Mike Ling dominates Super Sprints 30-lap feature race at Berlin Raceway

Mike Ling dominates Super Sprints 30-lap feature race at Berlin Raceway

Steve Kaminski
The Grand Rapids Press

MARNE -- The Auto Value Super Sprints were filled with surprises at Berlin Raceway on Saturday night.

Jim Swain of Union City set a track record in qualifying, while Teddy Alberts of Kent City won his first race in the series when he took top honors in a heat race.

But there was a familiar face in Victory Lane after Mike Ling of Mt. Bridges, Ontario, Canada, won the 30-lap feature race.

“As long as we don’t break, we usually end up on the (podium),” Ling said. “It’s kind of like the track I grew up on. That’s the No. 1 thing. The second thing is that it is racy, and there is more room to maneuver. It gives everybody a line to pick.”

Ling dominated the second half of Saturday’s race, taking the lead on lap 15. He then pulled away from the field and beat out Ryan Litt by 3.716 seconds.

“We had an amazing car tonight, but I think the biggest thing was that we weren’t using up our tires, and we were able to maintain our speed,” Ling said. “As the race progressed, I believe the other guys probably started using their tires up and they were slowing down, which made us look like we were speeding up.”

“Our cars like that a little bit better,” Ling added of Saturday’s cooler temperatures. “The motor runs a little stronger and a little cleaner, and it’s a little easier on the tires because the track isn’t as greasy, and it has a little more bite.”

Swain’s lap of 12.799 seconds at 123.197 mph set a Berlin track record. Swain, who entered the race ranked second in the point standings to Kevin Feeney, finished fourth in the 18-car field.

Here's a wrapup of weekend winners from around West Michigan and the state:

BERLIN RACEWAY
•Auto Value Super Sprints: Mike Ling
•Super Stocks: Bob Bliss
•Pro Stocks: Brandon Hermiller
•Modifieds: Billy Shotko

CRYSTAL MOTOR SPEEDWAY
•SOD Sprints on Dirt: Dustin Daggett
•Pro Stocks: Chaney Newland
•IMCA Modifieds: Chad Wernette
•Pro Trucks: Carl Thayer
•Street Stocks: Brian Williams
•Flinn Stocks: Richard Melton

KALAMAZOO SPEEDWAY
•Late Models: Tom Thomas
•Modifieds: Mike Brooks
•Super Stocks: Phil Bozell
•Pro Stocks: Lloyd Brooks
•Cyber Stocks: Jerry Jansen

U.S. 131 MOTORSPORTS PARK
•Top ET: Rick Baad
•Modifieds: Dan Smith
•Street: Phil Wrobleski
•Advanced Junior Dragsters: Adam Walters
•Beginner Junior Dragsters: Chantielle Suggs
•Junior Dragster 2 Chance: Colin Conner
•Top Sportsman: Joe Palmer

AROUND THE STATE

BUTLER SPEEDWAY
•Winged Sprints: Scott Euler
•Modifieds: Mark Kurth
•Sportsman: Tim Wilber
•Street Stocks: Chris Garrett

DIXIE MOTOR SPEEDWAY
•Auto Value Super Sprints: Curt Shumaker
•Street Stocks: Ed Newman Jr.
•Bombers: Cam Hiltz
•Figure 8’s: Jordan Lechota

OWOSSO SPEEDWAY
•Pro Late Models: Dan Bigos
•Modifieds: Steve Bates Jr.
•Pro Stocks: Jon Giffel
•Pure Stocks: Jimmy Stratton
•Sport Stocks: Kyle Crump

FLAT ROCK SPEEDWAY
•Late Models: Stan Yee
•Figure 8’s: Dennis Whisman
•Street Stocks: Dan Ford Jr.

HARTFORD MOTOR SPEEDWAY
•Late Models: J.R. Hotovy
•Modifieds: Mark Anderson
•Stock Cars: Jim Abbott
•Pure Stocks: Randy Simmons