Dona Marcoullier Wins The 3rd annual Battle of the Bullring And A $3,000 Payday For His 28th Birthday
Fife Lake, Michigan (Tuesday, July 3rd, 2012): One of the biggest races of the 2012 racing season was conducted on a special Tuesday Night, July 3rd at Cherry Raceway, located southeast of Traverse City in Fife Lake, Michigan as the biggest and highest paying event held over the Fourth of July Holiday Weekend in the State of Michigan was the 3rd annual Battle of the Bullring Presented by Weller Auto & Truck Parts.
Some of the best UMP Modifieds in the Midwestern United States made the trip up to the “Great White North” and battle in a 30-Lap Feature paying a whopping $3,000 to Win and $300 just to start! An impressive field of 35 UMP Modifieds would be dwindled down to the 18 best in the Midwest as the 30-Lap Main Event would see Defending UMP DIRTcar Racing Series Michigan State Champion Jacob Poel and Mike Wilbern start on the front and lead the stacked field to Chief Starter, Tim Beebe’s green flag.
Poel would set a torrid pace in the early going of the Main Event while the rest of the field battled for position behind him, Dona Marcoullier, the 2007 UMP Super Late Models Track Champion, who was filling in for Dennis Craft, a regular at Cherry’s sister track to the south I-96 Speedway, and ironically making his first ever start behind the wheel of a UMP Modified, worked his way up the second from his fourth starting spot and began to reel in Poel who built up a nearly full straightaway lead over the pack.
Marcoullier got to Poel’s back bumper and the battle was on for the lead as he made the pass on lap 25. Poel didn’t give up so easily though and pulled up along-side the UMP Super Late Models veteran as they traded paint for the big money on the line. As they crossed the start/finish line, it would be Marcoullier by just a few feet as the Houghton Lake, Michigan driver celebrated his 28th birthday in style by banking $3,000!
Poel settled for second as Wilbern, Defending Track Champion Joe Rokos, and 2011 Merritt Raceway Track Champion, 19-year-old Cody Bauer finished off the top five. Collin Thirlby finished sixth as Brian Ruhlman, Stan Dodds, Bob Baldwin, and Dennis Taghon rounded out the top 10. Ruhlman, Bauer, Rich Robinson Jr., and Poel won the Qualifier Heat Races while Brad Wilson and Dodds picked up the B Main victories.
The first Feature of the night would be for the Four-Cylinders Compacts and it would be a pair of 13-year-olds; Current Points Leader Chris Casey and Defending Track Champion Autumn Beeman, the winner of the last two Features starting on the front row. And it would be Beeman leading the way with Casey in hot pursuit. The two teenagers were side by side for the majority of the race and with two laps to go they collided sending both flying off of turn two.
This handed the lead to 16-year-old rookie Cara Neverth who would make no mistake over the last two laps as the McBain, Michigan teenager in his #30 Pizza Hut / Chevrolet would go on to score her first career Feature Win. Casey charged through the field to finish second over 15-year-old Ryan Andras while 16-year-old Frank Smith and 14-year-old Dylan Roush were the top five. Beeman won the lone Heat Race.
In the Four-Cylinders Warriors Feature event, Ray Geeting, a regular at near-by Winston Speedway and Current Overall and Rookie Points Leader, Jim Durga led the field to the green flag. Geeting would pace the field for the first two laps before fellow Winston invader, Rich Lieb, also a regular at Cherry’s sister track to the south, I-96 Speedway would grab the lead for himself on lap three and begin to pull away from the rest of the field.
Lieb in his #84 East Beltline Towing / Eagle would never be challenged the rest of the distance as the Muskegon, Michigan native made the most of his first ever appearance up in the “Great White North” by bringing home the Feature Win ahead of Randy Whitten Jr., another fellow Winston invader. 15-year-old Nick Olds finished in third while Rick Nic and Durga finished off the top five. Durga would score the Heat Race win.
16-year-old Andy Nickerson III and Dan Klinglesmith would bring the Street Stocks Feature line-up to the green flag and it would be Nickerson III leading the first three laps before Merritt Raceway invader Mike Sparks slipped by to take over the top spot on lap four. Sparks would then be trailed by 17-year-old Rookie Points Leader James Clem who won the last Friday night Feature back on June 29th and the two drivers would pull away to battle.
Clem got sideways with four laps to go to bring out the caution flag. From there, Sparks in his #100 Maple Avenue Collision / Chevrolet would fight off a late charging Clem who worked his way back up to second as Sparks made the long haul from Otter Lake, Michigan worthwhile in winning the Feature. Clem was second as Nickerson III, Rookie Points Leader 19-year-old Allen Oyer, and Mike Vandermark Jr., completed the top five. Tim Tabaczka was the Heat Race Winner.
The Cruiser Bombers rolled out next and the front row would be occupied by Rookie Alicia Roszczewski and Current Points Leader 14-year-old Jimmy Hiller and it would be Hiller jumping out to the early lead while the rest of the field jockeyed for position behind him. 2010 Track Champion Roger McQueen worked his way up to second and began challenging the teenager for the top spot.
However, Hiller wouldn’t be denied as the Kalkaska, Michigan driver in his #95 Forest Area Car Company / Chevrolet would hang on for his fourth Feature Win of the 2012 Racing Season. McQueen settled for second while Roszczewski, John McCaul, and 17-year-old David Harrington were the final top five. Hiller swept the night as he also won the Heat Race.
The three races in eight days marathon in Fife Lake, Michigan, which is part of the Best Fourth In The North 2012 Festival Presented by the Fife Lake Chamber of Commerce concludes this Friday, July 6th with the 2012 Mid-Season Championships highlighted by the return after a three-week vacation by the high-powered UMP Super Late Models. Also on the card will be UMP Modifieds, Street Stocks, Cruiser Bombers, Four-Cylinder Warriors, and Four-Cylinder Compacts.
Ticket Prices for Friday, July 6th are: Adults (13-59): $12.00 – Seniors (60 and Over): $0.00 – Children (6-12) $5.00 – Kids (5 and Under): FREE – Pit Passes: $25.00. The Pit Gates Open at 5:00p.m., the Grandstand Gates Open at 6:00p.m. Practice Starts at 6:00p.m., as well and then after Pre-Race Ceremonies / Invocation / National Anthem(s), Racing Begins at approximately 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
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Erik Jones Traveling South for his Second World Crown 300
Erik Jones Traveling South for his Second World Crown 300
EJR Making the Trip to Gresham for 300-Lap Tilt
EJR PR
Erik Jones has been using his 2012 season to develop his skills, transitioning from his ARCA Racing Series car and his CRA Late Models. Half way through his 10 race ARCA Season, Jones feels like he has adapted and is ready to take on some more Super Late Model races. So, for the 4th of July the Erik Jones Racing team will be traveling to Jefferson, Georgia to compete in the World Crown 300.
“Running in the ARCA Racing Series has been a lot of fun and I’ve learned a lot,” said Jones. “But, I am looking forward to getting back in the Super Late Model. That is definitely my favorite car to drive and I think we have a really good chance at the World Crown 300.”
Last year, Jones used the World Crown 300 as his debut in a Super Late Model. The 2011 JEGS/CRA All-Star Tour Champion proved that his success is pure talent as he finished in the top 5 for all three segments of the race.
“Last year at the World Crown we had a really good car. I’m hoping we can capitalize and improve the car during each segment of the race and be there in the end.
Festivities for the Commerce Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram 29t Annual World Crown 300 begin on Tuesday, July 3 with a full evening of practice. Things then pick up on Wednesday, July 4 with practice beginning at 12pm, followed by qualifying at 3:45 pm, and racing at 7:00 pm. Fans can follow all the racing action on Speed51.com. For all of Erik’s updates be sure to stay connected with Erik’s Facebook and Twitter pages. Also, be sure to download the free Erik Jones app, available for Apple and Android.
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, Penske Race Shocks, Fram/Autolite, Simpson Race Products, and Power Balance.
To learn more about Erik Jones Racing be sure to 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.
EJR Making the Trip to Gresham for 300-Lap Tilt
EJR PR
Erik Jones has been using his 2012 season to develop his skills, transitioning from his ARCA Racing Series car and his CRA Late Models. Half way through his 10 race ARCA Season, Jones feels like he has adapted and is ready to take on some more Super Late Model races. So, for the 4th of July the Erik Jones Racing team will be traveling to Jefferson, Georgia to compete in the World Crown 300.
“Running in the ARCA Racing Series has been a lot of fun and I’ve learned a lot,” said Jones. “But, I am looking forward to getting back in the Super Late Model. That is definitely my favorite car to drive and I think we have a really good chance at the World Crown 300.”
Last year, Jones used the World Crown 300 as his debut in a Super Late Model. The 2011 JEGS/CRA All-Star Tour Champion proved that his success is pure talent as he finished in the top 5 for all three segments of the race.
“Last year at the World Crown we had a really good car. I’m hoping we can capitalize and improve the car during each segment of the race and be there in the end.
Festivities for the Commerce Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram 29t Annual World Crown 300 begin on Tuesday, July 3 with a full evening of practice. Things then pick up on Wednesday, July 4 with practice beginning at 12pm, followed by qualifying at 3:45 pm, and racing at 7:00 pm. Fans can follow all the racing action on Speed51.com. For all of Erik’s updates be sure to stay connected with Erik’s Facebook and Twitter pages. Also, be sure to download the free Erik Jones app, available for Apple and Android.
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, Penske Race Shocks, Fram/Autolite, Simpson Race Products, and Power Balance.
To learn more about Erik Jones Racing be sure to 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.
Cherry Speedway News
3rd annual Battle of the Bullring THIS Tuesday, July 3rd; $3,000 to Win / $300 to Start for UMP Modifieds
Current Points Leader John McCaul Victorious In Cherry Raceway’s Battle of the Bullring Tune-Up
Fife Lake, Michigan (Monday, July 2nd, 2012): One of the biggest races of the season is set for a special Tuesday Night, July 3rd as the UMP Modifieds will headline the 3rd annual Battle of the Bullring Presented by Weller Auto & Truck Parts as the best open-wheeled drivers in the Midwest will make the trip up to the “Great White North” and battle in a 30-Lap Feature paying a whopping $3,000 to Win and $300 just to start! There is a $30.00 Entry Fee for this event for UMP Modifieds.
Also on the card will be Street Stocks, Cruiser Bombers, Four-Cylinder Warriors, and Four-Cylinder Compacts. Special Ticket Prices for Tuesday, July 3rd will be: Adults (13-59): $15.00 – Seniors (60 and Over): $12.00 – Children (6-12) $5.00 – Kids (5 and Under): FREE – Pit Passes: $30.00.
For this special Tuesday Night of Racing, the Pit Gates will Open an hour earlier than a normal night at 4:00p.m., while the Grandstand Gates Open an hour earlier as well at 5:00p.m. Practice Starts at 6:00p.m., and then after Pre-Race Ceremonies / Invocation / National Anthem(s), Racing Begins at approximately 7:15p.m.
This past Friday night, June 29th the 20-Lap Feature for the UMP Modifieds served as the final tune-up for the 3rd annual Battle of the Bullring. Defending Track Champion Joe Rokos and Current Points Leader John McCaul led the 18-car field to the green flag and it would be McCaul beating Rokos to the first corner to take the early lead.
Throughout the course of the event, McCaul would feel constant pressure from Rokos as well as Defending UMP DIRTcar Racing Series Michigan State Champion Jacob Poel who was making his first appearance of the season in the “Great White North”. McCaul kept both competitors behind him leaving both drivers to battle amongst themselves. With two laps to go and while under caution, contact between Poel and Rokos ended both of their nights leaving Collin Thirlby to challenge McCaul.
McCaul wasn’t to be denied as the Montague, Michigan veteran in his #27 Stuberg Construction / Xtreme Racecars machine would hang on for his fourth Feature Win of the 2012 racing season. Thirlby finished in second with Mike Wilbern from 17th, Paul Johnson, and 18-year-old Nick Kurtz completing the top five. Poel and Thirlby won the Heat Races.
Also on the card would be the second of three appearances by the Mid-Michigan Mini Sprints Series as well as the Final Tune-Up for the 3rd Annual Battle of the Bullring for the UMP Modifieds highlighted a very hot Friday evening both on and off the track as temperatures at race time reached nearly 100 degrees. The sweltering heat didn’t diminish the spirits of the great crowd on hand who were treated to a very exciting night of racing action on the 3/8s (0.375) mile high-banked dirt oval.
The Four-Cylinders Sport Compacts rolled out onto the speedway for their Feature event. 13-year-old Autumn Beeman, the Defending Track Champion and last Friday’s Feature Winner would lead the field to the green flag. Throughout the event, Beeman was under consistent pressure from Current Points Leader, fellow 13-year-old Chris Casey, but throughout the event, Beeman was up to the challenge as the Buckley, Michigan teenager in her #016 Beeman’s Towing / Ford would collect her second straight Feature Win.
Casey settled for second while a pair of 15-year-olds; Rheanna Doberstein and Ryan Andras were next as 16-year-old Frank Smith would complete the top five. Beeman would start the night off by winning the lone Heat Race.
The UMP Street Stocks would roll out next as 17-year-old Rookie James Clem and Dan Klinglesmith led the field to the green. Clem would grab the lead while Tim Tabaczka would work his way up to second and challenge Clem for the top spot. Soon he was joined by Rookie Points Leader 19-year-old Allen Oyer and the trio would pull away to battle.
Clem was up to the task however as the Kalkaska, Michigan native in his #1c Clem Welding / Chevrolet would lead all 15 laps to score his first career Feature Win! Tabaczka finished second ahead of Oyer while Kevin Borgen and 16-year-old Andy Nickerson III finished off the top five. Tabaczka and Current Points Leader Bob Green picked up the Heat Race triumphs.
The Four-Cylinders Warriors made their way out onto the 3/8ths mile for their Feature. Ron Doberstein Jr., and 16-year-old John Edingfield lead the field to green. Edingfield would lead lap one, but Jim Durga would not be denied the lead on lap two with a power move on the outside. After an early race caution, the 16-year-old John Edingfield would retake the lead on lap eight and from there the Traverse City, Michigan driver in his #j18 Gene’s Auto Parts / Acura would go on to win his first Feature of the season.
Durga settled for second while 15-year-old Nick Olds was third ahead of Doberstein Jr., and Andrew Austin wrapped up the top five. Edingfield would also sweep the entire evening as he would also pick up the Heat Race win.
The Cruiser Bombers 15-Lap Feature was up next as Defending Track Champion and last Friday nights Feature Winner Emery Smith along-with Charlie Woebbeking started on the front row. Woebbeking would lead the first lap before 14-year-old Jimmy Hiller drove by to take over the top spot. For the second week in a row, Hiller dropped out while leading giving the top spot to Dan Wilson.
The Fife Lake, Michigan native made no mistake the rest of the way as the driver of the #43 Joe’s Grinding / Oldsmobile drove away with his second Feature Win of the season in two starts. Jeremiah Woebbeking was second while Richard Cebula Jr., 2010 Track Champion Roger McQueen, and Smith were the final top five. Hiller and Wilson won the Heat Races.
The traveling stars of the Mid-Michigan Mini Sprints Series were up next for their 20-lap A Main and it was Randy Plamondon and Mack Erickson leading the field to Chief Starter Tim Beebe’s green flag. Erickson paced the field for the first five laps until Bruce Dezelski drove by and took over the top spot and began pulling away from the rest of the pack.
It was all Dezelski for the remainder of the race as the Traverse City, Michigan veteran in his #6 Hiram’s Motorsports / Suzuki would walk away with the Feature Win over Rusty Reyelts who won the series’ first appearance back over the Memorial Day Holiday Weekend. Justin Ward was third as Plamondon and Rick Irwin were the top five. Dezelski and Ward were the Heat Race victors.
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
Current Points Leader John McCaul Victorious In Cherry Raceway’s Battle of the Bullring Tune-Up
Fife Lake, Michigan (Monday, July 2nd, 2012): One of the biggest races of the season is set for a special Tuesday Night, July 3rd as the UMP Modifieds will headline the 3rd annual Battle of the Bullring Presented by Weller Auto & Truck Parts as the best open-wheeled drivers in the Midwest will make the trip up to the “Great White North” and battle in a 30-Lap Feature paying a whopping $3,000 to Win and $300 just to start! There is a $30.00 Entry Fee for this event for UMP Modifieds.
Also on the card will be Street Stocks, Cruiser Bombers, Four-Cylinder Warriors, and Four-Cylinder Compacts. Special Ticket Prices for Tuesday, July 3rd will be: Adults (13-59): $15.00 – Seniors (60 and Over): $12.00 – Children (6-12) $5.00 – Kids (5 and Under): FREE – Pit Passes: $30.00.
For this special Tuesday Night of Racing, the Pit Gates will Open an hour earlier than a normal night at 4:00p.m., while the Grandstand Gates Open an hour earlier as well at 5:00p.m. Practice Starts at 6:00p.m., and then after Pre-Race Ceremonies / Invocation / National Anthem(s), Racing Begins at approximately 7:15p.m.
This past Friday night, June 29th the 20-Lap Feature for the UMP Modifieds served as the final tune-up for the 3rd annual Battle of the Bullring. Defending Track Champion Joe Rokos and Current Points Leader John McCaul led the 18-car field to the green flag and it would be McCaul beating Rokos to the first corner to take the early lead.
Throughout the course of the event, McCaul would feel constant pressure from Rokos as well as Defending UMP DIRTcar Racing Series Michigan State Champion Jacob Poel who was making his first appearance of the season in the “Great White North”. McCaul kept both competitors behind him leaving both drivers to battle amongst themselves. With two laps to go and while under caution, contact between Poel and Rokos ended both of their nights leaving Collin Thirlby to challenge McCaul.
McCaul wasn’t to be denied as the Montague, Michigan veteran in his #27 Stuberg Construction / Xtreme Racecars machine would hang on for his fourth Feature Win of the 2012 racing season. Thirlby finished in second with Mike Wilbern from 17th, Paul Johnson, and 18-year-old Nick Kurtz completing the top five. Poel and Thirlby won the Heat Races.
Also on the card would be the second of three appearances by the Mid-Michigan Mini Sprints Series as well as the Final Tune-Up for the 3rd Annual Battle of the Bullring for the UMP Modifieds highlighted a very hot Friday evening both on and off the track as temperatures at race time reached nearly 100 degrees. The sweltering heat didn’t diminish the spirits of the great crowd on hand who were treated to a very exciting night of racing action on the 3/8s (0.375) mile high-banked dirt oval.
The Four-Cylinders Sport Compacts rolled out onto the speedway for their Feature event. 13-year-old Autumn Beeman, the Defending Track Champion and last Friday’s Feature Winner would lead the field to the green flag. Throughout the event, Beeman was under consistent pressure from Current Points Leader, fellow 13-year-old Chris Casey, but throughout the event, Beeman was up to the challenge as the Buckley, Michigan teenager in her #016 Beeman’s Towing / Ford would collect her second straight Feature Win.
Casey settled for second while a pair of 15-year-olds; Rheanna Doberstein and Ryan Andras were next as 16-year-old Frank Smith would complete the top five. Beeman would start the night off by winning the lone Heat Race.
The UMP Street Stocks would roll out next as 17-year-old Rookie James Clem and Dan Klinglesmith led the field to the green. Clem would grab the lead while Tim Tabaczka would work his way up to second and challenge Clem for the top spot. Soon he was joined by Rookie Points Leader 19-year-old Allen Oyer and the trio would pull away to battle.
Clem was up to the task however as the Kalkaska, Michigan native in his #1c Clem Welding / Chevrolet would lead all 15 laps to score his first career Feature Win! Tabaczka finished second ahead of Oyer while Kevin Borgen and 16-year-old Andy Nickerson III finished off the top five. Tabaczka and Current Points Leader Bob Green picked up the Heat Race triumphs.
The Four-Cylinders Warriors made their way out onto the 3/8ths mile for their Feature. Ron Doberstein Jr., and 16-year-old John Edingfield lead the field to green. Edingfield would lead lap one, but Jim Durga would not be denied the lead on lap two with a power move on the outside. After an early race caution, the 16-year-old John Edingfield would retake the lead on lap eight and from there the Traverse City, Michigan driver in his #j18 Gene’s Auto Parts / Acura would go on to win his first Feature of the season.
Durga settled for second while 15-year-old Nick Olds was third ahead of Doberstein Jr., and Andrew Austin wrapped up the top five. Edingfield would also sweep the entire evening as he would also pick up the Heat Race win.
The Cruiser Bombers 15-Lap Feature was up next as Defending Track Champion and last Friday nights Feature Winner Emery Smith along-with Charlie Woebbeking started on the front row. Woebbeking would lead the first lap before 14-year-old Jimmy Hiller drove by to take over the top spot. For the second week in a row, Hiller dropped out while leading giving the top spot to Dan Wilson.
The Fife Lake, Michigan native made no mistake the rest of the way as the driver of the #43 Joe’s Grinding / Oldsmobile drove away with his second Feature Win of the season in two starts. Jeremiah Woebbeking was second while Richard Cebula Jr., 2010 Track Champion Roger McQueen, and Smith were the final top five. Hiller and Wilson won the Heat Races.
The traveling stars of the Mid-Michigan Mini Sprints Series were up next for their 20-lap A Main and it was Randy Plamondon and Mack Erickson leading the field to Chief Starter Tim Beebe’s green flag. Erickson paced the field for the first five laps until Bruce Dezelski drove by and took over the top spot and began pulling away from the rest of the pack.
It was all Dezelski for the remainder of the race as the Traverse City, Michigan veteran in his #6 Hiram’s Motorsports / Suzuki would walk away with the Feature Win over Rusty Reyelts who won the series’ first appearance back over the Memorial Day Holiday Weekend. Justin Ward was third as Plamondon and Rick Irwin were the top five. Dezelski and Ward were the Heat Race victors.
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
Racing community mourns the loss of popular Coopersville engine builder
Racing community mourns the loss of popular Coopersville engine builder
By Steve Kaminski | Skaminsk@mlive.com MLive.com
COOPERSVILLE – Brian Slade was among the crowd that had gathered in Victory Lane Saturday night after Caleb Bisacky won Berlin Raceway’s Super Late Model feature race.
Mr. Slade was the longtime owner of Duratech Racing Engines of Coopersville, and Bisacky was racing with one of his engines.
“He was really happy for Caleb,” said Mr. Slade’s son, Josh Slade, 23. “He went from 100 percent loving a day at the race track to passing the next day.”
Mr. Slade, 59, died unexpectedly Sunday at home. Josh Slade reported that his father died of a burst aorta.
The death has shocked the area racing community. Mr. Slade built engines for the late Ray Baker of Spring Lake for 17 years before opening his own shop in 1989.
Drivers from across West Michigan have raced his engines for more than two decades, including dirt as well as asphalt racers. Clients include Spring Lake’s Jacob Poel, who finished fourth in the national UMP Modified point standings a year ago. Nearly 125 drivers race his engines, including racers in Canada and the Carolinas.
Josh Slade, who races and is an area crew chief, was at Springport Speedway Sunday, and his father was planning to join him. But Josh Slade received a call from his father, who said he wasn’t feeling well.
“My dad went to the hospital because he thought he was having a heart attack,” Josh Slade said. “But he was released after they determined he wasn’t having one. He went home and later died on his couch.
“It was completely unexpected. He didn’t have high cholesterol or high blood pressure. He had no health issues. He was always active. Other than an occasional cold, he was healthy.”
Mr. Slade is survived by his wife, Anne, and children, Josh, Keith, Jodi and Amber. His son-in-law, Billy Shotko (Jodi's husband), races in Berlin’s Modified division. Visitation is scheduled for July 9-10 at Throop Funeral Home in Coopersville, with times to be determined.
Josh Slade said his father fell in love with racing when he was about 8 years old.
“His father took him slot car racing, and after that, he had a love for racing and cars,” Josh Slade said. “He was always at the track, two or three times a week. If one of his drivers was having some sort of trouble, he was always there to give a helping hand.”
While Josh Slade said his family hasn’t decided on the future of Duratech, he does have a plan to honor his dad.
“I’m going to do what he wanted me to do, and that’s to keep racing,” Josh Slade said. “We plan to make T-shirts and stickers, and I plan to be out (at Berlin) July 14. What we want to do is have all the drivers who used his motors take a lap around the track.
“Billy (Shotko’s) son, Evan, has just started go-kart racing. So we think it would be nice if we could have Evan on the track, too.”
By Steve Kaminski | Skaminsk@mlive.com MLive.com
COOPERSVILLE – Brian Slade was among the crowd that had gathered in Victory Lane Saturday night after Caleb Bisacky won Berlin Raceway’s Super Late Model feature race.
Mr. Slade was the longtime owner of Duratech Racing Engines of Coopersville, and Bisacky was racing with one of his engines.
“He was really happy for Caleb,” said Mr. Slade’s son, Josh Slade, 23. “He went from 100 percent loving a day at the race track to passing the next day.”
Mr. Slade, 59, died unexpectedly Sunday at home. Josh Slade reported that his father died of a burst aorta.
The death has shocked the area racing community. Mr. Slade built engines for the late Ray Baker of Spring Lake for 17 years before opening his own shop in 1989.
Drivers from across West Michigan have raced his engines for more than two decades, including dirt as well as asphalt racers. Clients include Spring Lake’s Jacob Poel, who finished fourth in the national UMP Modified point standings a year ago. Nearly 125 drivers race his engines, including racers in Canada and the Carolinas.
Josh Slade, who races and is an area crew chief, was at Springport Speedway Sunday, and his father was planning to join him. But Josh Slade received a call from his father, who said he wasn’t feeling well.
“My dad went to the hospital because he thought he was having a heart attack,” Josh Slade said. “But he was released after they determined he wasn’t having one. He went home and later died on his couch.
“It was completely unexpected. He didn’t have high cholesterol or high blood pressure. He had no health issues. He was always active. Other than an occasional cold, he was healthy.”
Mr. Slade is survived by his wife, Anne, and children, Josh, Keith, Jodi and Amber. His son-in-law, Billy Shotko (Jodi's husband), races in Berlin’s Modified division. Visitation is scheduled for July 9-10 at Throop Funeral Home in Coopersville, with times to be determined.
Josh Slade said his father fell in love with racing when he was about 8 years old.
“His father took him slot car racing, and after that, he had a love for racing and cars,” Josh Slade said. “He was always at the track, two or three times a week. If one of his drivers was having some sort of trouble, he was always there to give a helping hand.”
While Josh Slade said his family hasn’t decided on the future of Duratech, he does have a plan to honor his dad.
“I’m going to do what he wanted me to do, and that’s to keep racing,” Josh Slade said. “We plan to make T-shirts and stickers, and I plan to be out (at Berlin) July 14. What we want to do is have all the drivers who used his motors take a lap around the track.
“Billy (Shotko’s) son, Evan, has just started go-kart racing. So we think it would be nice if we could have Evan on the track, too.”
Monday, July 2, 2012
Ignition Box Lands Ruble in Victory Lane as Garvey is Stripped of Win at South Alabama
Ignition Box Lands Ruble in Victory Lane as Garvey is Stripped of Win at South Alabama
New Crane Rule Now in Effect at SAS Starting July 7th
By Ryan McCollough, Speed51.com Correspondent
Mike Garvey smiled, conducted an interview, and took pictures in victory lane while giving the fans a “thumbs up” Saturday night at South Alabama Speedway.
But Garvey received a “thumbs down” in post-race inspection and was stripped of his sixth victory of 2012 in the Timber 100 Pro Late Model event. What fans didn't see was the real victory lane photos that were taking in tech after Garvey was bounced and Korey Ruble proved to be the first legal car by finishing second.
The win was taken away due to some tampering with the ignition system of the Tracy Goodson-owned No. 1 machine. At South Alabama Speedway, different types of engines are allowed different levels of rpms. Ford engines are allowed to turn 6300 rpms, while Chevrolet’s get 6500. Garvey’s Ford system was set to turn 6600.
South Alabama Speedway officials polled the drivers in the pre-race drivers meeting and they will be requiring teams run the new Crane Cams ignition box that had been implemented at several other tracks in the Deep South at its next event on July 7th. This race was a make-up event from a date originally scheduled prior to last week's ignition box rule deadline and several ignition boxes were in play.
“Due to SAS officials not requiring all competitors to run the Crane Cam Ignition Box at Saturday night’s event, I felt we were racing against bogus boxes that other drivers was or could be using,” said Garvey in a team-supplied press release after the incident. “I feel all drivers should be on equal terms and all track owners and officials should stick to the original rule that was to be effective as of June 22nd. This is my fault and we probably should have stayed home but we are trying to support all of our local tracks.”
The box was the same one that Garvey had used the night prior at the Allen Turner Pro Late Model event at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida. South Alabama Speedway chief technical inspector, Edward Berry, said he conversed with Five Flags head tech man Ricky Brooks prior to making his decision.
“When the cars left Pensacola last night, each one had a tech sticker on the box saying this it was ok,” Berry said. “When we checked Garvey’s system in post-race, the sticker had been removed and the box reset to 6600.”
Tracy Goodson, owner of Garvey’s Buddy’s Home Furnishings Ford, shared his driver’s opinion and felt they were at a disadvantage. “I am behind my driver 100% and I have no problem with him and his decision in doing what he felt he had to do to be competitive and win a race,” said Goodson via the press release. “We will now head to Gresham to compete in the World Crown 300 where we know for a fact the playing field will be equal.”
Ruble was the beneficiary after having finished second for the third time in as many races, and was aching for a win in front of his home track fans. While Ruble did take the win, he said it’s just not quite the same as winning it straight-up.
“I don’t like to win races in the tech shed, but at this point when you have finished second as many times as we have, you will take them anyway you can get them,” said Ruble. “It would mean a lot to take the checkered flag in front of the crowd, and stand down there and take the pictures with Mr. Alfred and Mrs. Debbie (Alfred and Debbie Gay, his car owners). We are going to take a couple of pictures up here tonight, but it’s just not the same.
With the win, Ruble took the points lead in the Viper Series and got another step closer to a championship season. “It really feels nice to have a points lead,” said Ruble. “I have been racing a long time and I have never won a points championship. We have always usually missed a couple races here or there. It would mean a lot to win the points, because that is something that stays with you forever.”
Drivers and teams will have a short turnaround as the next race in the Viper Series will take place this Saturday, July 7th.
New Crane Rule Now in Effect at SAS Starting July 7th
By Ryan McCollough, Speed51.com Correspondent
Mike Garvey smiled, conducted an interview, and took pictures in victory lane while giving the fans a “thumbs up” Saturday night at South Alabama Speedway.
But Garvey received a “thumbs down” in post-race inspection and was stripped of his sixth victory of 2012 in the Timber 100 Pro Late Model event. What fans didn't see was the real victory lane photos that were taking in tech after Garvey was bounced and Korey Ruble proved to be the first legal car by finishing second.
The win was taken away due to some tampering with the ignition system of the Tracy Goodson-owned No. 1 machine. At South Alabama Speedway, different types of engines are allowed different levels of rpms. Ford engines are allowed to turn 6300 rpms, while Chevrolet’s get 6500. Garvey’s Ford system was set to turn 6600.
South Alabama Speedway officials polled the drivers in the pre-race drivers meeting and they will be requiring teams run the new Crane Cams ignition box that had been implemented at several other tracks in the Deep South at its next event on July 7th. This race was a make-up event from a date originally scheduled prior to last week's ignition box rule deadline and several ignition boxes were in play.
“Due to SAS officials not requiring all competitors to run the Crane Cam Ignition Box at Saturday night’s event, I felt we were racing against bogus boxes that other drivers was or could be using,” said Garvey in a team-supplied press release after the incident. “I feel all drivers should be on equal terms and all track owners and officials should stick to the original rule that was to be effective as of June 22nd. This is my fault and we probably should have stayed home but we are trying to support all of our local tracks.”
The box was the same one that Garvey had used the night prior at the Allen Turner Pro Late Model event at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida. South Alabama Speedway chief technical inspector, Edward Berry, said he conversed with Five Flags head tech man Ricky Brooks prior to making his decision.
“When the cars left Pensacola last night, each one had a tech sticker on the box saying this it was ok,” Berry said. “When we checked Garvey’s system in post-race, the sticker had been removed and the box reset to 6600.”
Tracy Goodson, owner of Garvey’s Buddy’s Home Furnishings Ford, shared his driver’s opinion and felt they were at a disadvantage. “I am behind my driver 100% and I have no problem with him and his decision in doing what he felt he had to do to be competitive and win a race,” said Goodson via the press release. “We will now head to Gresham to compete in the World Crown 300 where we know for a fact the playing field will be equal.”
Ruble was the beneficiary after having finished second for the third time in as many races, and was aching for a win in front of his home track fans. While Ruble did take the win, he said it’s just not quite the same as winning it straight-up.
“I don’t like to win races in the tech shed, but at this point when you have finished second as many times as we have, you will take them anyway you can get them,” said Ruble. “It would mean a lot to take the checkered flag in front of the crowd, and stand down there and take the pictures with Mr. Alfred and Mrs. Debbie (Alfred and Debbie Gay, his car owners). We are going to take a couple of pictures up here tonight, but it’s just not the same.
With the win, Ruble took the points lead in the Viper Series and got another step closer to a championship season. “It really feels nice to have a points lead,” said Ruble. “I have been racing a long time and I have never won a points championship. We have always usually missed a couple races here or there. It would mean a lot to win the points, because that is something that stays with you forever.”
Drivers and teams will have a short turnaround as the next race in the Viper Series will take place this Saturday, July 7th.
Thirbly Brothers Win Dirt Cup Events at I-96 Speedway
Brandon Thirlby Wins Michigan Dirt Cup Late Models Tour / UMP Super Late Models Feature at I-96 SpeedwayYounger Brother Collin Thirlby brings home UMP Modifieds Feature Win
Lake Odessa, Michigan (Saturday, June 30th, 2012): The second and final appearance by the Allstar Performance Michigan Dirt Cup Late Models Tour Presented by Lane Automotive highlighted a hot and steamy Saturday night, June 30th at I-96 Speedway as the touring cars and stars went head to head with the tracks’ premier division within the United Midwestern Promoters (UMP) DIRTcar Racing Series; the Miller Lite UMP Super Late Models just a few days after the UMP Summer Nationals Hell Tour event, giving the great fans of Western Michigan two GREAT UMP Super Late Models shows in just under a week in Lake Odessa, Michigan!
The first Feature of the night would be the 20-Lap A Main for the Rudd’s Septic Service UMP Street Stocks as Defending Track Champion Bill Brandt Jr., and Max Ake led the field to Chief Starter Brett Farmer’s green flag. However, Dan Dykman, the reigning UMP DIRTcar Racing Series Northeastern States Champion and current points leader in the same region this season would dart underneath the front row to take the early lead as the field settled into a rhythm.
Dykman, who came into the night second in the UMP DIRTcar Racing Series National points would lose the lead to Current Track Points Leader Josh Frye on lap five but Dykman would never let Frye stray too far out in front of him and with two laps to go, the Twin Lakes, Michigan veteran seized the opportunity to slip back past Frye using lapped traffic and from there, he would steer his #35 ASAP Auto Parts / Chevrolet into victory lane for his first I-96 Speedway Feature Win of the 2012 racing season.
Frye settled for second while Brandt Jr., Jim Beltz, and Kendall Marlink were the top five. Ron Harper was sixth with Amber Eberspeaker, Bob Wolf, Randy Wellman, and Bill Brandt Sr., would finish off the top 10. Dykman, Frye, and Wolf were the Heat Race victors.
Next up would be the Smyrna Bar & Restaurant UMP Sport Compacts 20-Lap Feature with the front row consisting of Randy Whitten and 18-year-old Rookie Caleb Klotz leading the field to the green. Whitten led the first two laps before Chad Tomczak would get by on lap three to take the lead. He would bring Defending Track Champion and Current Points Leader Rick Peck and Current 18 & Over Rookie Points Leader Nick Jenema with him and the trio would pull away to battle.
On the last restart, Tomczak was cited for jumping the start and was to be penalized at the next caution. Unfortunately that caution never came and although he did cross the start/finish line first, he would be docked three spots giving the win, his fourth of the season to Peck as the Hastings, Michigan driver in his #14 Frisbee & Sons Plastering / Saturn would extend his already massive points lead in the process.
Jenema inherited second as Tomczak was placed in third in the final rundown. 2010 Track Champion Dan Reimersma was fourth while Scott Rumsey completed the top five. 16-year-old Jordan King, the 2011 17 & Under Rookie of the Year was sixth with 11-year-old Christopher Joyce, Terry Henderson Sr., 18-year-old Joe Pironello, and the second 11-year-old in the field, Current 17 & Under Rookie Points Leader Tony Taylor was the final top 10. 18-year-old Terry Henderson Jr., and Pironello won the Heat Races.
A stellar 23-car field took the green flag to begin the 40-Lap Main Event of the evening for the Allstar Performance Michigan Dirt Cup Late Models Tour Presented by Lane Automotive as they took on the weekly cars and stars of the premier division in UMP DIRTcar Racing Series weekly competition, the Miller Lite UMP Super Late Models. Brandon Thirlby, the Current MDC Late Models Tour & I-96 Speedway Track Co-Points Leader Brandon Thirlby and Former Two-Time Track Champion Eric Spangler brought the field to the green.
Spangler led the first four laps before Thirlby regrouped and took the lead on lap five and he brought fellow Co-Track Points Leader Rich Neiser and Zack Olger with him. Curtis Roberts joined the battle as well as second through fifth traded spots with each other while Thirlby continued to show the way as he tried to lose his challengers by placing lapped cars between him and the next four drivers.
Throughout the entire race, Thirlby would maintain his lead and when all was said and done, the Traverse City, Michigan driver in his #m14 Thirlby Automotive / Mastersbilt Racecars entry would hang on to win his second MDC Late Models Tour Win and third I-96 Speedway Feature victory of the season and extend his MDC points lead while taking the track points lead for himself.
Olger would finish second over Neiser while Ryan VanderVeen and Roberts were the final top five. Brad Harden finished an impressive sixth while 2011 Mt. Pleasant Speedway Track Champion Mark Andersen was seventh. Buckeye State invader Dusty Moore was eighth as Spangler and Adam Thrush would wrap up the top 10. Spangler, Thrush, and Thirlby would win the Qualifier Heat Races.
The final Feature of the evening would be the 25-lap Feature for the Accurate Engines UMP Modifieds as Collin Thirlby started on the pole after just watching his older brother win the UMP Super Late Models Feature and he was flanked by 2010 Track Champion Rich Robinson Jr. Thirlby would beat Robinson Jr., who won the Feature the previous night at Mt. Pleasant Speedway in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan to the first corner to grab the early lead while the rest of the field jockeyed for position behind him, Thirlby would survive a caution plagued event and series challenges from Robinson Jr., as well as Current Points Leader Zack Olger, and finally a late charge from a strong Trevor Sloan to lead all 25 laps as the Traverse City, Michigan driver in his #47 Thirlby Automotive / Diamond Racecars entry would score his first career I-96 Speedway Feature win after winning the Michigan Dirt Cup Modifieds Tour race at Butler Motor Speedway in Quincy, Michigan back on June 16th.
Sloan would finish a career high second with Olger, Robinson Jr., and Former Two-Time Track Champion Todd Feutz completed the top five. 2007 Track Champion Shannon Fisk was sixth over Jared Guinn, Jason Hoogerhyde, 18-year-old Nick Kurtz, and Ken Beutler finished off the top 10. Robinson Jr., and Olger won the Heat Races.
The Fourth of July Weekend will see I-96 Speedway sit idle over the holiday weekend in an effort to give the drivers, families, fan, and teams a chance to celebrate our nation’s birthday. Action returns to the track over the weekend of July 13-15th as it’s a full three-day weekend of American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) District 14 Flat Track Motorcycles Series racing action.
I-96 Speedway is located at 3823 Portland Road in Lake Odessa, Michigan. For more information about the on-going 2012 racing season, 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.
Lake Odessa, Michigan (Saturday, June 30th, 2012): The second and final appearance by the Allstar Performance Michigan Dirt Cup Late Models Tour Presented by Lane Automotive highlighted a hot and steamy Saturday night, June 30th at I-96 Speedway as the touring cars and stars went head to head with the tracks’ premier division within the United Midwestern Promoters (UMP) DIRTcar Racing Series; the Miller Lite UMP Super Late Models just a few days after the UMP Summer Nationals Hell Tour event, giving the great fans of Western Michigan two GREAT UMP Super Late Models shows in just under a week in Lake Odessa, Michigan!
The first Feature of the night would be the 20-Lap A Main for the Rudd’s Septic Service UMP Street Stocks as Defending Track Champion Bill Brandt Jr., and Max Ake led the field to Chief Starter Brett Farmer’s green flag. However, Dan Dykman, the reigning UMP DIRTcar Racing Series Northeastern States Champion and current points leader in the same region this season would dart underneath the front row to take the early lead as the field settled into a rhythm.
Dykman, who came into the night second in the UMP DIRTcar Racing Series National points would lose the lead to Current Track Points Leader Josh Frye on lap five but Dykman would never let Frye stray too far out in front of him and with two laps to go, the Twin Lakes, Michigan veteran seized the opportunity to slip back past Frye using lapped traffic and from there, he would steer his #35 ASAP Auto Parts / Chevrolet into victory lane for his first I-96 Speedway Feature Win of the 2012 racing season.
Frye settled for second while Brandt Jr., Jim Beltz, and Kendall Marlink were the top five. Ron Harper was sixth with Amber Eberspeaker, Bob Wolf, Randy Wellman, and Bill Brandt Sr., would finish off the top 10. Dykman, Frye, and Wolf were the Heat Race victors.
Next up would be the Smyrna Bar & Restaurant UMP Sport Compacts 20-Lap Feature with the front row consisting of Randy Whitten and 18-year-old Rookie Caleb Klotz leading the field to the green. Whitten led the first two laps before Chad Tomczak would get by on lap three to take the lead. He would bring Defending Track Champion and Current Points Leader Rick Peck and Current 18 & Over Rookie Points Leader Nick Jenema with him and the trio would pull away to battle.
On the last restart, Tomczak was cited for jumping the start and was to be penalized at the next caution. Unfortunately that caution never came and although he did cross the start/finish line first, he would be docked three spots giving the win, his fourth of the season to Peck as the Hastings, Michigan driver in his #14 Frisbee & Sons Plastering / Saturn would extend his already massive points lead in the process.
Jenema inherited second as Tomczak was placed in third in the final rundown. 2010 Track Champion Dan Reimersma was fourth while Scott Rumsey completed the top five. 16-year-old Jordan King, the 2011 17 & Under Rookie of the Year was sixth with 11-year-old Christopher Joyce, Terry Henderson Sr., 18-year-old Joe Pironello, and the second 11-year-old in the field, Current 17 & Under Rookie Points Leader Tony Taylor was the final top 10. 18-year-old Terry Henderson Jr., and Pironello won the Heat Races.
A stellar 23-car field took the green flag to begin the 40-Lap Main Event of the evening for the Allstar Performance Michigan Dirt Cup Late Models Tour Presented by Lane Automotive as they took on the weekly cars and stars of the premier division in UMP DIRTcar Racing Series weekly competition, the Miller Lite UMP Super Late Models. Brandon Thirlby, the Current MDC Late Models Tour & I-96 Speedway Track Co-Points Leader Brandon Thirlby and Former Two-Time Track Champion Eric Spangler brought the field to the green.
Spangler led the first four laps before Thirlby regrouped and took the lead on lap five and he brought fellow Co-Track Points Leader Rich Neiser and Zack Olger with him. Curtis Roberts joined the battle as well as second through fifth traded spots with each other while Thirlby continued to show the way as he tried to lose his challengers by placing lapped cars between him and the next four drivers.
Throughout the entire race, Thirlby would maintain his lead and when all was said and done, the Traverse City, Michigan driver in his #m14 Thirlby Automotive / Mastersbilt Racecars entry would hang on to win his second MDC Late Models Tour Win and third I-96 Speedway Feature victory of the season and extend his MDC points lead while taking the track points lead for himself.
Olger would finish second over Neiser while Ryan VanderVeen and Roberts were the final top five. Brad Harden finished an impressive sixth while 2011 Mt. Pleasant Speedway Track Champion Mark Andersen was seventh. Buckeye State invader Dusty Moore was eighth as Spangler and Adam Thrush would wrap up the top 10. Spangler, Thrush, and Thirlby would win the Qualifier Heat Races.
The final Feature of the evening would be the 25-lap Feature for the Accurate Engines UMP Modifieds as Collin Thirlby started on the pole after just watching his older brother win the UMP Super Late Models Feature and he was flanked by 2010 Track Champion Rich Robinson Jr. Thirlby would beat Robinson Jr., who won the Feature the previous night at Mt. Pleasant Speedway in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan to the first corner to grab the early lead while the rest of the field jockeyed for position behind him, Thirlby would survive a caution plagued event and series challenges from Robinson Jr., as well as Current Points Leader Zack Olger, and finally a late charge from a strong Trevor Sloan to lead all 25 laps as the Traverse City, Michigan driver in his #47 Thirlby Automotive / Diamond Racecars entry would score his first career I-96 Speedway Feature win after winning the Michigan Dirt Cup Modifieds Tour race at Butler Motor Speedway in Quincy, Michigan back on June 16th.
Sloan would finish a career high second with Olger, Robinson Jr., and Former Two-Time Track Champion Todd Feutz completed the top five. 2007 Track Champion Shannon Fisk was sixth over Jared Guinn, Jason Hoogerhyde, 18-year-old Nick Kurtz, and Ken Beutler finished off the top 10. Robinson Jr., and Olger won the Heat Races.
The Fourth of July Weekend will see I-96 Speedway sit idle over the holiday weekend in an effort to give the drivers, families, fan, and teams a chance to celebrate our nation’s birthday. Action returns to the track over the weekend of July 13-15th as it’s a full three-day weekend of American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) District 14 Flat Track Motorcycles Series racing action.
I-96 Speedway is located at 3823 Portland Road in Lake Odessa, Michigan. For more information about the on-going 2012 racing season, 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.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Kyle Borgman wins at Tri City Motor Speedway
Plenty of Passing Provides for Entertaining Features at TCMS.
06/29/12 (Auburn MI) Full fields and full grandstands have been the norm at Tri City Motor Speedway this season. A wide racey track has provided the competitors with many different options to move through the field in feature events. This night, sponsored by Pines Truck Accessories of Kawkawlin, showcased some great driving talent and plenty of passing to the packed house of spectators.
The PRW Late Models provided a barnburner of a twenty five lap feature as #59 Nate Hurley and #86 Scott Clifford would bring the nineteen car field to the green flag. Clifford took early advantage of the high side of the speedway and pulled a straightaway advantage until a caution at lap nine bunched the field back together. During that green flag stretch, points leader #55 Roger Wing and #72 Kyle Borgman had moved from the middle of the pack to fill the top three spots. On the restart, Clifford would try to pull away from the pack, but Wing was right there to snatch the lead coming out of turn two. Wing would dominate in another long green flag stretch. It looked as if Wing was going to pick up his second feature in a row, but with around five laps remaining he caught the tail of the field. As he saw two and three wide racing around him, Borgman and #0p Kris Patterson were able to quickly make up ground. On the final corner of the final lap, Borgman had clean air on the top side of the speedway and pulled out the victory from the grasp of Wing. Patterson, who started nineteenth, would finish third. #20d Dan Delong would take fourth with Clifford settling for fifth. #50 Scott Phillips, Wing, and #24 Alex Hupert captured heat victories
Elgin Pro Stocks have been providing first time winners in the past few weeks. This week, #99 Rick Beauchamp and #11L Josh Loomis had the best chance of collecting their first TCMS checkered flag with the front start for the twenty lap feature. Loomis would immediately take the lead by hugging the bottom groove. #01 Randy Radabaugh, who started sixth, was to the runner-up spot within the first three laps. He stuck behind Loomis for nineteen and three-quarters of a lap before he made his move underneath Loomis to steal the feature for himself. In victory lane, Radabaugh commented “I was getting tired of being passed for the final lap and the win that I thought I would do that for myself”! The remainder of the top five were#53 Shane Aeschliman, #40 Bieri, and last week’s winner #41 JC Witherspoon. Beauchamp and Loomis captured heat gold.
Twenty J&L Transport IMCA Modified cars were led to the green flag by #27 Matt Szecsodi and #10 Aaron Karg. Drivers in the middle of the pack made bold three and four wide passes to get to the front of the field as quickly as possible. #11Chaz Pray would lead the first half of the event before eleventh place starter and current points leader #EZ1 Don Hintz would take the lead. Hintz looked like he could be on the way to victory Lane, but last week’s winner #19 Joe Fowler had a different ending. Hintz and Fowler would change lanes a few times before Fowler made the commitment to the high line. With four laps remaining, Fowler was able to fully clear Hintz and cruise to his second win in a row. Hintz was forced to settle with second. #20w AJ Ward, #7m Johnny Deyoung, and #7d Myron Deyoung solidified the top five. The B-main was captured by #26 Tom Sova. Heats were owned by Hintz, Fowler, and #42 Craig Vance.
Earlier in the evening, Auburn Hotel Street Stock drivers #21 Darren Mularz, #21k James King, and 15.2 Dale Malusi had won their heat races. #57 TJ Gilbert would win the b-main to whittle the field down to twenty competitors for the feature event. Pole sitter #34 Jerry Oatley would lead the first five laps as he hoped to pick up his first ever dirt feature win. However, #28 Jared Rizer had thoughts of his first ever feature win in his mind. Rizer would lead a couple of laps before Malusi would take over the front of the pack. He, too, wanted to taste victory for the first time. However, eleventh place starter and current point’s leader Mularz was methodically working traffic and found himself reeling in the front of the field. With nearly six laps remaining, Mularz would make the pass for the lead and never looked back. Defending champ #7r Dave Newcomb, #46 Dilan Hunter, Malusi, and #7g Dan Krause were the top five finishers.
Lawnmower competitors put on a great show with Bill Campbell being the crowd pleaser with his modified lawnmower that was pushing 40 MPH around the three turn track.
Next week, our four regular divisions (LM, IMCA, PS, SS) will be in action plus Veterans and Military Appreciation night. Bring your military or veteran ID and get in for free!!! In addition, there will be an Auburn Hotel Street Stock special with a twenty-nine lap feature paying $505 to win!! Gates open at 5pm, hot laps at 6:45pm, Beat the Track Record at 7:30pm and racing at 7:55pm.
If you can’t make it, follow all the results via Twitter at https://twitter.com/TCMSracetrack or on our Tri City Motor Speedway Facebook page!!! Also, for more information regarding drivers or the 2012 schedule, you can find us at www.tricityracetrack.com ! Got Dirt? Get it this season at the New Tri City Motor Speedway!!!
06/29/12 (Auburn MI) Full fields and full grandstands have been the norm at Tri City Motor Speedway this season. A wide racey track has provided the competitors with many different options to move through the field in feature events. This night, sponsored by Pines Truck Accessories of Kawkawlin, showcased some great driving talent and plenty of passing to the packed house of spectators.
The PRW Late Models provided a barnburner of a twenty five lap feature as #59 Nate Hurley and #86 Scott Clifford would bring the nineteen car field to the green flag. Clifford took early advantage of the high side of the speedway and pulled a straightaway advantage until a caution at lap nine bunched the field back together. During that green flag stretch, points leader #55 Roger Wing and #72 Kyle Borgman had moved from the middle of the pack to fill the top three spots. On the restart, Clifford would try to pull away from the pack, but Wing was right there to snatch the lead coming out of turn two. Wing would dominate in another long green flag stretch. It looked as if Wing was going to pick up his second feature in a row, but with around five laps remaining he caught the tail of the field. As he saw two and three wide racing around him, Borgman and #0p Kris Patterson were able to quickly make up ground. On the final corner of the final lap, Borgman had clean air on the top side of the speedway and pulled out the victory from the grasp of Wing. Patterson, who started nineteenth, would finish third. #20d Dan Delong would take fourth with Clifford settling for fifth. #50 Scott Phillips, Wing, and #24 Alex Hupert captured heat victories
Elgin Pro Stocks have been providing first time winners in the past few weeks. This week, #99 Rick Beauchamp and #11L Josh Loomis had the best chance of collecting their first TCMS checkered flag with the front start for the twenty lap feature. Loomis would immediately take the lead by hugging the bottom groove. #01 Randy Radabaugh, who started sixth, was to the runner-up spot within the first three laps. He stuck behind Loomis for nineteen and three-quarters of a lap before he made his move underneath Loomis to steal the feature for himself. In victory lane, Radabaugh commented “I was getting tired of being passed for the final lap and the win that I thought I would do that for myself”! The remainder of the top five were#53 Shane Aeschliman, #40 Bieri, and last week’s winner #41 JC Witherspoon. Beauchamp and Loomis captured heat gold.
Twenty J&L Transport IMCA Modified cars were led to the green flag by #27 Matt Szecsodi and #10 Aaron Karg. Drivers in the middle of the pack made bold three and four wide passes to get to the front of the field as quickly as possible. #11Chaz Pray would lead the first half of the event before eleventh place starter and current points leader #EZ1 Don Hintz would take the lead. Hintz looked like he could be on the way to victory Lane, but last week’s winner #19 Joe Fowler had a different ending. Hintz and Fowler would change lanes a few times before Fowler made the commitment to the high line. With four laps remaining, Fowler was able to fully clear Hintz and cruise to his second win in a row. Hintz was forced to settle with second. #20w AJ Ward, #7m Johnny Deyoung, and #7d Myron Deyoung solidified the top five. The B-main was captured by #26 Tom Sova. Heats were owned by Hintz, Fowler, and #42 Craig Vance.
Earlier in the evening, Auburn Hotel Street Stock drivers #21 Darren Mularz, #21k James King, and 15.2 Dale Malusi had won their heat races. #57 TJ Gilbert would win the b-main to whittle the field down to twenty competitors for the feature event. Pole sitter #34 Jerry Oatley would lead the first five laps as he hoped to pick up his first ever dirt feature win. However, #28 Jared Rizer had thoughts of his first ever feature win in his mind. Rizer would lead a couple of laps before Malusi would take over the front of the pack. He, too, wanted to taste victory for the first time. However, eleventh place starter and current point’s leader Mularz was methodically working traffic and found himself reeling in the front of the field. With nearly six laps remaining, Mularz would make the pass for the lead and never looked back. Defending champ #7r Dave Newcomb, #46 Dilan Hunter, Malusi, and #7g Dan Krause were the top five finishers.
Lawnmower competitors put on a great show with Bill Campbell being the crowd pleaser with his modified lawnmower that was pushing 40 MPH around the three turn track.
Next week, our four regular divisions (LM, IMCA, PS, SS) will be in action plus Veterans and Military Appreciation night. Bring your military or veteran ID and get in for free!!! In addition, there will be an Auburn Hotel Street Stock special with a twenty-nine lap feature paying $505 to win!! Gates open at 5pm, hot laps at 6:45pm, Beat the Track Record at 7:30pm and racing at 7:55pm.
If you can’t make it, follow all the results via Twitter at https://twitter.com/TCMSracetrack or on our Tri City Motor Speedway Facebook page!!! Also, for more information regarding drivers or the 2012 schedule, you can find us at www.tricityracetrack.com ! Got Dirt? Get it this season at the New Tri City Motor Speedway!!!
Fan and Driver Advice from Butch Miller and Mike Garvey
It was very interestng to read some recent articles with quotes from Coopersvilles Butch Miller and Muskegon's Mike Garvey. Both drivers made their rise up the racing ladder, but interestingly enough read their quotes below.
Miller’s racing career took off in the 1980s when he won 1987 and 1988 championships in the now defunct AC-Delco American Speed Association Challenge Series while driving for Throop. That helped launch Miller’s NASCAR career.
Miller landed a full-time Cup ride with car owner Travis Carter in 1990 but was replaced after 23 races. He later went racing in Nationwide and then NASCAR’s Camping World Truck division, finishing fourth in the series point standings in 1995 and seventh in 1996.
While Miller had an opportunity to race against the best in NASCAR, he said those weren’t the favorite days of his career.
“It wasn’t Cup. Cup was the worst time I ever had,” Miller said. “Up until then, I was hands-on. The minute I went Cup racing, I couldn’t be hands-on. Too many people wanted your attention. The sponsors, press, I don’t know. It was too business-like.
“I will tell you what, the most fun a driver will ever have is running Saturday night at Berlin. If you are lucky enough to get to the (Camping World) Trucks, it’s not going to be as much fun. If you go there from Nationwide, it’s going to be less fun. The higher you go, the less fun that you have.
“Saturday night racing is where the fun is.”
Mike Garvey also has driven in the NASCAR Truck, Nationwide and even Sprint Cup series.
“It’s not that it’s not any fun, it’s just a business,” Garvey said, explaining his decision to keep chasing this year not on the top three NASCAR circuits, but instead going after smaller checks but bigger thrills on short-track asphalt tracks.
Garvey recently talked about short track racing during an interview at Five Flags Speedway in Florida. “It’s a riot,” Garvey said. “I’ve done a lot of other stuff. This is just a lot of fun. We get to hang out with our friends, we get to race. This is way more fun than anything else.”
Garvey said the camaraderie at the small tracks still prevails. The competition is fierce, but friendly. That is getting more difficult to find at racing’s top levels.“These guys are our friends. We work with them,” he said. “It’s not so much money that everybody’s uptight. We have fun doing it. We race hard and we try to win, but we’re having fun doing it.”
“That’s the biggest misconception,” he said. “Not everybody wants to be a Sprint Cup guy. There’s great racers any local race track you go to that are capable of running with anybody, anywhere. And they’re content doing this.“You can find just as much competition here at Opp this weekend as you can in a Sprint Cup race.”
Go visit your local tracks. You might realize what two of top short rack racers of all time already know. Money can buy you top equipment and even a ride, but it can’t buy you talent. Some of the best talent in racing might just be in your own backyard.
Miller’s racing career took off in the 1980s when he won 1987 and 1988 championships in the now defunct AC-Delco American Speed Association Challenge Series while driving for Throop. That helped launch Miller’s NASCAR career.
Miller landed a full-time Cup ride with car owner Travis Carter in 1990 but was replaced after 23 races. He later went racing in Nationwide and then NASCAR’s Camping World Truck division, finishing fourth in the series point standings in 1995 and seventh in 1996.
While Miller had an opportunity to race against the best in NASCAR, he said those weren’t the favorite days of his career.
“It wasn’t Cup. Cup was the worst time I ever had,” Miller said. “Up until then, I was hands-on. The minute I went Cup racing, I couldn’t be hands-on. Too many people wanted your attention. The sponsors, press, I don’t know. It was too business-like.
“I will tell you what, the most fun a driver will ever have is running Saturday night at Berlin. If you are lucky enough to get to the (Camping World) Trucks, it’s not going to be as much fun. If you go there from Nationwide, it’s going to be less fun. The higher you go, the less fun that you have.
“Saturday night racing is where the fun is.”
Mike Garvey also has driven in the NASCAR Truck, Nationwide and even Sprint Cup series.
“It’s not that it’s not any fun, it’s just a business,” Garvey said, explaining his decision to keep chasing this year not on the top three NASCAR circuits, but instead going after smaller checks but bigger thrills on short-track asphalt tracks.
Garvey recently talked about short track racing during an interview at Five Flags Speedway in Florida. “It’s a riot,” Garvey said. “I’ve done a lot of other stuff. This is just a lot of fun. We get to hang out with our friends, we get to race. This is way more fun than anything else.”
Garvey said the camaraderie at the small tracks still prevails. The competition is fierce, but friendly. That is getting more difficult to find at racing’s top levels.“These guys are our friends. We work with them,” he said. “It’s not so much money that everybody’s uptight. We have fun doing it. We race hard and we try to win, but we’re having fun doing it.”
“That’s the biggest misconception,” he said. “Not everybody wants to be a Sprint Cup guy. There’s great racers any local race track you go to that are capable of running with anybody, anywhere. And they’re content doing this.“You can find just as much competition here at Opp this weekend as you can in a Sprint Cup race.”
Go visit your local tracks. You might realize what two of top short rack racers of all time already know. Money can buy you top equipment and even a ride, but it can’t buy you talent. Some of the best talent in racing might just be in your own backyard.
Winner at Berlin Raceway brings smoking tire into victory lane
By Steve Ungrey The Grand Rapids Press MLive.com
MARNE – Caleb Bisacky didn’t mind taking a little abuse when he entered victory lane.
The Spring Lake driver entered the lane with a smoking right tire, which was quickly taken care of by his track personnel. All this while Bisacky endured showers from his friends and family, with everything from water to beer landing on the driver’s head.
It was a fun time for Bisacky, who captured his first feature win in nearly two years Saturday at Berlin Raceway. Bisacky captured the third Super Late Models feature of the season, beating Hudsonville driver Terry VanHaitsma by .63 seconds and Chris Anthony by 2.86 seconds.
VanHaitsma had captured both previous features, and Bisacky entered the event ranked 14th in the point standings.
“I was using a lot of brake at the end and I think that’s why I had the smoking tire,” Bisacky said. “I think I was three-wide with (Johnny) VanDoorn and (Tim) DeVos at the start of the event.”
Bisacky drove a redone Port City car in the 100-lap feature. He’d had problems with the vehicle during the Rowdy 251 race, so he immediately went back to work to improve the car.
“We were able to finish that race, but we did some work on that car between now and the Super Late and I was very confident about it,” Bisacky said. “It’s a brand new car this year and it’s been really good since I bought it. We were all playing follow the leader in this race and with about 30 laps to go I said it’s time. We wanted to win this badly.”
The feature was part of Racing Awareness night, with proceeds from raffle tickets and T-shirt sales going to Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids.
Jenison driver Kevin DeGood picked up his second Modifieds win of the season, when he beat out teammate Adam Chase by nearly six-tenths of a second in the 30-lap feature. It was his first win since May 19, when DeGood knocked off Ryan Hamm by 2.2 seconds.
DeGood has raced in Sportsman and Pro Stocks for the past decade, finishing sixth in Sportsman in 2005 and was a frequent top-10 finisher between 2006 and 2010. He took last year off and helped Dave Lake with the Racing Awareness vehicle, but the itch to race soon hit once again. 
“I used to race and last year I took the year off to crew for Dave on this car, and I was fortunate enough to have Norm (Jelsma) and Jeff (Striegle) offer me the ride after 2011,” DeGood said.
Jelsma and Striegle are co-owners on the Racing Awareness team.
DeGood needed about two-thirds of the race to pull ahead. DeGood admitted he was riding the car through the first 20 laps before going all out in the final 10 laps.
“I was trying to catch (Chase) but I wasn’t trying to override the car,” DeGood said. “Save the tires and hammer down in the final laps.”
Tony Davis took the checkered flag in the 25-lap Sportsman event. Davis defeated Randy Veldman by .61 seconds to pick up his fifth feature victory of 2012.
The 15-lap 4-cylinder feature went to Charlie DeJong by just over one second, with Dave Duyst finishing in second. DeJong is in second in the point standings behind five-time winner Mike Speet.
Justin Ryan captured his fourth Super Stock victory of the year, holding off Andrew Nylaan by 1.01 seconds and category leader Nate Walton by 2.42 seconds. Ryan was second in the overall standings behind Walton entering Saturday’s action, as Walton held a very slim 1-point lead.
RESULTS4-CYLINDER (15 laps)1. Charlie DeJong (5 minutes, 26.418 seconds), 2. Dave Duyst, 3. Jason Essex, 4. Seth VanHorssen, 5. Jackson Walker, 6. Jerry Smith, 7. Kyle VanDrunen, 8. Zack Clark, 9. Steven Holtzlander, 10. Sierra Lantz.
MODIFIED (30 laps)1. Kevin DeGood (9:12.666), 2. Adam Chase, 3. Billy Shotko, 4. Billy Eppink, 5. Ben Welch, 6. Randy DeBoer, 7. Ryan Hamm, 8. Rob Shoemaker.
SUPER STOCKS (30 laps)1. Justin Ryan (17:35.874), 2. Andrew Nylaan, 3. Nate Walton, 4. Seth Moody, 5. Will Olmsted, 6. Denny Anderson, 7. Dave Hull, 8. Bob Bliss, 9. Jeremy Munniksma, 10. Dennis Mann, 11. Nick Bonstell, 12. Cole Roelofs, 13. Trever McCoy.
SPORTSMAN (25 laps)1. Tony Davis (10:26.367), 2. Randy Veldman, 3. Brian Tillema, 4. Dave Cutler, 5. Scott Root, 6. Kirk Meissner, 7. Mitch Meppelink, 8. Allen Davis, 9. Brian Thome, 10. Nick Sherrington, 11. Tyler Nawrocki, 12. Gerry Shepard, 13. Jared Miller, 14. Matt VanHorsen.
SUPER LATE MODELS (100 laps)1. Caleb Bisacky (47:01.091), 2. Terry VanHaitsma, 3. Chris Anthony, 4. Johnny VanDoorn, 5. Tim DeVos, 6. Ross Meeuwsen, 7. Jordan Dahlke, 8. Seth Moody, 9. Gabe Ensing, 10. Justin Regnerus, 11. Ben Kleis, 12. Tim Green, 13. Dan VanderMolen, 14. Dave Lake, 15. Nick Szotko, 16. Lauren Bush, 17. Tom Thomas, 18. Josh Hobson.
HEAT WINNERS
Super Stocks – Dave Hull, Bob Bliss4-cylinder – Mike SpeetSportsman – Brian Tillema, Allen DavisModified – Adam Chase
TOP QUALIFIERS
Sportsman – Tony DavisSuper Late Models – Terry VanHaitsma4-cylinder – Mike SpeetModified – Kevin DeGoodSuper Stock – Justin Ryan
Charity event, lure of speed draws former Lions great Lomas Brown to Berlin Raceway
By Steve Ungrey The Grand Rapids Press The Grand Rapids Press
MARNE, MI – Lomas Brown has faced some intimidating football players over the years, and he has also been a fearsome presence to others on the gridiron.
Put the former Detroit Lions standout in a race car, and even the most fearsome football players get a rush of adrenaline.
“That is something else,” Brown said. “The horsepower… just the rush… I’ve never been in a battle that was this fast.”
Brown, who spent the first decade (1985-1995) of his career as an offensive tackle with the Lions, was at Berlin Raceway Saturday as part of Racing Awareness night with Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids.
“They told me about what the organization was all about,” Brown said, “and it sounded like a great organization and one I could immediately get behind. I came up here this afternoon and I’m turning around tomorrow and taking my son to Canada for a six-week camp.”
Racing Awareness is dedicated to enhancing the lives of children and their families who are coping with injuries or illness. Children associated with the hospital had the chance to meet drivers, take pace car rides, wave the green flag and deliver the “start your engines” command.
The 6-foot-4, 280-pound offensive tackle moved on from Detroit to spend the next three seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. He then finished his career with the Cleveland Browns (1999), New York Giants (2000-2001) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2002).
It was with the Buccaneers that Brown capped a 17-year career by winning his only Super Bowl; the ring is proudly displayed on his right hand.
While with the Lions, Brown was part of some good – and some not-so-good – teams. He is thrilled to see the renaissance the Lions have undergone through coach Jim Schwartz. Detroit, a 2-win team in 2009, made the playoffs in 2011; it was the first time since 1999 the Lions qualified.
“It’s great,” Brown said. “It’s awesome not only for the organization and former players like us,” Brown said. “It seems when the Lions have a down year so does the state. Michigan just lives and dies with its football team.”
Berlin Results June 30th
Caleb Bisacky and Charlie DeJong get first wins of the season
Tony Davis, Kevin DeGood and Justin Ryan also victorious
Marne, MI – It was another beautiful night of racing at Berlin Raceway and the competition was fierce. Caleb Bisacky took home the trophy in the Coors Light Super Late division and also visiting Victory Lane were Charlie DeJong (Burnips Equipment 4-Cylinder), Tony Davis (Kerkstra Services Sportsman), Kevin DeGood (Model Coverall Modified) and Justin Ryan (Engine Pro Super Stock).
Starting things off was the Model Coverall Modified division for 30-laps with #68 Randy DeBoer and #67 Ben Welch on the front row. After an aggressive heat race, the feature promised to be just as exciting and by lap 2, they were already going three-wide on the backstretch. DeBoer had the lead and was on the inside with Welch still on the outside when #66 Adam Chase came charging up with a good run on the inside of both of them. Chase then took the lead on lap 3. The next time by, Welch was all shades of sideways coming to the start finish line and this was in front of most of the field. He was able to save it and the cars behind him were able to avoid. The cars then settled in to single-file, green flag racing and with ten laps to go, second position #97 Kevin DeGood was closing in quickly on Chase. With two to go, DeGood took the lead and went on to get the win. Completing the top eight were Chase, #22 Billy Shotko, #8 Billy Eppink, Welch, DeBoer, #7 Ryan Hamm and #29 Rob Shoemaker.
Up next was the 30-lap Engine Pro Super Stock feature; #11 Nick Bonstell and #48 Seth Moody shared the front row. Moody took the lead, but caution was quickly out for the spinning car of #024 Cole Roelofs. Moody went back to the lead after the restart and the battle was on for second between #66 Nate Walton and #78 Will Olmsted; Olmsted got it done and began chasing down Moody. It was just past halfway when Olmsted was drawing even with Moody and while trying to pass for the lead, Olmsted spun, bringing out the second caution on lap 18. With ten to go, the top four were racing extremely close and it was the #51 of Justin Ryan who took the lead on lap 23. With five to go, #77 Andrew Nylaan made the pass for second, but there wasn’t a lot of time left to chase down the leader. Ryan went on to take the win and the rest of the top ten were Nylaan, Walton, Moody, Olmsted, #18 Denny Anderson, #20 Dave Hull, #6 Bob Bliss, #20J Jeremy Munniskma and #00 Dennis Mann.
The Burnips Equipment 4-Cylinder 15-lap feature was up next, #9 Zach Clark and #17 Seth VanHorssen led the field to the green flag. Clark took off with the lead and enjoyed a large cushion of space between himself and #10 Dave Duyst. It only took five laps for #76 Mike Speet to catch up to leader Clark; after starting seventh, Speet was taking the lead on lap 6. As always, when Speet take the lead, he completely drives away from the field. Speet took the checked flag 8.89 seconds ahead of #62 Charlie DeJong; the rest of the top ten were #18 Jason Essex, VanHorssen, #20 Jackson Walker, #68 Jerry Smith, #36 Kyle VanDrunen, Clark and #72 Steven Holtzlander. After technical inspections, Speet was disqualified and DeJong was award the win.
It was #1 Randy Veldman and #88 Kirk Meissner on the front row of the Kerkstra Services Sportsman 25-lap feature and Veldman and Meissner were trading the lead back and forth for the first few laps before Veldman cleared him and put some distance between himself and the field. Meanwhile the #15 of Scott Root was up to second and be challenged by both #88 Tony Davis and #76 Brian Tillema. The first caution of the race was on lap 11 when #X Matt VanHorssen spun in turn 1. After the restart, the top four were side by side and Root had a slight advantage. On lap 12, Davis took it three-wide with Veldman and Root for second as Veldman retook the lead. Davis was able to wrangle second from Root and was then stalking Veldman for the lead with ten to go. Lap 17, Davis took the lead and then Veldman was under attack from Tillema. With both Veldman and Tillema occupied, Davis was able to grab win number five and the rest of the top ten were Veldman, Tillema, #40 Dave Cutler, Root, Meissner, #18 Mitch Meppelink, #33 Allen Davis, #26 Brian Thome and #52 Nick Sherrington.
The Coors Light Super Late Models were the final feature of the night; #19 Nick Szotko and #32 Gabe Ensing started on the front row of the 100-lap feature. Szotko maintained the first position and after some jockeying it was the #222 of Caleb Bisacky up to second. It didn’t take long before the yellow flag came out – on lap 4 the #32 of Gabe Ensing spun in turn 2. It was #61 John VanDoorn to the lead on lap 7 after swinging around Szotko and the #12 of Tim DeVos followed through to challenge VanDoorn for the lead. The race was only nine laps in and the top 12 were all side by side. Szotko was battling back and rocketed back to the lead, but VanDoorn took it back on the outside the next time by. On lap 17, Szotko got shuffled back, DeVos was back up to second and was followed by Bisacky. Bisacky made the pass for second and started to reel in VanDoorn. Thirty laps in, the top ten were still running as close as they were from the start of the race and by lap 32, DeVos maneuvered past VanDoorn, but just a few laps later, Szotko was back up there challenging for the lead. DeVos was finally able to get some breathing room and the race was on for second between Bisacky, VanDoorn, Szotko and #21 Terry VanHaitsma. By half-way, Bisacky caught up to DeVos and took the lead on lap 55 and just two laps later, the second caution came out when #21 Tim Greene spun on the frontstretch. DeVos had the lead after the restart, but Bisacky kept just to his inside, trying to gain some ground and he did just that, leading the field by lap 67. DeVos was going all he could to hang on to second as VanDoorn and VanHaitsma were all over him. VanHaitsma cleared him first and then the caution was out; Szotko spun coming out of turn 4 after contact with #99 Jordan Dahlke and the #101 of Lauren Bush was collected in that. Bisacky took off with the lead after the restart and VanHaitsma moved up to second, cutting in to Bisacky’s lead lap by lap. Lap 82 saw another caution when Greene spun in turn three. After a quick clean up, the race was restarted and Bisacky got a great restart, pulling away from the field as the raced single-file. With ten laps to go, Bisacky had almost a one-second lead and while VanHaitsma was able to shave a little bit off, there just wasn’t enough time to catch up. Bisacky got his first win of the season and the rest of the top ten were VanHaitsma, #55 Chris Anthony, VanDoorn, DeVos, #99 Ross Meeuwsen, #48 Seth Moody, #32 Gabe Ensing and #50 Justin Regnerus.
Next Saturday, July 7 is Stars & Stripes Military Night! It is also the Lee Anderson Memorial 118 featuring the Port City Racecars / GL Helicopter Outlaw Late Model, Engine Pro Super Stock, Kerkstra Services Sportsman, Burnips Equipment 4-Cylinder and the Vintage Racing Organization of America; also post-race fireworks! Tickets are just $7 for adults and kids 11 and under are free; racing starts at 7:00 p.m.
More information can be found at www.berlinraceway.com or by calling the track office during the normal business hours 9am - 5pm Tuesday - Friday at 616-677-5000.
Tony Davis, Kevin DeGood and Justin Ryan also victorious
Marne, MI – It was another beautiful night of racing at Berlin Raceway and the competition was fierce. Caleb Bisacky took home the trophy in the Coors Light Super Late division and also visiting Victory Lane were Charlie DeJong (Burnips Equipment 4-Cylinder), Tony Davis (Kerkstra Services Sportsman), Kevin DeGood (Model Coverall Modified) and Justin Ryan (Engine Pro Super Stock).
Starting things off was the Model Coverall Modified division for 30-laps with #68 Randy DeBoer and #67 Ben Welch on the front row. After an aggressive heat race, the feature promised to be just as exciting and by lap 2, they were already going three-wide on the backstretch. DeBoer had the lead and was on the inside with Welch still on the outside when #66 Adam Chase came charging up with a good run on the inside of both of them. Chase then took the lead on lap 3. The next time by, Welch was all shades of sideways coming to the start finish line and this was in front of most of the field. He was able to save it and the cars behind him were able to avoid. The cars then settled in to single-file, green flag racing and with ten laps to go, second position #97 Kevin DeGood was closing in quickly on Chase. With two to go, DeGood took the lead and went on to get the win. Completing the top eight were Chase, #22 Billy Shotko, #8 Billy Eppink, Welch, DeBoer, #7 Ryan Hamm and #29 Rob Shoemaker.
Up next was the 30-lap Engine Pro Super Stock feature; #11 Nick Bonstell and #48 Seth Moody shared the front row. Moody took the lead, but caution was quickly out for the spinning car of #024 Cole Roelofs. Moody went back to the lead after the restart and the battle was on for second between #66 Nate Walton and #78 Will Olmsted; Olmsted got it done and began chasing down Moody. It was just past halfway when Olmsted was drawing even with Moody and while trying to pass for the lead, Olmsted spun, bringing out the second caution on lap 18. With ten to go, the top four were racing extremely close and it was the #51 of Justin Ryan who took the lead on lap 23. With five to go, #77 Andrew Nylaan made the pass for second, but there wasn’t a lot of time left to chase down the leader. Ryan went on to take the win and the rest of the top ten were Nylaan, Walton, Moody, Olmsted, #18 Denny Anderson, #20 Dave Hull, #6 Bob Bliss, #20J Jeremy Munniskma and #00 Dennis Mann.
The Burnips Equipment 4-Cylinder 15-lap feature was up next, #9 Zach Clark and #17 Seth VanHorssen led the field to the green flag. Clark took off with the lead and enjoyed a large cushion of space between himself and #10 Dave Duyst. It only took five laps for #76 Mike Speet to catch up to leader Clark; after starting seventh, Speet was taking the lead on lap 6. As always, when Speet take the lead, he completely drives away from the field. Speet took the checked flag 8.89 seconds ahead of #62 Charlie DeJong; the rest of the top ten were #18 Jason Essex, VanHorssen, #20 Jackson Walker, #68 Jerry Smith, #36 Kyle VanDrunen, Clark and #72 Steven Holtzlander. After technical inspections, Speet was disqualified and DeJong was award the win.
It was #1 Randy Veldman and #88 Kirk Meissner on the front row of the Kerkstra Services Sportsman 25-lap feature and Veldman and Meissner were trading the lead back and forth for the first few laps before Veldman cleared him and put some distance between himself and the field. Meanwhile the #15 of Scott Root was up to second and be challenged by both #88 Tony Davis and #76 Brian Tillema. The first caution of the race was on lap 11 when #X Matt VanHorssen spun in turn 1. After the restart, the top four were side by side and Root had a slight advantage. On lap 12, Davis took it three-wide with Veldman and Root for second as Veldman retook the lead. Davis was able to wrangle second from Root and was then stalking Veldman for the lead with ten to go. Lap 17, Davis took the lead and then Veldman was under attack from Tillema. With both Veldman and Tillema occupied, Davis was able to grab win number five and the rest of the top ten were Veldman, Tillema, #40 Dave Cutler, Root, Meissner, #18 Mitch Meppelink, #33 Allen Davis, #26 Brian Thome and #52 Nick Sherrington.
The Coors Light Super Late Models were the final feature of the night; #19 Nick Szotko and #32 Gabe Ensing started on the front row of the 100-lap feature. Szotko maintained the first position and after some jockeying it was the #222 of Caleb Bisacky up to second. It didn’t take long before the yellow flag came out – on lap 4 the #32 of Gabe Ensing spun in turn 2. It was #61 John VanDoorn to the lead on lap 7 after swinging around Szotko and the #12 of Tim DeVos followed through to challenge VanDoorn for the lead. The race was only nine laps in and the top 12 were all side by side. Szotko was battling back and rocketed back to the lead, but VanDoorn took it back on the outside the next time by. On lap 17, Szotko got shuffled back, DeVos was back up to second and was followed by Bisacky. Bisacky made the pass for second and started to reel in VanDoorn. Thirty laps in, the top ten were still running as close as they were from the start of the race and by lap 32, DeVos maneuvered past VanDoorn, but just a few laps later, Szotko was back up there challenging for the lead. DeVos was finally able to get some breathing room and the race was on for second between Bisacky, VanDoorn, Szotko and #21 Terry VanHaitsma. By half-way, Bisacky caught up to DeVos and took the lead on lap 55 and just two laps later, the second caution came out when #21 Tim Greene spun on the frontstretch. DeVos had the lead after the restart, but Bisacky kept just to his inside, trying to gain some ground and he did just that, leading the field by lap 67. DeVos was going all he could to hang on to second as VanDoorn and VanHaitsma were all over him. VanHaitsma cleared him first and then the caution was out; Szotko spun coming out of turn 4 after contact with #99 Jordan Dahlke and the #101 of Lauren Bush was collected in that. Bisacky took off with the lead after the restart and VanHaitsma moved up to second, cutting in to Bisacky’s lead lap by lap. Lap 82 saw another caution when Greene spun in turn three. After a quick clean up, the race was restarted and Bisacky got a great restart, pulling away from the field as the raced single-file. With ten laps to go, Bisacky had almost a one-second lead and while VanHaitsma was able to shave a little bit off, there just wasn’t enough time to catch up. Bisacky got his first win of the season and the rest of the top ten were VanHaitsma, #55 Chris Anthony, VanDoorn, DeVos, #99 Ross Meeuwsen, #48 Seth Moody, #32 Gabe Ensing and #50 Justin Regnerus.
Next Saturday, July 7 is Stars & Stripes Military Night! It is also the Lee Anderson Memorial 118 featuring the Port City Racecars / GL Helicopter Outlaw Late Model, Engine Pro Super Stock, Kerkstra Services Sportsman, Burnips Equipment 4-Cylinder and the Vintage Racing Organization of America; also post-race fireworks! Tickets are just $7 for adults and kids 11 and under are free; racing starts at 7:00 p.m.
More information can be found at www.berlinraceway.com or by calling the track office during the normal business hours 9am - 5pm Tuesday - Friday at 616-677-5000.
Garvey wins at Five Flags
(June 29) Mike Garvey held off D.J. VanderLey in a thrilling end to the Allen Turner Pro Late Model Series 100 race.
Garvey, who recently moved to Perdido Key from the Atlanta area,, took the lead from VanderLey on Lap 88, after VanderLey’s car got loose around a turn. The rest of the race, Garvey kept his race car just far enough ahead to outduel Vanderley.
"Man, with about five (laps) to go, my right rear just quit and I thought, 'Oh no,' but it worked out," he said. "Those last five laps felt like 50, because we were garbage. Luckily I was able to pull it out for the Buddy's Home Furnishings car and we'll take it."
Vanderley, 20, an Auburn University student, seeking his first win at Five Flags Speedway in nearly two years, spun across the finish line and hugged the wall in second place after failing to pass Garvey out of Turn 4 on the final lap of the 100 lap race.
He immediately congratulated Garvey when the two exited their race cars.
"I was trying to drive up under Mike for the win and I lost it," Vanderley said. "That was my fault. It was just a mental lapse as a driver. I can't be having that happen.""Just when our car got up close, the car got looser than I expected," he said. "I lost it twice."
Allen Turner Hyndai Pro Late Model 100 Top Ten
Pos. Car No. Driver
1 1 Mike Garvey
2 2 DJ VanderLey
3 41 Chris Davidson
4 18 Hunter Robbins
5 45 Dwayne Buggay
6 29 Spencer Davis
7 99 Wayne Niedecken, Jr
8 4 Eddie Craig
9 91 Zak Hausler
10 36 Keith Thorpe
Garvey, who recently moved to Perdido Key from the Atlanta area,, took the lead from VanderLey on Lap 88, after VanderLey’s car got loose around a turn. The rest of the race, Garvey kept his race car just far enough ahead to outduel Vanderley.
"Man, with about five (laps) to go, my right rear just quit and I thought, 'Oh no,' but it worked out," he said. "Those last five laps felt like 50, because we were garbage. Luckily I was able to pull it out for the Buddy's Home Furnishings car and we'll take it."
Vanderley, 20, an Auburn University student, seeking his first win at Five Flags Speedway in nearly two years, spun across the finish line and hugged the wall in second place after failing to pass Garvey out of Turn 4 on the final lap of the 100 lap race.
He immediately congratulated Garvey when the two exited their race cars.
"I was trying to drive up under Mike for the win and I lost it," Vanderley said. "That was my fault. It was just a mental lapse as a driver. I can't be having that happen.""Just when our car got up close, the car got looser than I expected," he said. "I lost it twice."
Allen Turner Hyndai Pro Late Model 100 Top Ten
Pos. Car No. Driver
1 1 Mike Garvey
2 2 DJ VanderLey
3 41 Chris Davidson
4 18 Hunter Robbins
5 45 Dwayne Buggay
6 29 Spencer Davis
7 99 Wayne Niedecken, Jr
8 4 Eddie Craig
9 91 Zak Hausler
10 36 Keith Thorpe
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