Bergakker goes back-to-back with victory during fair week
DeVos, Nylaan, Tillema, Hamm and Speet also victorious

Marne, MI-- The 155th Berlin Fair was in town once again, and Berlin Raceway held grandstand events every night during the week. The big finale took place on Saturday night, with all five divisions competing in extended feature events. With the heat races being run during Enterprise Iron & Metal Night on Friday, the Budweiser features were started right away on the night.

The first feature race of the evening was the Kerkstra Services Pro Stock division, who raced for a very exciting 30-lap race. Allen and Tony Davis led the field to the green flag with Allen bolting to the early race lead. Ken Smith Jr. was hot on Davis’ heals during the first stages of the race and eventually would pass for the race lead on lap 6. Multi-time winner on the season, Brian Tillema worked his way up through the field to third as he climbed to the top. Brandon Hermiller would bring out the first caution of the night on lap 15, spinning in turn 1.  On the restart, Brian Tillema would make his pass for the lead. While Weston Jewett was also moving through the field quickly Tillema would hold on to the lead and get his fourth win of the year. Second was Ken Smith Jr.; Lauren Bush, Weston Jewett and Tony Davis rounded out the top five.

The next race to hit the track was the Model Coverall Modified feature, with fan-favorite Billy Eppink starting from the pole. Eppink would hold the lead for first 4 laps of the race until the first caution flag flew, for Ben Raber’s spin in turn 2. On the restart Brian Bergakker would make a power move to the front, racing hard side by side with Eppink. Trouble again on lap 11 of the 35 lap feature with Billy Eppink bringing out the next caution. When the green flag came back out, Jordan Dahlke would take advantage of the tight field, moving himself into the second spot right behind his teammate, Bergakker. Billy Shotko who started deeper in the field, worked his way all the way up to second and would battle Dahlke for position and eventually take over the spot. Another multi-time winner, Mike Bursley, who earned the fast time on the day prior, had worked his way into the fourth position. Nobody had anything for Bergakker though, as he would pilot his way into Mountain Dew Victory Lane for the second time in as many races. Second was Billy Shotko, with Jordan Dahlke, Mike Bursley and Travis Eddy rounding out the top five spots.

The always competitive Engine Pro Super Stocks were lined up next on the track for their extended 40 lap event. Travis Nylaan who would start from the top spot, would quickly go to the race lead down the backstretch. Ray VanAllsburg would hold down the second spot for the first pair of laps until Denny Anderson would pass him on the high side for the position. Caution would fly for the driver who turned 16 on raceday, Gabe Ensing who went off the backstretch harmlessly into the grass. Denny Anderson would take advantage of the early caution to gain position on the high side of Nylaan, and officially take the lead on lap 11 for the first time. Shortly after the restart another caution would come out for the spun car of Justin Ryan on the front stretch, with Dennis Mann piling in to the front end with a hard hit. With both drivers out and ok, the leaders would again take the green flag this time for good, with a great battle all throughout the field. Andrew Nylaan would be the second half hard charger, passing all cars but the leader Anderson. Coming to the white flag, Nylaan would show Denny his nose down the backstretch, and edge him out at the finishline by only .061 seconds. Chris Koslek would collect a solid third place finish with Travis Nylaan and Dave Lake rounding out the top five.

The big race of the night was next up, featuring the Coors Light Late Models for 75 laps. Caleb Bisacky would take his beautiful 222 car to the top spot quickly, starting from the outside front row. A big wreck in turn two involving Terry Senneker, Chris Anthony, and Monte Tolan would result in early headache for many drivers. On the start Joe Bush would make his pass for the race lead, getting around Bisacky who led the first laps. Bush would go on to the lead the next 51 laps of the race with great battles throughout the pack. Terry VanHaitsma and Nick Szotko would steadily make progress to the front as well, racing hard through the green flag run. Caution would fly for Ross Meeuwsen who would spin around in turn 2 slowing the race for the final time.  Tim DeVos would go to the lead on lap 56 and never turn back, taking the victory over Joe Bush, Ross Meeuwsen, Terry VanHaitsma and Caleb Bisacky.

The Burnips Equipment 4-Cylinder A feature was the second to final event of the night with Brad Hastings and Dave Duyst rolling off from the pole. The two would do battle for the first several laps before a fast moving Rob Schumacher would pass for the lead on lap 4. Schumacher would hold the lead until lap 11 when Ryan Hamm would take over. Several three wide battles throughout the pack would entertain the crowd and having a clean event with no cautions. Hamm would return to victory lane yet again, over Rob Schumacher, Kyle Hamm, Chris McKinley and Jason DeVos.

The 4-Cylinder B feature was last out with Paul Ritchie and Nicole Randolph starting from the front row, with Tyler Nawrocki and Charlie DeJong in tow. Ritchie would lead the side by side pack for the first ten laps of the race, before being overtaken by Tyler Nawrocki with a pass low. Also on lap ten was a power move to the bottom with Jared Lyzenga making a clean four wide pass, moving himself all the way up to sixth in just one lap. Mike Speet who started from the tail of the field was the car to beat, driving all the way to the front and the first to cross under the checkered flag. Speet topped Clayton Brown, Jared Lyzenga, Dan Dells, and Tyler Nawrocki.

Next week is 60th Anniversary Night featuring all five divisions of cars back in action, including the Coors Light Late Models, Engine Pro Super Stocks, Model Coverall Modifieds, Kerkstra Services Pro Stocks and Burnips Equipment 4-Cylinders. Tickets are $15 for adults, seniors 60 and over $13, kids 6-12 $5 and 5-under are free. The first race will begin at 7:00 p.m. More information can found at www.berlinraceway.com

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Kevin Striegle

Berlin Raceway

616-662-2051

kevin@berlinraceway.com