Alec Carll subs for Ross Meeuwsen, grabs Late Model victory at Berlin Raceway

Alec Carll subs for Ross Meeuwsen, grabs Late Model victory at Berlin Raceway

By Steve Kaminski | The Grand Rapids Press

MARNE -- Three-time defending Berlin Raceway Late Model champion Ross Meeuwsen gave up his ride Saturday night and headed to California to visit his son, whose wife had a baby.

Meeuwsen, of Zeeland, sure knows how to pick a replacement.

Alec Carll of Grand Rapids hopped into Meeuwsen’s No. 32 white Late Model and dominated the second half of the 60-lap Late Model feature. It was the first career Late Model win for Carll.

Carll, 21, drove around Ray Clay for the lead on lap 34 and went on to post a 2.009-second win against fast qualifier Terry Senneker in a race that went caution free.

“It feels awesome,” Carll said. “Ray was pretty good, and I knew I couldn’t go to the bottom because he was holding his line there. I had to go up high, and luckily, it handled better up high. I have to thank by dad and brother for helping me out a lot, because this thing ran perfect.”

The fact that Meeuwsen missed a race won’t hurt his chances at a fourth consecutive title. Drivers are permitted to throw out one race. Meeuwsen entered Saturday’s race sixth in points, 26 behind Senneker.

Andrew Nylaan of Hudsonville won the 30-lap Super Stock feature for his first victory of the season. Nylaan, who started third in the feature, didn’t hesitate when he got his first crack at the lead.

Nylaan was running second when the race’s only caution fell on lap 10, and that enabled him to line up inside of rookie leader Josh Hobson on the double-file restart. Nylaan overtook Hobson when the race went green, and he drove away for a 3.140 second victory over Hobson. Brian Wiersma finished third, followed by Justin Ryan.

“The cars really don’t like it when it’s hot out here like this,” Nylaan said. “The track gets really slippery, and I haven’t had any luck in the heat. I’m really happy to get one when it is really hot out.

“We made a lot of adjustments on the car, and obviously, they were for the good. Hopefully, the car will stay the same next week, and it will help me get back into contention for the points.”

Four-time defending Pro Stock champion Brian Tillema of Dorr earned his second win of the season, capturing top honors in the 25-lap main. Tillema took the lead on lap 10 and led the rest of the way, but it wasn’t easy. Two cautions fell during the final three laps, but Tillema was able to stave off Weston Jewett.

Tillema missed last week because he got engaged, and he has considered selling his car. In fact, there is a “For Sale” sign on his car.

“Money is kind of tight, and I wanted to get rid of the car and try to get a nice house,” Tillema said. “My fiance was like, ‘What are you talking about? You aren’t selling this car.’ So, we might be stuck with it for awhile.”