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Berlin Raceway
Racetrack From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Berlin Raceway is a 0.438 mi (0.705 km) long paved oval race track in Marne, Michigan,[1] near Grand Rapids. The track races weekly as part of the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series.[2] It has also held touring series events on the ARCA Menards Series,[3] ARCA Menards Series East,[3] American Speed Association National Tour,[3] USAC Stock Cars, USAC Silver Crown, World of Outlaws Sprint cars, and World of Outlaws Late Model Series tours.
The track opened in 1950. It was originally a horse track before World War II. Berlin's current track record is 0:12.513 seconds, set by Brian Gerster in 2018 in a winged sprint car.[4] Berlin Raceway takes its name from the town of Marne's original name "Berlin," which was changed due to Anti-German sentiment following World War I.[5]
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History
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The track was developed by the Chester Mysliwiec family in 1950.[1] It was purchased by the West Michigan Whitecaps in 2001.[1] The group made numerous improvements to the facilities such as new bathrooms, updated catch fences, and a new sound system.[1] Dirt was temporarily placed over the pavement after the 2017 regular season and three touring series visited the track in September / October - American Ethanol Late Model Tour, American Ethanol Modified Tour and Engine Pro Sprints On Dirt.[6] Some racing scenes for the movie God Bless the Broken Road were recorded at the track in early 2016 for the 2018 film.[7] The track dropped its Super Stock and Modified classes in 2020 and added a class of Limited Late Models.[8] Other classes include Super Late Models, Sportsman, 4 Cylinder, and Mini-Wedges.[8] Berlin Raceway won the 2021 Advance Auto Parts 'Advance My Track Challenge' $50,000 award beating out Hudson Speedway in New Hampshire and Alaska Raceway Park.[9]
Some drivers that have come from the track are Jack Sprague, Tim Steele,[1] 1967 track champion Bob Senneker,[10] and 2017 Super Late Model track champion Carson Hocevar.[2] 1989 track Outlaw Late Model champion Johnny Benson Jr.[11] described the track as "one of the most difficult tracks in the country."[1] The track has a 13-degree banking in turns and 9-degree banking on the straightaways.[1] The track is notable for the lack of an outside wall on the back straightaway, a rare feature for a track featuring national series races. In addition, the short straights make it feel almost circular.
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ARCA winners
Reference:[12]
- August 2, 1986 Bob Keselowski
- July 10, 1999 Frank Kimmel
- July 15, 2000 Tim Steele
- September 22, 2001 Tim Steele
- July 20, 2002 Fred Campbell
- May 24, 2003 Frank Kimmel
- July 3, 2004 Frank Kimmel
- July 16, 2005 Joey Miller
- July 15, 2006 Brian Keselowski
- July 7, 2007 Brian Keselowski
- July 26, 2008 Scott Speed
- July 25, 2009 Justin Lofton
- August 7, 2010 Joey Coulter
- July 9, 2011 Matt Merrell
- August 11, 2012 Chris Buescher
- August 10, 2013 Erik Jones
- August 9, 2014 Grant Enfinger
- August 8, 2015 Grant Enfinger
- August 6, 2016 Dalton Sargeant
- July 21, 2018 Joe Graf Jr.
- July 17, 2021 Daniel Dye
- June 18, 2022 Sammy Smith
- June 17, 2023 William Sawalich
- June 29, 2024 William Sawalich
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American Speed Association Winners
Bob Senneker won seven ASA National tour races at the track.[10] Other winners on the ASA National tour starting in 1998 include:[12]
- June 13, 1998 Gary St. Amant
- August 2, 1998 Scott Hansen
- June 5, 1999 Mike Miller
- August 14, 1999 Mike Miller
- July 14, 2001 Butch Miller
- June 1, 2002 Butch Miller
- August 2, 2003 Peter Cozzolino
- June 12, 2004 Mike Eddy
ARCA Menards Series East Winners
One race held in 2017 under the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East[13]
- July 1, 2017 Todd Gilliland
NASCAR Grand National East Series Winners
One race held in 1973 called the Coca-Cola 100[14]
- August 17, 1973 Bob Senneker
References
External links
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