Brian Campbell scores Late Model win on Racing Awareness night at Berlin

Brian Campbell scores Late Model win on Racing Awareness night at Berlin

By Steve Ungrey
The Grand Rapids Press

MARNE -- Brian Campbell couldn't think of a better way to raise awareness for children's health issues.

Sitting in Victory Lane with his Late Model vehicle, right in front of the crowd at Berlin Raceway, puts it front and center.

The Wyoming driver won for the second time this season at Berlin and fifth overall counting other tracks. He captured the 100-lap Premier Boyne Machine Super Lates feature event, beating out Chris Anthony and Terry VanHaitsma for the checkered flag.

"I don't believe I've ever won a race on a Racing Awareness theme night," Campbell said. "We're having a pretty solid season overall."

Andrew Nylaan started out on the pole with Anthony in the second spot, but Anthony zoomed into the lead and Nylaan found himself challenged by Campbell. Campbell soon overtook Nylaan and then passed Anthony on lap 22, but Anthony took the lead back eight laps later on a restart following a caution flag.

Halfway through the feature, Campbell took back the lead and never relinquished it.

"He could dog me fairly close and we had a little left in the bank for a rainy day just in case," Campbell said. "I checked in the mirror a couple times and my spotter was giving me the play by play. We're here for the car and it's definitely an awesome night. To make it to victory lane is priceless."

The Helen DeVos Children's Hospital opened Jan. 11 of this year, featuring 14 floors and 206 beds. All care is provided by pediatric nurses and therapists, with more than 150 pediatric specialist doctors in 40 specialties.

This was the second of three nights devoted to the Racing Awareness team. The team consists of Motor Racing Network radio broadcaster Jeff Striegle, former Super Stocks track champion Mike Bursley and Berlin track announcer Norm Jelsma.

Berlin donated $1 from every ticket sold to the Racing Awareness team, in support of the Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. The next Racing Awareness night is set for Aug. 27.

Check out a weekend wrapup of winners from around West Michigan and the state:

BERLIN RACEWAY

•Premier Boyne Machine Super Lates: Brian Campbell
•Modifieds: Billy Shotko
•Super Stocks: Justin Ryan
•Pro Stocks: Brandon Hermiller
•4 Cylinders A: Jason Scheid
•4 Cylinders B: Tyler Nawrocki
CRYSTAL MOTOR SPEEDWAY

•SOD Sprints On Dirt: Steve Brubacker
•Pro Stocks: Derek Schestag
•Trucks: Scott Nieman
•IMCA Modifieds: A.J. Ward
•Street Stocks: Bill Wilkins
•Flinn Stocks: Austin Bean
I-96 SPEEDWAY

•UMP DIRTcar Racing Series: Zack Olger
•Modifieds: Jacob Poel
•Street Stocks: Bill Brandt Jr.
•Sport Compacts: Chris Tomczak
KALAMAZOO SPEEDWAY

•Must See Racing Xtreme Series: Brian Gerster
•Super Late Models: Andy Bozell
•Super Stocks: Chris Shannon
U.S. 131 MOTORSPORTS PARK

•Pro Extreme: Jason Hamstra
•Pro Nitrous: Mahana Al-Naemi
•Extreme 10.5: Frankie Taylor
•Pro Extreme Motorcycle: Ashley Owens
•Extreme Pro Stock: Cary Goforth
•Top Sportsman: Glenn Butcher
•Pro Junior Dragster: Shainna Nelson
AROUND THE STATE

BUTLER SPEEDWAY

•Modifieds: Jake Bailey
•Sportsman: Mike Langdon
•Street Stocks: Chris Garrett
FLAT ROCK SPEEDWAY

•Street Stocks: Chad Guinn
•Street Stocks B: Jim Selmi
•Figure 8s: Greg Studt
MT. PLEASANT SPEEDWAY

•Late Models: Mark Andersen
•Modifieds: Rich Robinson Jr.
•Modified Mini Stocks: Joey Burch
•Stock Minis: Steve Keeler Jr.
•Stock Cars: Josh Loomis
SPARTAN SPEEDWAY

•Super Late Models: Dominique Van Wieringen
•Modifieds: Larry Wallace
•Spartan Stocks A: Ron Heeney
•Spartan Stocks B: Matt Childers
•Pony Stocks A: Todd Metz Jr.
•Pony Stocks B: Patrick Dennison
WINSTON SPEEDWAY

•Late Models: Kevin Nelson Jr.
•Modifieds: Mark Anderson
•Street Stocks: Dan Dykman
•Factory Stocks: Dennis Bringedahl
•4 Cylinders: Paul Namey
•Warriors: Dan Reimersma