APRIL NEWS
 

Vote for Berlin Hall of Fame
Fans fans can vote for their top three choices online at www.berlinraceway.com   Fans may also vote via ballot in the raceday program during races. To be inducted, a nominee must be listed on at least two thirds of the ballots. The top three qualified vote-getters will be inducted:  Ralph Baker, Ray Baker, John Benson Sr., Dick Carter, Ed Howe, Bob Knight, Jimmy Meyer, Harry Obie, Johnny Roberts, John Shipman, Robert "Smokey" Steele, AJ Stehouwer, Eddie Vanderlaan, Gordy Vanderlaan, Bill Wiltse.  For complete story on each nominee:  Click Here.  Ballots, nomination forms, complete eligibility criteria and selection procedures are available online.  Click Here   (04-05-06) 

Congratulations! 
The JBFC would like to congratulate Chuck and Sandra Day on the birth of their daughter, Katelyn who arrived the week after the Martinsville race.  Chuck is the Toyota engine tuner for Johnny and the #23 Toyota Tundra team.   (05-01-06)

Another Top Five Finish
High winds, dark clouds and rain did not deter the #23 Toyota Tundra team from reaching the top 5 at Gateway International Speedway.  Johnny and the entire #23 crew did a great job to earn another top 5 finish.  PR to follow. 
 (04-30-06)

Choose who will appear on the next Bobble Head!
The Hoosier Randy Sweet Bobble Head giveaway on Opening Night was such a success that Berlin Raceway and Westside Mortgage are planning a second Bobble Head Night on August 12! This time the fans get to choose who will be immortalized on a bobble head. Vote for your choice of Berlin Raceway driver, staff, fan or even yourself! Voting runs through May 13. The highest vote-getter will appear on the bobble head to be given away on August 12 - Westside Mortgage Bobble Head Night. Vote here!
(04-20-06)

 

Great Gift Idea
Do you need an idea for a Mother's or Father's day gift?  Here's your chance to give the gift of the Adrenaline Rush Two-Seater at Berlin Raceway. 

Take a few laps at race speed around the track in the passenger seat of Berlin's race car specially-built with a second seat. Select your favorite Berlin Raceway driver to be your chauffeur! Fee is $100 (does not include pit pass). Contact Beth Ann Shelman at (616) 677-5000 ext. 2014 to reserve a date (rides are given Saturday evenings before Berlin racing begins). Rides are selling fast, so don't delay!  (04-20-06)

Group Outings, Deck and Chalet Rentals
Are available for select dates during the 2006 season at Berlin Raceway.  If you have a group interested, please contact Alanna Kuhn at
(616) 677-5000 ext. 2018. Limited deck and chalet availability remains.
(04-20-06)
 

Gateway announces April 29 pre race show
Gateway International Raceway officials plan to kick off the April 29 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race day with a far-reaching pre race show.

Qualifying for the Missouri/Illinois Dodge Dealers Ram Tough 200 begins at 4 p.m. that day, followed by a show that includes a special tribute to the 124 soldiers from Missouri and Illinois who have died in the war in Iraq. A parachute jump by the Green Berets and a flyover from a pair of F-15s will conclude the ceremony.

After the race, Charlie Daniels will perform, and there will be a fireworks show highlighted by a tribute to the late Dale Earnhardt, who would have celebrated his 55th birthday on that date.   (04-20-06)

Happy Birthday, John Benson Sr.

It's a day of celebration in the Benson Family!  We are celebrating John Benson Sr.'s birthday.  In honor of his birthday, we would like to share in this celebration with the JB fans with a drawing to win a 1:24 Toyota Certified Toyota Used Vehicles diecast.  All you need to do is send an email to support@johnnybenson.com with your name, address and phone number.  You must be a fan club member to enter. Deadline:  11:23 pm on 04/24/06.   Good luck and Happy Birthday, Dad!

Berlin Photos:  By Doug Dubois

JB on the track	Cars on jackstands - ready for practice
Dave O'Blennis and Johnny	Taking a few laps around Berlin Raceway

Happy JB Fans
Dear JBFC,
We had a blast at Berlin last Saturday night (opening night)!  We miss seeing Johnny over the winter months and have to admit we'd rather go to Berlin or watch a truck race and really have stopped watching Nextel on a regular basis without Johnny.  Guess that makes us true fans and not just race fans!  We've tried to pick other favorites and do have a few, but it just isn't as exciting without Johnny there! 

This picture is of me (Lisa Sekeet), my son Trevor Sekeet, and two people (who have NEVER been to a race and absolutely loved it), my son's best buddy Lewi Coleman Jr., and our adopted daughter we have been fostering since last July, Quinitta Herring.  They both plan on coming back to Berlin and definately have become Johnny fans.  My oldest son Russell took the picture along with a whole memory stick more!  Thanks again for making our Saturday night GREAT!    (04-19-06)

Congratulations! 
The JBFC would like to congratulations fan club member, Larry Niece of Michigan for winning the personally autographed hood off of Johnny Benson's #10 Late Model car Saturday night!  Thank you to all the fans who bought tickets!   The proceeds benefit the Johnny Benson Foundation, which assists children's organizations in North Carolina and Michigan such as the Victory Junction Gang.

Don't Forget
If you are a fan club member and attended this opening night at Berlin Raceway, don't forget to mail your race ticket stub with your name, address and phone number to the fan club address.  Deadline:  Entry must be postmarked by April 22nd.  This is your chance to win a 1:24 #23 Toyota Certified Used Vehicle Diecast.  (04-17-06)

This is the first time the cars  have been out since last summer	Notice anything different?  Johnny has changed the number of his 2nd car to 5
The fan club gets priority on the back panel	Johnny's favorite car

Berlin Raceway roars to life
Veteran's first trip to victory lane highlights wild night
Berlin Raceway came to life Saturday night for the 56th season opener, a 4-in-1 show presented by Hoosier that provided race fans with all the excitement they've hungered for since last September. A popular first-time victory by veteran Bill Shotko Sr. in the Engine Pro Super Stock feature was the highlight of the night, while familiar faces to Victory Lane returned there in the other three divisions.

Plenty of cars fresh new cars were beat up in the races as drivers anxious to get racing, rookie drivers looking for experience and cars not quite dialed in right combined for furious racing and more than one night's fair share of crashes.

In the first feature race of the night, the 25-lap De-Jay Slick Truck Pro Stock division, things picked up right where they left off last season, with 2005 champion #15 Casey Berenbrock battling runner-up #55 Dave Lake for the first checkered flag of the 2006 season. Several cautions early slowed progress as the kinks got worked out, with #24 Lee VanDyk, #3 Travis Nylaan and rookie #11 Nick Bonstell getting the worst of it. The cars maintained a tight battle on the track, with the first six cars racing side-by-side and bunched up together most of the race. #22 Adam Hudson led the first 11 laps but lost his battle with #20 Dave Hull on lap 12. Hull led laps 12 and 13 until Lake got by for the lead. Meanwhile Berenbrock, who started the race from the 11th position, worked his way up to second by lap 15 and, in a mirror image of so many races last season, challenged Lake for the lead. Berenbrock got around Lake to take the lead on lap 20, but just then a spin further back in the field brought out the caution flag, negating the pass as the running order reverted to the end of the last green-flag lap. Back in front, Lake, a 15th-year driver from Howard City, would not relinquish the lead again as he went on to claim the victory. Berenbrock finished second, followed by #76 Brian Tillema, #52 Bruce Chase and #77 Andrew Nylaan.

Next up was the Coors Light Late Model feature, which included visiting NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Johnny Benson Jr. and New Brunswick, Canada, standout Dave O'Blenis, who drove one of Benson's cars. In his first attempt at Berlin, O'Blenis qualified 10th then started the feature from the pole position after the roll of the dice inversion, which put fastest qualifier Tom Thomas in 10th starting position. Benson qualified and started 12th. The first caution flag was waved on lap 2 when Thomas spun alone in turn 4; #32 Ross Meeuwsen and # 70 Ted Omlor collided hard while trying to avoid Thomas. On the restart, #X Ray Clay and #47 Fred Campbell tangled in a slow-motion spin in turn 3. Campbell, a 10-time Berlin track champion, was forced to pit with a flat tire and lost a lap, from which he would never recover. #18 Lee Anderson led the first 24 laps of the 50-lap feature, then relinquished the lead to teammate and 2004 champion #101 Joe Bush of Hastings, who would never give it up and went on to win his second straight opening-night victory at Berlin. Anderson finished second, followed by visiting #5 O'Blenis, who produced an outstanding result in his first race at Berlin. #12 Tim DeVos finished fourth and Thomas, who recovered nicely from the early spin and worked his way back through the field, finished fifth. Just 10 of the 26 feature cars finished on the lead lap. Benson was running in fifth position when his car broke on lap 38 and he was forced to retire.

The Engine Pro Super Stock feature was next, and the race was dominated by two veteran drivers who took an extended break from racing before both returned to the track in recent years. #5 Ray VanAllsburg of Grand Rapids raced in the late 1980's through the ‘90's, then was away from the track except for the 2004 season, when he returned and finished third in points. #27 Bill Shotko Sr. was a fixture on track during the decade of the ‘80's, but retired after finishing fourth in Late Model points in 1989 to help his sons (Billy and Nick Shotko) get their racing careers under way. Shotko returned to the track last season and has announced that this will be his final season. The two veterans stole the show, with VanAllsburg leading the first 23 laps before Shotko Sr. took the lead for good, cruising home the last seven laps to claim the first feature win of his career. Shotko also claimed the prize for having the most friends, family and crew members join him to celebrate in victory lane in what was a very popular win. #98 Bob Bliss, himself a 33-year veteran, finished second, followed by VanAllsburg, 2005 champion #1 Brian Wiersma and #76 Warren Speet.

The night's finale provided the most fireworks - and the most wrecked cars. Twenty-five cars qualified but through attrition only 20 started the feature, and only eight cars finished on the lead lap in the 20-lap feature that took almost 38 minutes to complete. A red flag condition stopped the race after just one lap was complete as a chain-reaction crash required massive clean-up efforts. Six cars were unable to continue after the melee. #33 Allen Davis, a sixth-year driver from Wyoming who was a first-time winner last season, took checkers, followed by #97 Andy Stormzand, #2 Shawn Simon, #51 Weston Jewett and 2005 champion #6 Terry Bockheim. Also finishing on the lead lap were rookie #67 Mike Welch, #44 Brian VanZalen and #51 Sara Moerman.

Berlin Raceway is back in action next Saturday night for a 4-in-1 weekly points show. It's Kids Night, with all kids 12 and under getting in free. Kids activities and $3 Monster Truck rides are scheduled. Tickets are $12 for adult general admission. Pit passes for those 16 and over are $25. Gates open at 12:30 p.m. and the first race begins at 7 p.m.

Complete race results and point standings are available online at www.berlinraceway.com

New Brunswick International Speedway Champion
Dave O'Blenis, the 2004 Pro Stock Champion at New Brunswick International Speedway, made the trek all the way from New Brunswick, Canada (north of Maine!) at the request of Johnny Benson and will race in Johnny's second car Saturday at Berlin. What was supposed to be a one race deal has turned into a home-and-home series after Benson raced one of O'Blenis's cars at New Brunswick last September. The two drivers kept in touch and now O'Blenis is returning the favor. O'Blenis is perennially one of the top contenders in New Brunswick's top class, the CARQUEST Pro Stock Division, and is looking to put his experience on Canada's fastest short track (1/3 mile high-banked paved oval) to the test at Berlin Raceway. Welcome and good luck, Dave!

 

 

  Photo by:  Tom Devette

A View in Atlanta
Photos By:  Barb Benson

A view from the top of the #23 Transporter	Johnny drives back into his pit stall after making a few laps around the Atlanta Motor Speedway
The #23 and the #6 Trucks	Tight Quarters!  It's amazing that they can even jack the Truck up to change tires.

"Turnin' 10" with Johnny Benson
By Joe Zydlo; with special thanks to Chip Wile and Sadat Enge

Benson would carry that over into the NASCAR Busch Series where he his two wins and series best 19 top-10’s helped him run the #74 car to the 1995 championship.  Benson’s 404-point margin of victory was the third largest in series history.  He has spent time in the NEXTEL Cup Series and currently will return to Gateway on April 29 for the Missouri/Illinois Dodge Dealers Ram Tough 200 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race.  Benson took time out before qualifying at Martinsville on April 1 (no fooling this time) to talk with GIR On-line!

GIR On-line: After three races you are right in the thick of it in fifth place.  Heading into Martinsville what have you been pleased with so far and what are you looking to improve upon?   JB: “I think so far I would give myself a B+.  We’ve run well but we’ve run into a couple of issues in the pits.  We’ve had some road incidents and other things of that nature which makes us happy to even have points right now.  However, I really believe in the first two races we should’ve been in the top-5, but we had issues that kept us from achieving that. We’ve also been working harder on making sure these things don’t happen again especially coming into Martinsville.  We have addressed and adjusted those issues pretty well.  In Atlanta it went really smooth for everybody and we ended up in third. We almost made second but always good for us when we don’t have any problems.”

GIR On-line: 2005 was the first year you ran the full Truck Series schedule and finished 10th overall.  Running in the series the last two seasons, had the series changed at all from when you ran in the last decade?   JB: “You can’t even compare it because it is so different.  When it first started out it was competitive but you only had five or six guys you had to contend with. These were all couple-orientated teams and you could come in there with a decent team and have a pretty good run.  Today this is much harder to do with 15 teams that can win on any given day. You have to be competitive and get through all the other things that it takes to even qualify good with much more difficult than it was just ten years ago.”

GIR On-line: We have seen teammates trying to help each other to wins such as Germain Motorsports with Bodine and Musgrave.  Do you, (Mike) Skinner, and (Bill) Lester help each other out and work together for the team’s success?     JB: “Absolutely, myself and Mike we are fairly close and my car chief from the 23 is crew chief for Bill Lester so everybody has a good rapport and is trying to achieve the same goal.  However, in the same token each driver drives different and has different setups.  You have to try to factor that in also, but as a whole we do work together.  This is especially evident at the race shop when we are getting repairs.  It’s more difficult for us to help each other out on the track because our times are so limited but definitely after practice everybody gets together and talks about what they did, what helped them and what didn’t.”

GIR On-line: Last year you finished 11th at Gateway during the 2005 Ram Tough 200.  Describe how you handle a track like Gateway’s where there are two very different sets of turns?     JB: “I haven’t ran there much so I’m not positive but you definitely have to get through turns one and two pretty good and three and four you can fight your way through a little bit.  Based off the times I’ve ran there turns one and two are pretty important and three and four is where you can pick up your speed.”

GIR On-line: You won Rookie-of-the-Year honors in the Busch (1994) and NEXTEL Cup (1996).  You also won the Busch Championship in 1995.  What was it like accomplishing those feats?   JB:  “It’s something I’m proud of.  When I first moved down here I joined up with Bace Motorsports and we ended up winning a couple of races, I won Rookie of the Year and then the following year we won a couple of races and the championship.  That’s something we are pretty proud of happening.  Before that season they had not won a race yet or finished good in points so we were pretty proud of those accomplishments.  My first year I ended up sixth in the points and we won some races, and then we ended up eventually winning the championship.  It was the first wins for me and the first championship for them.  Of course they won a couple of more with Randy LaJoie, which was great.  The NEXTEL Cup Series is a big deal.  The second year I was in the series (1997) we finished 11th in points.  Then driving with the #26 car (Roush Racing), and then a few years later with the #10 (MB2) and getting them their first win was exciting.  So, yeah I am pretty proud of those accomplishments.” 

GIR On-line: You have driven and had success in all three of NASCAR’s major series’.  How would you compare the racing in the Truck Series to the Busch and Cup series?   JB: “Well if you look at the ‘fun factor’ the Truck Series is hands down the leader. It is so much more fun because you can race, you run side-by-side, there is a little bumpin’ and bangin’ and there are usually no fights after the race.  That part is pretty cool – it is like Saturday night racing (dirt track).  The other two series are great to race in.  I love racing in the Busch and Cup series.  The Cup series is so competitive today and there are not very many owners.  So it is all about the teammate thing and how many cars you have, etc.  Those organizations pretty much dominate the series.  It makes it a little more difficult unless you are hooked in with one of those four or five teams that run up front week in and week out.”

GIR On-line: Racing is in your bloodline.  How much of an influence was your father Johnny Sr. in you racing for a living?   JB: “He didn’t want me to drive for a living.  That was the furthest thing from his mind.  I worked in a race shop, worked on his car and he let me test it but he never pushed me to drive.  Really it was when he decided to retire when I went ‘hey, who is going to race for the (family) business?’  At that point and time I decided to build a car and start racing.  Actually, he was quite mad at me when I decided to run full time.  He is glad now that it all worked out but he really didn’t want to get on me to race fulltime.  He said ‘Look, just do it as a hobby and leave it at that’.  I still view it as a hobby so that way he doesn’t get so mad at me for doing it (laughs).” 

GIR On-line: Your father had a lot of success in the 70’s at Berlin Raceway winning seven straight track championships.  You might say he owned it.  Ironically enough you own and promote that track now.  Any coincidence?  JB: “No, I own a really small part of it.  I am not a majority owner of it, but I do help out with it a lot.  The goal is to try and keep it open for another 50 years.  It is neat and yet it’s got a lot of headaches being a part of it.  I do enjoy it though and I am sure it is something I will stay a part of for a long time.” 

GIR Online: We have seen you quite a bit over the years on SpeedChannel doing some NASCAR-themed studio shows.  What is tougher, racing or getting in front of the camera?      JB: “The racing stuff I enjoy more but it is probably as tough as the television stuff.  It really is tense.  I am not a television personality so that aspect of it was kind of tough.  We had a good time doing “Inside Winston/NEXTEL Cup Racing” – I did that for about ten years and it was a lot of fun, but I am not part of it anymore because I don’t have a Cup ride.  In the same token it was a lot of fun working with Alan (Bestwick), Michael (Waltrip) and Kenny (Schrader) and we had a great time doing the show.  However, if I had to pick from the two I would definitely pick the racing over television.”

GIR On-line: How much longer do you plan on racing, and when you do finish would you want to stay involved as a track promoter or stay in the business of racing?    JB: “You know I don’t really know as I haven’t given it a whole lot of thought.  Every once in a while you try to think, ‘What am I going to do after the racing world’, but I think I will be involved in racing in some aspect I just don’t know what or where.  I feel I am going to race for another ten years before I quit doing this so it is not really a thought on my mind right now.  We will just have to wait and see.” (04-08-06)

Johnny Benson Hood Raffle
Win a personally autographed hood off of Johnny Benson's #10 Late Model car Saturday night! Raffle tickets are just $2 and the proceeds benefit the Johnny Benson Foundation, which assists children's organizations in North Carolina and Michigan such as the Victory Junction Gang. Enter to win at Berlin Raceway! Drawing for the winner will take place after the Coors Light Late Model feature.

Berlin - Saturday, April 15:
Opening Night, a 4-in-1 show with Coors Light Late Model, Engine Pro Super Stock, De-Jay Slick Truck Pro Stock and Standale Lumber Sportsman divisions. Plus Randy Sweet Bobble Heads (see right) presented by Hoosier will be given to the first 1,000 fans beginning at 3 p.m. and an Easter Egg Hunt will take place on the fairgrounds (3,000 eggs will be up for grabs beginning at 5 p.m. for kids 12 and under, plus the Easter Bunny will be on hand). Gates open at 11 a.m. and racing begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults and half price for children 6-12 (5 and under are free). Pit Passes for those 16 and over are $25.

Berlin Announces 2006 Hall of Fame Nominations
Online fan voting begins today
Berlin Raceway announced today the names of the 15 nominees to be considered for induction into the track's Hall of Fame in 2006. These 15 people will be voted on by the public over the course of the 2006 season, and up to three of them will be inducted into the Hall of Fame at the annual Boyne Machine Berlin Raceway Driver Awards Banquet in November.

This fall's inductees will join the inaugural inductees announced along with the announcement of the establishment of the Berlin Raceway Hall of Fame presented by Boyne Machine at last November's banquet: track co-founders Chester and Rose Mysliwiec, Charles Mysliwiec and Richard Mysliwiec. This will be the first "class" to be voted on by Berlin Raceway fans.

The Berlin Raceway Hall of Fame was created as a means to permanently immortalize its greatest drivers and contributors. Its mission is to preserve the rich history and heritage of Berlin Raceway by recognizing and honoring outstanding individuals who have made significant accomplishments in and contributions to the sport of auto racing at Berlin Raceway. Inductees are commemorated with high-quality engraved bronze plaques permanently placed on a concrete "Hall of Fame" wall outside Turn 1 at the track.

The nominees were selected from submissions made by Berlin Raceway fans. The selection committee narrowed the long and impressive list down to 15 names, among them drivers, track employees, car owners and engine and chassis builders. Drivers must have been retired from the sport of race car driving for a minimum of five years and must have achieved significant accomplishments on the track at Berlin Raceway. Lifetime Achievement candidates must have a minimum of 20 years service to auto racing at Berlin Raceway and must have made a considerable impact upon Berlin Raceway.

Starting now, fans can vote for their top three choices online at www.berlinraceway.com   Fans may also vote via ballot in the raceday program during races (beginning on Saturday, April 15). To be inducted, a nominee must be listed on at least two thirds of the ballots. The top three qualified vote-getters will be inducted.

The 2006 Berlin Raceway Hall of Fame Nominees: 

• Ralph Baker, Holland, MI, Driver
• Ray Baker, Spring Lake, MI, Engine Builder
• John Benson Sr., Grand Rapids, MI, Driver
• Dick Carter, Breckenridge, MI, Driver
• Ed Howe, Beaverton, MI, Driver & Car Builder
• Bob Knight, Grand Rapids, MI, Driver
• Jimmy Meyer, Holland, MI, Flagman
• Harry Obie, Grand Rapids, MI, Car Owner, Engine and Car Builder
• Johnny Roberts, Wheeler, MI, Driver
• John Shipman, Grand Rapids, MI, PA Announcer
• Robert "Smokey" Steele, Grand Rapids, MI, Car and Engine Builder and Track Maintenance
• AJ Stehouwer, Walker, MI, Car Owner and Race Official
• Eddie Vanderlaan, Grand Rapids, MI, Driver
• Gordy Vanderlaan, Grand Rapids, MI, Driver
• Bill Wiltse, Grand Rapids, MI, Driver
  
  For complete story on each nominee:  Click Here
  
  Ballots, nomination forms, complete eligibility criteria and selection procedures are available online.  Click Here   (04-05-06) 

Berlin Raceway Set To Open 56th Season
Berlin Raceway's 56th season is set to begin Saturday, April 15, as the weekly local divisions of Coors Light Late Model, Engine Pro Super Stock, De-Jay Slick Truck Pro Stock and Standale Lumber Sportsman stock cars take the track in points races.

Local NASCAR racer Johnny Benson will join the Coors Light Late Model field Saturday in his #10 Berger Chevrolet/Aaron's Rents car, the first of three visits by the NASCAR veteran who is currently racing in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Benson will also race in the ASA Challenge Series 200 on Wednesday, June 14, and in "The Chet" on Wednesday, August 16. Also scheduled to race in "The Chet," a 100-lap Coors Light Late Model feature, is NASCAR Nextel Cup star Kyle Busch.

The 26-race 2006 season includes, in addition to the four local weekly racing divisions, many traveling series events, fireworks, free kids nights, food and drink specials, school bus races and several "amateur" races.

Traveling shows scheduled for the 2006 season include:
• The first visits to Berlin for the Short Track Trucks (May 6 and June 17)
• Three visits by the open-wheel Auto Value Super Sprints (May 13, June 24 and Sept. 2)
• The CRA Super Series on May 27
• The return of ASA for the ASA Challenge Series 200 with Johnny Benson on Wednesday, June 14, and the ASA North Late Models on August 19
• The prestigious ARCA RE/MAX Series for a 200-lapper on July 15
• The Vintage Racing Organization of America on July 29
• The USAC Ford Focus Midgets on August 19
• An open-wheel extravaganza for the season finale on September 30 that includes the ISMA Supermodifieds and a triple-sanctioned midget event including USAC, Wolverine Outlaw, and UMARA midgets.

Two new non-points shows load up the month of September, after the season champions in all four divisions are crowned on Championship Night on September 9. The Boyne Machine 200, a two-day race on Friday and Saturday, September 15 and 16, includes the longest Coors Light Late Model race in track history (200 laps) for a $7,500-to-win purse, and the Speedbidz.com Shootout, an all-star style Coors Light Late Model race that will include all fast time-setters from qualifying all season long, on September 23.

Other highlights of the 2006 schedule include All Faiths Night (April 29) which will feature the second annual "Faster Pastor" event where clergy members will have the chance to race around the track to raise funds for their church. Kids Nights, where kids 12 and under get in free and several kids activities will be set up around the facility, will be held on April 22 and August 26. "Dollar Beer and Dollar Dogs" are on the schedule three times (May 27, September 2 and September 15) along with the ever popular School Bus Races (May 6, June 3 and September 15). A new event coming August 12 and similar to School Bus Races is the Big Rig Races. Returning for the second straight season are the Spectator Drags, which will take place on August 5 (fans will be able to bring their own street cars and race against other fans), and new to the "amateur events" schedule is a Powder Puff Race on May 13 (moms can driver their sons' or daughters' race cars in a heat race). Five fireworks nights are scheduled for April 29, June 24, July 1, July 29 and September 9. Finally, plenty of autograph sessions, where fans can walk onto the track, meet drivers and see cars close-up, are scattered throughout the schedule all season long.

Who To Watch in 2006
Berlin's top division, Coors Light Late Model, promises to provide excitement from wire to wire. The top three finishers in the 2005 points race, champion Tim DeVos, Randy Sweet and Tom Thomas, will battle it out as front-runners for the points championship. Eight of the top 10 return for 2006, including 2005 Rookie of the Year Terry Van Haitsma, who finished fifth in points, and 2004 Rookie of the Year Ross Meeuwsen, who finished 8th last year. Other Coors Light Late Model contenders include Scott Thomas, veteran Dave Stehouwer, Billy Shotko, and former ARCA champion Tim Steele.

In the Engine Pro Super Stock division, eight of the top 10 points finishers from 2005 return, including two-time defending champion Brian Wiersma and runners-up Bob Bliss and Nick Shotko, all three considered top bets for the championship in what will again be a tight battle after finishing with just an eight-point spread between the three positions last year. Other contenders should be James Haney, Tim Sweeney and Warren Speet, while Jerry Groeneveld and Jack Drolema figure to give the favorites a run for their money.

The De-Jay Slick Truck Pro Stock championship is wide open, as 2005 champion Casey Berenbrock will race just part-time, having secured a part-time Hooters Pro Cup traveling deal. Competition in this division should be fierce, but look for runners-up Dave Lake and Bruce Chase; young guns Andrew and Travis Nylaan, Chris Koslek and Kyle Ballard; and Dave Hull and Randy Veldman to be strong.

Finally, in the Standale Lumber Sportsman division, 2005 champion Terry Bockheim will get some tough competition from veteran Dave Cutler, who moves down from the Pro Stock class. Runners-up Shawn Simon and Mat McClarren, both now with one full season of racing under their belts, will provide the veterans with stiff competition, as will Brian Van Zalen, Jeff Sterken, Allen Davis, Sara Moerman and Richard DeJong. As Berlin's entry-level division, this class will see the most rookies, so it's anyone's guess as to who can make a name for himself or herself by racking up the points.

A complete entry list of registered drivers is on Berlin Raceway's web site at www.berlinraceway.com.

Gates open for Saturday's opening race at 11 a.m., with practice and qualifying in the afternoon and the first race action beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for children ages 6 to 12 (5 and under are free). Pit passes are $25 (16 and over only).

Tickets for the full Berlin Raceway season are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased in several ways: in addition to at the box office on the day of the race: 1) In person at Berlin Raceway from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday (please call ahead to make sure someone is available) and 11:30 a.m. until the end of the race on racedays; 2) In person at Fifth Third Ballpark from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; 3) Online at www.berlinraceway.com (add $2 per ticket service charge); 4) By phone to Berlin Raceway, (616) 677-5000, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday (add $3 per order service charge); 5) By mail or fax to Berlin Raceway, 2060 Berlin Fair Drive, Marne, MI 49435; fax (616) 677-0122 (add $3 per order service charge).

Ticket prices for weekly 4-in-1 shows are $12, while special event prices range from $10 to $25 for adults (half price for children ages 6 to 12; free for 5 and under). Pit passes range from $25 to $30 for those 16 and over. 
(04-13-06)
 

Anatomy of a Short Track Set-Up
With the first three events of the 2006 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series schedule all on tracks 1.5-miles in length or longer, the first short track event of the season at Martinsville brings some wholesale changes in the way the teams set up their chassis. In order to get a better understanding of what goes in to finding a good short track setup, TruckSeries.com sat down with one of the best in the business Rick Ren.  Complete Story
(04-02-06)

 

Johnny Benson to race in Berlin's opener April 15
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Johnny Benson will race in Berlin Raceway's season opener in the Coors Light Late Model division, the track announced today.

The NASCAR Trucks are off for a three-week period in April, leaving time in Benson's schedule to make the visit to his home track. Benson is also scheduled to race at Berlin in the ASA Challenge Series 200 on Wednesday, June 14, and in “The Chet” 100-lap Coors Light Late Model race on Wednesday, August 16, along with NASCAR Nextel Cup driver Kyle Busch.

Ticket prices for opening night and weekly races are $12, while special event prices range from $10 to $25 for adults (half price for children ages 6 to 12; free for 5 and under).

Tickets for all Berlin Raceway races are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased in several ways: 1) In person at Berlin Raceway from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday (please call ahead to make sure someone is available) and 11:30 a.m. until the end of the race on racedays; 2) In person at Fifth Third Ballpark from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; 3) Online at www.berlinraceway.com (add $2 per ticket service charge); 4) By phone to Berlin Raceway, (616) 677-5000, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday (add $3 per order service charge); 5) By mail or fax to Berlin Raceway, 2060 Berlin Fair Drive, Marne, MI 49435; fax (616) 677-0122 (add $3 per order service charge).  (04-01-06)

'Craftsman For A Cure'
Craftsman Motorsports in conjunction with Bobby Hamilton Racing will host the 'Craftsman For A Cure' charity event which will support the American Cancer Society Relay for Life and the Victory Junction Gang Camp. 'Craftsman For A Cure' will give race fans the opportunity to live their racing dream, to meet and race fender-to-fender with some of their favorite NASCAR drivers at NASCAR SpeedPark in Concord, N.C., while also helping out two very important charities.

'Craftsman For A Cure' will give fans numerous opportunities to spend time with NASCAR stars. Fans will be able to go-kart race against drivers, obtain autographs and even spend quality time with select drivers at a private dinner.  There will also be a silent auction during the event featuring various autographed NASCAR memorabilia.

WHEN: Tuesday, May 23rd from 5-9 p.m. ET
Media are invited to participate in a special media race from 4-5 p.m. ET

WHERE: NASCAR SpeedPark at Concord Mills
8461-G1 Concord Mills Blvd. Concord, NC

WHO: Drivers already scheduled to participate include the Bobby Hamilton Racing drivers - Bobby Hamilton, Bobby Hamilton Jr., Timothy Peters and Scott Lagasse Jr. Other drivers participating include NASCAR Nextel Cup Series drivers Kenny Schrader and Michael Waltrip and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series drivers Todd Bodine, Matt Crafton, Erik Darnell, Ron Hornaday, Ted Musgrave, David Ragan, David Reutimann, Dennis Setzer, David Starr and others.

Tickets for the 'Craftsman For a Cure' will go on sale Monday, April 17 at 9 a.m. ET. For tickets, call 866-227-3264. A web site will also be set up for ticket sales and it will be announced in the coming days. Tickets are limited and will be sold on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Bobby Hamilton, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series owner and former champion: "This is the first thing that we can do to help all those people who are inflicted with this same disease," said Hamilton, who is battling cancer. "It is a tough road, but together we can fight for a cure. Craftsman does so many great things for our series and by jumping into this so quickly, it shows race fans their tremendous support for our community as well. I'm very excited about doing this and that so many people are on board. It really means a lot to know that all our peers and fans really care." (4-1-06)