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.

“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.