 | |
| Location | 2060 Berlin Fair Drive Marne, Michigan |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 43°2′8″N85°50′7″W / 43.03556°N 85.83528°W /43.03556; -85.83528 |
| Capacity | 9,000 |
| Owner | Berlin Fair |
| Operator | DBD Ventures |
| Opened | 1951 |
| Major events | Current: ARCA Menards Series Herr's Snacks 200 (1986, 1999–2016, 2018, 2021–present) Former: NASCAR K&N Pro Series East (2017) ASA National Tour (1998–1999, 2001–2004) NASCAR Grand National East Series (1973) |
| Website | www.berlinraceway.com |
| Oval (1950–present) | |
| Length | 0.437 mi (0.704 km) |
| Turns | 4 Turns |
| Banking | 13° corners, 9° straightaways |
| Race lap record | 12.513 seconds (Brian Gerster, 2018,Sprint Car) |
Berlin Raceway is a 0.438 mi (0.705 km) long paved oval race track inMarne, Michigan,[1] nearGrand Rapids. The track races weekly as part of theNASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series.[2] It has also held touring series events on theARCA Menards Series,[3]ARCA Menards Series East,[3]American Speed Association National Tour,[3]USAC Stock Cars,USACSilver Crown,World of Outlaws Sprint cars, andWorld of Outlaws Late Model Series tours.
The track opened in 1950. It was originally a horse track beforeWorld War II. Berlin's current track record is 0:12.513 seconds, set by Brian Gerster in 2018 in a winged sprint car.[4] Berlin Raceway takes its name from the town of Marne's original name "Berlin," which was changed due toAnti-German sentiment followingWorld War I.[5]
The track was developed by the Chester Mysliwiec family in 1950.[1] It was purchased by theWest 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 movieGod 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] Berlin Raceway won the 2021Advance Auto Parts 'Advance My Track Challenge' $50,000 award beating out Hudson Speedway in New Hampshire andAlaska Raceway Park.[9]
Some drivers that have come from the track areJack Sprague,Tim Steele,[1] 1967 track championBob Senneker,[10] and 2017 Super Late Model track championCarson Hocevar.[2] 1989 track Outlaw Late Model championJohnny Benson Jr.[11] 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.
Reference:[12]
Bob Senneker won seven ASA National tour races at the track.[10] Other winners on the ASA National tour starting in 1998 include:[12]
One race held in 2017 under the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East[13]
One race held in 1973 called the Coca-Cola 100[14]