Berlin Raceway

Berlin Raceway
Location2060 Berlin Fair Drive
Marne, Michigan
Time zoneUTC−05:00 (UTC−04:00 DST)
Coordinates43°2′8″N 85°50′7″W / 43.03556°N 85.83528°W / 43.03556; -85.83528
Capacity9,000
OwnerBerlin Fair
OperatorDBD Ventures
Opened1951
Major eventsCurrent:
ARCA Menards Series
Herr's Snacks 200 (1986, 1999–2016, 2018, 2021–present)
Former:
NASCAR K&N Pro Series East (2017)
ASA National Tour (1998–1999, 2001–2004)
NASCAR Grand National East Series (1973)
Oval (1950–present)
Length0.438 miles (0.704 km)
Turns4 Turns
Banking13° corners, 9° straightaways
Race lap record12.513 seconds (Brian Gerster, , 2018, Sprint Car)

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]

History

Travis Braden in victory lane at Berlin in 2014

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.

ARCA winners

Main article: Zinsser SmartCoat 200 (Berlin)

Reference:[12]

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]

ARCA Menards Series East Winners

One race held in 2017 under the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East[13]

NASCAR Grand National East Series Winners

One race held in 1973 called the Coca-Cola 100[14]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Berlin Raceway". Michigan. Michigan Economic Development Corporation. December 29, 2016. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
  2. ^ a b Kaminski, Steve (July 30, 2019). "2017 Berlin Raceway champ Carson Hocevar to make NASCAR debut". mlive.
  3. ^ a b c "Berlin Raceway Results". Racing Reference. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
  4. ^ "Track Records". Berlin Raceway. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
  5. ^ Romig, Walter (1986) [1973]. Michigan Place Names. Detroit, Michigan: Wayne State University Press. p. 354. ISBN 0-8143-1838-X.
  6. ^ "Berlin Raceway Goes Dirt for First of Three Big Shows Saturday". American Ethanol Modified Tour. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
  7. ^ Brenzing, Bob (May 10, 2016). "Berlin Raceway among locations for new faith-based film". WXMI. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
  8. ^ a b "Berlin Raceway dropping two divisions, adding new one in 2020". mlive. 23 October 2019. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
  9. ^ "Advance My Track Challenge". Fox 17 online. 13 May 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2022.
  10. ^ a b Steve, Kaminski (August 11, 2015). "Berlin Raceway Hall of Fame to induct racing great Bob Senneker". mlive. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
  11. ^ "Johnny Benson Jr. to compete in Keyser's Port City Racing 125 at Berlin May 8". Constantcontact.com. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
  12. ^ a b "winners at Berlin Raceway". Racing Reference. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
  13. ^ "NASCAR K&N Pro Series East". Racing Reference. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
  14. ^ "1973 Coca Cola 100". Racing Reference. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
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