August 18 Preview:  "The Chet" with Bobby Labonte and Johnny Benson presented by Comerica

MARNE, MI - Berlin Raceway is gearing up for the annual "The Chet" race, sponsored by Comerica Bank, to be held on Wednesday, August 18 at 7 p.m. Held in memory of track founder Chet Mysliwiec, the 125-lap Coors Light Late Model race will include NASCAR stars Bobby Labonte and Johnny Benson.

Labonte, the 2000 NASCAR Cup champion, is making his first-ever visit to Berlin Raceway. The visit was facilitated by Benson, a limited partner in the Whitecaps Racing ownership group. Labonte, driver of the #18 Interstate Batteries Chevrolet, is currently ninth in NASCAR Nextel Cup point standings. He will drive Randy Sweet's second Coors Light Late Model car, the same one that was driven by Tony Stewart and Kenny Schrader.

Labonte joins a growing list of NASCAR stars including Michael Waltrip, Tony Stewart, Kenny Schrader, Dick Trickle and of course Benson, who have competed at Berlin Raceway in recent years. Benson is returning to Berlin Raceway for the fourth time this season and 14th time since 2001. Benson has three wins in that time and has not finished outside the top five since June 2002. The nine-year NASCAR Nextel Cup veteran has split time this season between the Nextel Cup, Busch Grand National and Craftsman Truck series.

The Coors Light Late Model division will race a 125-lap points feature with a field of 28 cars that make the show from the afternoon's qualifying time trials. The drivers will make a mandatory fuel stop at lap 75, since the 125-lap distance, the longest ever run at Berlin, is too far to go on one tank of gas. Berlin's Engine Pro Super Stock and Standale Lumber Sportsman divisions will also compete for points in the 3-in-1 show.

The race will benefit St. John's Home, Michigan's premiere residential treatment program for emotionally troubled children and adolescents. Berlin Raceway and Comerica will donate one dollar from every ticket sold for the August 18 race to St. John's Home. All funding for the home comes from charitable contributions from the community, such as the Berlin Raceway/Comerica fundraiser.

Tickets to "The Chet" are $21 in advance and $22 at the door. Children 3-12 are half price and 2 and under are free. Pit passes are $25. Tickets can be purchased at the Berlin Raceway administrative office (2060 Berlin Fair Drive, Marne, MI) from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday as well as at the Box Office on racedays. Tickets are also available online at www.berlinraceway.com and at www.ticketmaster.com. Gates open at 11 a.m. and the first race begins at 7 p.m.