Tag Archives: nascar

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

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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. 

MOPAR enthusiasts… rev your engines July 30

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orange at gilmore car museum

The resounding answer will be “YEAH, it’s got a Hemi!” during the 28th annual MOPARS at the Red Barns Show and Swap Meet that takes place at the Gilmore Car Museum, 6865 W Hickory Rd, Hickory Corners, Mich. on Saturday, July 30 from 9 am to 3 pm.

 

Presented by the West Michigan Mopar Club, this family-friendly car show and swap meet is the region’s largest all-Chrysler products event of its type. More than 350 Mopars—Chrysler Corporation’s name for its product lines that include Chrysler, Dodge, Plymouth, DeSoto and Imperial—will take over the Gilmore Car Museum historic campus. The show is open to all Chrysler-powered vehicles of all eras, including muscle cars, antiques, street rods and trucks.

 

This year’s event honors the 50th Anniversary of the Dodge Charger and the Chrysler Street Hemi, as well as the 40th Anniversary of the Dodge Aspen and Plymouth Volare.

 

The iconic Charger, introduced in 1966 as a two-door, fastback hardtop, dominated NASCAR in 1969. Ten years later, the mopar club logoorange “General Lee” sped onto TV screens in the CBS hit Dukes of Hazzard.

 

When it comes to muscle cars, the 426-HEMI has obtained legendary status. It was 50 years ago that it first became available on civilian production cars and went on to help define an era and set the question, “That thing got a Hemi?” into our memories.

 

In 1976, the all-new models Dodge Aspen and Plymouth Volare were designed to be more upscale than their predecessors, Dart and Valiant. Motor Trend magazine named them the “Best Buy of the Day” and followed that up with awarding both as “Car of the Year.”

 

Saturday’s event promises to be the largest Mopar gathering in the Midwest as it fills the show fields at the Gilmore Car Museum. Whether your dream machine is a Dodge Charger, Plymouth Barracuda, or a vintage DeSoto or Imperial, you’re sure to find it—or that hard to find part needed to finish your project car—at MOPARS at the RED BARNS car show and swap meet on Saturday, July 30.

 

Mopars-at-the-Red-Barns-300x200

Participants can show their Mopar powdered vehicles for $20 each, while the general public will be admitted for only $12.00 per person. That includes visiting the entire Gilmore Car Museum campus and all exhibits at no extra charge, and those under 11 are FREE!

 

The Gilmore Car Museum—North America’s Largest Auto Museum—is located just 20 minutes northeast of Kalamazoo on M-43 and Hickory Road.  You can learn more about the Museum and its events at www.GilmoreCarMuseum.org or call 269.671.5089 for more information.

 

The 28th annual MOPARS at the Red Barns Show and Swap Meet will be sure to please as West Michigan’s largest all-Chrysler products car show, featuring over 350 muscle cars, plus antiques and special interest vehicles!

 

chargers

For those on the show field, there will be a chance for 84 trophies in 28 classes, covering virtually ALL MOPARS! Plus, special awards will also be given for Best of Show, Class of 1966 in honor of the Gilmore Car Museum’s 50th Anniversary, Best Club Participation, Longest Distance, Dodge Charger & Street Hemi 50th Anniversary, and Aspen/Volare 40th Anniversary. The car show will also include a large swap meet, food vendors, a beverage tent, and live music! For more information please contact the West Michigan Mopar Club at wmmccommander@aol.com.

 

Exhibitor Admission: $20.00 per vehicle w/two persons

24/7 Information Line: 269.664.5595