Track History:

In 1950 Chester Mysliwiec and family started a racing tradition. Berlin Raceway, as he named it, has seen it all through the years. From its humble dirt track beginnings, Berlin Raceway, now a 7/16 mile paved oval with 13-degree banking in the turns and 9 degree banking on the straightaways, has grown into one of the premier short tracks in America.

Berlin Raceway has one of the strongest fan bases for grass roots racing in the nation. Berlin has packed in thousands of race fans a year for over 50 years. More than 5 million race fans have spent their Saturday nights at this legendary track.

Not only have race fans of all ages enjoyed the track, but drivers like Tim Steele, Jack Sprague and Bob Senneker have honed their driving skills on what Johnny Benson Jr. claims as "one of the most difficult tracks in the country."

In 2001, the West Michigan Whitecaps purchased the track and invested funds in the infrastructure, building new restrooms, a new sound system, new private party areas, new catch fence and other amenities to make Berlin Raceway not only the premier facility in the Midwest, but also the most fan-friendly. The racing hasn't suffered either. With partners like NASCAR driver Johnny Benson, Berlin Raceway has kept the racing extremely competitive and exciting. Celebrity drivers such as NASCAR stars Tony Stewart, Michael Waltrip, Bobby Labonte, Kenny Schrader, Kyle Busch and Ryan Newman have joined Benson in racing at Berlin. The goal of Berlin Raceway is to continue to provide exciting racing and an affordable experience in a clean, safe environment.

In the fall of 2008, the West Michigan Whitecaps sold the lease of Berlin Raceway to successful businessman and race team owner, Michael Blackmer. Blackmer, who owned numerous race teams at Berlin Raceway, Kalamazoo Speedway, ASA, CRA, and more will transition to track ownership in 2009. Improvements have already been made to the tracks infield, with a brand new make-ready chute, tech area, and more to come.

Boyne Machine Hall of Fame:

2009 Inductees:

Gordy VanderLaan - Driver (Grand Rapids)
Gordy VanderLaan was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on July 25, 1928, and began racing at Berlin Raceway when the track opened in 1951. He continued to race at Berlin for the next 12 years. In 1962, Gordy was paralyzed with a non-racing injury and was forced to retire from auto racing; he was a three-time Berlin Raceway track champion (1952, 1955, and 1959). Gordy also won the 500-lap race held at the Ionia Fairgrounds in 1951, which was promoted by Chet Mysliwiec, the promoter of Berlin Raceway. That was the longest short track race ever held in Michigan.

Bruce VanderLaan - Driver (Grand Rapids)
Bruce VanderLaan born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on November 21, 1952, began his racing career at Berlin Raceway in 1975 and retired in 1999. In a five year period during the mid-1980's, Bruce racked up 44 Late Model feature wins and 45 second-place finishes, making him the most dominant Berlin racer during the 1980's. Bruce finished in the top 10 in 75 percent of his races during that time period and finished in the top five in 40 percent of his races. Bruce won the '83, '85, '86, and tied for the '88 Late Model Season Championship at Berlin Raceway.

Eddie VanderLaan - Driver (Grand Rapids)
Eddie VanderLaan was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on April 7, 1933 and passed away on November 24, 1991. Eddie was Berlin Raceway’s Rookie of the Year in 1953 and won the season point championship in 1962; he was one of the few drivers to make the transition from Berlin's dirt track to the paved track. Eddie's career spanned the jalopies, super modifieds, and late models; he was only one of a handful to be able to do that.

Dick Lee - Track Historian (Grand Rapids)
Dick Lee went from race fan in 1950 to driver in 1957, then to car owner. His fascination with preserving the history of local auto racing led him to form the Michigan Motorsports Hall of Fame where he is the executive director emeritus. He also started a weekly news paper called Track Facts which covered current auto racing news plus historical information, published Berlin Raceway’s souvenir program for 15 years, and also helped with public relations. Lee serves as Berlin Raceway’s Track Historian.

Tom DeVette Photo of Dale Earnhardt at Berlin