Bryan Clauson wins USAC National Sprint Car Series feature at Berlin Raceway
Bedford and Tillema also find victory lane on big open wheel night

Marne, MI – The Berlin Raceway hosted the national touring USAC Sprint Car Series on Saturday night, June 12 as part of a big open wheel night of action. The Marne fairgrounds saw the countries best drivers roll into town for their stake at the winner’s trophy.

The first feature event of the night saw the USAC Regional Midget Series take to the track, with Dakoda Armstrong starting from the front row. Right out of the box Armstrong and #20 David Byrne battled heavily for the top spot, before Armstrong took over. Dakoda’s brother Dalton Armstrong and Dillon Welch also raced hard for multiple laps. Caution flew on laps 13 and again on lap 16 for a single car spins on the backstretch. On the restart Daniel Bedford #41 made a strong three-wide pass for the lead, and never looked back. Bedford would go on to score the victory over Dalton Armstrong, Dakoda Armstrong, Dillon Welch and Adam Kramer.

The main attraction of the night was the next race to hit the track, with 18 cars taking the green flag. Jacob Wilson bolted to an early race lead, leading the field for the first several laps. Bobby East, Chris Windom and Shane Hmiel raced hard on the opening circuit, going three wide for the fans off turn 4. The first caution of the night flew on lap 10, for Casey Riggs who spun around in turn 1, but avoided contact with the outside wall. Battle for the lead on lap 20 intensified with Bryan Clauson putting pressure on Tracy Hines. Chris Windom would go for a ride on lap 25, bringing out the next caution flag. Bobby East, who had a stout run going for much of the race and slipped back during the mid-portion, clawed his way back into second on lap 26. Tony Stewart Racing’s Levi Jones would spin on lap 27 on the frontstretch, bringing out the final caution. Clauson would restart and leave the field behind, winning the 30-lap national sprint car feature, over Chris Windom, Bobby East, Shane Hmiel and Henry Clarke.

The final race of the night was the Kerkstra Services Pro Stock division, where Scott Root would charge to the early race lead. A swift first 14 laps flew by with many side-by-side battles throughout the field, including the Weston Jewett and Brian Tillema machines moving up quickly. The races only caution would fly on lap-14, when Brandon Hermiller and Mitch Meppelink would make contact in turn 1. Following the restart, Tillema would keep digging through the field and would pass for the lead and the eventual race win on lap 19. Tillema topped Weston Jewett, Scott Root, Ryan Gruppen and Ken Smith Jr.

This Tuesday, June 15 is the Rowdy’s Revenge 251 with Kyle Busch. Also appearing is AJ Allmendinger, Chase and Bill Elliott, Ross Kenseth and Brian Campbell. The CRA Super Series event will be joined with the Modifieds for 50-laps. Tickets for adults are $20.00, seniors 60+ $18.00, kids 6-12 $5.00 and 5-under are free. For more information, please visit www.berlinraceway.com.

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Kevin Striegle
Berlin Raceway
616-662-2051
kevin@berlinraceway.com