NASCAR star Kyle Busch looks forward to shot at short track drivers at Berlin Raceway
Steve Kaminski |
The Grand Rapids Press
MARNE -- NASCAR Sprint Cup spent this past weekend tearing around Michigan International Speedway, but drivers Kyle Busch, A.J. Allmendinger and Bill Elliott appear to be in no hurry to leave the state.
All three have stuck around for Tuesday’s 7 p.m. program at the Berlin Raceway.
Busch, who is second in the Sprint Cup point standings, will be competing in the night’s main event, the Rowdy’s Revenge 251. The winner could earn up to $25,000, based on car count.
Allmendinger is entered in the 50-lap Modified feature. It will be Allmendinger’s first race in a Modified.
Elliott will be signing autographs and working with his son, Chase Elliott, 14. Chase is scheduled to compete in the Rowdy’s Revenge, which is a template body Late Model race.
The three arrived Monday after completing Sunday’s race at MIS and met with area media. Busch trails Kevin Harvick by 22 points in the Cup standings, but he said he will worry about the likes of Harvick, Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon when he gets to Sonoma, Calif., later this week for Sunday’s Cup race.
For now, his only focus is winning Tuesday's race.
ROWDY'S REVENGE 251
When, where: 7 p.m. Tuesday at Berlin Raceway in Marne
Who to watch: Kyle Busch will be competing in the Late Model race, while A.J. Allmendinger will be racing in the Modified main. Bill Elliott will be signing autographs.
Tickets: Adults $20, seniors 60-and-up $18, children 6-12 $5 and 5-and-under free
“When you come out here and race, you are racing against the best of the best in the Late Model ranks, guys who might not get a shot to move up to the big leagues, but these guys are really good,” Busch said. “It gives them a chance to race against me, but I get a chance to race against some of the best short track racers.”
Allmendinger will be racing the Modified that area car owners Jeff Striegle, Norm Jelsema and Mike Bursley built this offseason, with proceeds raised from the car’s efforts this season being donated to the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Foundation.
Allemdinger drives the No. 43 Ford Fusion for car owner Richard Petty in Sprint Cup, and Striegle, of Byron Center, is a reporter for the Motorsports Racing Network. Striegle invited Allmendinger to come to Berlin earlier this season.
“I like new challenges,” said Allmendinger, who is 22nd in the Cup point standings. “To be able to come to a place that is very unique in its own right is going to be a lot of fun. I’m looking forward to it.
“When Jeff Striegle came over to me this year in Fontana and asked me to come out and try this and come to Berlin for this race and to be able to do something new and for a great cause, the Helen DeVos Children’s Foundation, it was something for me that I wasn’t going to say no."
Monday, June 14, 2010
Berlin Raceway: Tillema Pro Stock News and Weekend Winners
Defending champion Brian Tillema continues Pro Stocks success at Berlin Raceway
Cris Greer
The Grand Rapids Press
Defending Pro Stocks champion Brian Tillema is making his move at Berlin Raceway.
Tillema, who won Saturday's 30-lap race, currently is in second place in the points standings with 572. Weston Jewett leads the way with 612.
After a restart on lap 14, Tillema slowly moved up through the pack and grabbed the lead on lap 19 from Scott Root.
“Success has kind of come and gone depending on the class we’ve been in, but in this class with this car, we seem to have done really well,” said Tillema, who’s been racing for 15 years. “It’s a good car, but it’s a good class, too.
"It’s a good fit for me. I like the treaded tires; the car slides around. It’s a lot more fun than the Super Stock or Late Model cars.”
Tillema, of Byron Center, has won the Pro Stock championship the past three years.
Last year, he had two wins, 14 top-five finishes and 15 top-10 finishes.
Here's a wrapup of the weekend winners from around the state:
BERLIN RACEWAY
•USAC Sprints: Brian Clauson
•USAC Midgets: Daniel Bedford
•Pro Stocks: Brian Tillema
CRYSTAL MOTOR SPEEDWAY
•Late Models: Scott Baker
•Street Stocks: Mike Vandermark Jr.
•Cory Burch: Flinn Stocks
•Scott Neiman: Pro Trucks
U.S. 131 MOTORSPORTS PARK
•Pro Extreme: Josh Hernandez
•Pro Nitrous: Lee Adkins
•Extreme 10.5: Gary White
•Pro Extreme Motorcycle: Ashley Owens
•Extreme Pro Stock: John Montecalvo
•Pro Junior Dragster: Tayler Weatherford
THUNDERBIRD RACEWAY
•Late Models 1: Alan Vochaska
•Late Models 2: Alan Vochaska
•Modifieds: John McCaul
•Street Stocks: Dan Dykman
•Bombers: Spike Grega
•Thunder Stocks: Mel Whitten
•UMP Warriors: Ryan Hamm
AROUND THE STATE
DIXIE MOTOR SPEEDWAY
•Super Late Models: Terry Senneker Jr.
•Pro Stocks; Jon Giffel
•Street Stocks: Robby Johnston
•Bombers: Cam Hiltz
•Figure 8s: Tony Williams
HARTFORD MOTOR SPEEDWAY
•SOD Sprints: Dustin Daggett
•Modifieds: Jacob Poel
•Stock Car: Tom Disterheft
MT. PLEASANT SPEEDWAY
•Late Models: Rich Neiser
•Modifieds: Rich Robinson Jr.
•Stock Cars: Gary Vandermark
•Mini Stocks: Trever Fedewa
•Stock Minis: Patrick McNamara
May 28 makeup features
•Stock Cars: Gary Vandermark
•Mini Stocks; Trever Fedewa
•Stock Minis: Steve Keeler Jr.
OWOSSO SPEEDWAY
•Pro Late Models: Mark Welch
•Michigan Legends Series: Loren Short
•Pure Stocks: Gary Pelky
•Sport Stocks: Matt Vainner
SPARTAN SPEEDWAY
•Sprints: Tommy Fedewa
•Modifieds: Larry Wallace
•Pure Stocks: Ben Hidy
Cris Greer
The Grand Rapids Press
Defending Pro Stocks champion Brian Tillema is making his move at Berlin Raceway.
Tillema, who won Saturday's 30-lap race, currently is in second place in the points standings with 572. Weston Jewett leads the way with 612.
After a restart on lap 14, Tillema slowly moved up through the pack and grabbed the lead on lap 19 from Scott Root.
“Success has kind of come and gone depending on the class we’ve been in, but in this class with this car, we seem to have done really well,” said Tillema, who’s been racing for 15 years. “It’s a good car, but it’s a good class, too.
"It’s a good fit for me. I like the treaded tires; the car slides around. It’s a lot more fun than the Super Stock or Late Model cars.”
Tillema, of Byron Center, has won the Pro Stock championship the past three years.
Last year, he had two wins, 14 top-five finishes and 15 top-10 finishes.
Here's a wrapup of the weekend winners from around the state:
BERLIN RACEWAY
•USAC Sprints: Brian Clauson
•USAC Midgets: Daniel Bedford
•Pro Stocks: Brian Tillema
CRYSTAL MOTOR SPEEDWAY
•Late Models: Scott Baker
•Street Stocks: Mike Vandermark Jr.
•Cory Burch: Flinn Stocks
•Scott Neiman: Pro Trucks
U.S. 131 MOTORSPORTS PARK
•Pro Extreme: Josh Hernandez
•Pro Nitrous: Lee Adkins
•Extreme 10.5: Gary White
•Pro Extreme Motorcycle: Ashley Owens
•Extreme Pro Stock: John Montecalvo
•Pro Junior Dragster: Tayler Weatherford
THUNDERBIRD RACEWAY
•Late Models 1: Alan Vochaska
•Late Models 2: Alan Vochaska
•Modifieds: John McCaul
•Street Stocks: Dan Dykman
•Bombers: Spike Grega
•Thunder Stocks: Mel Whitten
•UMP Warriors: Ryan Hamm
AROUND THE STATE
DIXIE MOTOR SPEEDWAY
•Super Late Models: Terry Senneker Jr.
•Pro Stocks; Jon Giffel
•Street Stocks: Robby Johnston
•Bombers: Cam Hiltz
•Figure 8s: Tony Williams
HARTFORD MOTOR SPEEDWAY
•SOD Sprints: Dustin Daggett
•Modifieds: Jacob Poel
•Stock Car: Tom Disterheft
MT. PLEASANT SPEEDWAY
•Late Models: Rich Neiser
•Modifieds: Rich Robinson Jr.
•Stock Cars: Gary Vandermark
•Mini Stocks: Trever Fedewa
•Stock Minis: Patrick McNamara
May 28 makeup features
•Stock Cars: Gary Vandermark
•Mini Stocks; Trever Fedewa
•Stock Minis: Steve Keeler Jr.
OWOSSO SPEEDWAY
•Pro Late Models: Mark Welch
•Michigan Legends Series: Loren Short
•Pure Stocks: Gary Pelky
•Sport Stocks: Matt Vainner
SPARTAN SPEEDWAY
•Sprints: Tommy Fedewa
•Modifieds: Larry Wallace
•Pure Stocks: Ben Hidy
Friday, June 11, 2010
Terry Senneker Wins a Wild One at Dixie Motor Speedway
Terry Senneker came from his 11th place starting spot to win in a wild finish. With ten laps to go Senneker was in fourth. By the end of the race Senneker was spun while leading, had to endure a red flag and three yellow flag restarts before taking the checkered flag.
Check out the Details by clicking here.
Check out the Details by clicking here.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Chase Elliot Headed to Berlin Raceway
Rising star Chase Elliott, 14, will make his Berlin Raceway debut June 15
By Steve Kaminski
The Grand Rapids Press
MARNE -- Anyone looking for the hottest up-and-coming driver in stock-car racing might consider using an ultrasound to find him.
Actually, Chase Elliott is 14. He just finished eighth grade at King's Ridge Christian School in Alpharetta, Ga., so he isn't quite that young. Yet, considering what he already has accomplished and taking into account he's two years from earning his driver's license, it makes him the one to watch.
Elliott, son of legendary NASCAR driver Bill Elliott, of Dawsonville, Ga., is turning laps and heads on short tracks across the nation.
West Michigan fans will get their first look at the rising star when Elliott comes to Berlin Raceway for the June 15 Rowdy's Revenge 251 Late Model race featuring Kyle Busch, who is second in NASCAR Sprint Cup points.
Being Bill Elliott's son certainly has opened doors for Chase, but he is making the most of those opportunities.
He has made 14 Late Model starts in a combined seven touring series this season. His average finish is 3.86, including four wins in his No. 9 Aaron's Rent Ford Fusion.
He won a May 29 Late Model race at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Fla., making him the youngest driver to win a Late Model race at that track, which opened in 1956. In addition, Elliott won a race at Rockingham, N.C.
"I'm just happy to be where we are at and to be able to go run each weekend and to be getting the experience that I am getting right now," said Elliott, who started racing go-karts six years ago. "That's the most important thing. There is nothing that can simulate going to the race track. That's all you want. All in all, there is nothing close to actually racing.
THE RACE
What: Rowdy's Revenge 251, with Kyle Busch
When/where: 7 p.m. June 15 at Berlin Raceway, Marne
Tickets: $20 adults, $18 seniors 60 and older, $5 ages 6 to 12
"I think we are in the right place here and are making the right decisions. And hopefully, moving our way up the right way."
Bill Elliott, 54, is competing in Sprint Cup on a part-time basis this season, and he has made four starts driving the Wood Brothers Racing No. 21 Motorcraft Ford Fusion. He has racked up 44 career victories, along with the 1988 series championship, and was voted NASCAR's most popular driver 16 times.
The elder Elliott serves as his son's spotter when he isn't racing. He is scheduled to sign autographs at Berlin.
"He is a good driver," Bill Elliott said of his son. "His strengths are he takes care of his equipment and he usually runs competitively. He tries not to stick his nose where it shouldn't be. I think that's his strong point.
"Being around me, I feel it has helped him out a lot. He has been around me enough to understand the sport, and he knows what he has to do and what he has to put up with."
Elliott was 6 when his photo was taken with his father in Victory Lane at the 2002 Brickyard 400.
It was one of the biggest wins of Bill Elliott's career, and it just might have been the spark that stoked his son's passion for racing.
"The biggest thing I remember him winning is the Brickyard," Elliott said. "Being there and being a part of that was very neat. I will never forget that day."
The purse for the Rowdy's Revenge 251 could reach $25,000, but it will be based on car count.
Elliott isn't the only next-generation star headed to Berlin.
Ross Kenseth, son of 2003 Cup champion Matt Kenseth, and Ryan Blaney, whose father is veteran driver Dave Blaney, also have committed to the race.
In addition, NASCAR Sprint Cup's A.J. Allmendinger is scheduled to race in the 50-lap Modified main.
By Steve Kaminski
The Grand Rapids Press
MARNE -- Anyone looking for the hottest up-and-coming driver in stock-car racing might consider using an ultrasound to find him.
Actually, Chase Elliott is 14. He just finished eighth grade at King's Ridge Christian School in Alpharetta, Ga., so he isn't quite that young. Yet, considering what he already has accomplished and taking into account he's two years from earning his driver's license, it makes him the one to watch.
Elliott, son of legendary NASCAR driver Bill Elliott, of Dawsonville, Ga., is turning laps and heads on short tracks across the nation.
West Michigan fans will get their first look at the rising star when Elliott comes to Berlin Raceway for the June 15 Rowdy's Revenge 251 Late Model race featuring Kyle Busch, who is second in NASCAR Sprint Cup points.
Being Bill Elliott's son certainly has opened doors for Chase, but he is making the most of those opportunities.
He has made 14 Late Model starts in a combined seven touring series this season. His average finish is 3.86, including four wins in his No. 9 Aaron's Rent Ford Fusion.
He won a May 29 Late Model race at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Fla., making him the youngest driver to win a Late Model race at that track, which opened in 1956. In addition, Elliott won a race at Rockingham, N.C.
"I'm just happy to be where we are at and to be able to go run each weekend and to be getting the experience that I am getting right now," said Elliott, who started racing go-karts six years ago. "That's the most important thing. There is nothing that can simulate going to the race track. That's all you want. All in all, there is nothing close to actually racing.
THE RACE
What: Rowdy's Revenge 251, with Kyle Busch
When/where: 7 p.m. June 15 at Berlin Raceway, Marne
Tickets: $20 adults, $18 seniors 60 and older, $5 ages 6 to 12
"I think we are in the right place here and are making the right decisions. And hopefully, moving our way up the right way."
Bill Elliott, 54, is competing in Sprint Cup on a part-time basis this season, and he has made four starts driving the Wood Brothers Racing No. 21 Motorcraft Ford Fusion. He has racked up 44 career victories, along with the 1988 series championship, and was voted NASCAR's most popular driver 16 times.
The elder Elliott serves as his son's spotter when he isn't racing. He is scheduled to sign autographs at Berlin.
"He is a good driver," Bill Elliott said of his son. "His strengths are he takes care of his equipment and he usually runs competitively. He tries not to stick his nose where it shouldn't be. I think that's his strong point.
"Being around me, I feel it has helped him out a lot. He has been around me enough to understand the sport, and he knows what he has to do and what he has to put up with."
Elliott was 6 when his photo was taken with his father in Victory Lane at the 2002 Brickyard 400.
It was one of the biggest wins of Bill Elliott's career, and it just might have been the spark that stoked his son's passion for racing.
"The biggest thing I remember him winning is the Brickyard," Elliott said. "Being there and being a part of that was very neat. I will never forget that day."
The purse for the Rowdy's Revenge 251 could reach $25,000, but it will be based on car count.
Elliott isn't the only next-generation star headed to Berlin.
Ross Kenseth, son of 2003 Cup champion Matt Kenseth, and Ryan Blaney, whose father is veteran driver Dave Blaney, also have committed to the race.
In addition, NASCAR Sprint Cup's A.J. Allmendinger is scheduled to race in the 50-lap Modified main.
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