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Benson wins Spring Memorial 125;
Waltrip finishes 16th in first-ever Berlin Raceway
appearance
MARNE, MI -- Grand Rapids' own Johnny Benson claimed
victory Wednesday night in the Spring Memorial 125
presented by Meijer and Tony's Pizza, the longest Coors
Light Late Model race in Berlin Raceway history. Benson
drove to victory in his #10 Aaron's Rents car that he
built especially for racing several times a year at Berlin
Raceway.
NASCAR Nextel Cup star Michael Waltrip made his first-ever
appearance at Berlin, finishing in 16th position, the
first car one lap down, after battling a loose race car
for all 125 laps. Waltrip signed hundreds of autographs in
several autograph sessions throughout the day to the
delight of the 6,330 fans in attendance.
The 125-lap Memorial, with a 28-car Coors Light Late Model
field, began at 8:40 p.m. as the threat of rain that had
dampened the afternoon dissipated. A second-lap crash by
#26 Chris Muyskens off the backstretch and into the
barrier foam brought out the first caution of the day.
Back under green, Benson, who started in 10th position,
charged through the field, moving up to 5th position by
lap 10. Cautions on lap 11 for a #33 Dave Stehouwer miscue
off the backstretch, then again on lap 30 as #32 Ross
Meeuwsen spun in turn 2, slowed the pace.
Benson took the lead from the #101 car, points leader Joe
Bush, on lap 39 and held the lead all the way to the
mandatory caution flag for pit stops on lap 75. Teams were
given a 5-minute time limit in the pits to re-fuel and
make necessary adjustments before restarting the race for
the final 50-lap shootout. Benson gave the crowd a scare
as cars started rolling off the grid for the restart,
experiencing a transmission problem but managing to get it
going and back to his lead position before the green flag.
Benson held his lead until lap 90, when Bush passed him to
regain it. But Benson never backed off, looking inside as
Bush chose the high line. Benson was able to pull even
with Bush in the corners but Bush pulled away on the
straightaways. With 20 laps to go, Benson pulled alongside
Bush and the two cars ran side by side for several laps
before Benson took the lead for good on 114 and went on to
win the Fel-Pro Trophy presented by The Federal Mogul
Group sponsored by Engine Pro.
Meanwhile, Waltrip's battle with a loose car kept him near
the back of the lead lap most of the race. The mandatory
75-lap caution saved him from being lapped by Benson, but
Benson got him on lap 119 to put him the first car one lap
down, where he finished in 16th position. He amused the
crowd and media after the race by posing with Benson's
car, trophy and the checkered flag in the winners circle
as Benson was busy with a radio interview.
Second-year Hudsonville driver Terry Van Haitsma continued
his domination of the Standale Lumber Sportsman division,
winning a double-length 50-lap feature prior to the Spring
Memorial 125 main event. Van Haitsma collected his fourth
Powerflex Trophy presented by Hastings Manufacturing Co.
sponsored by Engine Pro in seven races this season. He
started in eighth position and charged to the front,
taking the lead on lap 18 and never relinquishing it. Van
Haitsma holds a 117-point lead over Dave Lake in the
season standings.
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