Tag Archives: Berlin Raceway

Berlin ARCA 200 highlights big night of racing at Berlin Raceway

City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Sports, West Michigan,

William Sawalich and his No. 18 car are back to defend their title in the Berlin ARCA 200 feature race at Berlin Raceway Saturday. (Photo Courtesy, Berlin Raceway)



By Greg Chrapek

WKTV Contributor

greer@wktv.org



Another big night of racing is on tap at Berlin Raceway Saturday.

A pair of exciting races are slated to take place Saturday beginning with the Tekton Super Late Model Feature at 6:30 p.m. The race is scheduled for 75 laps. Up next, the ARCA Menards Series takes to the track for the main event of the evening, the Berlin ARCA 200.

Drivers from all across the country will be descending on Berlin for one of the highlight races of the summer as Berlin hosts the ARCA series.



Berlin Raceway ARCA Menards Series (Photo Courtesy, Berlin Raceway)



For the 34th time in ARCA Menards Series history, Berlin Raceway is playing host to stock-car racing’s brightest up-and-coming starts. The ARCA Menards Series made its debut at Berlin in 1958. The ARCA series first ran at Berlin from 1958 until 1973. After a hiatus, the series came back to Berlin in 1986 for a brief run.


In 1999, the series returned to Berlin and has been a regular part of the schedule ever since. Frank Kimmel won the 1999 race and since then talented young divers like Tim Steele, Brian Keselowski, Justin Lofton, Scott Speed, Chris Buescher, Erik Jones, Grant Enfinger, Danile Dye, Sammy Smith and William Sawalich have been among the winners at Berlin.

Sawalich recorded his inaugural ARCA Menards Series victory in last year’s Berlin ARCA 200. Sawalich is back to defend his title this year and is coming off his second ARCA Menards Series victory when he recently took the checkered flag at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

Sawalich won last year’s race in exciting fashion as he came from behind to defeat eventual ARCA Menards Series champion Jesse Love. Sawalich passed Love for the lead with just two laps remaining in the 200-lap race to give Joe Gibbs Racing the win.

Last year’s winner William Sawalich a favorite

Sawalich is one of the favorites in this year’s race, but plenty of talented competitors will be looking to crash victory lane. A large group of racers from Venturini Motorsports will be leading the charge to take the checkered flag from Sawalich this year led by Sean Hingorani who will be making his first start for the team this season as he will be driving the flagship No. 20 Toyota.

Keep an eye on 16-year-old Gavin Boschele

Gavin Boschele is another member of the Venturini team to keep an eye on as he is making his debut for the team and will drive the No. 55 Toyota. Boschele is an exciting young racing prospect to keep an eye on. Just 16-years old, Boschele first started racing as a four-year old racing Outlaw go-karts at Millbridge Speedway in North Carolina.

Since then, Boschele raced in nearly every division at Millbridge Speedway and also raced Quarter Midgets and Karts on asphalt tracks across the Southeast. One of Boschele’s biggest wins came when he won a race in the Stock Non-Wing division during the 2023 Tulsa Shootout.

Boschele made his Late Model debut during 2022 as he began to focus on asphalt racing. Despite being 16-years old, Boschele is no stranger to Berlin as he competed in the Money in the Bank 150 at Berlin on June, 12. Boschele finished fourth in a loaded field that included NASCAR Cup Series drivers Erik Jones and Carson Hocevar.

Amber Balcaen, Toni Breidinger and Kris Wright also are talented drivers on the Venturini team that will be making a run for the top spot.

ARCA Menards Series leader Andres Perez

ARCA Menards Series leader Andres Perez leads the way for the Rev Racing team that also includes Lavar Scott. Christian Rose of the AM Racing team will be in the hunt as will Greg Van Alst.

Gates open at 4 p.m. Saturday … racing starts at 6:30 p.m. Kids 15 and under also are free for this Saturday’s event.

Star-Studded “Money in the Bank” feature highlights busy stretch at Berlin Raceway

City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Local Sports, Sports, West Michigan,
Berlin Raceway’s Money in the Bank. (Image Courtesy, Berlin Raceway)



By Greg Chrapek, WKTV Contributor

greer@wktv.org



The action shifts into overdrive at Berlin Raceway as the track hosts three nights of racing over an eight-day span highlighted by the “Money in the Bank” feature, one of the premier races of the summer at Berlin.

The run of racing begins this Saturday at Berlin Raceway with a full lineup of action. Headlining is the non-wing sprint cars that will be racing in the Auto Value Part Store 40, part of the sprint car tour. Also on the lineup card is a Limited Late Model race, a 4-cylinder race and a Midget car race.

Dorr’s Matt Postma a Limited Late Model driver

Matt Postma, of Dorr, is one of the drivers looking to take the checkered flag in the Limited Late Model race. An up-and-coming driver, Postma is currently in sixth place in the division, but hopes to move up the standings in a division dominated by some talented veterans.



Matt Postma (Car #6 of Dorr, Michigan) is a young and upcoming driver in the Limited Late Model division who is looking to move up the standings as he competes this Saturday and Saturday, June 15 at Berlin. (Courtesy, Berlin Raceway)



“I’ve had some up and down weeks for sure this season,” Postma said. “We’re definitely making progress this year. In this division it’s all about seat time. You have to get that experience. This division has some great drivers like Tim DeVos, Denny Anderson, Josh Frye and Billy Eppink, who have years of experience on me. I have to get that seat time and experience and try to catch up.”

Postma is in his fifth year of racing and second year competing in the Limited Late Model division. He has been making steady progress and this year with three top-five finishes to his credit in the division that is led by Frye.

Like many of the drivers at Berlin, Postma grew up going to the races as a youth and caught the racing bug at an early age.

“I grew up going to Berlin with my dad and grandpa,” Postma said. “My grandpa was a huge fan. Every Saturday we would head out to Berlin and watch the Late Models and Outlaws.”

Hudsonville’s Nate Walton in action

While the Limited Late Models are in action this Saturday and next, they will be off next Wednesday, June 12, when the Money in the Bank feature takes center stage at Berlin. Postma will still be in action at Berlin for the Money in the Bank feature as he will be helping out Hudsonville’s Nate Walton, one of the drivers going after the $15,000 first prize in one of the two biggest races of the summer at Berlin.

“Nate has helped me out a lot and any chance I get I try to help him out,” Postma said.



NASCAR Cup Series driver Erik Jones, seen celebrating last year, is back to defend his title at the Money in the Bank race on Wednesday, June 12 at Berlin Raceway. (Courtesy, Berlin Raceway)



Big-name drivers Erik Jones, Carson Hocevar and Bubba Pollard

Walton is one of several local drivers in the Super Late Model division taking on several high-profile drivers who will descend on Berlin looking to take home a big payday and the checkered flag. Among the big-name drivers competing at Berlin in the Money in the Bank race are NASCAR Cup Series drivers Erik Jones and Carson Hocevar along with Bubba Pollard.

“The Money in the Bank race is a big draw,” said Andrew Postma, Operations Manager at Berlin Raceway. “It’s a chance for the local guys to race against some of the guys on the NASCAR Cup Series. It’s also a chance for our fans to see a guy like Carson who just raced at St. Louis to practice and race at Berlin.”

FREE admission to June 11 practice

Berlin race fans also have the opportunity to watch practice for free on Tuesday, June 11. Practice is from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and is free general admission for spectators.

Berlin caps the busy week of racing with a full slate of action on Saturday, June 15. The Ohio Wheelman Super Stocks headline the card along with the Wheelman Modifieds, NA-Compacts, Vintage Racing Organization of America (VROA) and the Scrappers. The VROA is a club dedicated to preserving a form of circle track racing that was prevalent during the 1940’s to 1960’s. The June 15 card is on Father’s Day weekend and plenty of giveaways are planned for dads including a beer special.

Tickets for all three nights of racing are available online. Fans also can save some money on their tickets by getting them ahead of race day on line at the Berlin Raceway website.



Berlin Raceway shifting into high gear as summer approaches; “The Bachelor” Arie Luyendyk Jr. races

City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Entertainment, Local Sports, Sports, West Michigan,
Former Indy car driver and The Bachelor contestant Arie Luyendyk Jr. will be competing in the MSR series winged sprint car event at Berlin Raceway this Saturday. (Photo Courtesy, Berlin Raceway/Arie Luyendyk Jr.)



By Greg Chrapek

WKTV Contributor



It’s one of the staples of summer in West Michigan and with the weather heating up the action at Berlin Raceway in Marne also is shifting into high gear.

This summer WKTV Journal will be keeping an eye on the happenings at Berlin Raceway. Berlin has a full slate of racing action over the next few months with drivers from all over West Michigan competing including several drivers from Wyoming.

This weekend Berlin Raceway promises plenty of fun for the whole family not only on the race track, but in the stands as well. This Saturday is 80’s retro night at the track and the folks at Berlin are asking everyone to join in on the fun and wear their retro 80’s outfits, tie dye and neon.

On the track, one of the highlights of the evening is the season-opening race in the Must See Racing (MSR) Sprint Series presented by Perfect Parts.

The season opener was originally set for Sandusky Speedway, but was twice cancelled due to rain.

Blonde, Hamilton and McCune featured Saturday

The lineup of drivers entered for the race is an impressive one including defending MSR series champion Jason Blonde and multi-time MSR 2024 feature winners Davey Hamilton Jr. and Jimmy McCune.

The winner of the 30-lap feature will take home $4,000 and the race has attracted drivers from several states. Former Little 500 winners Jeff Bloom and Bobby Santos III are among the drivers entered.

Arie Luyendyk Jr. races Saturday in the Winged Pavement Sprint Car events

Another big name also is slated to compete in the race. Arie Luyendyk Jr. plans to compete in a handful of Winged Pavement Sprint Car events on the MSR series beginning with the season opener this Saturday at Berlin Raceway.



Former Indy car driver and The Bachelor contestant Arie Luyendyk Jr. will race his winged sprint car, sponsored by Jiffy Lube, Saturday at Berlin Raceway. (Courtesy, Berlin Raceway/Arie Luyendyk Jr.)



Luyendyk Jr. announced that he has obtained a partial season sponsorship with Jiffy Lube, His familiar red #25 will now carry Jiffy Lube proudly on the side of the car as well as the top wing.

The second-generation driver is the son of two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Arie Luyendyk Sr. Arie Luyendyk Jr. has had a versatile career and has driven several different cars in his career including events in the Indy Car Series, Stadium Super Trucks, IMSA and Indy Lights cars. Luyendyk Jr. also qualified for the 2006 Indianapolis 500.

Luyendyk Jr. gained additional fame by starring in the ABC television show ‘The Bachelor’ in 2018. He has a huge social media following thanks in part to his appearance on ‘The Bachelor.’



(Courtesy, Berlin Raceway)



Plenty of West Michigan drivers, including Wyoming

While Luyendyk Jr. brings a national name to Berlin Raceway this weekend, plenty of West Michigan drivers and Wyoming drivers have been making news since the racing season kicked off at the end of April. In the Sportsman Division, Ryan Holtzlander of Muskegon is at the top of the standings. Josh Frye of Coopersville is just 20 points behind in second place. Allen Davis of Wyoming is in 11th place in the Sportsman Division and has three top-10 finishes to his credit.

In the 4 Cylinder Division, David Simpson of Hopkins is in first place with two wins to his credit so far while Nathan McNabb of Coopersville is in second place. Richard Succaw of Wyoming is in 17th place.

In the Super Late Model Division, Evan Szotko of Coopersville is in first place followed by Joe Bush of Hastings in second place. Brian Campbell of Wyoming has a top-10 finish in three races this season in the Super Late Model Division and is in ninth place overall in the standings.

In the Limited Late Model Division Tim Greene of Grand Rapids is in first place, followed by Josh Frye of Coopersville, second. Allen Davis of Wyoming is in 14th place and has one top-10 finish in two races.



(Courtesy, Berlin Raceway)



Limited Late Model, Dwarf Cars and Mini Wedge races

Along with the MSR winged sprint cars, this Saturday’s action includes a Limited Late Model race, Dwarf Cars and Mini Wedge race.

The Saturday, May 25 lineup for the Memorial Day Weekend features another packed slate of races including races in the Super Late Models, Limited Late Models, Sportsman, 4 Cylinder and Scrappers Division.

Racing action will continue every week during June, July and August and then on two weekends in September, including September 7 which is Chet Championship Night, and September 21; Monster Truck Throwdown. Among the highlights during the summer are the Money in the Bank feature on June 12, the Ohio Wheelman Superstocks and Ohio Wheelman Modifieds on June 15, an ARCA race June 29, Supermodifieds on July 12 and July 13, and the Tekton 250 Battle of Berlin on August 7. 

Gates open for this Saturday’s racing action at 2 p.m. with racing starting at 4 p.m. For more information and all the summer lineups, log on to Berlin Raceway.

Gonzo’s Top 5: Hot rods, African food, and the Sistine Chapel

Entertainment, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Upcoming Events, , ,

By John D. Gonzalez
WKTV Contributing Writer

It’s Memorial Day weekend!

That means it’s the unofficial start of summer. Who’s ready? I know I am.

Let’s take a look at some of things to do this weekend in my Top 5, which you can find exclusively on WKTV Journal.

Oh, and don’t forget the Grand Rapids Memorial Day Parade is at 10 a.m. Monday. More info at uvckc.org. The Wyoming ceremony is at 7 p.m. Monday. More information on the Facebook Event page.

Gonzo’s Top 5

5. Spring Wildflower Walk at Blandford Nature Center

This is a great time to discover nature, and also learn more about our Michigan spring wildflowers, also known as spring ephemerals. This weekend you can check them out on a special wildflower walk from 1-2 p.m. Saturday (May 28) at Blandford Nature Center, 1715 Hillburn Ave NW. According to the event page: “These flowers take advantage of the sun-lit and moisture-rich woodlands to bloom quickly and to go seed in order to ensure their survival until next year. Join Julie Batty, our Land Stewardship Manager, and she leads a walk along the trails of Blandford to seek out some of these flowers before the forest shades over for the summer and they disappear again until next spring.” Cost is $7 for members and $10 for non members. This is an outdoor event. More information on the Blandford Nature Facebook event page.

4. African Market Michigan in Kentwood

Have you been looking for an opportunity to taste authentic African food? This weekend check out African Market Michigan, which will be serving African food and selling African clothing/jewelry all weekend. The pop-up restaurant will be open from noon-5 p.m. Saturday-Monday (May 28-30) at The Social Suite and Rental, 5528 Division Ave S, in Kentwood. Don’t wait too late in the day because they could sell out before 5 p.m. Learn more on the Taste of Africa Michigan Facebook page.

3. Memorial Day Celebration at Berlin Raceway

It’s always a fun time at the Berlin Raceway in Marne. The racing continues this weekend with some special events, and fireworks! On the schedule is the second and final Money in the Bank qualifier for the Budweiser Super Late Models, plus a 50 Lap feature for the Model Coverall Service, Inc. Limited Late Models. On the track they’ll also have the Coors Light Sportsman and the Good Humor Mini Wedges. As always, kids 15 and under are free. Also, military, veterans and seniors 65+ are admitted free. Racing starts at 6:30 p.m. Learn more at berlinraceway.com.

2. Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition

In case you have not heard, the Gerald R. Ford Museum has a special exhibition dedicated to artist Michelangelo, known for his famous fresco “the creation of man” and his work on the Sistine Chapel. With special expertise and care, the ceiling paintings from the Sistine Chapel have been reproduced with licensed high definition photos. They are on display now through Oct. 22. According to the Ford Museum website: “While visitors to the Vatican Museums in Rome can marvel at these frescoes only from afar, ‘Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition’ now offers the opportunity to observe these masterpieces close up, in the form of reproductions.” After centuries of use, the paintings in the Chapel had become covered in such a thick layer of dust and soot, according to press materials, “and as a result of this deterioration the brilliance of the original luminous colors had all but disappeared.” This exhibition brings an entirely new perspective to this work by Michelangelo and acts as a form of art in its own right. Learn more at https://chapelsistine.com/exhibits/grand-rapids/.

1.Fulton Street Farmers Market, Friday, Saturday | 8AM-2PM, 1145 Fulton St E Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids’ oldest Farmers Market, operating since 1922, is back for another summer season. The Fulton Street Farmers Market features 118 outdoor booths and additional space for indoor booths. The market hosts an assortment of fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy, hand-crafted food items, and unique artisan products year-round. The summer season is underway now with expanded hours and days, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The Fulton Street Farmers Market is located at 1145 Fulton St. SE. Learn more at fultonstreetmarket.org. The Fulton Street Artisans Market opens June 12.

That’s it for now.

As always, I welcome your input and recommendations for events to include in my Top 5 list. If you have something for me to consider, just send me an email at michigangonzo@gmail.com.

Have a great, safe weekend.

John D. Gonzalez is a digital journalist with 30-plus years of experience as a food, travel, craft beer and arts & entertainment reporter based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He also co-hosts the radio show and Podcast “Behind the Mitten,” which airs at 6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM and FM. Follow him on his journey to discover what’s next. You can find him on Twitter as @MichiganGonzo, on Instagram @MichiganGonzo and Facebook at @GRGonzo. He also relaunched his YouTube Channel. Email him story ideas and tips at michigangonzo@gmail.com.