Brian Tillema begins chase of Berlin Raceway history with victory in season opener
By Steve Kaminski | The Grand Rapids Press MLive.com
Berlin Raceway: Opening night 2011 gallery (5 photos)
MARNE -- Brian Tillema of Byron Center is chasing Berlin Raceway track history this season, although he probably doesn’t even know it.
Tillema won Saturday night’s season-opening 25-lap Pro Stocks feature race at the Marne half-mile, holding off Brandon Hermiller and Dave Hull. Tillema started fourth, grabbed the lead on lap five and led the rest of the way.
Tillema is pursuing a fifth consecutive Pro Stocks championship, and no driver has won five consecutive track titles in Berlin’s 61-year history. He tied John Benson Sr. and Fred Campbell with his fourth title in a row last fall.
Benson won four consecutive from 1971-1974 and Campbell 1979-1982.
Not that Tillema is keeping track of titles, though.
Brian Tillema
"We never really race for championships," Tillema said. "We just do the best that we can every week. We just want to win races.
"We have never really worried about championships. We just come out here to have fun. We don’t have a real big budget, so as long as nothing big happens, we will keep coming back every week."
While Tillema has been the driver to beat for the past four years, he kept busy during the off-season trying to stay ahead of the competition. So far, so good for Tillema.
"We did quite a bit of work underneath the car during the winter to see if we could make it come off the turns better," Tillema said. "It looked like it has really paid off. These other guys are getting pretty fast, and they are making us do our homework. We are trying some different things, and so far, they are working pretty well."
SEASON OPENER
Saturday’s feature winners: Terry Senneker Jr. (Late Models), Brian Wiersma (Super Stocks), Dave Lake (Modifieds), Brian Tillema (Pro Stocks), Jason DeVos (4 Cylinders)
Driver of the night: Spring Lake’s Caleb Bisacky finished second in the Late Model main and third in the Modified feature, and he won two heat races.
Tough luck award: Grand Rapids driver Lee VanDyk was running third in the Late Model feature when he blew an engine on lap 31.
Move of the night: Brian Wiersma slipped by Nick Gebben with five laps to go to win the Super Stocks main.
Up next: Berlin is hosting Late Models, Super Stocks, Pro Stocks, Modifieds and 4 Cylinders 7 p.m. Saturday. Admission is $10 for adults, and children 11-and-younger are free.
Late Model driver Terry Senneker Jr. of Wayland is off to a fast, too.
Senneker overtook Caleb Bisacky for the lead on a lap 39 restart, then held off Bisacky and T.A. Gentry Racing teammate Steve Needles to capture the 60-lap main.
Senneker and Needles plan to run full time this season after competing at Berlin on a part-time basis in recent seasons.
"The beginning of the race is kind of a patience game," Senneker said. "Tires definitely fall off where you have to conserve a little bit. But it was hard racing. "We plan to race out here all year, and we are off to a good start in the points. I didn’t know the car was this good when we got out here. All day in practice and qualifying, it just wasn’t there. But the whole race, it stayed the same."
Other feature winners Saturday were Jason DeVos in 4 Cylinders and Dave Lake in Modifieds. Lake, the defending Super Stock track champion, made his debut in the Racingawareness.com Modified on Saturday and held off Billy Shotko and Bisacky for the win in the 30-lap main.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Veteran driver Curt Filkins has unique paint job to unveil as Berlin Raceway opens 2011 season
Veteran driver Curt Filkins has unique paint job to unveil as Berlin Raceway opens 2011 season
By Steve Kaminski
The Grand Rapids Press MLive.com
Berlin Raceway driver has new-look Modified car gallery (6 photos)
Fans might be wondering if veteran driver Curt Filkins of Wyoming spent the offseason trying to win races or ArtPrize when Berlin Raceway opens for its 61st season.
And a word of caution to drivers with a clown phobia, too.
"If they had rear view mirrors in those cars, people would freak out," said Jason Essex, who helps operate the family-owned Essex Body Shop and Customz, 1447 Michigan Street NE.
Filkins, who started racing locally in 1975, has joined Berlin’s Modified division, and he said he has never had a car like this one. Essex painted the car, then turned it over to local airbrusher Patrick Kelly.
Going fast isn’t good enough for drivers these days. They want to look good, too. Filkins told Essex and Kelly to come up with something cool, but not even he was expecting the result.
Think Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s black No. 3 Chevy was intimidating? That car might be considered a bit wussy compared to Filkins’ Modified, with its menacing clown splashed on the hood and its green hair wrapped around the sides of the car.
"When I dropped this car off, it was red," Filkins said. "Jason said you are barred for two weeks. He calls me and tells me to come see your car. I walked into the booth, and I said, ‘Are you kidding me?’ It is unbelievable. The talent to do that type of art work amazes me.
"Jason and Patrick wanted to do something to get people talking and give the kids something to talk about. It is definitely different and unique. No one has ever seen a car like that at Berlin. Ever. I have had good looking cars, but this is by far the best looking car that I’ve ever had."
Check out the National Hot Rod Association to see more of Essex ‘s work. He applied the cosmic chrome on Antron Brown’s Top Fuel Dragster.
The local scene keeps him busy, too. Filkins races for Castle Motorsports, which includes teammates Ray VanAllsburg and Nick Gebben. Essex did the pain job on all three of the team’s cars, as well as the 4 Cylinders for Ryan and Kyle Hamm. Filkins raced Super Stocks last year and earned the division’s Best Appearing Car.
Kelly, who owns Xtraordinair, 1040 Veto Street NW in Grand Rapids, has done airbrush work on motorcycles, cars, trucks and vans. Kelly put about 33 hours into Filkins’ car, and he did Filkins’ helmet, too.
"Curt talked about doing something fun with it," Kelly said. "I got the idea right away of putting something encompassing on the whole car. I went home and drew it up. This is actually the first idea that I sketched out, and Curt gave me full reign to go to town with it."
Filkins said looking good out on the track this season isn’t the only goal, adding that he is looking forward to the challenges of a new division. He receives sponsorship from Essex, so they told him not to worry if his hotrod gets a ding or two, which has been known to happen on short tracks like the Marne half-mile.
"If I at least win a heat race, I will have won a race in four different divisions," Filkins said. "I don’t know if anybody else has done that. But that is my goal. I have already won races in Sportsman, Super Stocks and Late Models."
BERLIN RACEWAY
Location: 2060 Berlin Fair Drive, Marne
Track: Half-mile asphalt oval
Weekly program: Late Models, Super Stocks, Modifieds, Pro Stocks and 4-Cylinder cars.
Opening night: 7 p.m. Saturday
What’s new
• Weekly tickets have been reduced to $10, and children 11-and-under are free.
• The Premier Boyne Machine Super Lates division, with Johnny Benson Jr. scheduled to run the series on a part-time basis.
• The traveling Vintage Racing Organization of America has scheduled 10 visits.
Special events
June 21 -- The Rowdy 251, featuring NASCAR’s Kyle Busch
July 9 -- ARCA Racing Series
Aug. 6 -- The Chet Aug. 6
Sept. 3 -- Open Wheel Showdown with Auto Value Super Sprints and USAC Midgets
Sept. 24 -- CRA Super Series 125.
Defending track champions: Ross Meeuwsen (Late Models), Dave Lake (Super Stocks), Brian Tillema (Pro Stocks), Brian Bergakker (Modifieds), Ryan Hamm (4 Cylinder A), Dan Dells (4 Cylinder B)
Contact information: 616-677-5000; berlinraceway.com
By Steve Kaminski
The Grand Rapids Press MLive.com
Berlin Raceway driver has new-look Modified car gallery (6 photos)
Fans might be wondering if veteran driver Curt Filkins of Wyoming spent the offseason trying to win races or ArtPrize when Berlin Raceway opens for its 61st season.
And a word of caution to drivers with a clown phobia, too.
"If they had rear view mirrors in those cars, people would freak out," said Jason Essex, who helps operate the family-owned Essex Body Shop and Customz, 1447 Michigan Street NE.
Filkins, who started racing locally in 1975, has joined Berlin’s Modified division, and he said he has never had a car like this one. Essex painted the car, then turned it over to local airbrusher Patrick Kelly.
Going fast isn’t good enough for drivers these days. They want to look good, too. Filkins told Essex and Kelly to come up with something cool, but not even he was expecting the result.
Think Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s black No. 3 Chevy was intimidating? That car might be considered a bit wussy compared to Filkins’ Modified, with its menacing clown splashed on the hood and its green hair wrapped around the sides of the car.
"When I dropped this car off, it was red," Filkins said. "Jason said you are barred for two weeks. He calls me and tells me to come see your car. I walked into the booth, and I said, ‘Are you kidding me?’ It is unbelievable. The talent to do that type of art work amazes me.
"Jason and Patrick wanted to do something to get people talking and give the kids something to talk about. It is definitely different and unique. No one has ever seen a car like that at Berlin. Ever. I have had good looking cars, but this is by far the best looking car that I’ve ever had."
Check out the National Hot Rod Association to see more of Essex ‘s work. He applied the cosmic chrome on Antron Brown’s Top Fuel Dragster.
The local scene keeps him busy, too. Filkins races for Castle Motorsports, which includes teammates Ray VanAllsburg and Nick Gebben. Essex did the pain job on all three of the team’s cars, as well as the 4 Cylinders for Ryan and Kyle Hamm. Filkins raced Super Stocks last year and earned the division’s Best Appearing Car.
Kelly, who owns Xtraordinair, 1040 Veto Street NW in Grand Rapids, has done airbrush work on motorcycles, cars, trucks and vans. Kelly put about 33 hours into Filkins’ car, and he did Filkins’ helmet, too.
"Curt talked about doing something fun with it," Kelly said. "I got the idea right away of putting something encompassing on the whole car. I went home and drew it up. This is actually the first idea that I sketched out, and Curt gave me full reign to go to town with it."
Filkins said looking good out on the track this season isn’t the only goal, adding that he is looking forward to the challenges of a new division. He receives sponsorship from Essex, so they told him not to worry if his hotrod gets a ding or two, which has been known to happen on short tracks like the Marne half-mile.
"If I at least win a heat race, I will have won a race in four different divisions," Filkins said. "I don’t know if anybody else has done that. But that is my goal. I have already won races in Sportsman, Super Stocks and Late Models."
BERLIN RACEWAY
Location: 2060 Berlin Fair Drive, Marne
Track: Half-mile asphalt oval
Weekly program: Late Models, Super Stocks, Modifieds, Pro Stocks and 4-Cylinder cars.
Opening night: 7 p.m. Saturday
What’s new
• Weekly tickets have been reduced to $10, and children 11-and-under are free.
• The Premier Boyne Machine Super Lates division, with Johnny Benson Jr. scheduled to run the series on a part-time basis.
• The traveling Vintage Racing Organization of America has scheduled 10 visits.
Special events
June 21 -- The Rowdy 251, featuring NASCAR’s Kyle Busch
July 9 -- ARCA Racing Series
Aug. 6 -- The Chet Aug. 6
Sept. 3 -- Open Wheel Showdown with Auto Value Super Sprints and USAC Midgets
Sept. 24 -- CRA Super Series 125.
Defending track champions: Ross Meeuwsen (Late Models), Dave Lake (Super Stocks), Brian Tillema (Pro Stocks), Brian Bergakker (Modifieds), Ryan Hamm (4 Cylinder A), Dan Dells (4 Cylinder B)
Contact information: 616-677-5000; berlinraceway.com
Season preview: West Michigan's must see races
By Steve Kaminski
The Grand Rapids Press MLive.com
What is going to be the biggest race of the West Michigan racing season?
Time will tell how all of these events will play out, but here’s a preview of the can’t-miss races, counting down to the one you just have to see.
10. I-96 Speedway in Lake Odessa opens its season April 30, and it will mark the debut of the Michigan Dirt Cup Modified Tour.
9. The Vintage Sports Car Drivers Association returns to Grattan Raceway on Aug. 19-20. Many of these cars should be in some hall of fame. Glad they still race them.
8. One of the state’s most prestigious races, the Kalamazoo Klash, is Aug. 17. Hard to believe it already is the 19th running of it.
7. The American Drag Racing League makes its annual U.S. 131 Motorsports Park visit July 15-16. Great racing, and tickets are free.
6. Mark down July 9 on your calendar because that’s when the ARCA Racing Series squares off at Berlin Raceway.
5. Top Fuel Dragsters will be included in the Thunder Nationals at Martin Dragway on May 20-21. It’s the only time they will race in the state this year.
4. Think all of the best racing is at Indy and Charlotte over Memorial Day weekend? Grattan Raceway is hosting a Sports Car Club of America national road race May 28-30, so a staycation won’t be all bad.
3. The International Hot Rod Association’s Nitro Jam returns to Martin Dragway. Like loud, fast, smokey cars? Thought so. It’s Aug. 12-13.
2. World of Outlaws. I-96 Speedway. May 21. Enough said.
1. What do you get when you put Kyle Busch in a Late Model on a short track? There is a reason why Berlin keeps inviting Busch back. The Rowdy 251 is June 21.
The Grand Rapids Press MLive.com
What is going to be the biggest race of the West Michigan racing season?
Time will tell how all of these events will play out, but here’s a preview of the can’t-miss races, counting down to the one you just have to see.
10. I-96 Speedway in Lake Odessa opens its season April 30, and it will mark the debut of the Michigan Dirt Cup Modified Tour.
9. The Vintage Sports Car Drivers Association returns to Grattan Raceway on Aug. 19-20. Many of these cars should be in some hall of fame. Glad they still race them.
8. One of the state’s most prestigious races, the Kalamazoo Klash, is Aug. 17. Hard to believe it already is the 19th running of it.
7. The American Drag Racing League makes its annual U.S. 131 Motorsports Park visit July 15-16. Great racing, and tickets are free.
6. Mark down July 9 on your calendar because that’s when the ARCA Racing Series squares off at Berlin Raceway.
5. Top Fuel Dragsters will be included in the Thunder Nationals at Martin Dragway on May 20-21. It’s the only time they will race in the state this year.
4. Think all of the best racing is at Indy and Charlotte over Memorial Day weekend? Grattan Raceway is hosting a Sports Car Club of America national road race May 28-30, so a staycation won’t be all bad.
3. The International Hot Rod Association’s Nitro Jam returns to Martin Dragway. Like loud, fast, smokey cars? Thought so. It’s Aug. 12-13.
2. World of Outlaws. I-96 Speedway. May 21. Enough said.
1. What do you get when you put Kyle Busch in a Late Model on a short track? There is a reason why Berlin keeps inviting Busch back. The Rowdy 251 is June 21.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Brian Campbell Wins at Toledo
Brian Campbell showed his fast qualifying lap was no fluke as he chased down Eric Jones on lap 17 to make the pass for the lead. Campbell and Jones did West Michigan proud as they were the class of the field for most of the night. Jones and Campbell ran bumper to bumper through the first 80 laps. The fourteen year old Jones faded a bit in the last 20 laps and was edged by veteran Eddie Hoffman for the second spot. Jones settled for third.
Of other notes West Michigan driver Seth Moody looked to move up to a higher transfer position in the consolation race only to get caught up in and accident that would end his evening.
UNOFFICIAL Race Results
Pos No. Name
1 20 Brian Campbell
2 8 Eddie Hoffman
3 4 Erik Jones
4 16 Claude Plante
5 23 Chris Koslek
6 25 Brent Downey
7 176 Jordan Sims
8 42 Chad Finley
9 9 Brandon Watson
10 45 Danny Jackson
11 71 Blake Brown
12 7 David McManus
13 7 Jason Dietsch
14 12 John Turnbull, Jr
15 76 Wes Griffith, Jr
16 28 Jimmy Carter
17 125 Cole Powell
18 72 Thomas Woodin
19 11 Josh Nelms
20 89 Ross Zumbach
21 55 Justin Matson
22 48 Dwayne Baker
23 53 Jimmy Novak III
24 8 Tommy Cook
25 99 Jake Ott
26 5 Jared Marks
27 2 Mike Kugler
28 37 Jordan Dahlke
29 112 Dan Leek
30 1 Cody Coughlin
31 50 Carl Weber
32 128 Jack Smith
Of other notes West Michigan driver Seth Moody looked to move up to a higher transfer position in the consolation race only to get caught up in and accident that would end his evening.
UNOFFICIAL Race Results
Pos No. Name
1 20 Brian Campbell
2 8 Eddie Hoffman
3 4 Erik Jones
4 16 Claude Plante
5 23 Chris Koslek
6 25 Brent Downey
7 176 Jordan Sims
8 42 Chad Finley
9 9 Brandon Watson
10 45 Danny Jackson
11 71 Blake Brown
12 7 David McManus
13 7 Jason Dietsch
14 12 John Turnbull, Jr
15 76 Wes Griffith, Jr
16 28 Jimmy Carter
17 125 Cole Powell
18 72 Thomas Woodin
19 11 Josh Nelms
20 89 Ross Zumbach
21 55 Justin Matson
22 48 Dwayne Baker
23 53 Jimmy Novak III
24 8 Tommy Cook
25 99 Jake Ott
26 5 Jared Marks
27 2 Mike Kugler
28 37 Jordan Dahlke
29 112 Dan Leek
30 1 Cody Coughlin
31 50 Carl Weber
32 128 Jack Smith
Crystal Motor Speedway: Canceled tonight
Existing water on the track, infield and pit area has resulted in Crystal putting off their opening night until next weekend.
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