saturday at Berlin Raceway.

Newman was one of NASCAR’s brightest stars during the 2000s and 2010s. Along with winning 18 Cup Series races during his career, Newman won the 2008 Daytona 500 and the 2013 Brickyard 400. During the 2003 season, Newman won a total of eight races. He was a regular at the front of the field during his NASCAR career as he posted 117 top-five finishes during his NASCAR Cup Series career. 

Newman may actually face his toughest challenge yet as a race car driver going against his 15-year old daughter, Brooklyn Newman, who is a promising upcoming race car driver of her own.


Newman and daughter compete for first time
It also will be the first time that father and daughter have competed against each other in a sanctioned race.


NASCAR legend Ryan Newman to headline at Berlin Raceway Saturday.
(WKTV/Greg Chrapek)


“I’m excited,” Brooklyn said. “It’s not something that most people get to do.”

Brooklyn is a rising racing talent who is developing her skills as a race car driver by competing in several classes of racing. Brookly competes in Outlaw Dirt, Intermediate, Winged Micro and 602 Modified classes.  

Ryan, who actively coaches and teaches Brooklyn in the skills of racing, is looking forward to competing against his daughter this weekend.

“This is not like going to the local bowling alley to compete against your dad,” Ryan said. “This is a lot different in many ways. I want to thank the people at Berlin. Jeff Striegle and his staff, to give us the opportunity to come out here and do this and hopefully we put on a great show for the fans.”

Engine replacement Friday night

Ryan Newman and his team will be putting in some overtime getting prepared for the race as their engine suffered a malfunction during practice Friday that will require putting in a new engine Friday night.

“We had some problems with our car so we are going to have to work on changing the motor overnight,” Ryan said, “but we look forward to coming back Saturday night and have a lot of fun.” 

Racing begins at 4 p.m. Saturday
National Compacts get the green flag first with three head races followed by the first Limited Late Model feature race. Next up will be the Mini Wedge feature. After the t-shirt toss, the National Compacts feature race will take place. A Modified B feature may take place after the National Compacts. The second Limited Late Model feature is next, and then the action wraps with the main race of the evening, the 50 lap Modified A feature.

Gates open at 2 p.m. Saturday with practice beginning at the same time. This week’s program also is 49435 Neighbor Night. Marne residents only will be able to purchase $5 general admission tickets at the box office with a limit of two per ID. After the races, the band Thundering Heat performs. 

Green flag set to drop at Berlin Raceway Saturday; 75th season of racing

Citizen Journalism, Kent County, Local Sports, Sports, West Michigan, ,
Berlin Raceway Opening Day 2026. (Photo: Berlin Raceway: Used with Permission)



By Greg Chrapek
WKTV Contributor
greer@wktv.org


The green flag is poised to drop this weekend at Berlin Raceway in Marne as the 75th season of automobile racing is set to fire up Saturday afternoon.

Racing begins at 4 p.m. Saturday with all four classes of cars set to hit the pavement. Super Late Models, Limited Late Models, Sportsman and 4-Cylinders will all be racing on opening day in what looks to be another outstanding season of racing at the venerable race track.

“It’s a pretty robust schedule this year,” said veteran track announcer Matt McKenzie. “Opening day is called the Icebreaker and everybody races. All the divisions race and with some good weather in the forecast it will be a big night.”

Opening day will be the first of a six-month long schedule of great racing dates that take place weekly with the season set to conclude Sept. 12.

Saturday’s racing action kicks off a big spring of racing at Berlin Raceway. After this weekend’s Icebreaker, Cinco De Mayo will be celebrated on May 2 with Outlaw Late Models, Limited Late Models, Sportsman and 4-Cylinders taking to the track.    

May 16 is another racing date to circle on the calendar. That is when former NASCAR superstar Ryan Newman and his daughter, Brooklyn Newman, will be racing together in the Michigan Modified Series opener. Ryan Newman is an 18-time Cup Series winner and Daytona 500 champion who last raced at Berlin Raceway in August of 2023.  Brooklyn Newman, who is 15-years old, is already making a name for herself in the racing world as she competes in the Outlaw Dirt, Winged Micro and 602 Modified classes. The Michigan Modified Series will headline the May 16 event at the track that will also include Limited Late Models, The National Compact Series and the Good Humor Mini Wedges on what should be another big day of racing.

New Michigan Modified Series

The Michigan Modified Series is new this year. It is a multi-track championship series for Modified racers presented by both Berlin Raceway and the Owosso Speedway. The series joins together two iconic Michigan short tracks in an effort designed to elevate Modified racing across the region and will feature three events at Owosso Speedway and two events at Berlin Raceway. The second Michigan Modified race is slated for June 13 at Berlin Raceway.   

As summer settles in, the schedule at Berlin kicks into high gear. Among the highlights for this season are three nights of Outlaw Late Model racing.

“The Outlaw Late Models are the big cars at Berlin for the past 35 to 40 years,” McKenzie said. “They usually come here three times a year.”  

Big Highlights: Money in the Bank 150, Tekton 150 Battle

Two of the biggest highlights of every season at Berlin are the Money in the Bank 150 scheduled for June 10 and the Tekton 150 Battle at Berlin on August 12. The two biggest races are like the Daytona 500 on the Berlin calendar for the season and the races bring in some of the best drivers in the country, including the possibility of current NASCAR drivers showing up. Recently, drivers like Carson Hocevar and Erik Jones have showcased their talents at these races.    

Another highlight on the schedule this year is the Race for the Million that is scheduled for July 25. Berlin Raceway is one of four tracks across the country that are part of the Race for the Million in the Sprint Car Series when a driver who wins at all four tracks is in line for a million-dollar payday.

Cleetus McFarland Weekend Aug. 14-15

Another new event that is sure to generate tremendous enthusiasm is the Cleetus McFarland Weekend on August 14-15 that features the Michigan 100 on Aug. 14 and the Cleetus McFarland Weekend Burnout Rivals on Aug 15.

Cleetus McFarland is a You Tuber and professional stock car driver who has over 4.6 million subscribers.

“Cleetus McFarland is coming to Berlin and that is a big deal,” McKenzie said. “A lot of people are hyped up on him.”

On the track, many familiar names will be back racing this season including reigning track champion Austin Hull who races in the Late Model division, Brian Campbell, and Tim DeVos, who has the most wins of any driver at Berlin Raceway with over 200 career wins at Berlin. 

Kids 15-and-under free

Every night of racing at Berlin has a special theme and the track prides itself on the family friendly atmosphere where kids 15 and under are free for all race events. 

Gates open at 2 p.m. Saturday with the first green flag dropping at 4 p.m. Racing at Berlin begins at the earlier start time of 4 p.m. in the spring due to the cooler night-time temperatures. After Memorial Day racing starts at 6:30 p.m.

Better Desire opening day band

In addition to the racing, live music is offered at the end of racing every week. The band for opening night is Better Desire. Fans at the opening day racing also can enter to win two tickets to see Journey perform in concert at Van Andel Arena on June 14.

Tickets are available at the gate and online at berlinraceway.com.