Marne, MI - The Berlin Raceway celebrated Memorial Day in style this Saturday night, with the running of a full 4-in-1 Show. Dollar beer and hot dogs as well as school bus races brought the fans out in force for a spectacular night of entertainment from start to finish.
The first race on the track was the Burnips Equipment 4-Cylinder Feature event. This special non-points event saw 12 of the division’s top competitors come out as an addition to the nights already packed festivities. Cal Phillips #26 and Andy Church #65 started from the front row for the 20-lap event, following a full field inversion after Baker Engineering qualifying. Jumping out to the lead for the first two laps was #8 Frank Bisacky, before Jason Scheid #100 made a brave three-wide pass for the lead in turn four on lap two. Drafting Scheid to the front from his tenth starting spot was Ryan Hamm #7, who found himself right behind Scheid in second place and then the lead on lap four. Caution flew on lap five when the two lead drivers, Hamm and Scheid, broke out on their qualifying time and were sent to the back. Frank Bisacky found himself back in the lead for the next four laps, before relinquishing the lead back to Jason Scheid. Scheid would lead Ryan Hamm back to the front of the field for the second time, before giving up the lead for good to Hamm who would check out and score the victory.
The next race to hit the track was the Kerkstra Services Pro Stock division 25-lap event. Rookies Brett DeKraker #1 and Lauren Bush #101 were on the front row for their main event. Starting on the inside of row #2 was defending Pro Stock Champion Brian Tillema #76. Before the cars would get up to full speed on lap #1 Trever McCoy #71 would find the turn one concrete barrier hard, ending his night before it began. On the complete restart, DeKraker would bolt to an early lead before giving it up to Brian Tillema on lap 2 with a smooth move on the bottom in turn 3. Brian Thome would bring out the race’s second caution of the night, when he spun his #26 machine around in turn four, but avoided contact. On the restart Tillema would jump to a quick lead, with #22 Darin Neimi beginning to flex his muscle and move up from his sixth starting spot. Also on the move was last week’s feature winner Weston Jewett #51. Lap 11 would see the races third caution, when debris came lose in turn 2. A great battle between Ken Smith #36 and #101 Lauren Bush thrilled fans as the race came to a close. Tillema would go untouched and lead for 23 total laps and collect his first victory of the season.
The lightning fast Coors Light Late Model division was next on the schedule, with 17 cars taking the green flag. Tim DeVos #12 and Nick Shotko #19 would take the field to the green flag, and DeVos would quickly check out on the field. Chris Anthony moved his #55 late model into the second spot and held off challenges from Ross Meeuwsen and Terry VanHaitsma for much of the event. Also a tremendous battle for the tenth position on back saw #1 Barry Hartwell, #33 Monte Tolan, #61 Joe Bush and #37 Terry Senneker all door to door. Caution would fly on lap 16 when rookie Josh Slade took his #22 for a ride off the backstretch and into the foam in turn 3, ending his night prematurely. Johnny Benson, Jr., who made his first outlaw late model start of the season worked his way steadily up through the field, and found himself eighth when the next caution would flay on lap 33 for debris on the front stretch. As DeVos would continue to lead, Wayland driver Terry Senneker would close the gap steadily, moving to second place on lap 47 just prior to the final caution of the night. Terry VanHaitsma #21 found himself facing the wrong direction in turn two after contact with another car, making his night less than satisfying. The pass for the lead would be the final move of the night for the win, with Senneker getting around DeVos. Terry Senneker would collect his first victory of the season in front of Tim DeVos and #32 Ross Meeuwsen.
The final race of the night featured the Engine Pro Super Stock class, who was scheduled to race for 75-laps. Warren Speet #76 and Justin Ryan started out front, and would hold on to the front spot for several laps. The caution would fly on lap five when Dennis Mann would spin around his #00 car in turn four. On the restart Speet would retake the top spot, and #23 Chris Koslek would begin his way to the front. Caution would fly on lap on lap seven when possible contact between Speet and Koslek would cause a multi-car accident on the front stretch. Involved in the wreck were the cars of Brian Weirsma #1, Nick Bonstell #11, Chris Koslek, #5 Ray VanAllsburg, Curt Filkins #95 and Warren Speet. Following the reshuffle of positions after the incident with the leaders, #77 Andrew Nylaan would find himself out in clean air as he took the lead on lap 8. On the same lap, the caution would fly again for Curt Filkins in turn 4. Also another caution on lap nine for debris. Yet another caution would appear on lap ten, when #32 Gabe Ensing and #78 William Olmsted would make contact and wreck together in turn two. On the restart Chris Muyskens #26 and Andrew Nylaan would battle for the top position, before Muyskens would officially take over the spot on lap 12. Following a rough start of the feature, things would calm down and a longer green flag run would take place with excellent multi-car battles throughout the field. Dave Lake #55 was on the move, but smoke trailing from the rear end would eventually result in him being sent to the pit area. This would take place during the lap 31 caution for Travis Nylaan #3 when he spun in turn 3. Caution would fly yet again on laps 38 and 39 for Brian VanZalen and Dave Lake, who was caught up in a bad accident on the front stretch. Due to the lengthy cleanup and already long length of the feature, the race was shortened to 50-laps. On the restart, Nylaan would regain the lead until Chris Muyskens would spin on lap 49, while running in second. The race was called due to the needed cleanup, and length of race with Nylaan getting the win.
The night was capped off with the ever popular school bus races. The packed grandstands remained full to witness the eight bus drivers battle it out for the two heat races, and one feature event. One bus was rolled over on the back stretch, much to the crowds satisfaction.
The Berlin Raceway is back in action next Saturday night, with All Faiths and a 4-in-1-show. The Late Models, Super Stocks and 4-Cylinders will all be racing, as well as the Faster Pastor races. Tickets are $12.00 for adults, seniors 60+ $10.00 kids 6-12 $5.00 and 5-under free. Tickets can be purchased by calling 662-2051 or by visiting berlinraceway.com.
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