Tag Archives: Car Racing

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.  

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. 

Wyoming’s Brian Campbell looks for third consecutive track title at Berlin Raceway 

1-featured, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Kent County, Local Sports, Sports, Upcoming Events, West Michigan, ,
Wyoming Super Late Model driver Brian Campbell at Berlin Raceway. (WKTV Photo by Greg Chrapek)


By Greg Chrapek
WKTV Contributor
greer@wktv.org


The weather has been hot and the laps have been even hotter this summer in the Super Late Model division at Berlin Raceway, where Wyoming’s Brian Campbell is looking to win a third consecutive track championship this season.

A 25-year racing veteran at Berlin, Campbell is part of a large group of drivers who are in hot pursuit of the Super Late Model title at Berlin. Heading into this weekend’s race, Campbell is in second place, 41 points behind leader Austin Hull of Belmont, who’s in first place with 948 points.

“It’s been closer this year than it has been in the past,” Campbell said. “There are a lot of good drivers this year like Austin Hull, Terry Senneker and Tyler Rycenga.”

Campbell, who’s closing in on 100 career wins, has experienced some highs and lows in what has been a competitive first half of the season at Berlin.

“I’ve had my ups and downs this year,” Campbell said. “I’ve led the points, been second in points, been third in points. It’s been a rollercoaster of a season.”

Terry Senneker of Wayland is third in points, 12 behind Campbell in third place with 895. Tyler Lupton of Clarkston is fourth with 888, Joe Bush of Hastings, fifth at 837, Andrew Scheid of Sparta, sixth with 834, Dylan Stovall of Wayland, seventh at 820, Tyler Rycenga of Allendale, eighth with 772, Evan Szotko of Coopersville, ninth at 743 and Ken Wobma of Rockford rounds out the Top 10 in the Super Late Model Division with 639 points.

Christmas in July

This week three of the main divisions will be racing at Berlin Raceway’s Christmas in July event. Along with the Super Late Models, the Sportsman and 4-cylinders will be taking to the track along with a VROA race.

In the 4-cylinder division, Justin Roelofs of Ravenna is in first place with 1,220 points. Chase Roelofs of Allendale is in second place with 1,107 points, while Hunter Wiersma of Coopersville, third at 1,094 points in what is another competitive division. Dave Avink is in fourth place with 940 points, while Blake Huitema of Grandville, at 934 points and rookie Tyler Westveld of Marne, sixth with 895 points.

In the Sportsman division, Josh Frye of Coopersville is in first place with 946 points, followed by Ryan Holtzlander of Muskegon, 901 points, Brian Thome of Kent City, 886, Kevin Ford of Coopersville, 881 and Korey Ensing of Hudsonville, 864 in fifth place. Brian Tillema of Hastings is sixth with 861 points, Tom Thomas of Grandville, seventh, 793 points, Scott Baker of Grand Rapids, eighth at 778, Corey Holtzlander of Grant, ninth, 761 and Allen Davis of Wyoming rounds out the Top 10 with 702 points.

Campbell is looking to make up some ground on Hull in the Super Late Model race. Racing is a family affair for Campbell, whose father Fred began his racing career at Berlin in 1975.



Far right, Wyoming Super Late Model driver Brian Campbell and crew inspect his car at Berlin Raceway. (WKTV Photo by Greg Chrapek)


All in the Family

“My dad got me into it,” Campbell said. “My dad started in 1975 so I grew up here and in surrounding race tracks in the Midwest with my dad. I graduated college and started racing when I was 21. I helped my dad and followed my dad around and worked with him all the way through grade school, high school and college, and finally got a race car when I was 21.”

Campbell is a veteran in the Super Late Model division and other than his rookie season that’s the only division he has raced in during his career.



Super Late Model driver Brian Campbell’s car. (WKTV Photo by Greg Chrapek)


A number of highlights

Campbell’s career has been a successful one with a number of highlights.

“I’ve got four track championships out here,” Campbell said. “I’ve got wins at Bristol, I’ve got wins at Nashville, I’ve got wins at Milwaukee Mile, a couple of different traveling championships, so I’ve been fairly successful around the Midwest.”

A big part of that success has been Campbell’s team that consists of his father Fred, Henry Rosendall, Henry Fellows and Kevin DeGood.

“They run the show,” Campbell said. “I just drive.”

A home track advantage for Campbell

Campbell especially enjoys his home track at Berlin Raceway. This Saturday, July 26, he invites fans to get to the track early.

“Fans should get here early because there is going to be an autograph session on the front stretch,” Campbell said. “That will be fun for the kids to come down and get autographs. The whole front section will be packed with fans, and then from there it will be a good night of racing.”

The autograph session begins at 6 p.m. before the races. Racing starts at 6:30 p.m. The band Sounds Familiar will perform for fans live after the races.        

Berlin ARCA 200 highlights big night of racing at Berlin Raceway

City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Sports, West Michigan,

William Sawalich and his No. 18 car are back to defend their title in the Berlin ARCA 200 feature race at Berlin Raceway Saturday. (Photo Courtesy, Berlin Raceway)



By Greg Chrapek

WKTV Contributor

greer@wktv.org



Another big night of racing is on tap at Berlin Raceway Saturday.

A pair of exciting races are slated to take place Saturday beginning with the Tekton Super Late Model Feature at 6:30 p.m. The race is scheduled for 75 laps. Up next, the ARCA Menards Series takes to the track for the main event of the evening, the Berlin ARCA 200.

Drivers from all across the country will be descending on Berlin for one of the highlight races of the summer as Berlin hosts the ARCA series.



Berlin Raceway ARCA Menards Series (Photo Courtesy, Berlin Raceway)



For the 34th time in ARCA Menards Series history, Berlin Raceway is playing host to stock-car racing’s brightest up-and-coming starts. The ARCA Menards Series made its debut at Berlin in 1958. The ARCA series first ran at Berlin from 1958 until 1973. After a hiatus, the series came back to Berlin in 1986 for a brief run.


In 1999, the series returned to Berlin and has been a regular part of the schedule ever since. Frank Kimmel won the 1999 race and since then talented young divers like Tim Steele, Brian Keselowski, Justin Lofton, Scott Speed, Chris Buescher, Erik Jones, Grant Enfinger, Danile Dye, Sammy Smith and William Sawalich have been among the winners at Berlin.

Sawalich recorded his inaugural ARCA Menards Series victory in last year’s Berlin ARCA 200. Sawalich is back to defend his title this year and is coming off his second ARCA Menards Series victory when he recently took the checkered flag at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

Sawalich won last year’s race in exciting fashion as he came from behind to defeat eventual ARCA Menards Series champion Jesse Love. Sawalich passed Love for the lead with just two laps remaining in the 200-lap race to give Joe Gibbs Racing the win.

Last year’s winner William Sawalich a favorite

Sawalich is one of the favorites in this year’s race, but plenty of talented competitors will be looking to crash victory lane. A large group of racers from Venturini Motorsports will be leading the charge to take the checkered flag from Sawalich this year led by Sean Hingorani who will be making his first start for the team this season as he will be driving the flagship No. 20 Toyota.

Keep an eye on 16-year-old Gavin Boschele

Gavin Boschele is another member of the Venturini team to keep an eye on as he is making his debut for the team and will drive the No. 55 Toyota. Boschele is an exciting young racing prospect to keep an eye on. Just 16-years old, Boschele first started racing as a four-year old racing Outlaw go-karts at Millbridge Speedway in North Carolina.

Since then, Boschele raced in nearly every division at Millbridge Speedway and also raced Quarter Midgets and Karts on asphalt tracks across the Southeast. One of Boschele’s biggest wins came when he won a race in the Stock Non-Wing division during the 2023 Tulsa Shootout.

Boschele made his Late Model debut during 2022 as he began to focus on asphalt racing. Despite being 16-years old, Boschele is no stranger to Berlin as he competed in the Money in the Bank 150 at Berlin on June, 12. Boschele finished fourth in a loaded field that included NASCAR Cup Series drivers Erik Jones and Carson Hocevar.

Amber Balcaen, Toni Breidinger and Kris Wright also are talented drivers on the Venturini team that will be making a run for the top spot.

ARCA Menards Series leader Andres Perez

ARCA Menards Series leader Andres Perez leads the way for the Rev Racing team that also includes Lavar Scott. Christian Rose of the AM Racing team will be in the hunt as will Greg Van Alst.

Gates open at 4 p.m. Saturday … racing starts at 6:30 p.m. Kids 15 and under also are free for this Saturday’s event.