Opening Night / Best Looking Car(s) Contest Kicks Off 2012 Racing Season At Cherry Raceway

Fife Lake, Michigan (Friday, May 18th, 2012): The 2012 Racing Season roared to life at the fast 3/8s (0.375) mile high-banked dirt oval of Cherry Raceway, located southeast of Traverse City in Fife Lake, Michigan as it was Opening Night 2012 / Best Looking Car(s) Contest as the 2012 campaign kicked off with s Huge Six in One show to jump start the new season up in the “Great White North.”

The first Feature of the night would be for the Four-Cylinder Compacts as it would be 13-year-old Chris Casey and 14-year-old Rheanna Doberstein leading the field to the green. However it would be 14-year-old Ryan Andras who would lead the first lap before Casey regrouped and overtook Andras on lap five and from there, the Williamsburg, Michigan driver in his Wilson Plumbing Mercury would score his first career Feature triumph.

Doberstein finished second as 16-year-old Cara Nevereth and Andras rounded out the field. Casey would also win the lone Heat Race as Doberstein took the honors of Best Appearing Car for Opening Night 2012.

The Street Stocks rolled out next for their Feature as it would be Dan Klinglesmith and Rookie Jason Halcomb starting on the front row. Klinglesmith would lead the first three laps before Bob Green took over the point and from there the Fife Lake, Michigan veteran in his Olson’s Auto Body Chevrolet would fight off a hard-charging Tim Tabaczka to score the Feature Win to add to winning the Best Appearing Car Award he won earlier in the evening.

Tabaczka finished second but was disqualified in post-race tech, giving the runner-up spot to 17-year-old rookie James Clem. Mark Phillips inherited third while Klinglesmith and 17-year-old Andy Nickerson III would finish off the top five. Clem and Green would pick up the Heat Race triumphs.

The Four-Cylinders Warriors were up next and the front row consisted of Mark Nienhouse and Rookie Andrew Austin sitting on the front row. Nienhouse would make short work of the field as the Traverse City, Michigan driver in his Brickyard Towing Dodge would walk away with the Feature victory in convincing fashion.

16-year-old John Edingfield, who earlier in the night won the Best Appearing Car Award finished second with Rookie Jim Durga third. 15-year-old Nick Olds was fourth while Austin rounded out the top five. Nienhouse would also win the Heat Race.

Up next would be the Cruiser Bombers and it would be Rookie David Harrington and Josh Hutchinson bringing the field to the green. Hutchinson grabbed the early lead only to lose it on lap seven to 14-year-old Jimmy Hiller. From there it was all Hiller as the 14-year-old from Kalkaska, Michigan in his Forest Area Car Company Chevrolet would fight off the advances of Defending Track Champion Emery Smith to win his first career Feature.

Smith finished second while Rookie Alicia Roszczewski was third over Hutchinson and Harrington finished off the top five. Hiller and Roszczewski would collect the Heat Race Wins.

The premier division within the UMP DIRTcar Racing Series, the UMP Super Late Models would find Rookie Alex Beeman and Veteran Butch Strait leading the field to Chief Starter Tim Beebe’s green flag. Beeman led for the first lap until Jeremy Tulick got by on lap two. A caution the next lap took Tulick and Strait out of competition giving the lead back to Beeman. However on the restart, Brandon Thirlby, who earlier in the night won the Best Appearing Car Award, shot around the freshman to take over the top spot.

After that it was all Thirlby as the Traverse City, Michigan driver in his Thirlby Automotive / Mastersbilt Racecars entry would bring home the Feature Win on his home track over Greg Gokey who finished second. Defending Track Champion Ben Hidy was third while Beeman and Steve Nieuwenhuis wrapped up the top five. Thirlby and former Seven-Time Track Champion Eric Spangler won the Heat Races.

The final Feature of the night would be for the UMP Modifieds as Veteran John McCaul and Defending Track Champion Joe Rokos sat on the front row. McCaul grabbed the early lead while Rokos was busy fending off the advances of a hard-charging Collin Thirlby who came into the weekend seventh in the Nation in the UMP DIRTcar Racing Series points chase.

While Rokos and Thirlby were battling, McCaul would slowly pull away and in the end, the Montague, Michigan veteran in his Stuberg Construction / Xtreme Racecars machine would score the Feature Win. Rokos finished second over Best Appearing Car Award Winner Thirlby. Tony Gokey was fourth as Paul Johnson would wrap up the top five. McCaul and Rokos won the Heat Races.

This Friday, May 25th, kick off the Memorial Day Holiday Weekend celebration at Cherry Raceway with the first of four appearances by the Mid-Michigan Mini Sprints. They’ll be joined by the UMP Modifieds, Street Stocks, Cruiser Bombers, Four-Cylinder Warriors, and Four-Cylinder Compacts. The UMP Super Late Models will have the night of.

Ticket Prices for Friday, May 25th are: Adults (13-59): $12.00 – Seniors (60 and Over): $9.00 – Children (6-12) $6.00 – Kids (5 and Under): FREE – Pit Passes: $25.00. On Friday nights throughout the 2012 racing season, the Pit Gates Open at 5:00p.m. Grandstand Gates Open at 6:00p.m. Practice also Starts at 6:00p.m., and then after Pre-Race Ceremonies / Invocation / National Anthem(s), Racing Begins at 7:15p.m.

Coming up on a special Saturday night, June 2nd, the hi-flying Engine Pro ASCS Sprints On Dirt Presented by ARP will come to town for a rare Saturday night event in Fife Lake, Michigan. The Street Stocks, Cruiser Bombers, Four-Cylinder Warriors, and Four-Cylinder Compacts will also be a part of this very special event.

Cherry Raceway is located at: 8649 East M-113 in Fife Lake, Michigan. For more information, please call: 1 (231) 468-1477. Don’t forget to check out the track website at: www.cherryraceway.com You can also follow us on Facebook by going to: www.facebook.com/cherryraceway and clicking on the “Like” button as well as on Twitter by going to: www.twitter.com/cherryraceway

Third Annual Helen DeVos Children's Hospital Night to take place at Berlin Raceway June 30

RacingAwareness.com and Berlin Raceway are excited to announce the date and details of the third-annual RacingAwareness.com Helen DeVos Children's Hospital Night presented by Keith Alexis, agent for State Farm Insurance. RacingAwarenss.com and Berlin Raceway have once again partnered to host patients, both past and present, as well as families and staff of the Helen DeVos Children's Hospital at Berlin on Saturday, June 30, 2012. This special event has been a highlight of both the RA and Berlin schedules since 2010 and has entertained over 2,000 people associated with HDVCH over the past two years. The 2012 event will be no exception and is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever.

"This is always such a special night when we can bring the kids to the track and provide them with the opportunity to have fun. We have a great relationship with both the track and the hospital, and this promises to be another wonderful event," said Jeff Striegle, President of RacingAwarness.com.

Berlin Raceway General Manager Mike Bursley added, "supporting our community is something we feel very strongly about. Partnering with Helen DeVos Children's Hospital and RacingAwreness.com gives us that opportunity. We have the chance to host children and their families and raise money in support of a very necessary West Michigan based facility."

The RacingAwareness.com Helen DeVos Children's Hospital Night presented by Keith Alexis, agent for State Farm Insurance.

-Saturday June 30, 2012
-Divisions in action - Coors Light Super Late Models, Engine Pro Super -Stocks, Model Coverall Modifieds, Kerkstra Services Sportsman and the -Burnips Equipment 4 Cylinders
-Racing begins at 7:00 pm
-All seats are general admission. $12 for adults and children 11 years and under are free.
-The evening's highlight is expected to be the presentation of the check (from Keith Alexis, agent for State Farm Insurance, Berlin Raceway and funds raised through RA merchandise sales and a raffle to be held) to HDVCH.
-Children associated with HDVCH attending the race may have opportunities to meet the drivers, take pace car rides, wave the green flag and deliver the command.

Established in March of 2010, RacingAwareness.com is a Michigan based 501 c3 nonprofit charity based in Grand Rapids Michigan raising awareness and funds in support of HDVCH. To date, more than $80,000 has been raised by RacingAwareness.com supporting programs and services provided by Helen DeVos Children's Hospital Foundation.

Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, a member of Spectrum Health, is a Grand Rapids-based hospital serving children throughout Michigan. A teaching hospital, it includes nearly 200 pediatric physicians with specialized training in providing medical and surgical care to children in more than 50 pediatric specialties and programs.

In its 62nd year of operation, Berlin Raceway has played host to some of the biggest names in stock car racing. Its rich tradition of quality racing has positioned Berlin Raceway as one of the country's top short tracks throughout its storied history.

For additional information regarding RacingAwareness.com visit
www.racingawareness.com, on Facebook, search RacingAwareness.com supporting Helen DeVos Children's Hospital or contact at
talktous@racingawareness.com

15-Year-Old Comes Up Just Short of ARCA/CRA Super Series Victory

15-Year-Old Comes Up Just Short of ARCA/CRA Super Series Victory

51 Sports PR

It is a rare thing to be pleased with coming in second place, but for 15-year old Erik Jones, that disappointment was replaced this weekend at Michigan’s Berlin Raceway when he put on an outstanding battle with short track legend, Brian Campbell.

The Byron, Michigan native qualified sixth out of the 43 cars that came out to Berlin Raceway on Saturday May 12 for the ARCA/CRA Super Series event. Jones found a comfortable pace running fourth for the first 70 laps. As the race heated up, cautions came out and the double file restarts opened the opportunity to hook up with the leader. On lap 110, Jones brought the crowd to their feet cheering, as he jumped to the high side and took the lead away from Campbell. Jones led for one lap before Campbell reclaimed the lead. With the checkered flag in sight, the two drivers were door to door. Jones made one last daring dive to the inside of Campbell, going through the grass sideways out of turn four, straightened out the car and then finished a mere .692 seconds behind Campbell. Although the young gun didn’t hit the finish line first, he emerged from his car with a huge smile on his face.

“We had a really good car going into the race, thanks to Scott (Hantz, crew chief) and the crew,” proclaimed Jones. “For the first 70 laps we were just running laps saving tires. The plan was to get in third and ride around with Campbell. After a restart towards the end he slowed up a bit and we were able to take him on the high side. He was a little bit better on the short runs and we were a little better on the long runs, but with cautions we didn’t get our opportunity. It was a really fun race racing hard and clean like that. I’m really looking forward to trying again at the Rowdy (NASCAR star Kyle Busch’s signature event at Berlin in June).”

This was Jones’ second ARCA/CRA Super Series appearance for the 2012 season. He has been filling his time behind the wheel of a Venturini Motorsports ARCA Racing Series car and his JEGS/CRA All-Star Tour car. Next on the schedule will be the ARCA Menards 200 race at Toledo Speedway on May 20. This race will be Jones’ first race broadcast on SPEED and his last as a 15-year old, since his birthday will follow the week after.

Erik Jones and his #4 Chevrolet Impala are accompanied with an unparalleled pit crew that consists of: Scott Hantz, Branden Lines, Adam Chase, and Barry Bramblett. As well as the finest sponsorships from Paragon Corvette Reproductions, McGunnegil Engine Performance, CG Financial, Simpson Race Products, and Penske Race Shocks, Fram/Autolite, and Power Balance.

To learn more about Erik Jones Racing check out www.erikjonesracing.com, follow him on Twitter @erik_jones, and “Like” him on Facebook. For more media information please contact Stephanie Bigelow, sbigelow@erikjonesracing.com or Elgin Traylor at 51 Sports, elgin@51sports.net.

Brian Campbell wins the ARCA CRA Super Series 125

Brian Campbell wins the ARCA CRA Super Series 125
-Tony Davis, Ryan Hamm and Samantha Jansen also victorious-

Marne, MI - The ARCA CRA Super Series returned to Berlin Raceway this Saturday and brought with them a whopping 43 car field. It was Brian Campbell who went home with the victory and also winners on the night were Ryan Hamm (Model Coverall Modified), Tony Davis (Kerkstra Services Sportsman) and Samantha Jansen (Vintage Racing Organization of America).

The ARCA CRA Super Series last chance races started the night off. Due to the high car count, two 15-lap last chance races were run and the drivers who advanced to the 125-lap feature were: Billy Leslie, Steve Dorer, Lee VanDyk and Mark Lambert. The rest of the cars would be lined up for a B-feature.

The ARCA CRA Consi was the first race up after the heat races with #26 Rick Turner and #7 Jason Dietsch on the front row for the 30-lap race. Turner had no problem keeping the lead, but it was Dietsch under fire from #2 of Kenny Tweedy. They raced side by side for a lap before Tweedy took the position on lap 2. The field then settled in to single-file racing until the first caution of the race came out on lap 6 for #94 Ryan Inman, he spun and hit the wall in between turns three and four. Tweedy took the lead on the restart and with ten laps in to the race, the top three ran nose to tail. Behind the leaders, #101 Lauren Bush was challenging #26 Chris Muyskens for fourth; she took it on lap 13 and then began reeling in the leaders. With ten laps to go, Bush muscled past Dietsch for third and then tried to fiend a line to get around Turner. Bush and Turner raced side by side for two laps before she got past him and then eyed the leader. With two laps to go, Bush pulled to the inside of Tweedy in turn 1, but she spun on the frontstretch bringing out the caution. This set up a green-white-checker; Turner grabbed the lead with one to go and held on for the win. The rest of the top five were Dietsch, Tweedy, Muyskens, #65 Johnny Jenkins, #99 Fred Hopkins.

The Model Coverall Modified were next, #68 Randy DeBoer and #7 Ryan Hamm led the field to the green flag of the 30-lap feature. Hamm took the lead, but the caution flew just after the first lap was completed for the #29 of Rob Shoemaker. After the restart, Hamm took off with #22 Billy Shotko on his tail. It wasn't long before Hamm started pulling away, but by lap ten, Shotko was catching back up. The lead was erased when the caution came out, #97 Kevin DeGood spun on the backstretch. On the restart, Shotko was trying to get around Hamm, he tried high and low, but Hamm kept besting him. Ten laps to go, they were still playing cat-and-mouse and with five to go, the #66 of Adam Chase joined the game. No one would get around Hamm, though, he got his second win of the season and the rest of the top ten were Shotko, Chase, #76 Ryan Gruppen, DeBoer, #67 Ben Welch, DeGood, #80 Samantha Jansen, Shoemaker, #20 Jeff Vrsek, #8 Billy Eppink and #21 Cal Castle.

The 25-lap Kerkstra Services Sportsman feature was next with #76 Brian Tillema on the pole and #77 Gerry Shepard on his outside. Tillema took off with the lead, but the caution was out before a lap was complete; Shepard spun on the backstretch. One the field was restarted, Tillema pulled away again. His closed challenger was #89 Kirk Meissner and he was almost one second behind. The pace of the race was slowed on lap 5 when the second caution of the race came out for the #18 of Mitch Meppelink spinning in turn 3. As the field was coming to take the flag on the restart, #15 Scott Root, #33 Allen Davis went three-wide with Meissner and it didn't end well for Meissner. After contact with Root, Meissner ended up in the turn 1 wall. On the restart, Tillema tired to get a jump on the field again, but #88 Tony Davis was able to get to second and he wasn't letting Tillema get away. It took him six laps to catch up to Tillema's rear quarter panel. They raced side by side for laps 13 and 14, but the two made contact and Davis backed off a bit. On lap 16, Davis was back, side by side with Tillema and the stayed that way for five laps. Davis grabbed the lead on lap 21 and Tillema was fighting back on the outside, but he was being challenged by #F1 Randy Veldman. Veldman overtook Tillema for second and Davis went on to get the win. The rest of the top ten were Veldman, Tillema, Root, #40 Dace Cutler, #26 Brian Thome, Shepard, #9 Tyler Sterken, #33 Allen Davis and #84 Tyler Nawrocki.

Up next was the 125-lap ARCA CRA Super Series event; #6 Brandon Hermiller and #222 Caleb Bisacky on the front row. Bisacky grabbed the lead after the green flag fell and with the top four single file, the next battle was between #99 Ross Meeuwsen and #01 Travis Braden; Meeuwsen got the advantage. The car on the move was the #48 of Seth Moody who was using the high lane to get around his competitors. Lap 14 saw the first caution of the race for a three-car pile-up between turns three and four involving #76 Nate Caruth, #18 Mark Lambert and #90 Steve Dorer. Moody was still moving up after the restart, he made it up to fourth by lap 16 and was all over the back of #20 Brian Campbell's bumper. Twenty-five laps in, Campbell was challenging Hermiller for second, but Moody was looking to get third from Campbell and no one was able to make a move. The second caution came on lap 33, #19 Nick Szotko spun coming out of turn 4. Bisacky and Hermiller got single file after the restart, and they were stacked two by two behind them. Campbell was trying his best to shake off Moody, but Moody was strong on the outside. Campbell was finally able to clear him then on lap 41, he took second from Hermiller. Four laps later, Moody was up to third and Hermiller was shuffled back to sixth at the hands of #4 Erik Jones and #61 John VanDoorn. By half way, the leaders were at the tail of the field and started lapping cars. The #4 of Erik Jones had been working over Moody for third and once he took the position, there was a long green flag run. The third caution came out on lap 87; Szotko was trying to rejoin the field and couldn't get fired, he came to a stop on the frontstretch. With the double-file restarts, Bisacky and Campbell started side by side, Campbell had the advantage and cleared Bisacky for the lead on lap 88. The fourth caution came out the next time by, the #11 of Peter Cozzolino spun in turn three. After the restart, Campbell was skating away because Jones was challenging Bisacky for second with #99 Ross Meeuwsen lurking in fourth. With 30 laps to go, Campbell's lead was just under one second and seven laps later, the caution was out again. Just as the field got going, the caution was out; #51 Becca Kasten came to a stop at the bottom of turn 3. The restart came with 25 laps to go, Campbell drove away again and Bisacky, Jones, Meeuwsen and #21 Terry VanHaitsma were entrenched in a battle for second. Jones was the first to clear and he was on a mission to cut in to Campbell's lead. Meeuwsen and VanHaitsma had a fierce battle going on for fourth and after contact on lap 104, VanHaitsma ended up spinning across the frontstretch. It was Jones who took the lead on the restart , but Campbell was battling back on the inside and took the lead back. Jones dropped to the inside and tried to copy the maneuver, but Campbell was able to pull away with ten to go. Lap 114 saw #55 Dave Lake slap the turn 3 wall, he was able to limp to the pit area without incident. With two laps to go, Jones made contact with Campbell and they were side by side coming to the white flag. Jones was trying everything he could to get by, but Campbell was the first one to the stripe. Jones had to settle for second and the rest of the top ten were Braden, Bisacky, #5 Alec Carll, VanDoorn, #82 Tom Thomas, VanHaitsma, #39 Kenzie Ruston and Meeuwsen.

The Vintage Racing Association of America made their first appearance on the season and their 25-lap feature; #16 Rob Parker and #30 Max Wirebaugh were on the front row for the final race of the night. Before a lap was complete, the caution was out, #55 Jeff Barsen spun and collected #20 Don Deyman, #42 Mike Becker, #7 Jimmy Lawson and #11 Lou Caposey. #80 Glenn Parker got the lead on the restart with Caposey on his outside, but on lap three #16 Samantha Jansen took the lead, but caution was out on lap 5 for the spinning car of #83 Loren Peterson. Jansen took off with the lead again after the restart. The battle for third was heating up on lap 12 between #42 Terry Byrne and Deyman. Deyman got by Byrne and the pair were all over Wirebaugh for second. The #59 of John Evans spun coming out of turn 4 on lap 16 bringing out another caution. Once the field was restarted, Deyman challenged Jansen, but once she took the lead, there was no stopping her. Jansen picked up with win and the rest of the top ten were Deyman, Parker, Byrne, Wirebaugh, #61 Jason Burrus, #4 Don Smith, Evans, Peterson and Barsen.

Join us next Saturday, May 19 when the Coors Light Super Late Models do battle and are joined with the Engine Pro Super Stocks, Model Coverall Modifieds, Burnips Equipment 4-Cylinders and the Vintage Racing Organization of America. There will also be $1 beer and $1 hot dogs all night long! Tickets are $12 for adults, kids 11 and under are free; races start at 7:00 p.m.

For more information visit www.berlinraceway.com or call the office at 616.677.5000. Hours are Tuesday - Friday 9am - 5pm.

I-96 Speedway To Host Inaugural Michigan Dirt Cup Late Models Tour Race THIS Saturday, May 19th

I-96 Speedway To Host Inaugural Michigan Dirt Cup Late Models Tour Race THIS Saturday, May 19th

Lake Odessa, Michigan (Monday, May 14th, 2012): History will be made THIS Saturday, May 19th as the Inaugural race for the Allstar Performance Michigan Dirt Cup Late Models Tour Presented by Lane Automotive will bring 40+ Miller Lite UMP Super Late Models to I-96 Speedway in Lake Odessa, Michigan! The weekly competitors of the United Midwestern Promoters (UMP) DIRTcar Racing Series will take on the traveling stars from the Flint, Michigan based series in their first Official race of the tour.

The series held three season preview races a year ago and now it’ll all count for points for the very first time on May 19th as Defending Track Champion and 7th annual Ice Breaker Feature Winner, Tom Sprague Jr., as well as former Two-Time Track Champion, Eric Spangler, plus Zack Olger, Dona Marcoullier, Brandon Thirlby, Sammy Epling, Rich Neiser, Billy Bray, Kris Patterson Jr., and many more will all have a say in the outcome of the first official MDC Late Models Tour event.

Joining the Allstar Performance Michigan Dirt Cup Late Models Tour Presented by Lane Automotive / Miller Lite UMP Super Late Models will be the Rudd’s Septic Service UMP Street Stocks, Smyrna Bar & Restaurant UMP Sport Compacts, Spectator Drags and a special Stunt Show to be held at Intermission. The Accurate Engines UMP Modifieds will have the night off.

Ticket Prices for the Inaugural Michigan Dirt Cup Late Models Tour event on Saturday, May 19th are: Adults (13-61): $15.00 – Seniors (62 and Over): $12.00 – Children (6-12) $8.00 – Kids (5 and Under): FREE – Family Pass $35.00 (*A family pass will get 2 adults and 2 children into the races. Once inside, the Kid’s Club is Free for the Kids!) – Pit Passes: $25.00 (for any age that can walk, infants are free). Get your tickets exclusively with ShowClix! Click on the link for more information: http://www.showclix.com/event/223081

Every Saturday nights; Pit Gates will Open at 3:00p.m., the Grandstand Gates will open at 5:00p.m., Practice will start at 6:00p.m. and will go until 6:25p.m., as each division gets one Practice Session apiece. Then after the Drivers Meeting at 6:30p.m., followed by Pre-Race Ceremonies / Invocation / National Anthem(s), Racing will begin at 7:00p.m.

Brand new to I-96 Speedway is the exciting AMA Motocross Track, the only Stadium-Type course in the state of Michigan! The Grand Opening is set for Sunday, May 20th with an all-day Practice. As a Thank You to everyone for taking the chance on our brand new Motocross Track, from 10:00a.m.-12:00p.m., every ride that comes out to Practice, gets in for FREE for the entire day! In addition, any Rider that comes in after 12:00p.m., will only have to pay $10.00 for the entire day.

The Concession Stands will be open throughout the day and there’s a large playground for the kids. There will also be a big Bonfire Party at the end of the day as well as $1.00 beers during the night. If any bands are interested in playing during this event, please email: info@i96speedway.com

Then every Tuesday, Wednesday, and every other Sunday for the rest of the season, there will be Open Practice on the Motocross track “Weather Permitting.” Finally, I-96 Speedway is currently looking for motorcycle riders to perform in some stunt show performances throughout the year. For more information, please call Mike Mouch at: 1 (616) 299-2534.

The first Official event on the Motocross Track is on Friday, June 15th during Who’s Your Daddy / Father’s Day Weekend at the track. Then the AMA Motocross Riders will kick off Motorcycle Mayhem Weekend on Friday, July 20th while the final Motocross Weekend at I-96 Speedway will be on Saturday-Sunday, August 11-12th.

Saturday, May 12th was to have been the first AMA District 14 Flat Track Motorcycles Series race of the season, but that was POSTPONED due to persistent showers and a forecast for more throughout the afternoon and into the evening. A make-up date is being negotiated and will be announced as soon as it becomes finalized.

The rest of the AMA District 14 Motorcycles Flat Track Schedule will see the riders and teams racing on Friday-Saturday, June 8-9th; Friday, July 13th; Saturday, July 21st during Motorcycle Mayhem Weekend; and Friday-Saturday, August 17-18th.

The traveling professional riders of the AMA Pro Grand National Series will once again invade I-96 Speedway on Saturday, July 14th as all the best expert and professional riders from all over North America will make their yearly appearance in West Michigan.

I-96 Speedway is located at 3823 Portland Road in Lake Odessa, Michigan. For more information, please call: 1 (616) 642-0555 or visit the website at: www.i96speedway.com You can also follow along all season long by becoming a fan on the tracks Facebook Fan Page. Just go to: www.facebook.com/i96speedway and click on “Like” button. You can even follow us on Twitter as well, just go to: www.twitter.com/i96speedway and “Follow” us today.

Cherry Raceway’s 2012 Racing Season Kicks Off On Friday, May 18th With A Full 6 In 1 Show

Fife Lake, Michigan:

The 2012 Racing Season is ready to go as the fast 3/8s (0.375) mile high-banked dirt oval of Cherry Raceway, located southeast of Traverse City in Fife Lake, Michigan is in the midst of final Preparations for Opening Night 2012 / Best Looking Car(s) contest on Friday, May 18th.

Owners / Promoters, Roger & Michelle Steig have been hard at work throughout the off-season preparing the Great White North’s Fastest Dirt Track with one of the most aggressive and highly anticipated schedules in the tracks’ 32-year history and it all begins with a Huge 6 in 1 show highlighted by the UMP Super Late Models who'll be joined by the UMP Modifieds, Street Stocks, Cruiser Bombers, Four-Cylinder Warriors, and Four-Cylinder Compacts.

Coming into the 2012 racing season, Ben Hidy will pull into the track as the Defending UMP Super Late Models Track Champion in the tracks’ premier division and he will have plenty of stiff competition with hopes of dethroning the reigning champion while Joe Rokos will lead a talented field of UMP Modifieds into battle as the Defending Track Champion in the tracks open-wheeled division.

In the Street Stocks, Brook Brasington is the reigning Track Champion, but will move up to UMP Super Late Models in 2012 leaving the Street Stocks field wide open as to who will claim this year’s crown. Emery Smith leads the charge for the Cruiser Bombers division while Willard VanHaitsma in the Four-Cylinder Warriors and Autumn Beeman in the Four-Cylinder Compacts come into the 2012 racing season as the Defending Track Champions in each of their respective divisions.

Some of the visiting touring series’ that will head north this season includes one appearance each by the Allstar Performance Michigan Dirt Cup Late Models Tour Presented by Lane Automotive (August 10th) as well as the Allstar Performance Michigan Dirt Cup Late Models Tour Presented by Lane Automotive (July 27th), in addition the Engine Pro ASCS Sprints On Dirt Presented by ARP will visit three times on June 2nd, July 20th, and August 24th.

In addition, the Michigan Traditional Sprints Series (Non-Winged Sprint Cars) will stop in on June 22nd and September 8th. The Mini Sprints will also make two appearances on May 25th, June 29th, and August 3rd while the special Battle of the Bullring for UMP Modifieds will take place on a special Tuesday Night, July 3rd. The fast and wild Board Late Models will race along-side the six weekly divisions during the 2012 Season Championships on August 30th while it’ll be Topless Night as all cars will take off their roofs for a special night of racing for Double Points during Michigan Auto Racing Fan Club Night on June 8th.

Ticket Prices for the 2012 season opener on Friday, May 19th are: Adults (13-59): $12.00 – Seniors (60 and Over): $9.00 – Children (6-12) $6.00 – Kids (5 and Under): FREE – Pit Passes: $25.00. On Friday nights throughout the 2012 racing season, the Pit Gates Open at 4:00p.m. Grandstand Gates Open at 5:30p.m. Practice Starts at 6:00p.m., and then after Pre-Race Ceremonies / Invocation / National Anthem, Racing Begins at 7:15p.m.

Cherry Raceway is located at: 8649 East M-113 in Fife Lake, Michigan. For more information, please call: 1 (231) 468-1477. Don’t forget to check out the track website at: www.cherryraceway.com You can also follow us on Facebook by going to: www.facebook.com/cherryraceway and clicking on the “Like” button as well as on Twitter by going to: www.twitter.com/cherryraceway

Jamie Miller Takes MTS / BOSS Checkers at Fremont

Knowledge of Fremont Speedway is certainly an advantage when ever a touring organization visits The Track That Action Built. Fremont Speedway’s tough 305 sprint division proved that Saturday on Roots Poultry Night taking five of the top seven finishing positions against the Lane Automotive MTS and BOSS non-wing racers with Fostoria, Ohio’s Jamie Miller claiming the $2,000 victory.

“I enjoy taking the wing off every once and awhile…I usually run pretty good when we do. Last time I ran here non-wing I had a really bad crash and it was in this same car. It was fast then and it was fast tonight,” said Miller beside his Crown Battery backed #4m. “The first few laps I ran up top and there wasn’t much up there in one and two and I got really loose off the top there but I held my own.”
“I have to thank my dad and all my crew Jeff and Joe and my daughter, Kendra is here tonight and my girlfriend Valerie and Gressman Powersports. We had trouble with this motor when we put it in this car today and if it weren’t for Scott Gressman we wouldn’t be here right now,”

The 25-lap non-wing sprint feature – which was sanctioned by the BOSS and Lane Automotive Michigan Traditional Sprint Series – didn’t get off to a good start. The first attempt saw a massive collision involving Critter Malone, Mark Cassila and Dustin Smith. On the second try the red flew when Cory Crabtree, Chuck Wilson, Brian Smith, Mike Burkin and Dustin Dinan collided in turn three with Crabtree heading to the hospital with neck and back soreness. On the third attempt, Wilson would spin.
Once the race got going, it was a barn-burner as pole-sitter Roger Shammo took the lead over fellow 305 sprint drivers Miller and Stuart Brubaker with Tony Beaber right on their tails. Miller would rim-ride to Shammo’s outside on lap two as they battled side-by-side over the next two laps before Miller drove into the lead on lap 4. Miller narrowly avoided catastrophe on lap seven when he slid off the high side of turns one and two. But, he collected his machine back up and continued to lead with Shammo, Brubaker and Beaber locked in a torrid battle for second with 16th starter Steve Irwin closing.

Miller, who used the low line in turns one and two and the high groove in turns three and four, pulled away slightly while Shammo and Brubaker battled hard for second with Beaber and Irwin in tow. On lap 10 Brubaker, a three-time Fremont 305 sprint champion, finally got around Shammo for second. Miller’s patience was put to the test when he caught the back of the field on lap 14 as they raced side-by-side in front of him. This allowed Brubaker to close while Shammo was locked in a battle with Beaber and Irwin for third.

Miller and Brubaker raced nose to tail and at times side-by-side splitting lapped cars over the next six laps. Beaber would drive into third on lap 18, but traffic kept him from closing on the top two machines. With five laps to go Brubaker took a peak at Miller’s inside, but Miller held off the challenge and went on to his 10th career Fremont victory. Brubaker, Beaber, Irwin and Mike Burkin, who came from the tail after that opening lap incident, rounded out the top five.

MTS / BOSS Non-Wing 410 Sprints (30 Cars)
[#]-Starting Position
Heat 1 – (8 Laps – Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)
1. 48-Mike Burkin[4] ; 2. 4M-Jamie Miller[1] ; 3. 2+-Brian Smith[2] ; 4. 3T-Tony Beaber[7] ; 5. 60C-Kory Crabtree[9] ; 6. 8-Lewie Christian[8] ; 7. 6-Ryan Dickey[3] ; 8.J1-Mark Shultz[10] ; 9. 26-Bill Griffith[6]
Heat 2 – (8 Laps – Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)
1. 37-Dustin Smith[3] ; 2. 35-Stuart Brubaker[2] ; 3. 91X-Aaron Middaugh[6] ; 4. 10S-Roger Shammo[5] ; 5. 31-Chuck Wilson[7] ; 6. OO-Joe Irwin[4] ; 7. 3-Mark Irwin[1] ; 8. 6B-Nate Bostrom[8]
Heat 3 – (8 Laps – Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)
1. 7-Critter Malone[1] ; 2. 91-Mark Cassila[4] ; 3. 59J-Kirk Jeffries[3] ; 4. 5-Dustin Dinan[6] ; 5. 14-Chad Wilson[7] ; 6. 9-Jimmy Colvin[5] ; 7. 1-Steve Irwin[8] ; 8. 2-Mike Galajda[9] ; 9. 8C-Tim Chaplain[10] ; 10. 1M-Mike Moore[2]
B-Main – Computer Man Inc. (10 Laps – Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)
1. 1-Steve Irwin[6] ; 2. 2-Mike Galajda[9] ; 3. 9-Jimmy Colvin[3] ; 4. OO-Joe Irwin[2] ; 5. 8-Lewie Christian[1] ; 6. 6B-Nate Bostrom[8] ; 7. 1M-Mike Moore[12] ; 8. 3-Mark Irwin[5] ; 9. J1-Mark Shultz[7] ; 10. 26C-Jeff Conrad[14] ; 11. 8C-Tim Chaplain[11] ; 12. 6-Ryan Dickey[4] ; 13. 74-Tony Main[13]
A-Main – (25 Laps)
1. 4M-Jamie Miller[4]; 2. 35-Stuart Brubaker[3]; 3. 3T-Tony Beaber[11]; 4. 1-Steve Irwin[16]; 5. 48-Mike Burkin[10]; 6. 10S-Roger Shammo[1]; 7. 5-Dustin Dinan[8];8. 2-Mike Galajda[17]; 9. 37-Dustin Smith[5]; 10. 59J-Kirk Jeffries[6]; 11. 91X-Aaron Middaugh[2]; 12. 9-Jimmy Colvin[18]; 13. 14-Chad Wilson[15]; 14. OO-JoeIrwin[19]; 15. 2+-Brian Smith[12]; 16. 31-Chuck Wilson[14]; 17. 7-Critter Malone[7]; 18. 91-Mark Cassila[9]; 19. 60C-Kory Crabtree[13]; 20. 8-Lewie Christian[20]
Hard Charger: 1-Steve Irwin[+12]

MTS Sprint Car Series
www.mtsprints.com
mtsprints@aol.com

The veteran takes the kid Saturday night at Berlin Raceway

The veteran takes the kid Saturday night at Berlin Raceway
By Steve Kaminski
Skaminsk@mlive.com MLive.com

MARNE – Brian Campbell predicted that one day race fans will flip on the television, and there will be Erik Jones, competing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
Campbell, a veteran Late Model driver from Wyoming, still had a trick or two up the sleeve of his firesuit for the 15-year old Jones, though. Campbell held off the Byron driver to win Saturday night’s CRA Super Series 125-lap feature race.

Campbell grabbed the lead from Spring Lake’s Caleb Bisacky on lap 88, and he withstood a barrage of cautions down the stretch to claim his fourth career CRA win on the Marne half-mile.

The caution on lap 110 is what nearly cost Campbell the victory because Jones blew by Campbell on the restart. However, Campbell got the lead back two laps later.

“He’s young, but he’s a pretty good driver,” said Campbell, who beat out Jones by .615 seconds. “He has a lot of natural talent, and I have raced with him before. You will see him on Sundays. I guarantee you.

“I was checking out on him all night, and I figured, I will be alright. We will check out, and we will be done. Little did I know. This was as hard as I have driven here in a long time for a win.”

But Jones wasn’t finished. He pulled back up behind Campbell and even made contact with him over the waning laps.

“Dave Lake in the No. 55 car blew a tire, and you had sparks going everywhere,” Campbell said. “I figured a caution was coming out. I kind of got off the gas pedal a little bit, and then I heard ‘No yellow, no yellow. The next thing I know (Jones) is bumping me in the back.

“I’m like, ‘Oh no, I wish I hadn’t done that. But I figured there was going to be a yellow.”

It was the second CRA win of the season for Campbell, who won last month at Toledo Speedway. The win enabled Campbell to take over the points lead. West Virginia’s Travis Braden finished third, followed by Bisacky and Alec Carll of Grand Rapids. Coopersville’s Johnny VanDoorn, who entered the race leading the standings, placed sixth.

Saturday’s race was just the third CRA start for Jones, who started sixth in the main. He finished ninth in a JEGS All-Star race at Berlin last summer.

“We got a really good restart,” Jones said of his pass on Campbell. “He was a little slow on the bottom, and we drove around him on the top, and he got by us a few laps later. He was a little better than us on the short runs.”

ALSO SATURDAY

Time will tell if Lauren Bush of Hastings will have a chance to race against Kyle Busch when the NASCAR Sprint Cup superstar returns to compete in Berlin Raceway’s June 19 Rowdy 251.
If she does, don’t expect the second generation driver to back down from one of NASCAR’s bad boys. In fact, Bush said she isn’t about to back down from any boy.

That was evident during Saturday night’s 30-lap CRA Super Series B main. Rick Turner of Yorktown, Ind., won the race, and he was awarded an automatic berth into the Rowdy.
However, Bush was running second in the race and challenging Kevin Tweedy of Greenfield, Ind., for the lead with two laps to go. Bush spun in turn three after making contact with Tweedy. She was sent to the rear on the restart, while Tweedy was eventually overtaken by Turner when the race resumed.

Still, Bush, who is the daughter of three-time Late Model track champion Joe Bush, called it the most impressive run of her young career.

“(Tweedy) wasn’t giving up and I wasn’t giving up,” Bush said. “We collided together a little bit, we made some contact.

“I think I showed all the boys that I’m not going to take it easy on them. I can be just as tough as the boys.”

Ryan Hamm of Norton Shores captured his second Modified main of the season, outdueling last week’s winner, Billy Shotko. Hamm said he was well aware that it was Shotko hounding him.

Remember that brand new videoboard Berlin officials installed in the turn three scoreboard prior to the season’s start? Hamm said he was checking it out now that the videoboard carries live feeds of the races.
“I’m glad they have that screen here because I didn’t know how close he was or where he was running,” Hamm said. “But I was watching that almost every lap. It’s a distraction when your car kicks sideways, but otherwise, it’s really nice to have that.”

Tony Davis of Wyoming battled Brian Tillema door-to-door throughout the second half of the 25-lap Sportsman feature. Davis grabbed the lead with four laps to go after the two made contact. Randy Veldman eventually passed Tillema for second.

“There was some contact made, and I have some apologizing to do,” Davis said. “Brian and I were battling so hard. I hate it for him and I hate to win like that, I never want to win like that again. I’m going to drive the car (back to the pits) and talk to him right now.”

Terry VanHaitsma set fast time in CRA qualifying with a lap of 96.364 mph, edging out Brian Campbell of Wyoming (96.287 mph). In all, 42 drivers from across the Midwest attempted to qualify for the race. Lee VanDyk of Grand Rapids and Billy Leslie of Clay won last chance races.

Samantha Jansen won the Vintage Racing Organization of America feature.

SATURDAY NIGHT RESULTS

CRA SUPER SERIES (125 LAPS) – 1. Brian Campbell, 2. Erik Jones, 3. Travis Braden, 4. Caleb Bisacky, 5. Alec Carll, 6. Johnny VanDoorn, 7. Tom Thomas, 8. Terry VanHaitsma, 9. Kenzie Ruston, 10. Ross Meeuwsen, 11. Jordan Dahlke, 12. Seth Moody, 13. Brandon Hermiller, 14. Tim DeVos, 15. Peter Cozzolino, 16. Justin Regnerus, 17. Jay Niewiek, 18. Steve Dorer, 19. Becca Kasten, 20. Nate Caruth, 21. Billy Leslie, 22. Terry Fisher Jr., 23. Dave Lake, 24. Chris Anthony, 25. Lee VanDyk, 26. Nick Szotko, 27. Kyle Jones, 28. Mark Lambert

MODIFIEDS (30 LAPS) – 1. Ryan Hamm, 2. Billy Shotko, 3. Adam Chase, 4. Ryan Gruppen, 5. Randy DeBoer, 6. Ben Welch, 7. Kevin DeGood, 8. Samantha Jansen, 9. Rob Shoemaker, 10. Jeff Vrsek, 11. Billy Eppink, 12. Cal Castle

SPORTSMAN (25 LAPS) - `1. Tony Davis, 2. Randy Veldman, 3. Brian Tillema, 4. Scott Root, 5. Dave Cutler, 6. Brian Thome, 7. Gerry Shepard, 8. Tyler Sterken, 9. Allen Davis, 10. Tyler Nawrocki, 11. Kirk Meissner, 12. Mitch Meppelink, 13. Jared Miller

CRA LAST CHANCE 1 (15 LAPS): 1. Billy Leslie, 2. Steve Dorer, 3. Rick Tuner, 4. Keth Herp, 5. Kenny Tweedy, 6. Brett Robinson, 7. Nick Gullatta, 8. Chris Muyskens, 9. Fred Hopkins, 10. Ryan Inman

CRA LAST CHANCE 2 (15 LAPS): 1. Lee VanDyk, 2. Mark Lambert, 3. Jason Dietsch, 4. Lauren Bush, 5. Johnny Jenkins, 6. Tim Greene, 7. Dan Vander Molen, 8. Joey Licata, 9. Joe Beaver

HEAT WINNERS: Ryan Hamm, Billy Shotko (Modifieds); Tony Davis, Scott Root (Sportsman); Samantha Jansen (VROA)

QUALIFYING: Terry VanHaitsma (CRA Super Series) 96.364 mph; Kevin DeGood (Modifieds) 90.206 mph; Tony Davis (Sportsman)83.895 mph; Samantha Jansen (VROA) 82.746 mph