Berlin Raceway

Berlin Raceway is a 7/16 mile long paved oval race track in Marne, Michigan,[1] near Grand Rapids. The track races weekly as part of NASCAR's Whelen All-American Series.[2] It currently hosts a race in the ARCA Menards Series East tour.[3] The track has held touring series events on the ARCA Menards Series,[3] American Speed Association National Tour,[3] USAC Stock Cars, USAC Silver Crown, World of Outlaws Sprint cars, and World of Outlaws Late Model Series tours.

Berlin Raceway
Travis Braden in victory lane at Berlin in 2014
Location2060 Berlin Fair Drive
Marne, Michigan
Time zoneEastern (U.S.)
Coordinates43°2′8″N 85°50′7″W
OwnerBerlin Fair
OperatorDBD Ventures
Opened1951
Major eventsARCA Menards Series East
Length7/16 mi (0.704 km)
Turns4 Turns
Banking13° corners, 9° straightaways
Race lap record12.513 seconds (Brian Gerster, , 2018, Sprint Car)

The track opened in 1950. It was originally a horse track before World War II. Berlin's current track record is 12.513 seconds, set by Brian Gerster in 2018 in a winged sprint car.[4] Berlin Raceway takes its name from the city of Marne's original name "Berlin," which was changed due to Anti-German sentiment following World War I.[5]

History

The track was developed by the Chester Mysliwiec family in 1950.[1] It was purchased by the West Michigan Whitecaps in 2001.[1] The group made numerous improvements to the facilities such as new bathrooms, updated catch fences, and a new sound system.[1] Dirt was temporarily placed over the pavement after the 2017 regular season and three touring series visited the track in September / October - American Ethanol Late Model Tour, American Ethanol Modified Tour and Engine Pro Sprints On Dirt.[6] Some racing scenes for the movie God Bless the Broken Road were recorded at the track in early 2016 for the 2018 film.[7] The track dropped its Super Stock and Modified classes in 2020 and added a class of Limited Late Models.[8] Other classes include Super Late Models, Sportsman, 4 Cylinder, and Mini-Wedges.[8]

Some drivers that have come from the track are Jack Sprague, Tim Steele,[1] 1967 track champion Bob Senneker,[9] and 2017 Super Late Model track champion Carson Hocevar.[2] 1989 track Outlaw Late Model champion Johnny Benson, Jr.[10] described the track as "one of the most difficult tracks in the country."[1] The track has a 13-degree banking in turns and 9-degree banking on the straightaways.[1] The track is notable for the lack of an outside wall on the back straightaway, a rare feature for a track featuring national series races. In addition, the short straights make it feel almost circular.

ARCA winners

winners of Automobile Racing Club of America races[11]

American Speed Association Winners

Bob Senneker won seven ASA National tour races at the track.[9] Other winners on the ASA National tour starting in 1998 include:[11]

References
  1. "Berlin Raceway". Michigan. Michigan Economic Development Corporation. December 29, 2016. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
  2. Kaminski, Steve (July 30, 2019). "2017 Berlin Raceway champ Carson Hocevar to make NASCAR debut". mlive.
  3. "Berlin Raceway Results". Racing Reference. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
  4. "Track Records". Berlin Raceway. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
  5. Romig, Walter (1986) [1973]. Michigan Place Names. Detroit, Michigan: Wayne State University Press. p. 354. ISBN 0-8143-1838-X.
  6. "Berlin Raceway Goes Dirt for First of Three Big Shows Saturday". American Ethanol Modified Tour. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
  7. Brenzing, Bob (May 10, 2016). "Berlin Raceway among locations for new faith-based film". WXMI. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
  8. "Berlin Raceway dropping two divisions, adding new one in 2020". mlive. 23 October 2019. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
  9. Steve, Kaminski (August 11, 2015). "Berlin Raceway Hall of Fame to induct racing great Bob Senneker". mlive. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
  10. "Johnny Benson Jr. to compete in Keyser's Port City Racing 125 at Berlin May 8". Constantcontact.com. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
  11. "winners at Berlin Raceway". Racing Reference. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
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