Thunderbird Raceway gearing up for another strong summer of racing
By Scott Brandenburg
The Muskegon Chronicle
Thunderbird Raceway is looking at another strong season of racing with several divisions racing on Saturday nights. The "Spring Sizzler" kicks off the season next Saturday night.
Last year, Thunderbird Raceway began hosting UMP Late Model racing.
The races were met with a positive response from local race fans, so Thunderbird is ready to offer more this summer.
The Late Models are back starting May 14, running their own program and paying out a $1,000 a week, the highest amount in the state.
The money is expected to draw in some of the top drivers in the Midwest.
“We’ve had calls from drivers way up north and way down south and the top drivers in the state,” Thunderbird promoter Ross Ferguson said. “All the local drivers will be there, too. They’re all interested in being a part of it.”
The 1/3-mile dirt track located on Riley-Thompson Road north of Muskegon will open next Saturday night with its "Spring Sizzler."
The opener is a bit later than normal, but it appears to be a good decision.
“It was a great call,” Ferguson said. “We planned on starting a little late, and the way the weather’s been, it’s worked out.”
Ferguson’s excited about the Saturday night lineup, which will include UMP Modifieds, UMP Street Stocks, UMP Bombers, UMP 4-cylinders and UMP FWD Warriors, in addition to the Late Models.
He expects the turnout from the drivers to be better than last year. Ferguson also expects to have a good turnout from racing fans.
Thunderbird offers a community night each week with fans from a particular community receiving half-off admission.
The community nights are something Ferguson started 30 years ago at I-96 Speedway. So far, it’s been well received.
“For the fans, it’s huge,” Ferguson said. “It’s worked so well, tracks around the Midwest have copied it. I get calls all the time from people asking when they can get in for half price.
“The sponsors also have their own nights to shine as well and that’s huge for them.”
New this season is a free $10 Wesco gas card for each vehicle which shows up with three paid adults or two paid adults and two paid children. The offer is for general admission only and not valid with other discounts or on community nights.
“We want to continue to be a family-oriented, low-key source of entertainment for race fans,” Ferguson said. “We really want to offer good deals to the fans.”
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Johnny VanDoorn Has A Plan For Winchester
Johnny VanDoorn Has A Plan For Winchester
WINCHESTER, Indiana (April 28, 2011) - - Two-time and defending Champion Racing Association (CRA) champion Johnny VanDoorn will officially kick off the 2011 season this weekend at Winchester (Ind.) Speedway and the Coopersville, Michigan native is putting himself into attack mode for Sunday’s Manning Services 100.
The rising star is already anxious to get back behind the wheel of a race car since the original season-opener at Anderson (In.) Speedway was rained out on April 16th. With the series now taking the green flag at one of his favorite race tracks, VanDoorn is ready to prove that once again he’ll be a title contender.
“I’m ready to get back after it,” said VanDoorn. “It’s unfortunate that Anderson was rained out, but we’re heading to Winchester and man, racing doesn’t get any better than that. We know what we need to do as a team; hopefully we can stay in-tune on the track and do what we do best.”
Championship ride-aside, VanDoorn knows that winning another CRA crown will be no easy task. Still, VanDoorn who hopes to compete in the ARCA Racing Series by year’s end is focused on utilizing the same mentality he has over the past two years that has guided him to back-to-back recognitions.
“It’s about standing in the gas on and off the track,” sounded VanDoorn. “I would not be where I am today without a lot of people and a lot of support. The competition continues to get tougher each and every year. I don’t expect 2011 to be any different. Winchester if you’re not careful is a place that can come up and bite you. We need to keep our nose clean if we want a shot at another win.”
Should everything flow their way, Kaos Motorsports will guide the former CRA Rookie of the Year to his 10th win and 48th top-10 in 65 races. If VanDoorn lands himself in the top-10, his percentage rate in the CRA Series will climb to nearly 75 percent of his career that he’s comprised the top-10.
With sponsorship still hard to acquire these days, VanDoorn is thankful to have his Chevrolet bow-tie decked out with support. Baker Engineering, Earth Service and Supply, Jegs.com, Magic Transportation, Paragon Corvette Reproductions, Port City Racecars and R and R Wire Loom will all hold placement on the team’s General Motors machine this weekend.
“I’m a lucky guy,” VanDoorn added. “Not only do I have a great team but we have so much support from companies across Michigan and the region. It’s my goal to go out there and race hard and get them the best finish possible. Some weeks will be better than others, but we refuse to go down without a fight and Winchester will be no different.”
In 64 races, VanDoorn has posted six poles, eight wins, 25 top-fives and 47 top-10 finishes including back-to-back CRA championships in 2009 and 2010.
For more information on Johnny VanDoorn, please visit JohnnyVanDoorn.com.
For more information on the Champion Racing Association Super Series, please click on CRARacing.net.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Michigan Dirt Cup Modified Tour to begin Inaugural Season THIS Saturday
Michigan Dirt Cup Modified Tour to begin Inaugural Season THIS Saturday, April 30th at I-96 Speedway
Novi, Michigan (Friday, April 29th, 2011): The preliminaries are all done, paperwork is filled out, sponsors are fired up, cars are lettered, final preparations have been made and the countdown is almost over for the inaugural Michigan Dirt Cup (MDC) Allstar Performance Modified Tour powered by Lane Automotive, Aeroquip, and ARP Fasteners race on Saturday, April 30th at the fast 3/8s (0.375) mile high-banked paved oval of I-96 Speedway, located East of Grand Rapids and West of Lansing in Lake Odessa, Michigan.
Drivers and Teams who race in the United Midwest Promoters (UMP) Modifieds division throughout the Great Lakes State as well as Northern Indiana and Northern Ohio and even in Canada have something to look forward to in 2011 with the formation of the new sanctioning body, Michigan Dirt Cup (MDC). The 2011 campaign will be the inaugural year for MDC and the pre-entry list for the inaugural race is staggering.
An expected field in excess of 50+ Modifieds will invade Lake Odessa, Michigan for the inaugural race and try to make history by becoming the first ever winner in the brand new series. Headlining the staggering field of super stars includes 2010 UMP Modifieds State Champion as well as I-96 Speedway and Mt. Pleasant Speedway Track Champion, Rich Robinson Jr., as well as 2010 Merritt Speedway Track Champion, veteran Steven Hilliker and 2010 Thunderbird Raceway Track Champion, Andy Sprague!
More top teams expecting to compete includes Brian Ruhlman, one of the top Late Model drivers in the Midwest who also races an UMP Modified on occasion and was the winner of one of the biggest races for Dirt Modifieds in the Midwest, Extreme 100 in August 2010 at Mt. Pleasant. Zack Olger, who was the 2010 runner-up at both I-96 and Mt. Pleasant, and Muskegon area ace, John McCaul will also be ones to watch.
In addition to Robinson Jr., and Olger, more I-96 regulars looking to hold off the traveling invaders includes; Two-Time Track Champion Todd Feutz, as well as former track champions and brothers, Ryan and Shannon Fisk. In addition, the Father-Son team of Tim and Travis Stemler, as well as Mark Anderson, and many more will look to fend off the onslaught of top notch traveling stars.
A slew of talented drivers who were amongst the top stars in UMP Modifieds throughout the state of Michigan in 2010 that have indicated their intentions on running the MDC Modifieds Tour includes Cody Bauer, Brennan Bowen, Roger Flinn III, Andy Galgoci, Josh Lolmaugh, David Mielke, Kevin Miller, Jacob Poel, Joe Rokos, Curt Spaulding, Chad Spencer, Randy Whitten, and many more.
"We have a truly talented field of teams planning on running the full tour. We're very happy with the Pre-Registration list!" MDC Co-Founder / Promoter, Bill Long stated. "We've got teams from several states and quite a few from Canada looking to race with us. I can't wait for the first race at I-96. We're going to make history." He added.
The MDC tour will travel throughout the state of Michigan participating in a seven race schedule. In each case when the Tour comes to each facility, those events will count for not only Michigan Dirt Cup points, but for each tracks respective weekly point's standings in addition to UMP State and National Points!
After the first race at i-96, the MDC Modified Tour will visit six other established Michigan dirt facilities beginning with race #2 at Butler Motor Speedway in Quincy, Michigan (Saturday, June 11th). From there, the Tour travels to Winston Motor Speedway in Rothbury, Michigan (Friday, June 17th), Owendale Speedway in Owendale, Michigan (Saturday, July 2nd), Cherry Speedway in Fife Lake, Michigan (Friday, July 22nd), Mt. Pleasant Speedway in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan (Sunday, August 21st), and the season finale will be at Hartford Motor Speedway in Hartford, Michigan (Saturday, October 1st). The first six events will pay $1,500 to win while the season finale at Hartford will pay a whopping $5,000 to the winner!
Lane Automotive, in conjunction with several other racing part manufacturers, has offered MDC Modifieds Tour members a lucrative contingency award for each event on the 2011 schedule. At each tour event, one MDC member driver from the feature starting lineup will be awarded a special contingency product certificate package with a minimum value of $650, providing the car has the proper decals affixed.
The contingency winning number will be drawn by a youngster chosen from the crowd. The driver whose scheduled A-Feature starting position matches the number drawn will be awarded the package. Contingency certificates will be redeemable through Lane Automotive in Watervliet, Michigan. Participants in this program include Allstar Performance, Lane Automotive, ARP Fasteners, Aeroquip, Mr. Gasket, Landrum Springs, and QA-1. In addition, the participating manufacturers will also award product certificates at the MDCMT awards banquet.
Michigan Dirt Cup, Dart Heads and Lane Automotive are pleased to announce an exciting new program for drivers competing in the tour during the 2011 season. Dart will award a set of cylinder heads valued up to $1000 to the driver who gains the most overall positions in the seven A-Feature events in 2011.
One point will be awarded for each position gained from a driver's initial feature starting spot in each MDC A-Feature event. Points will then be tabulated throughout the season, and the driver with the highest point total at season's end will be awarded the certificate which can be redeemed for the cylinder heads through Lane Automotive in Watervliet, Michigan. The only requirements are that drivers must be Michigan Dirt Cup Members and both Dart and Lane decals must be displayed on both sides of the car.
For more information about the inaugural 2011 racing season for the Michigan Dirt Cup Allstar Performance Modified Tour powered by Lane Automotive, Aeroquip, and ARP Fasteners, visit the tour website at: www.michigandirtcup.com
Novi, Michigan (Friday, April 29th, 2011): The preliminaries are all done, paperwork is filled out, sponsors are fired up, cars are lettered, final preparations have been made and the countdown is almost over for the inaugural Michigan Dirt Cup (MDC) Allstar Performance Modified Tour powered by Lane Automotive, Aeroquip, and ARP Fasteners race on Saturday, April 30th at the fast 3/8s (0.375) mile high-banked paved oval of I-96 Speedway, located East of Grand Rapids and West of Lansing in Lake Odessa, Michigan.
Drivers and Teams who race in the United Midwest Promoters (UMP) Modifieds division throughout the Great Lakes State as well as Northern Indiana and Northern Ohio and even in Canada have something to look forward to in 2011 with the formation of the new sanctioning body, Michigan Dirt Cup (MDC). The 2011 campaign will be the inaugural year for MDC and the pre-entry list for the inaugural race is staggering.
An expected field in excess of 50+ Modifieds will invade Lake Odessa, Michigan for the inaugural race and try to make history by becoming the first ever winner in the brand new series. Headlining the staggering field of super stars includes 2010 UMP Modifieds State Champion as well as I-96 Speedway and Mt. Pleasant Speedway Track Champion, Rich Robinson Jr., as well as 2010 Merritt Speedway Track Champion, veteran Steven Hilliker and 2010 Thunderbird Raceway Track Champion, Andy Sprague!
More top teams expecting to compete includes Brian Ruhlman, one of the top Late Model drivers in the Midwest who also races an UMP Modified on occasion and was the winner of one of the biggest races for Dirt Modifieds in the Midwest, Extreme 100 in August 2010 at Mt. Pleasant. Zack Olger, who was the 2010 runner-up at both I-96 and Mt. Pleasant, and Muskegon area ace, John McCaul will also be ones to watch.
In addition to Robinson Jr., and Olger, more I-96 regulars looking to hold off the traveling invaders includes; Two-Time Track Champion Todd Feutz, as well as former track champions and brothers, Ryan and Shannon Fisk. In addition, the Father-Son team of Tim and Travis Stemler, as well as Mark Anderson, and many more will look to fend off the onslaught of top notch traveling stars.
A slew of talented drivers who were amongst the top stars in UMP Modifieds throughout the state of Michigan in 2010 that have indicated their intentions on running the MDC Modifieds Tour includes Cody Bauer, Brennan Bowen, Roger Flinn III, Andy Galgoci, Josh Lolmaugh, David Mielke, Kevin Miller, Jacob Poel, Joe Rokos, Curt Spaulding, Chad Spencer, Randy Whitten, and many more.
"We have a truly talented field of teams planning on running the full tour. We're very happy with the Pre-Registration list!" MDC Co-Founder / Promoter, Bill Long stated. "We've got teams from several states and quite a few from Canada looking to race with us. I can't wait for the first race at I-96. We're going to make history." He added.
The MDC tour will travel throughout the state of Michigan participating in a seven race schedule. In each case when the Tour comes to each facility, those events will count for not only Michigan Dirt Cup points, but for each tracks respective weekly point's standings in addition to UMP State and National Points!
After the first race at i-96, the MDC Modified Tour will visit six other established Michigan dirt facilities beginning with race #2 at Butler Motor Speedway in Quincy, Michigan (Saturday, June 11th). From there, the Tour travels to Winston Motor Speedway in Rothbury, Michigan (Friday, June 17th), Owendale Speedway in Owendale, Michigan (Saturday, July 2nd), Cherry Speedway in Fife Lake, Michigan (Friday, July 22nd), Mt. Pleasant Speedway in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan (Sunday, August 21st), and the season finale will be at Hartford Motor Speedway in Hartford, Michigan (Saturday, October 1st). The first six events will pay $1,500 to win while the season finale at Hartford will pay a whopping $5,000 to the winner!
Lane Automotive, in conjunction with several other racing part manufacturers, has offered MDC Modifieds Tour members a lucrative contingency award for each event on the 2011 schedule. At each tour event, one MDC member driver from the feature starting lineup will be awarded a special contingency product certificate package with a minimum value of $650, providing the car has the proper decals affixed.
The contingency winning number will be drawn by a youngster chosen from the crowd. The driver whose scheduled A-Feature starting position matches the number drawn will be awarded the package. Contingency certificates will be redeemable through Lane Automotive in Watervliet, Michigan. Participants in this program include Allstar Performance, Lane Automotive, ARP Fasteners, Aeroquip, Mr. Gasket, Landrum Springs, and QA-1. In addition, the participating manufacturers will also award product certificates at the MDCMT awards banquet.
Michigan Dirt Cup, Dart Heads and Lane Automotive are pleased to announce an exciting new program for drivers competing in the tour during the 2011 season. Dart will award a set of cylinder heads valued up to $1000 to the driver who gains the most overall positions in the seven A-Feature events in 2011.
One point will be awarded for each position gained from a driver's initial feature starting spot in each MDC A-Feature event. Points will then be tabulated throughout the season, and the driver with the highest point total at season's end will be awarded the certificate which can be redeemed for the cylinder heads through Lane Automotive in Watervliet, Michigan. The only requirements are that drivers must be Michigan Dirt Cup Members and both Dart and Lane decals must be displayed on both sides of the car.
For more information about the inaugural 2011 racing season for the Michigan Dirt Cup Allstar Performance Modified Tour powered by Lane Automotive, Aeroquip, and ARP Fasteners, visit the tour website at: www.michigandirtcup.com
Winston Speedway Canceled tonight
Extensive rain during the week has resulted in the cancelaization of tonights events for Winston Speedway.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Keeping Up With Jeep
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 27, 2011
Jeep Van Wormer and Iron Motorsports Preps for Hartford and K-C this Weekend!
(PINCONNING, MICHIGAN) With Mother Nature wreaking havoc through most of the Midwest last weekend, Jeep Van Wormer and his #55 Dirt Late Model team were able to get one race into the books. They invaded the Winston Speedway in Rothbury, Michigan on Saturday night, April 23 for the annual running of the 'Player Hater 50.' Jeep started dead last in his heat race after drawing a poor number, but passed multiple competitors to finish third in his prelim.
After starting twelfth in the $2,500 to win main event, the Pinconning, Michigan native did his best to navigate the ultra-rough racing surface. He was heading towards a solid finish in the unsanctioned event until he lost his brakes in the waning laps. Jeep pulled off the track with several circuits remaining, but still wound up ninth in the final rundown due to all of the attrition. Full results from Winston can be accessed online at www.winstonspeedway.net.
Next up for the Iron Motorsports team will be a doubleheader April 29-30 weekend in the states of Michigan and Ohio. On Friday night, the Hartford Motor Speedway in Hartford, Michigan will play host to a $10,000 to win World of Outlaws Late Model Series program. The next evening will find the #55 team at the K-C Raceway in Chillicothe, Ohio for a $4,000 to win All Star Late Model Series (ASLMS) showdown. You can view additional information about both high-profile events by logging onto www.worldofoutlaws.com and www.kc-raceway.com.
The Iron Motorsports team thanks the following sponsors for their continued and unwavering support: Bayline Fire Protection, Globe Technologies, Services on Site, Van Wormer Management, Rocket Chassis, Fletcher Made Horsepower, ACPT, All-Pro Cylinder Heads, Allstar Performance, Banshee Graphics, Barnes Oil Systems, Bell Racing, Beyea Headers, Brinn, Inc., BSB Manufacturing, Delph Communications, Dyer's Top Rods, Eibach Springs, Fine Line Window Tinting, Goodridge Hose & Fittings, Hoosier Racing Tire, Howe Racing Enterprises, J.C. Dubil, Joe Gibbs Driven Racing Oil, Joe's Racing Products, K-B Carburetors, Keyser's Port City Racing, KRC Power Steering, Lane Automotive, Oakley, Outerwears, Penske Shocks, Peterson Fluid Systems, R2C Performance, Ringers Gloves, Scott Performance Wire, Sweet Mfg., TWM Racing, V.P. Racing Fuels, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products, Wilwood Engineering, and Wrisco.
To learn more about the Iron Motorsports team, log onto their home on the web located at www.jeepvanwormer.com.
Media Contact: Ryan Delph - Delph Communications
www.delphcommunications.com
April 27, 2011
Jeep Van Wormer and Iron Motorsports Preps for Hartford and K-C this Weekend!
(PINCONNING, MICHIGAN) With Mother Nature wreaking havoc through most of the Midwest last weekend, Jeep Van Wormer and his #55 Dirt Late Model team were able to get one race into the books. They invaded the Winston Speedway in Rothbury, Michigan on Saturday night, April 23 for the annual running of the 'Player Hater 50.' Jeep started dead last in his heat race after drawing a poor number, but passed multiple competitors to finish third in his prelim.
After starting twelfth in the $2,500 to win main event, the Pinconning, Michigan native did his best to navigate the ultra-rough racing surface. He was heading towards a solid finish in the unsanctioned event until he lost his brakes in the waning laps. Jeep pulled off the track with several circuits remaining, but still wound up ninth in the final rundown due to all of the attrition. Full results from Winston can be accessed online at www.winstonspeedway.net.
Next up for the Iron Motorsports team will be a doubleheader April 29-30 weekend in the states of Michigan and Ohio. On Friday night, the Hartford Motor Speedway in Hartford, Michigan will play host to a $10,000 to win World of Outlaws Late Model Series program. The next evening will find the #55 team at the K-C Raceway in Chillicothe, Ohio for a $4,000 to win All Star Late Model Series (ASLMS) showdown. You can view additional information about both high-profile events by logging onto www.worldofoutlaws.com and www.kc-raceway.com.
The Iron Motorsports team thanks the following sponsors for their continued and unwavering support: Bayline Fire Protection, Globe Technologies, Services on Site, Van Wormer Management, Rocket Chassis, Fletcher Made Horsepower, ACPT, All-Pro Cylinder Heads, Allstar Performance, Banshee Graphics, Barnes Oil Systems, Bell Racing, Beyea Headers, Brinn, Inc., BSB Manufacturing, Delph Communications, Dyer's Top Rods, Eibach Springs, Fine Line Window Tinting, Goodridge Hose & Fittings, Hoosier Racing Tire, Howe Racing Enterprises, J.C. Dubil, Joe Gibbs Driven Racing Oil, Joe's Racing Products, K-B Carburetors, Keyser's Port City Racing, KRC Power Steering, Lane Automotive, Oakley, Outerwears, Penske Shocks, Peterson Fluid Systems, R2C Performance, Ringers Gloves, Scott Performance Wire, Sweet Mfg., TWM Racing, V.P. Racing Fuels, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products, Wilwood Engineering, and Wrisco.
To learn more about the Iron Motorsports team, log onto their home on the web located at www.jeepvanwormer.com.
Media Contact: Ryan Delph - Delph Communications
www.delphcommunications.com
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Michigan Driver Salutes
Mark Anderson at Winston Speedway
Driver Salutes: Mark Anderson, Phil Bozell among opening statewide winners
By Steve Kaminski | The Grand Rapids Press MLive.com
Did your favorite driver have a big weekend? Feel free to email nominations to stevekracer@aol.com. I'll pay tribute to the top Michigan drivers each week.
Mark Anderson, Lowell
Anderson powered his way to victory in Saturday’s Modified feature at Winston Motor Speedway in Rothbury, beating out Brian Ruhlman in the season opener.
Phil Bozell, Portage
Bozell won Kalamazoo Speedway’s season-opening Intimidator 100 Super Late Model race Saturday night. Bozell outran Scott Hantz by 4.68 seconds.
Brian Campbell, Wyoming
Campbell took the lead on lap 18 and went on to win Saturday night’s VR-12 Easter Bunny 100 at Toledo Speedway, taking top honors in the JEGS/CRA All Star Tours inaugural race.
Chris Stearns, Davison
The 22-year-old Modified racer took the lead with eight laps to go and went on to win Saturday night’s 40-lap feature race at Auto City Speedway in Flint.
Brian Wiersma, Coopersville
The five-time Berlin Raceway Super Stocks track champion opened the 2011 season by winning Saturday night’s 30-lap feature.
Berlin Raceway's opening night a possible early indication of memorable season
Steve Kaminski
The Grand Rapids Press MLive.com
MARNE -- There were celebrations, heartaches and tears of joy, all rolled into a four-hour span when Berlin Raceway opened its 61st season Saturday night.
If this weekend’s action is a sign of things to come, then 2011 promises to be a memorable one at the Marne half-mile.
Let’s take one more look back.
• Grand Rapids Press reporter Julie Makarewicz wrote a story for Sunday’s Press on Saturday’s meeting between Lexi Derosha of Middleville and Tim Phillips of Lamar, Mo.
Phillips donated bone marrow to Derosha in March of 2010, and Derosha is doing great. The two met for the first time Saturday afternoon at On The Border in Kentwood, then attended Berlin’s races.
The day kept getting better and better for Derosha when her favorite driver, Racingawareness.com’s Dave Lake won the 30-lap Modified feature.
Derosha is one of the inspirations behind Racingawareness.com, a West Michigan-based race team that raised over $50,000 for the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Foundation in its inaugural season last year. In fact, the car’s number is 97L, with the L honoring Lexi.
"I was up in the stands, pulling my hair out," Derosha said. "I was freaking out. I kept saying, 'I hope he wins. I hope he wins.'"
• Grand Rapids driver Lee VanDyk is going to be a factor in the track’s Late Model class this season if he can get a break or two. He was running third in Saturday’s 60-lap Late Model feature when he blew an engine on lap 31.
"I was just saving the tires and the car kept coming to me really easy," VanDyk said. "I pulled up behind the No. 1 car, and the motor started making a couple of noises, and then it went away. A couple of five laps later, I think it dropped a valve.
"Hopefully, it didn’t ruin the heads. Fortunately, it didn’t release any oil, so the motor is all intact. But something is bouncing around in the drive train."
VanDyk remained optimistic about the season.
"I have been working on the car for three years, and I have finally figured it out," he said.
• The calendar says 2011, but it felt like 2008 Saturday night after Brian Wiersma (Super Stocks) and Jason DeVos (4 Cylinders) won feature races. The two both won track championships in 2008, and they looked great this weekend. It was DeVos’ first win since 2009.
• How great was it to see Greg Zimmerman of Lowell back racing Late Models Saturday? Zimmerman was a Berlin regular during the 1990s, but we haven’t seen much of him during the past decade. Zimmerman finished ninth in his return.
• Brian Tillema is the man to beat in the Pro Stock division once again this season after winning Saturday’s feature, but it is looking like Brandon Hermiller of Grand Rapids could give him his biggest challenge.
Hermiller finished second in Saturday’s feature to Tillema. It was Hermiller’s seventh consecutive top-four finish dating back to last August.
It’s hard to believe that Hermiller, a West Catholic High School senior, is only 18.
The Grand Rapids Press MLive.com
MARNE -- There were celebrations, heartaches and tears of joy, all rolled into a four-hour span when Berlin Raceway opened its 61st season Saturday night.
If this weekend’s action is a sign of things to come, then 2011 promises to be a memorable one at the Marne half-mile.
Let’s take one more look back.
• Grand Rapids Press reporter Julie Makarewicz wrote a story for Sunday’s Press on Saturday’s meeting between Lexi Derosha of Middleville and Tim Phillips of Lamar, Mo.
Phillips donated bone marrow to Derosha in March of 2010, and Derosha is doing great. The two met for the first time Saturday afternoon at On The Border in Kentwood, then attended Berlin’s races.
The day kept getting better and better for Derosha when her favorite driver, Racingawareness.com’s Dave Lake won the 30-lap Modified feature.
Derosha is one of the inspirations behind Racingawareness.com, a West Michigan-based race team that raised over $50,000 for the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Foundation in its inaugural season last year. In fact, the car’s number is 97L, with the L honoring Lexi.
"I was up in the stands, pulling my hair out," Derosha said. "I was freaking out. I kept saying, 'I hope he wins. I hope he wins.'"
• Grand Rapids driver Lee VanDyk is going to be a factor in the track’s Late Model class this season if he can get a break or two. He was running third in Saturday’s 60-lap Late Model feature when he blew an engine on lap 31.
"I was just saving the tires and the car kept coming to me really easy," VanDyk said. "I pulled up behind the No. 1 car, and the motor started making a couple of noises, and then it went away. A couple of five laps later, I think it dropped a valve.
"Hopefully, it didn’t ruin the heads. Fortunately, it didn’t release any oil, so the motor is all intact. But something is bouncing around in the drive train."
VanDyk remained optimistic about the season.
"I have been working on the car for three years, and I have finally figured it out," he said.
• The calendar says 2011, but it felt like 2008 Saturday night after Brian Wiersma (Super Stocks) and Jason DeVos (4 Cylinders) won feature races. The two both won track championships in 2008, and they looked great this weekend. It was DeVos’ first win since 2009.
• How great was it to see Greg Zimmerman of Lowell back racing Late Models Saturday? Zimmerman was a Berlin regular during the 1990s, but we haven’t seen much of him during the past decade. Zimmerman finished ninth in his return.
• Brian Tillema is the man to beat in the Pro Stock division once again this season after winning Saturday’s feature, but it is looking like Brandon Hermiller of Grand Rapids could give him his biggest challenge.
Hermiller finished second in Saturday’s feature to Tillema. It was Hermiller’s seventh consecutive top-four finish dating back to last August.
It’s hard to believe that Hermiller, a West Catholic High School senior, is only 18.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
6th annual Ice Breaker rings in 2011 at I-96 Speedway
This Saturday, April 30th; 2011 Season Opener / 6th annual Ice Breaker rings in 2011 at I-96 Speedway
Lake Odessa, Michigan (Tuesday, April 26th, 2011): The waiting is over, the final preparations have been made, and it's now time to go racing at I-96 Speedway in Lake Odessa, Michigan! The official start of the 2011 racing season is THIS Saturday, April 30th with Opening Night 2011 / 6th annual Ice Breaker as the festive opener will be headlined by the high-powered and ultra competitive UMP Late Models in their first race of the season paying $1,200 to win and beginning the chase for the 2011 Track Championship.
In addition, the UMP Modifieds will open their 2011 season in a Big Way! Not only is it their Season Opener at I-96, it's also the Inaugural Event for the brand new Michigan Dirt Cup Allstar Performance Modified Tour powered by Lane Automotive, Aeroquip, and ARP Fasteners as the open wheeled machines will be going for a hefty $1,500 to Win as the night will also count towards UMP Track, State, and National Points as well as the chase for the inaugural Michigan Dirt Cup Modifieds Series Title!
Race fans will not only be a part of history with the inaugural race for Michigan Dirt Cup, but the management of MDC is working hard to make their inaugural event a success as the new series will be giving away four (4) pairs of tickets to the NASCAR Nationwide Series 250-lap event at Michigan International Speedway on Saturday, June 18th. In addition, a K&N Cold Air Filter, valued at $500 will also be given away as well as four (4) Bikes to be handed out as well for the kids, courtesy of Last Chance Motorsports.
Joining the UMP Late Models and UMP Modifieds on the fast 3/8s (0.375) mile high-banked dirt oval will be the UMP Street Stocks who'll be racing for $300 to Win and $100 Just to Start! In addition and for this race only, American Racer tires will be allowed in an effort to give prospective teams a chance to try out I-96 Speedway! The UMP Sport Compacts (formerly Four Cylinders / Road Beaters) will wrap up the festive evening as they'll be fighting for $150 to Win! All Four Weekly Divisions will begin each respective chase for their 2011 Track Championships.
On Saturday nights throughout the 2011 racing season, (unless otherwise noted for traveling series who will Qualify) the Pit Gates open at 3:00p.m. Grandstand Gates open at 5:00p.m. The Drivers Meeting will begin at 5:30p.m., with Practice (Hot Laps) starting at 6:00p.m. Then after the Pre-Race Ceremonies / Invocation / National Anthem(s), Racing begins promptly at 7:00p.m. Fans are encouraged to get to the track early, tailgate in the parking lot, watch the haulers pull into the grounds, reacquaint with old friends, and get ready for the 2011 racing season!
On Friday, May 6th the Mother's Day Holiday Weekend kicks off with the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) District 14 Flat Track Motorcycles will hit the 1/2 mile for the first time in 2011in race #1 of their season series at I-96 Speedway. For all Friday AMA D14 shows in 2011, the Pit Gates Open at 4:00p.m., while the Grandstands Open up at 6:00p.m. Practice 7:00p.m., and then after Pre-Race Ceremonies / Invocation / National Anthem(s),, Racing Starts 8:00p.m.
Then on Saturday, May 7th, a full 4 in 1 show is on tap in celebration of Mothers Day Weekend as the UMP Late Models will be going for $1,500 to Win! They'll be joined by the UMP Modifieds, UMP Street Stocks and UMP Sport Compacts on the 3/8s mile. Pit Gates open at 3:00p.m. Grandstand Gates open at 5:00p.m., while the Drivers Meeting will begin at 5:30p.m., with Practice (Hot Laps) starting at 6:00p.m. Then after the Pre-Race Ceremonies / Invocation / National Anthem(s), Racing begins promptly at 7:00p.m.
Starting on Tuesday, May 3rd, Bi-weekly Tuesday Night Test & Tunes begin and will go from 5:00p.m-"Dark". The next scheduled Test & Tune after May 3rd will be on May 17th and will continue on a bi-weekly basis through at the month of June.
For more information regarding the 2011 racing season at I-96 Speedway, please call: 1 (616) 642-0555 or visit the new and improved website at: www.i96speedway.com You can also follow the entire 2011 season in Lake Odessa, Michigan by becoming a fan on the tracks Facebook Fan Page. Just go to: www.facebook.com and search "I-96 Speedway" and click on "Like" today. You can even follow us on Twitter, just go to: www.twitter.com and search "I-96 Speedway"
Winston Speedway 'Player Hater 50'
Check out some of the Action from Friday Nights Player Hater 50 at Winston Speedway. Mike Spatola fought his way to the win. This event had it all including bumps, bangs, flames and lots of attrition.
You can find complete results HERE.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Phil Bozell holds on to win Intimidator 100 on Opening Night at Kalamazoo Speedway
Phil Bozell holds on to win Intimidator 100 on Opening Night at Kalamazoo Speedway
By David Drew
KALAMAZOO — Phil Bozell said he always needs a handful of laps for his car to find a rhythm.
He had the final 14 laps in Saturday’s Intimidator 100 on Opening Night at Kalamazoo Speedway to settle into a flow and he used every one to his advantage.
After a neck-and-neck battle with Mark Shook for a good portion of the race’s final 20 laps, Bozell pulled away after the last yellow flag restart to secure his first-ever Intimidator 100 win.
“I have to give props to Mark Shook. He raced me hard on the outside all night,” said Bozell, of Portage. “My car takes about four or five laps to get going and it took four or five tonight, but after that, this thing got in a rhythm and it was hauling.”
Shook, who pulled out of the race in the final laps and tallied a 12th-place finish, led for most of the first 45 laps of the race.
“Mark was good for sure,” Bozell said. “I know in the first lap my car was good. I was just trying to take my time and things just went my way. I got to Mark and I could see he was getting loose. Me and Mark are good friends and race each other clean, and I just picked away. Finally, he wiggled one time and that’s all it took.”
Shook gave Bozell all he could handle following caution laps as well.
“On the restarts, he just did an awesome job, but on a long restart, we’re hard to beat,” Bozell said proudly.
Scott Hanz, of Angola, Ind., finished second in the 100-lap race. Andy Bozell, of Portage, finished third, Rick Sexton (Mattawan) was fourth and Jeff Ganus (Constantine) finished fifth.
After a winless 2010 season, Schoolcraft’s Matt Bainbridge started this season with a bang, picking up the win in the 30-lap Modified class feature race.
“This is my second year with this car and we worked so hard on it,” Bainbridge said with a big smile after the win. “It was pretty intense.”
Bainbridge trailed AJ Foote for a good portion of the race, but the 22-year-old made his move at the right time and snuck in front of Foote just two laps before a caution flag.
Bainbridge owned the final five laps following the restart, but it wasn’t without worry.
“I was actually pretty tired during that last caution,” he said. “I was just thinking during the caution, ‘Man, I hope the tires hold.’ This is awesome because we worked so hard over the winter.”
Kenny Head finally had reason to smile after a Super Stock race on opening night. For the first time in 24 years, the Plainwell resident took home the checkered flag in the first race of the season at Kalamazoo Speedway.
“I’ve never won in 24 years on opening night. This is awesome," he said.
Even after an extended delay during a red flag, the competition couldn’t catch Head in the final six laps.
He credited a new motor for giving him an edge in the race.
“We just got a motor in it yesterday afternoon and we worked on it all night,” Head said with pride. “We worked on it all day and night trying to get this thing to handle and, boy, we hit it tonight.”
A scratched and tattered car couldn’t mask the smile on Scott Elsey’s face after winning his first-ever feature race in the Pro Stock class.
“I’m about to cry. This is my first feature win here,” an emotional Elsey said. “We’re going to celebrate good. This win goes to my mom.”
In an exciting 25-lap race that saw cars three-wide for several laps, Elsey, from Paw Paw, was just glad to cross the finish line first.
“It was scary,” he said with a little laugh. “My car’s all tore up. I was getting bumped and I knew I had to stay low and I pulled it out.”
In the 20-lap Cyber Stock feature race, Plainwell’s Doug Smith passed his younger brother, Clark, with four laps remaining and held on to pick up the checkered flag.
“It was tough getting through there and that was my brother in front of me. I knew with four laps to go I was going to pull him, I just had to do it,” Doug Smith said. “There’s always a rivalry and neither one of us likes to lose. This is fantastic because I’ve been working on this for two years and tonight I did it.”
By David Drew
KALAMAZOO — Phil Bozell said he always needs a handful of laps for his car to find a rhythm.
He had the final 14 laps in Saturday’s Intimidator 100 on Opening Night at Kalamazoo Speedway to settle into a flow and he used every one to his advantage.
After a neck-and-neck battle with Mark Shook for a good portion of the race’s final 20 laps, Bozell pulled away after the last yellow flag restart to secure his first-ever Intimidator 100 win.
“I have to give props to Mark Shook. He raced me hard on the outside all night,” said Bozell, of Portage. “My car takes about four or five laps to get going and it took four or five tonight, but after that, this thing got in a rhythm and it was hauling.”
Shook, who pulled out of the race in the final laps and tallied a 12th-place finish, led for most of the first 45 laps of the race.
“Mark was good for sure,” Bozell said. “I know in the first lap my car was good. I was just trying to take my time and things just went my way. I got to Mark and I could see he was getting loose. Me and Mark are good friends and race each other clean, and I just picked away. Finally, he wiggled one time and that’s all it took.”
Shook gave Bozell all he could handle following caution laps as well.
“On the restarts, he just did an awesome job, but on a long restart, we’re hard to beat,” Bozell said proudly.
Scott Hanz, of Angola, Ind., finished second in the 100-lap race. Andy Bozell, of Portage, finished third, Rick Sexton (Mattawan) was fourth and Jeff Ganus (Constantine) finished fifth.
After a winless 2010 season, Schoolcraft’s Matt Bainbridge started this season with a bang, picking up the win in the 30-lap Modified class feature race.
“This is my second year with this car and we worked so hard on it,” Bainbridge said with a big smile after the win. “It was pretty intense.”
Bainbridge trailed AJ Foote for a good portion of the race, but the 22-year-old made his move at the right time and snuck in front of Foote just two laps before a caution flag.
Bainbridge owned the final five laps following the restart, but it wasn’t without worry.
“I was actually pretty tired during that last caution,” he said. “I was just thinking during the caution, ‘Man, I hope the tires hold.’ This is awesome because we worked so hard over the winter.”
Kenny Head finally had reason to smile after a Super Stock race on opening night. For the first time in 24 years, the Plainwell resident took home the checkered flag in the first race of the season at Kalamazoo Speedway.
“I’ve never won in 24 years on opening night. This is awesome," he said.
Even after an extended delay during a red flag, the competition couldn’t catch Head in the final six laps.
He credited a new motor for giving him an edge in the race.
“We just got a motor in it yesterday afternoon and we worked on it all night,” Head said with pride. “We worked on it all day and night trying to get this thing to handle and, boy, we hit it tonight.”
A scratched and tattered car couldn’t mask the smile on Scott Elsey’s face after winning his first-ever feature race in the Pro Stock class.
“I’m about to cry. This is my first feature win here,” an emotional Elsey said. “We’re going to celebrate good. This win goes to my mom.”
In an exciting 25-lap race that saw cars three-wide for several laps, Elsey, from Paw Paw, was just glad to cross the finish line first.
“It was scary,” he said with a little laugh. “My car’s all tore up. I was getting bumped and I knew I had to stay low and I pulled it out.”
In the 20-lap Cyber Stock feature race, Plainwell’s Doug Smith passed his younger brother, Clark, with four laps remaining and held on to pick up the checkered flag.
“It was tough getting through there and that was my brother in front of me. I knew with four laps to go I was going to pull him, I just had to do it,” Doug Smith said. “There’s always a rivalry and neither one of us likes to lose. This is fantastic because I’ve been working on this for two years and tonight I did it.”
Brian Tillema begins chase of Berlin Raceway history with victory in season opener
Brian Tillema begins chase of Berlin Raceway history with victory in season opener
By Steve Kaminski | The Grand Rapids Press MLive.com
Berlin Raceway: Opening night 2011 gallery (5 photos)
MARNE -- Brian Tillema of Byron Center is chasing Berlin Raceway track history this season, although he probably doesn’t even know it.
Tillema won Saturday night’s season-opening 25-lap Pro Stocks feature race at the Marne half-mile, holding off Brandon Hermiller and Dave Hull. Tillema started fourth, grabbed the lead on lap five and led the rest of the way.
Tillema is pursuing a fifth consecutive Pro Stocks championship, and no driver has won five consecutive track titles in Berlin’s 61-year history. He tied John Benson Sr. and Fred Campbell with his fourth title in a row last fall.
Benson won four consecutive from 1971-1974 and Campbell 1979-1982.
Not that Tillema is keeping track of titles, though.
Brian Tillema
"We never really race for championships," Tillema said. "We just do the best that we can every week. We just want to win races.
"We have never really worried about championships. We just come out here to have fun. We don’t have a real big budget, so as long as nothing big happens, we will keep coming back every week."
While Tillema has been the driver to beat for the past four years, he kept busy during the off-season trying to stay ahead of the competition. So far, so good for Tillema.
"We did quite a bit of work underneath the car during the winter to see if we could make it come off the turns better," Tillema said. "It looked like it has really paid off. These other guys are getting pretty fast, and they are making us do our homework. We are trying some different things, and so far, they are working pretty well."
SEASON OPENER
Saturday’s feature winners: Terry Senneker Jr. (Late Models), Brian Wiersma (Super Stocks), Dave Lake (Modifieds), Brian Tillema (Pro Stocks), Jason DeVos (4 Cylinders)
Driver of the night: Spring Lake’s Caleb Bisacky finished second in the Late Model main and third in the Modified feature, and he won two heat races.
Tough luck award: Grand Rapids driver Lee VanDyk was running third in the Late Model feature when he blew an engine on lap 31.
Move of the night: Brian Wiersma slipped by Nick Gebben with five laps to go to win the Super Stocks main.
Up next: Berlin is hosting Late Models, Super Stocks, Pro Stocks, Modifieds and 4 Cylinders 7 p.m. Saturday. Admission is $10 for adults, and children 11-and-younger are free.
Late Model driver Terry Senneker Jr. of Wayland is off to a fast, too.
Senneker overtook Caleb Bisacky for the lead on a lap 39 restart, then held off Bisacky and T.A. Gentry Racing teammate Steve Needles to capture the 60-lap main.
Senneker and Needles plan to run full time this season after competing at Berlin on a part-time basis in recent seasons.
"The beginning of the race is kind of a patience game," Senneker said. "Tires definitely fall off where you have to conserve a little bit. But it was hard racing. "We plan to race out here all year, and we are off to a good start in the points. I didn’t know the car was this good when we got out here. All day in practice and qualifying, it just wasn’t there. But the whole race, it stayed the same."
Other feature winners Saturday were Jason DeVos in 4 Cylinders and Dave Lake in Modifieds. Lake, the defending Super Stock track champion, made his debut in the Racingawareness.com Modified on Saturday and held off Billy Shotko and Bisacky for the win in the 30-lap main.
By Steve Kaminski | The Grand Rapids Press MLive.com
Berlin Raceway: Opening night 2011 gallery (5 photos)
MARNE -- Brian Tillema of Byron Center is chasing Berlin Raceway track history this season, although he probably doesn’t even know it.
Tillema won Saturday night’s season-opening 25-lap Pro Stocks feature race at the Marne half-mile, holding off Brandon Hermiller and Dave Hull. Tillema started fourth, grabbed the lead on lap five and led the rest of the way.
Tillema is pursuing a fifth consecutive Pro Stocks championship, and no driver has won five consecutive track titles in Berlin’s 61-year history. He tied John Benson Sr. and Fred Campbell with his fourth title in a row last fall.
Benson won four consecutive from 1971-1974 and Campbell 1979-1982.
Not that Tillema is keeping track of titles, though.
Brian Tillema
"We never really race for championships," Tillema said. "We just do the best that we can every week. We just want to win races.
"We have never really worried about championships. We just come out here to have fun. We don’t have a real big budget, so as long as nothing big happens, we will keep coming back every week."
While Tillema has been the driver to beat for the past four years, he kept busy during the off-season trying to stay ahead of the competition. So far, so good for Tillema.
"We did quite a bit of work underneath the car during the winter to see if we could make it come off the turns better," Tillema said. "It looked like it has really paid off. These other guys are getting pretty fast, and they are making us do our homework. We are trying some different things, and so far, they are working pretty well."
SEASON OPENER
Saturday’s feature winners: Terry Senneker Jr. (Late Models), Brian Wiersma (Super Stocks), Dave Lake (Modifieds), Brian Tillema (Pro Stocks), Jason DeVos (4 Cylinders)
Driver of the night: Spring Lake’s Caleb Bisacky finished second in the Late Model main and third in the Modified feature, and he won two heat races.
Tough luck award: Grand Rapids driver Lee VanDyk was running third in the Late Model feature when he blew an engine on lap 31.
Move of the night: Brian Wiersma slipped by Nick Gebben with five laps to go to win the Super Stocks main.
Up next: Berlin is hosting Late Models, Super Stocks, Pro Stocks, Modifieds and 4 Cylinders 7 p.m. Saturday. Admission is $10 for adults, and children 11-and-younger are free.
Late Model driver Terry Senneker Jr. of Wayland is off to a fast, too.
Senneker overtook Caleb Bisacky for the lead on a lap 39 restart, then held off Bisacky and T.A. Gentry Racing teammate Steve Needles to capture the 60-lap main.
Senneker and Needles plan to run full time this season after competing at Berlin on a part-time basis in recent seasons.
"The beginning of the race is kind of a patience game," Senneker said. "Tires definitely fall off where you have to conserve a little bit. But it was hard racing. "We plan to race out here all year, and we are off to a good start in the points. I didn’t know the car was this good when we got out here. All day in practice and qualifying, it just wasn’t there. But the whole race, it stayed the same."
Other feature winners Saturday were Jason DeVos in 4 Cylinders and Dave Lake in Modifieds. Lake, the defending Super Stock track champion, made his debut in the Racingawareness.com Modified on Saturday and held off Billy Shotko and Bisacky for the win in the 30-lap main.
Veteran driver Curt Filkins has unique paint job to unveil as Berlin Raceway opens 2011 season
Veteran driver Curt Filkins has unique paint job to unveil as Berlin Raceway opens 2011 season
By Steve Kaminski
The Grand Rapids Press MLive.com
Berlin Raceway driver has new-look Modified car gallery (6 photos)
Fans might be wondering if veteran driver Curt Filkins of Wyoming spent the offseason trying to win races or ArtPrize when Berlin Raceway opens for its 61st season.
And a word of caution to drivers with a clown phobia, too.
"If they had rear view mirrors in those cars, people would freak out," said Jason Essex, who helps operate the family-owned Essex Body Shop and Customz, 1447 Michigan Street NE.
Filkins, who started racing locally in 1975, has joined Berlin’s Modified division, and he said he has never had a car like this one. Essex painted the car, then turned it over to local airbrusher Patrick Kelly.
Going fast isn’t good enough for drivers these days. They want to look good, too. Filkins told Essex and Kelly to come up with something cool, but not even he was expecting the result.
Think Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s black No. 3 Chevy was intimidating? That car might be considered a bit wussy compared to Filkins’ Modified, with its menacing clown splashed on the hood and its green hair wrapped around the sides of the car.
"When I dropped this car off, it was red," Filkins said. "Jason said you are barred for two weeks. He calls me and tells me to come see your car. I walked into the booth, and I said, ‘Are you kidding me?’ It is unbelievable. The talent to do that type of art work amazes me.
"Jason and Patrick wanted to do something to get people talking and give the kids something to talk about. It is definitely different and unique. No one has ever seen a car like that at Berlin. Ever. I have had good looking cars, but this is by far the best looking car that I’ve ever had."
Check out the National Hot Rod Association to see more of Essex ‘s work. He applied the cosmic chrome on Antron Brown’s Top Fuel Dragster.
The local scene keeps him busy, too. Filkins races for Castle Motorsports, which includes teammates Ray VanAllsburg and Nick Gebben. Essex did the pain job on all three of the team’s cars, as well as the 4 Cylinders for Ryan and Kyle Hamm. Filkins raced Super Stocks last year and earned the division’s Best Appearing Car.
Kelly, who owns Xtraordinair, 1040 Veto Street NW in Grand Rapids, has done airbrush work on motorcycles, cars, trucks and vans. Kelly put about 33 hours into Filkins’ car, and he did Filkins’ helmet, too.
"Curt talked about doing something fun with it," Kelly said. "I got the idea right away of putting something encompassing on the whole car. I went home and drew it up. This is actually the first idea that I sketched out, and Curt gave me full reign to go to town with it."
Filkins said looking good out on the track this season isn’t the only goal, adding that he is looking forward to the challenges of a new division. He receives sponsorship from Essex, so they told him not to worry if his hotrod gets a ding or two, which has been known to happen on short tracks like the Marne half-mile.
"If I at least win a heat race, I will have won a race in four different divisions," Filkins said. "I don’t know if anybody else has done that. But that is my goal. I have already won races in Sportsman, Super Stocks and Late Models."
BERLIN RACEWAY
Location: 2060 Berlin Fair Drive, Marne
Track: Half-mile asphalt oval
Weekly program: Late Models, Super Stocks, Modifieds, Pro Stocks and 4-Cylinder cars.
Opening night: 7 p.m. Saturday
What’s new
• Weekly tickets have been reduced to $10, and children 11-and-under are free.
• The Premier Boyne Machine Super Lates division, with Johnny Benson Jr. scheduled to run the series on a part-time basis.
• The traveling Vintage Racing Organization of America has scheduled 10 visits.
Special events
June 21 -- The Rowdy 251, featuring NASCAR’s Kyle Busch
July 9 -- ARCA Racing Series
Aug. 6 -- The Chet Aug. 6
Sept. 3 -- Open Wheel Showdown with Auto Value Super Sprints and USAC Midgets
Sept. 24 -- CRA Super Series 125.
Defending track champions: Ross Meeuwsen (Late Models), Dave Lake (Super Stocks), Brian Tillema (Pro Stocks), Brian Bergakker (Modifieds), Ryan Hamm (4 Cylinder A), Dan Dells (4 Cylinder B)
Contact information: 616-677-5000; berlinraceway.com
By Steve Kaminski
The Grand Rapids Press MLive.com
Berlin Raceway driver has new-look Modified car gallery (6 photos)
Fans might be wondering if veteran driver Curt Filkins of Wyoming spent the offseason trying to win races or ArtPrize when Berlin Raceway opens for its 61st season.
And a word of caution to drivers with a clown phobia, too.
"If they had rear view mirrors in those cars, people would freak out," said Jason Essex, who helps operate the family-owned Essex Body Shop and Customz, 1447 Michigan Street NE.
Filkins, who started racing locally in 1975, has joined Berlin’s Modified division, and he said he has never had a car like this one. Essex painted the car, then turned it over to local airbrusher Patrick Kelly.
Going fast isn’t good enough for drivers these days. They want to look good, too. Filkins told Essex and Kelly to come up with something cool, but not even he was expecting the result.
Think Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s black No. 3 Chevy was intimidating? That car might be considered a bit wussy compared to Filkins’ Modified, with its menacing clown splashed on the hood and its green hair wrapped around the sides of the car.
"When I dropped this car off, it was red," Filkins said. "Jason said you are barred for two weeks. He calls me and tells me to come see your car. I walked into the booth, and I said, ‘Are you kidding me?’ It is unbelievable. The talent to do that type of art work amazes me.
"Jason and Patrick wanted to do something to get people talking and give the kids something to talk about. It is definitely different and unique. No one has ever seen a car like that at Berlin. Ever. I have had good looking cars, but this is by far the best looking car that I’ve ever had."
Check out the National Hot Rod Association to see more of Essex ‘s work. He applied the cosmic chrome on Antron Brown’s Top Fuel Dragster.
The local scene keeps him busy, too. Filkins races for Castle Motorsports, which includes teammates Ray VanAllsburg and Nick Gebben. Essex did the pain job on all three of the team’s cars, as well as the 4 Cylinders for Ryan and Kyle Hamm. Filkins raced Super Stocks last year and earned the division’s Best Appearing Car.
Kelly, who owns Xtraordinair, 1040 Veto Street NW in Grand Rapids, has done airbrush work on motorcycles, cars, trucks and vans. Kelly put about 33 hours into Filkins’ car, and he did Filkins’ helmet, too.
"Curt talked about doing something fun with it," Kelly said. "I got the idea right away of putting something encompassing on the whole car. I went home and drew it up. This is actually the first idea that I sketched out, and Curt gave me full reign to go to town with it."
Filkins said looking good out on the track this season isn’t the only goal, adding that he is looking forward to the challenges of a new division. He receives sponsorship from Essex, so they told him not to worry if his hotrod gets a ding or two, which has been known to happen on short tracks like the Marne half-mile.
"If I at least win a heat race, I will have won a race in four different divisions," Filkins said. "I don’t know if anybody else has done that. But that is my goal. I have already won races in Sportsman, Super Stocks and Late Models."
BERLIN RACEWAY
Location: 2060 Berlin Fair Drive, Marne
Track: Half-mile asphalt oval
Weekly program: Late Models, Super Stocks, Modifieds, Pro Stocks and 4-Cylinder cars.
Opening night: 7 p.m. Saturday
What’s new
• Weekly tickets have been reduced to $10, and children 11-and-under are free.
• The Premier Boyne Machine Super Lates division, with Johnny Benson Jr. scheduled to run the series on a part-time basis.
• The traveling Vintage Racing Organization of America has scheduled 10 visits.
Special events
June 21 -- The Rowdy 251, featuring NASCAR’s Kyle Busch
July 9 -- ARCA Racing Series
Aug. 6 -- The Chet Aug. 6
Sept. 3 -- Open Wheel Showdown with Auto Value Super Sprints and USAC Midgets
Sept. 24 -- CRA Super Series 125.
Defending track champions: Ross Meeuwsen (Late Models), Dave Lake (Super Stocks), Brian Tillema (Pro Stocks), Brian Bergakker (Modifieds), Ryan Hamm (4 Cylinder A), Dan Dells (4 Cylinder B)
Contact information: 616-677-5000; berlinraceway.com
Season preview: West Michigan's must see races
By Steve Kaminski
The Grand Rapids Press MLive.com
What is going to be the biggest race of the West Michigan racing season?
Time will tell how all of these events will play out, but here’s a preview of the can’t-miss races, counting down to the one you just have to see.
10. I-96 Speedway in Lake Odessa opens its season April 30, and it will mark the debut of the Michigan Dirt Cup Modified Tour.
9. The Vintage Sports Car Drivers Association returns to Grattan Raceway on Aug. 19-20. Many of these cars should be in some hall of fame. Glad they still race them.
8. One of the state’s most prestigious races, the Kalamazoo Klash, is Aug. 17. Hard to believe it already is the 19th running of it.
7. The American Drag Racing League makes its annual U.S. 131 Motorsports Park visit July 15-16. Great racing, and tickets are free.
6. Mark down July 9 on your calendar because that’s when the ARCA Racing Series squares off at Berlin Raceway.
5. Top Fuel Dragsters will be included in the Thunder Nationals at Martin Dragway on May 20-21. It’s the only time they will race in the state this year.
4. Think all of the best racing is at Indy and Charlotte over Memorial Day weekend? Grattan Raceway is hosting a Sports Car Club of America national road race May 28-30, so a staycation won’t be all bad.
3. The International Hot Rod Association’s Nitro Jam returns to Martin Dragway. Like loud, fast, smokey cars? Thought so. It’s Aug. 12-13.
2. World of Outlaws. I-96 Speedway. May 21. Enough said.
1. What do you get when you put Kyle Busch in a Late Model on a short track? There is a reason why Berlin keeps inviting Busch back. The Rowdy 251 is June 21.
The Grand Rapids Press MLive.com
What is going to be the biggest race of the West Michigan racing season?
Time will tell how all of these events will play out, but here’s a preview of the can’t-miss races, counting down to the one you just have to see.
10. I-96 Speedway in Lake Odessa opens its season April 30, and it will mark the debut of the Michigan Dirt Cup Modified Tour.
9. The Vintage Sports Car Drivers Association returns to Grattan Raceway on Aug. 19-20. Many of these cars should be in some hall of fame. Glad they still race them.
8. One of the state’s most prestigious races, the Kalamazoo Klash, is Aug. 17. Hard to believe it already is the 19th running of it.
7. The American Drag Racing League makes its annual U.S. 131 Motorsports Park visit July 15-16. Great racing, and tickets are free.
6. Mark down July 9 on your calendar because that’s when the ARCA Racing Series squares off at Berlin Raceway.
5. Top Fuel Dragsters will be included in the Thunder Nationals at Martin Dragway on May 20-21. It’s the only time they will race in the state this year.
4. Think all of the best racing is at Indy and Charlotte over Memorial Day weekend? Grattan Raceway is hosting a Sports Car Club of America national road race May 28-30, so a staycation won’t be all bad.
3. The International Hot Rod Association’s Nitro Jam returns to Martin Dragway. Like loud, fast, smokey cars? Thought so. It’s Aug. 12-13.
2. World of Outlaws. I-96 Speedway. May 21. Enough said.
1. What do you get when you put Kyle Busch in a Late Model on a short track? There is a reason why Berlin keeps inviting Busch back. The Rowdy 251 is June 21.
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