Return of NASCAR Sprint Cup star Kyle Busch highlights Berlin Raceway's 2011 schedule
By Steve Kaminski
The Grand Rapids Press
Berlin Raceway’s 2011 game plan calls for more emphasis on its weekly classes, so expect fewer special events during the track’s 61st season.
One of NASCAR’s biggest names will be back, though.
Track promoter Mike Blackmer announced Wednesday that NASCAR superstar Kyle Busch is expected to compete in the Rowdy 251, a June 21 Tuesday night special. Busch won the template-bodied Late Model stock car race in June at Berlin and will be back to defend his title.
Busch, who won a combined 24 races in NASCAR’s top three divisions in 2010, still enjoys grassroots racing.
“Kyle isn’t going to race as many Super Late Model races this year, but one of the ones he did pick was the Rowdy,” Blackmer said. “He has really enjoyed coming to Grand Rapids. We have a good relationship with him, and he enjoys the fans here and the race. It’s pretty exciting to have him back.”
The cost to put on high-dollar shows is just too much in these tough economic times, Blackmer said, and that’s why he is cutting back on specials. Berlin’s weekly classes will race more often next season, and that will enable him to cut general admission prices for the regular shows from $12 to $10.
Berlin’s Late Model division will run at least 14 times, while its Super Stocks, Pro Stocks, Modifieds and 4 Cylinders will go a minimum 17 nights. In addition, the track is introducing the Premier Boyne Machine Super Lates, and that class will race six times.
Look for the traveling Vintage Racing Organization of America to join the track’s weekly ranks as well. The VROA, which has run on Berlin’s anniversary night in the past, has signed on for eight races.
“The only way to run this track in the black is to make sure the weekly show is affordable,” Blackmer said. “Some of these series travel so far and the purse is so high, and right now, the economic times don’t support it. I can’t get enough people in to support these type of events.
“I need my divisions here. Last year, 14 of our 22 events had outside series racing here. The race fan didn’t know who was racing from week-to-week.”
Berlin’s 2011 season will open April 23, with test and tune sessions scheduled for April 8 and 16. Special events include the ARCA Series on July 9. The Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Series returns June 4, and the Auto Value Super Sprint Series competes Sept. 3.
The season will conclude with a Sept. 24 program featuring the CRA Super Series and the Great Lakes Outlaw Late Models.
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