Jeremy Wood Wins Out in Ron Doberstein Sr. Memorial For $500 Pay Day
Steve Irwin Dominates in MTS Second Visit of the Season
Fife Lake, Michigan (Friday August 22nd, 2014): The Michigan Traditional Sprints were the headlining attraction over the weekend at the fast 3/8ths (0.375) mile high banked dirt oval of Cherry Raceway in Fife Lake, Michigan. The Davison, Michigan based series brought in the best “wingless’ sprint car drivers in the state to compete in their second and final visit to northern Michigan’s fastest dirt track. The night was also highlighted by the $500 to win Four-Cylinder Warrior Special in memory of Ron Doberstein Sr. the Stock Cars, Factory Stocks, and Crossroads Chevrolet Compacts were also on hand.
The Factory Stocks held their 15-lap main event feature.17-year old Robert Hittle and Tony Williams led out the field. Williams was the early lead after the drop of the green flag. He would stay there until lap 6 where he would be overtaken by the 2011 track champion Emery Smith. Smith would go on from there to pick up the victory.
This was the third win of the year for the 42-year old Fife Lake, Michigan resident driver of the Pro Build / Chevrolet. Williams would take second. Richard Cebula Jr., Peni LaLonde, and Dan Wireman made up the top five. The heat race was won by Wireman.
Next, it was the Crossroads Chevrolet Compacts 15-lap A-Main. The front row consisted of 17-year old Rheanna Doberstein and 2011 track champion 15-year old Autumn Beeman. Once the green flag was dropped Beeman wasted little time in getting out front and holding the lead. She was able to hold that position through some late-race restarts and go on to pick up the win.
This was the second win of the season for the Buckley, Michigan driver of the WTCM 103.5 / Ford. 2012 track champion Chris Casey finished just behind in second. 16-year old Jacob Flickinger rounded out the top five. Casey also won the heat.
The Stock Cars made their way out for their feature event consisting of 20 laps. Kim Wagner and Thomas Poley led the field down to the green flag. The leader of the opening circuit was Dave Park he remained out front until lap 3. This was when Jeremiah Woebbeking made the pass for the lead. Things would not heat up again until lap 18 when Brian Abernathy powered his way to the front and was able to score the big win.
This was the first win of the season for the 31-year old Kalkaska, Michigan driver of the G.J.’s Pizza / Chevrolet. Kevin Newberry finished in the second position. Woebbeking, two time and de
fending track champion Allen Oyer and Joe Fisher capped off the top five. Oyer was the winner of the lone heat race.
The Michigan Traditional Sprints hit the raceway for a thrilling 25-lap main event. Fenton, Michigan native Mike Galajda and Jenison, Michigan native Joe Bares led the field down to the green. However the driver taking the early advantage was the driver who started third which was Steve Irwin. He would pull out to very healthy advantage and lead the entire show green to checkered in a caution free A-main. He won driving the DWR sponsored #0. Galajda finished second, and Chris Probanz completed the podium finish.
Finally, the Four-Cylinder Warriors made their way out for the 40-lap Ron Doberstein Sr. Memorial for $500 to win. Jim Luhtanen and Alicia Vanimen led the stacked field out for the start. Luhtanen managed to lead lap one. However Jeremy Wood would take over as the leader on the very next circuit. Despite what the rest of the competitors would try to do there was no stopping Wood from going all the way to the checkered flag, getting crowned the winner.
Wood the 31-year old from Manton, Michigan went to victory lane in his A&W Racing / Chevrolet earning his fourth win of the year. Vannimen was the runner up. Charlie Doberstien, Arlie Cooper, and 16-year old Jacob Flickinger completed the top five. Brian Carson and Bob Craycraft won the heats.
This Friday August 29th will be Dash for Cash Night at Cherry Raceway. The show will be headlined by the Auto Value UMP DIRTcar Late Models and UMP DIRTcar Modifieds. The Lightning Sprints, Factory Stocks, Stock Cars, Four-Cylinder Warriors, and Crossroads Chevrolet Compacts will be in action as well.
Ticket Prices for Friday August 22nd are: Adults (13-59): $12.00 – Seniors (60 and Over): $9.00 – Children (6-12): $5.00 – Kids (5 and Under): FREE – Pit Passes: $25.00.The Pit Gates Open at 5:00p.m. Grandstand Gates Open at 6:00p.m. Practice also starts at 6:00pm. Then after Pre-Race Ceremonies / Invocation / National Anthem(s), Racing Begins approximately at 7:30pm.
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
Saturday, August 23, 2014
Monday, August 18, 2014
Steve Irwin Wins at Mt. Pleasant
Steve Irwin picks up second win of the 2014 season Sunday at Mt Pleasant Speedway over pole sitter Joe Bares. Cooper Clouse finished 3rd. Nick Landon charged from deeper in the field to finish 4th and Mark Irwin Rounded the top 5. Joey Irwin, Joe Bares and Cooper Clouse won heat races
Amain results -
1 Steve Irwin 2 Joe Bares 3 Cooper Clouse 4 Nick Landon 5 Mark Irwin 6 Joey Irwin 7 Tyler Hewitt 8 Craig Karazim 9 Gary Hayward 10 Mike Astrauskas 11 Gregg Dalman 12 Bill Murowski 13 Ralph Brakenberry 14 Dave Ockerman 15 Mark Strpko 16 Jim Girard 17 Eric Smith 18 Chris Pobanz 19 -DNS
1 Steve Irwin 2 Joe Bares 3 Cooper Clouse 4 Nick Landon 5 Mark Irwin 6 Joey Irwin 7 Tyler Hewitt 8 Craig Karazim 9 Gary Hayward 10 Mike Astrauskas 11 Gregg Dalman 12 Bill Murowski 13 Ralph Brakenberry 14 Dave Ockerman 15 Mark Strpko 16 Jim Girard 17 Eric Smith 18 Chris Pobanz 19 -DNS
MTS Sprint Car Series
Saturday, August 9, 2014
Bob Baldwin Captures 40-lap Dirt Cup Feature at Cherry Raceway For $1500 Payday
Fife Lake, Michigan (Friday August 8th, 2014): The Michigan Dirt Cup Modified Tour was the lead attraction this past Friday night at the Cherry Raceway in Fife Lake, Michigan. The traveling series brought the best UMP DIRTcar Modified driver in and around the state of Michigan to the fast 3/8ths (0.375) mile high banked dirt oval. They were joined by the Factory Stocks, Stock Cars, Four-Cylinder Warriors, and Crossroads Chevrolet Compacts.
The Factory Stocks squared off in a 15-lap feature event to start the night off. Peni LaLonde took the early advantage. She would hold a steady line throughout the race, until there would be a late race protest for the lead by Richard Cebula Jr. The two drivers would make contact and Lalonde would end up flipping upside down to end the race, but however getting the win.
Lalonde, the 40-year old from Lake City, Michigan picks up her third win of the year in the P&J Racing / Chevrolet. Karl McClellan finished in the second spot. Dan Wireman, 2011 track champion Emery Smith, and Robert Hittle rounded out the top five. Smith was the winner of the heat race.
The Crossroads Chevrolet Compacts made their way out next for their 15-lap feature event. 2012 track champion 15-year old Chris Casey would take the lead after the drop of the green flag. He would hold the lead until on lap 12 he would make contact with lap traffic and be involved in a caution which sent him to the tail of the field, and surrendered the lead to the 2011 track champion 15-year old Autumn Beeman who would go on to pick up the win.
The Buckley, Michigan driver of the WTCM 103.5 / Ford gets her first win of the year. 16-year old Jacob Flickinger finished second. Casey, 17-year old Rheanna Doberstein, and 13-year old Amber Beeman completed the top five. Flickinger was the winner of the heat race.
The 15-lap main event for the Stock Cars was up next. Off the start Jeremiah Woebbeking jumped out front with the lead. However on lap 4 Kevin Newberry would power his way to the front and was able to overtake Woebbeking for the lead and was able to go on from there to pick up the win.
The 49-year old Gaylord, Michigan driver of the Diamond Performance / Chevrolet picked up his sixth victory of the year. He picked up the win over Joe Fisher who was second. Woebbeking, Dan Wilson, and Roger McQueen finished off the top five. Fisher won the lone heat race.
The Four-Cylinder Warriors went head to head in a 15-lap A-Main. Bob Wood took the early advantage. He led the race until lap 9 when he would faulter giving enough room for Jeremy Tulick to make the pass, taking the lead and going on from there to get the win.
This was the first win of the year for the 35-year old Cadillac, Michigan driver of the Sonny’s Garage / Dodge. Arlie Cooper was the second place finisher. Bob Wood, Jeremy Wood, and Jim Luhtanen made up the top five. Jeremy Wood was the winner of the heat race.
The Michigan Dirt Cup Modified Tour featuring the best UMP DIRTcar Modified drivers from in around the state made their way out for their 40-lap feature event. Colin Thirlby and the defending Dirt Cup tour champion David Mielke led the field down to chief starter Steve Sherwood’s green flag. Mielke was able to take the lead off the start. He would actually stay there until lap 30 where Bob Baldwin would challenge for the lead and would overtake Mielke for the top spot. There was a late race caution giving a restart with three laps remaining. However there would be no stopping Baldwin as he would sail on to get the win.
Baldwin, the 26-year old Hartford, Michigan native picks up the big win in the Baldwin Construction / Impressive Racecar. Mielke was the runner up. Thirlby, Steve McClees, and Travis Stemler completed the top five. McClees, Baldwin, and Mielke won the preliminary heat races. The B-Main was won by Paul Johnson.
This Friday August 15th will be Kid’s Nickel Night at the Cherry Raceway featuring Bike Give-A-Way’s and more. The racing program will be headlined by the Auto Value UMP DIRTcar Late Models. They will be joined by the UMP DIRTcar Modifieds, Lightning Sprints, Stock Cars, Factory Stocks, Four-Cylinder Warriors, and Crossroads Chevrolet Compacts.
Ticket Prices for Friday August 15th are: Adults (13-59): $12.00 – Seniors (60 and Over): $9.00 – Children (6-12): $5.00 – Kids (5 and Under): FREE – Pit Passes: $25.00.The Pit Gates Open at 5:00p.m. Grandstand Gates Open at 6:00p.m. Practice also starts at 6:00pm. Then after Pre-Race Ceremonies / Invocation / National Anthem(s), Racing Begins approximately at 7:30pm.
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
The Factory Stocks squared off in a 15-lap feature event to start the night off. Peni LaLonde took the early advantage. She would hold a steady line throughout the race, until there would be a late race protest for the lead by Richard Cebula Jr. The two drivers would make contact and Lalonde would end up flipping upside down to end the race, but however getting the win.
Lalonde, the 40-year old from Lake City, Michigan picks up her third win of the year in the P&J Racing / Chevrolet. Karl McClellan finished in the second spot. Dan Wireman, 2011 track champion Emery Smith, and Robert Hittle rounded out the top five. Smith was the winner of the heat race.
The Crossroads Chevrolet Compacts made their way out next for their 15-lap feature event. 2012 track champion 15-year old Chris Casey would take the lead after the drop of the green flag. He would hold the lead until on lap 12 he would make contact with lap traffic and be involved in a caution which sent him to the tail of the field, and surrendered the lead to the 2011 track champion 15-year old Autumn Beeman who would go on to pick up the win.
The Buckley, Michigan driver of the WTCM 103.5 / Ford gets her first win of the year. 16-year old Jacob Flickinger finished second. Casey, 17-year old Rheanna Doberstein, and 13-year old Amber Beeman completed the top five. Flickinger was the winner of the heat race.
The 15-lap main event for the Stock Cars was up next. Off the start Jeremiah Woebbeking jumped out front with the lead. However on lap 4 Kevin Newberry would power his way to the front and was able to overtake Woebbeking for the lead and was able to go on from there to pick up the win.
The 49-year old Gaylord, Michigan driver of the Diamond Performance / Chevrolet picked up his sixth victory of the year. He picked up the win over Joe Fisher who was second. Woebbeking, Dan Wilson, and Roger McQueen finished off the top five. Fisher won the lone heat race.
The Four-Cylinder Warriors went head to head in a 15-lap A-Main. Bob Wood took the early advantage. He led the race until lap 9 when he would faulter giving enough room for Jeremy Tulick to make the pass, taking the lead and going on from there to get the win.
This was the first win of the year for the 35-year old Cadillac, Michigan driver of the Sonny’s Garage / Dodge. Arlie Cooper was the second place finisher. Bob Wood, Jeremy Wood, and Jim Luhtanen made up the top five. Jeremy Wood was the winner of the heat race.
The Michigan Dirt Cup Modified Tour featuring the best UMP DIRTcar Modified drivers from in around the state made their way out for their 40-lap feature event. Colin Thirlby and the defending Dirt Cup tour champion David Mielke led the field down to chief starter Steve Sherwood’s green flag. Mielke was able to take the lead off the start. He would actually stay there until lap 30 where Bob Baldwin would challenge for the lead and would overtake Mielke for the top spot. There was a late race caution giving a restart with three laps remaining. However there would be no stopping Baldwin as he would sail on to get the win.
Baldwin, the 26-year old Hartford, Michigan native picks up the big win in the Baldwin Construction / Impressive Racecar. Mielke was the runner up. Thirlby, Steve McClees, and Travis Stemler completed the top five. McClees, Baldwin, and Mielke won the preliminary heat races. The B-Main was won by Paul Johnson.
This Friday August 15th will be Kid’s Nickel Night at the Cherry Raceway featuring Bike Give-A-Way’s and more. The racing program will be headlined by the Auto Value UMP DIRTcar Late Models. They will be joined by the UMP DIRTcar Modifieds, Lightning Sprints, Stock Cars, Factory Stocks, Four-Cylinder Warriors, and Crossroads Chevrolet Compacts.
Ticket Prices for Friday August 15th are: Adults (13-59): $12.00 – Seniors (60 and Over): $9.00 – Children (6-12): $5.00 – Kids (5 and Under): FREE – Pit Passes: $25.00.The Pit Gates Open at 5:00p.m. Grandstand Gates Open at 6:00p.m. Practice also starts at 6:00pm. Then after Pre-Race Ceremonies / Invocation / National Anthem(s), Racing Begins approximately at 7:30pm.
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
Saturday, August 2, 2014
Cherry Raceway Crown’s Six Feature Winners
Fife Lake, Michigan (Friday August 1st, 2014): It was Hoosier Free Hat Night at the Cherry Raceway Friday night where the first hundred people that arrived received free Hoosier hats. The fast 3/8ths (0.375) high-banked dirt oval located in Fife Lake, Michigan welcomed their fans back after a one week hiatus. The racing program was headlined by the high-powered Auto Value UMP DIRTcar Late Models. They were joined by the UMP DIRTcar Modifieds, Stock Cars, Factory Stocks, Four-Cylinder Mini Stocks, Four-Cylinder Warriors, and Crossroads Chevrolet Compacts.
The Factory Stocks made their way out first for a 15-lap main event feature. Once the dust settled on the early stage of the race it would be Richard Cebula Jr. finding his way to the front of the pack to pack. He would remain there through the end and pick up the win.
Cebula the 52-year old from Grawn, Michigan earned his third win of the season in the Dick’s Repair Shop / Oldsmobile. Dan Wireman finished second. 15-year old Drew Wilkerson, Karl McClellan, and Peni LaLonde rounded out the top five. 2011 track champion Emery Smith won the lone heat race.
The Stock Cars made their way out next for a 15-lap A-Main. Joe Fisher took the lead off the start. He stayed there until on lap 13 he would be passed by current point leader Kevin Newberry. However on lap 14 Newberry and Fisher would be caught up in a late race caution together and neither one could continue. This gave the lead to Roger McQueen the lead, and he was able to hold his spot for the win.
This was the 26-year old Mancelona, Michigan native first win of the season in the Art’s Place / Chevrolet. J.J. Arbour finished second. Newberry, Fisher, and Mark Neinhouse made up the top five. Newberry won the lone heat race.
The Crossroads Chevrolet Compacts held their 15-lap Feature event. 16-year old Jacob Flickinger was the leader after lap 1. He would hold the top spot until on lap five the 2012 track champion 15-year old Chris Casey powered his way to the front for the lead. However Casey would be involved in a caution putting him to the rear which saw 15-year old Dalton Bouschor take the lead with two laps to go. Bouschor was able to remain there and crossed the finish line first to pick up the win.
This was the Traverse City, Michigan driver’s second win of the year in the Van’s Auto Sales / Porsche. Casey was able to battle back to a second place finish. 17-year old Calvin Ingeston, 12-year old Andrea Taghon, and 13-year old Amber Beeman finished off the top five. Casey won the heat race.
The Auto Value UMP DIRTcar Late Models came out for a 20-lap Feature. Steve Niewenhuis took the advantage after the opening lap. 18-year Andy Nickerson III would then charge to the front and steal the lead away. However on lap five the five time track champion Eric Spangler would make the pass for the lead and would go on from there to get the victory.
This was the 45-year old Spangler’s fifth win of the season in the Spangler Heating & Cooling / Masterstbilt Racecar. J.T. Anderson was the runner up. Nickerson, Niewenhuis, and Scott Phillips completed the top five. Spangler won the heat race.
Next was the 20-lap feature for the UMP DIRTcar Modifieds. Jeremy Tulick jumped out with the lead on lap one. The next lap would be led by Nick Taghon. Then, on the defending track champion Dennis Taghon took the lead on lap three. Taghon would remain there despite what his opponents tried to do he held on for the win and made the trip to victory lane.
This was the 48-year old Empire, Michigan native’s second win of the year behind the wheel of the Taghon’s Garage / Dirt Werx Racecar. 2011 track champion Joe Rokos finished just behind in second. Nick Taghon, Billy Scott, and Tulick rounded out the top five. Dennis Taghon also won the heat race.
Finally, it was the 20-lap Four-Cylinder Warriors feature event. Defending track champion Andrew Austin took the early advantage. He would be able to go on from there to lead from green to checkered and pick up the win.
This was the 30-year old Austin’s third win of the season, driving out of Manton, Michigan in the A&W Racing / Chevrolet. Jeremy Tulick finished second. Bob Wood, Arlie Cooper, and Russ Carrier capped off the top five. Jeremy Wood and Jim Luhtanen were the winners of the heat races.
This Friday August 8th the Cherry Raceway will open its doors to welcome back the always entertaining Michigan Dirt Cup Tour, bringing the most talented UMP DIRTcar Modified drivers to the great north for their seventh event of their season. The show will also feature the Stock Cars, Factory Stocks, Four-Cylinder Warriors, and Crossroads Chevrolet Compacts.
Ticket Prices for Friday August 8th are: 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.The Pit Gates Open at 5:00p.m. Grandstand Gates Open at 6:00p.m. Practice also starts at 6:00pm. Then after Pre-Race Ceremonies / Invocation / National Anthem(s), Racing Begins approximately at 7:30pm.
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
The Factory Stocks made their way out first for a 15-lap main event feature. Once the dust settled on the early stage of the race it would be Richard Cebula Jr. finding his way to the front of the pack to pack. He would remain there through the end and pick up the win.
Cebula the 52-year old from Grawn, Michigan earned his third win of the season in the Dick’s Repair Shop / Oldsmobile. Dan Wireman finished second. 15-year old Drew Wilkerson, Karl McClellan, and Peni LaLonde rounded out the top five. 2011 track champion Emery Smith won the lone heat race.
The Stock Cars made their way out next for a 15-lap A-Main. Joe Fisher took the lead off the start. He stayed there until on lap 13 he would be passed by current point leader Kevin Newberry. However on lap 14 Newberry and Fisher would be caught up in a late race caution together and neither one could continue. This gave the lead to Roger McQueen the lead, and he was able to hold his spot for the win.
This was the 26-year old Mancelona, Michigan native first win of the season in the Art’s Place / Chevrolet. J.J. Arbour finished second. Newberry, Fisher, and Mark Neinhouse made up the top five. Newberry won the lone heat race.
The Crossroads Chevrolet Compacts held their 15-lap Feature event. 16-year old Jacob Flickinger was the leader after lap 1. He would hold the top spot until on lap five the 2012 track champion 15-year old Chris Casey powered his way to the front for the lead. However Casey would be involved in a caution putting him to the rear which saw 15-year old Dalton Bouschor take the lead with two laps to go. Bouschor was able to remain there and crossed the finish line first to pick up the win.
This was the Traverse City, Michigan driver’s second win of the year in the Van’s Auto Sales / Porsche. Casey was able to battle back to a second place finish. 17-year old Calvin Ingeston, 12-year old Andrea Taghon, and 13-year old Amber Beeman finished off the top five. Casey won the heat race.
The Auto Value UMP DIRTcar Late Models came out for a 20-lap Feature. Steve Niewenhuis took the advantage after the opening lap. 18-year Andy Nickerson III would then charge to the front and steal the lead away. However on lap five the five time track champion Eric Spangler would make the pass for the lead and would go on from there to get the victory.
This was the 45-year old Spangler’s fifth win of the season in the Spangler Heating & Cooling / Masterstbilt Racecar. J.T. Anderson was the runner up. Nickerson, Niewenhuis, and Scott Phillips completed the top five. Spangler won the heat race.
Next was the 20-lap feature for the UMP DIRTcar Modifieds. Jeremy Tulick jumped out with the lead on lap one. The next lap would be led by Nick Taghon. Then, on the defending track champion Dennis Taghon took the lead on lap three. Taghon would remain there despite what his opponents tried to do he held on for the win and made the trip to victory lane.
This was the 48-year old Empire, Michigan native’s second win of the year behind the wheel of the Taghon’s Garage / Dirt Werx Racecar. 2011 track champion Joe Rokos finished just behind in second. Nick Taghon, Billy Scott, and Tulick rounded out the top five. Dennis Taghon also won the heat race.
Finally, it was the 20-lap Four-Cylinder Warriors feature event. Defending track champion Andrew Austin took the early advantage. He would be able to go on from there to lead from green to checkered and pick up the win.
This was the 30-year old Austin’s third win of the season, driving out of Manton, Michigan in the A&W Racing / Chevrolet. Jeremy Tulick finished second. Bob Wood, Arlie Cooper, and Russ Carrier capped off the top five. Jeremy Wood and Jim Luhtanen were the winners of the heat races.
This Friday August 8th the Cherry Raceway will open its doors to welcome back the always entertaining Michigan Dirt Cup Tour, bringing the most talented UMP DIRTcar Modified drivers to the great north for their seventh event of their season. The show will also feature the Stock Cars, Factory Stocks, Four-Cylinder Warriors, and Crossroads Chevrolet Compacts.
Ticket Prices for Friday August 8th are: 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.The Pit Gates Open at 5:00p.m. Grandstand Gates Open at 6:00p.m. Practice also starts at 6:00pm. Then after Pre-Race Ceremonies / Invocation / National Anthem(s), Racing Begins approximately at 7:30pm.
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
Saturday, July 19, 2014
Johnny VanDoorn Proves He Is Not All Business
Coopersville's Johnny VanDoorn pounces early, late to win Battle at Berlin
Battle at Berlin 251 winner Johnny VanDoorn of Coopersville fields questions from track announcer Chris Danielson prior to Saturday night's action. (Eli Kaminski | MLive.com)
By on July 19, 2014 at 11:15 PM, updated July 19, 2014 at 11:21 PM
MARNE – Coopersville driver Johnny VanDoorn finished what he started Saturday night at the Berlin Raceway.
VanDoorn dominated the first half of Saturday’s Battle at Berlin 251, and while he lost a bit of his edge during the race’s second half, he was ready to pounce when the money was on the line.
VanDoorn overtook leader Andrew Pollard of Georgia on a lap 241 restart, then drove away in his LisaThomassalon.com Chevrolet for the win. VanDoorn earned $10,000 for the victory after beating Pollard to the stripe by 1.824 seconds.
"I can't thank my crew guys enough for giving me such a great car," VanDoorn said. "They made good adjustments the whole race. I knew I had to be a little patient there after getting shuffled back after the first stop. In the past, I would get a little too aggressive, so I waited until it was right, and when I got inside of him on the restart, we had really good traction off the corner. Once we got underneath Bubba, it was game over from there.
"Once I got into clean air, the handling of the car came back."
Saturday’s race has 37 qualifiers, with 26 making the starting field. VanDoorn, a three-time series champion and Saturday’s defending race winner, served notice early that he was the driver to beat when he set fast time in the afternoon’s qualifying session with a lap of 97.195 mph. That put him on the pole alongside Cutlerville’s Jay Niewiek (96.956), and when the green flag dropped more than three hours later, VanDoorn’s domination began. VanDoorn had lapped all but seven cars when caution waved at lap 139.
The race’s second half proved to be much more competitive, with Pollard, Terry Senneker Jr. and Brian Campbell all taking turns lead the way, while Ross Meeuwsen and Brandon Hermiller remained in the hunt. But the race came down to the final restart with 10 laps to go.
The race was only the third start of the season for VanDoorn. He and his brother, Butch VanDoorn, opened their own race shop this past November, so he has been busy on the fabrication side of the sport.
Senneker had the lead on the lead when cars started spinning on the backstretch on lap 226. Senneker slowed up before caution waved and was overtaken by Daniel Hemric. He never did regain the lead and eventually finished fourth behind runner-up Pollard and third-place Meeuwsen.
“Up in the spotter’s stand they called the caution,” Senneker said. “My spotter immediately said, ‘Caution, caution.’ Before they hit the trigger on the flag stand to trigger the yellow, I let off and got passed. I feel it was partially their fault because they called the caution up there. The drivers can’t see the lights all the times because there is such a gap, so you go by the spotter’s call. I guess it was an unlucky break.”
Berlin’s Sportsman division served on Saturday’s undercard, and Garrison Jewett, making his start of the season, won the 40-lap main after taking the lead from Allen Davis on lap 12. Jewett pulled away to a comfortable lead, only to see it wiped out when caution fell with two laps to go. But Jewett nailed the restart and went on to beat out Brian Thome and Tyler Nawrocki.
Jewett shares the driving duties with his brother, Weston Jewett, who has already won twice this year.
“We are just doing this for fun, so it typically stays in the trailer,” Jewett said. “Whoever wants to race that weekend races it, so we share it. We don’t do it for points. We want the checkered flags, but more than anything, we do it for weekend fun.”
Berlin will celebrate its 64th anniversary program next Saturday with a program of Outlaw Late Models, Sportsman, 4 Cylinders and the traveling Vintage Racing Organization of America.
VanDoorn dominated the first half of Saturday’s Battle at Berlin 251, and while he lost a bit of his edge during the race’s second half, he was ready to pounce when the money was on the line.
VanDoorn overtook leader Andrew Pollard of Georgia on a lap 241 restart, then drove away in his LisaThomassalon.com Chevrolet for the win. VanDoorn earned $10,000 for the victory after beating Pollard to the stripe by 1.824 seconds.
"I can't thank my crew guys enough for giving me such a great car," VanDoorn said. "They made good adjustments the whole race. I knew I had to be a little patient there after getting shuffled back after the first stop. In the past, I would get a little too aggressive, so I waited until it was right, and when I got inside of him on the restart, we had really good traction off the corner. Once we got underneath Bubba, it was game over from there.
"Once I got into clean air, the handling of the car came back."
Saturday’s race has 37 qualifiers, with 26 making the starting field. VanDoorn, a three-time series champion and Saturday’s defending race winner, served notice early that he was the driver to beat when he set fast time in the afternoon’s qualifying session with a lap of 97.195 mph. That put him on the pole alongside Cutlerville’s Jay Niewiek (96.956), and when the green flag dropped more than three hours later, VanDoorn’s domination began. VanDoorn had lapped all but seven cars when caution waved at lap 139.
The race’s second half proved to be much more competitive, with Pollard, Terry Senneker Jr. and Brian Campbell all taking turns lead the way, while Ross Meeuwsen and Brandon Hermiller remained in the hunt. But the race came down to the final restart with 10 laps to go.
The race was only the third start of the season for VanDoorn. He and his brother, Butch VanDoorn, opened their own race shop this past November, so he has been busy on the fabrication side of the sport.
Senneker had the lead on the lead when cars started spinning on the backstretch on lap 226. Senneker slowed up before caution waved and was overtaken by Daniel Hemric. He never did regain the lead and eventually finished fourth behind runner-up Pollard and third-place Meeuwsen.
“Up in the spotter’s stand they called the caution,” Senneker said. “My spotter immediately said, ‘Caution, caution.’ Before they hit the trigger on the flag stand to trigger the yellow, I let off and got passed. I feel it was partially their fault because they called the caution up there. The drivers can’t see the lights all the times because there is such a gap, so you go by the spotter’s call. I guess it was an unlucky break.”
Berlin’s Sportsman division served on Saturday’s undercard, and Garrison Jewett, making his start of the season, won the 40-lap main after taking the lead from Allen Davis on lap 12. Jewett pulled away to a comfortable lead, only to see it wiped out when caution fell with two laps to go. But Jewett nailed the restart and went on to beat out Brian Thome and Tyler Nawrocki.
Jewett shares the driving duties with his brother, Weston Jewett, who has already won twice this year.
“We are just doing this for fun, so it typically stays in the trailer,” Jewett said. “Whoever wants to race that weekend races it, so we share it. We don’t do it for points. We want the checkered flags, but more than anything, we do it for weekend fun.”
Berlin will celebrate its 64th anniversary program next Saturday with a program of Outlaw Late Models, Sportsman, 4 Cylinders and the traveling Vintage Racing Organization of America.
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