[S_Meekhof]

USAC/UMARA/WOMS Midgets

1. Mario Marrieta
2. Alison McLoed
3. Dallas Melby

Auto Value Super Sprints

1. Ryan Litt
2. Troy Underwood
3. Jeff Bloom

ISMA Supermods

1. Chris Perley
2. Russ Wood
3. Bobby Bond

all unoficial... was a great night of racing. I think there were 33 midgets there, Ricky Erghott (sp) was fastest in first session but blew up. Johnny Benson and Dave Shullick both blew up in the supermods before the races as well.

Stands were absolutely packed, cant wait for next years open wheel race allready.

:checkered::applaud::thumb

[Fred Zirzow]

September 27, 2008

Marietta, Litt and Perley claim victories
Marne, MI-- Berlin Raceway held the third annual Open Wheel Extravaganza and a packed house of over 5,200 fans were witness to some great open wheel racing. Taking home the trophies were Mario Marietta (USAC/UMARA/WOMS), Ryan Litt (Auto Value Super Sprints) and Chris Perley (ISMA Supermodified)

The triple-sanctioned USAC/UMARA/WOMS was the first feature to hit the track for a 25-lap feature; #28 Joe Lagauri and #4 Allison McLeod were on the front row. This class had trouble getting the race started as two cautions, the second of which turned in to red-flag conditions. The cars of #33 Pat Wilda, #19 Chris O'Connell and #5 Zach Schiff piled up in the turn 1 wall while #01 Jon Laski barrel-rolled; all drivers were OK. Once the race got a clean start, McLeod took off with the lead and started lapping cars on lap 8, but chopping in to her lead was the #85 of Mario Marietta. Caution was out again on lap 10 for the spinning cars of #21 Tom Fedorczyk and #2 Adam Kramer. After the restart, the top three cars broke away from the pack, but their progress was halted when caution was out again on lap 14 for a wreck in turn 3 involving #21 Dick Osborn and #11 Dan VanderMolen. Marietta had been challenging McLeod for the lead and after battling on restarts, Marietta got around McLeod on lap 19. Marietta went on to win and the rest of the top ten were McLeod, #51 Dallas Melby, #26 Alfred Galdridge, #77 Brian Olson, #28 Joe Lagauri, #11 David Gough, #5 Zach Schiff, #36 Jim Anderson and #54 Danielle Dickson.

The Auto Value Super Sprints 30-lap feature rolled next with #99 Mike Ling and #4 Troy Underwood on the front row. Underwood took the lead and by lap five, the entire field was single-file. Underwood had encountered lapped traffic on lap 17 and that's when #07 Ryan Litt capitalized on the situation. Litt passed Underwood for the lead and quickly established a 3 second lead. With three laps to go, the #22 of Derek Snyder spun and bunched the field back up for the final restart of the night. Litt got an excellent restart and in three laps, he won the race by 4.561 seconds and only six cars finished on the lead lap. Completing the top ten were: Underwood, #26 Jeff Bloom, #46 Jim Swain, #07 Jeff Banyas, #99x Sondi Eden, #3A Mike Astrauskas, #24 Bill Tyler, #42 Jason Blonde and #69 Davey Brown.

Starting on the front row of the ISMA Supermodified feature were #02 Brandon Bellinger and #9 Danny Lane. As soon as the green flag was shown, the yellow was also displayed. #84 Mike Lichty's car lost power and was slow on the frontstretch. After a complete restart, Bellinger lead the field, but caution was out again on lap 3; the #3 of Doug Didero went off of the backstretch. #97 Robbie Summers took the lead shortly after the restart, but that was short-lived as #29 Russ Wood grabbed the lead on lap 8. Wood started to check out and began to put cars a lap down on lap 17. Caution was out again on lap 17, Lichty car was slow and leaking fluid. On the restart, #11 Chris Perley began to challenge Wood for the lead and it took him 14 laps to take the lead. With 10 laps to go, the field was single file and spread out, but when Didero spun in turn two, he brought out the caution and the field got bunched back up. Perley got a great restart, quickly put space between himself and Wood and got the win. Wood came in second and the rest of the top ten were #25 Bobby Bond, #78 Mark Sammut, #35 Jeff Holbrook, #92 Larry Lehnert, #9 Danny Lane, #70 Dave Trytek, Bellinger and Didero.

[LRP36]

FRom Dick Jordan: Mario Marietta captured the 25 lap USAC Regional/WOMS/UMARA midget feature at Berlin Raceway Saturday night.

USAC REGIONAL MIDGET CAR SERIES RACE RESULTS: September 27, 2008 - Marne, Michigan - Berlin Raceway

QUALIFYING: 1. Brian Olson, 77, Olson-16.260; 2. Jim Anderson, 36, Guess-16.264; 3. David Gough, 11G, Gough-16.320; 4. Mario Marietta, 85, Marietta-16.335; 5. Dallas Melby, 51, Melby-16.345; 6. James Robertson, 3, Steele-16.393; 7. Alison MacLeod, 4, East-16.394; 8. Joe Liguori, 28, Owen-16.400; 9. Alfred Galedrige Jr., 26, Galedrige-16.539; 10. Tom Schnabel, 20s, Schnabel-16.665; 11. Zach Schiff, 5, East-16.736; 12. Adam Kramer, 2, Kramer-16.747; 13. Doug Dietsch, 0, Dietsch-16.806; 14. Patrick Wilda, 33w, Wilda-16.827; 15. Tom Fedorczyk, 21, Fedorczyk-16.833; 16. Aaron Shroad, 48, Shroad-17.026; 17. Nick Wagner, 93, Wagner-17.130; 18. Danielle Dickson, 54, Perona/Cunningham-17.152; 19. Phil Rutledge, 97R, Rutledge-17.167; 20. Kim Hughes, 6z, Lefere-17.261; 21. Eric Johnson, 82, Johnson-17.391; 22. Jon Laski, 01, Laski-17.412; 23. Dick Vandermolen, 11, Vandermolen-17.423; 24. Chris O'Connell, 19, O'Connell-17.435; 25. Dick Osborn, 21x, Osborn-17.519; 26. Dave Troyer, 23, Troyer-17.534; 27. Ed Wasserman, 9, Wasserman-17.538; 28. Mark Overpeck, 21m, Overpeck-17.652; 29. Terry Ahern, 4T, Ahern-18.206; 30. Billy Hulbert, 20x, Schnabel-18.349; 31. Jack Troyer, 78, Troyer-18.465; 32. Ricky Ehrgott, 8, Rev 1-NT; 33. Aaron Andruskevitch, 5x, Domark-NT.

FIRST HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Robertson, 2. Kramer, 3. Dickson, 4. Galedrige, 5. Gough, 6. Overpeck, 7. Johnson, 8. Fedorczyk, 9. O'Connell. 2:17.70

SECOND HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Anderson, 2. Melby, 3. Liguori, 4. Wilda, 5. Schiff, 6. Vandermolen, 7. Hughes, 8. Wasserman, 9. Schnabel, 10. Wagner. 2:19.22

THIRD HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Hulbert, 2. Marietta, 3. MacLeod, 4. Shroad, 5. Dietsch, 6. Rutledge, 7. Olson, 8. D.Troyer, 9. Ahern. 2:20.57

FEATURE: (25 laps) 1. Mario Marietta, 2. Alison MacLeod, 3. Dallas Melby, 4. Alfred Galedrige Jr., 5. Brian Olson, 6. Joe Liguori, 7. David Gough, 8. Zach Schiff, 9. Jim Anderson, 10. Danielle Dickson, 11. Eric Johnson, 12. Aaron Shroad, 13. Phil Rutledge, 14. Dick Osborn, 15. Billy Hulbert, 16. Terry Ahern, 17. James Robertson, 18. Dave Troyer, 19. Mark Overpeck, 20. Dick Vandermolen, 21. Patrick Wilda, 22. Adam Kramer, 23. Tom Fedorczyk, 24. Tom Schnabel, 25. Doug Dietsch, 26. Nick Wagner, 27. Jon Laski, 28. Chris O'Connell. NT

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-18 MacLeod, Laps 19-25 Marietta.

[Clydesdale]

How many super modifieds and sprint cars where there?

[LRP36]

From AVSS: The Auto Value Bumper to Bumper SuperSprint stars were out 21 strong at Berlin Raceway park. 19 cars started the feature. Mike Ling (99) and (4) Troy Underwood brought the field to the green flag.

After an early caution on lap two with (7) Chris Hettinger, the string of cars started again with (4) Troy Underwood leading the pack. (99) Mike Ling, (46) Jim Swain,(07L) Litt and (22) Snyder stayed in pursuit of the leader Underwood.

On lap 17 with 3 cars down one lap, Litt made a move on the backstretch to make the lead change over car #4. (07L) Now in first spot carries the pack to lap 27 where the second and final caution of the night stops Derek Snyer(22) from a top 5 finish. With the field back underway Litt takes three fast laps to victory circle.

The remaining top 5 were (4) Underwood, (26) Bloom, (46) Swain and (07B) Banyas. Sondi Eden (99x)taking 4th quick at qualifications, finished a strong 6th.(3A) Astrauskas 7th, (24) Tyler 8th, (42) Blonde 9th, and (69) Davey Brown Finished 10th.

Results:

Qualifications
1. (22) Derek Snyder 12.849; 2. (07B) Jeff Banyas 13.048 ; 3. (07L) Ryan Litt 13.277; 4. (99x) Sondi Eden 13.278; 5. (7) Chris Hettinger 13.358; 6. (26) Jeff Bloom 13.379; 7. (46) Jim Swain 13.554; 8. (70) Dennis Craft 13.575; 9. (4) Troy Underwood 13.594; 10. (99) Mike Ling 13.598; 11. (37) Hank Lower 13.618; 12. (75) Ike Beasley 13.656; 13. (24) Bill Tyler 13.674; 14. (42) Jason Blonde 13.678; 15. (3A) Mike Astrauskas 13.784; 16. (98F) Kevin Feeney 13.787; 17. (44) Teddy Alberts 13.858; 18. (10) Ryan Davis 15.171; 19. (69) Davey Brown 18.223; 20. (20K) Kyle Flint DNQ; 21. (23) Scott O'Connor DNQ.

United Trailers Heat Race One Results. 1. Litt; 2. Underwood; 3. Swain; 4. Lower; 5. Hettinger; 6. Snyder; 7. Brown; 8. Astrauskas; 9. Tyler.

Dowker Engines Heat Race Two Results 1. Blonde; 2. Ling; 3. Bloom; 4. Banyas; 5. Eden; 6. Alberts; 7. Craft; 8. Beasley; 9. Flint DNS.

Auto Value Bumper to Bumper Feature Finish

1. (07L) Litt; 2. (4) Underwood; 3. (26) Bloom; 4. (46) Swain; 5. (07B) Banyas; 6. (99X) Sondi Eden; 7. (3A) Astrauskas 8.(24) Tyler; 9. (42) Blonde; 10. (69) Brown; 11. (10) Davis; 12. (22) Snyder; 13. (44) Alberts; 14. (37) Lower; 15. (99) Ling; 16. (70) Craft; 17. (75) Beasley; 18. (7) Hettinger; 19. (20k) Flint. 20. (98F) Feeney DNS; 21. (23) O'Connor DNS.

Continue to log on to the FASTEST SHORT TRACK SHOW CARS IN THE WORLD. THE AUTO VALUE BUMPER TO BUMPER SUPERSPRINTS AT www. Supersprints.com.

[LRP36]

From Carol Haynes: Marne, MI - Saturday was a perfect fall day for racing in Michigan, but Chris Perley's day started with a stomach virus. He spent most of the day trying to rest and recover in the confines of a busy pit, but despite the ailment he was able to muster up just enough energy to bring home his fourth straight Berlin Raceway win.

Three-time Berlin winner Russ Wood was the man to beat for Perley on the track. Wood took over the lead on lap 8 and looked to be a sure winner, but even Wood knew Perley was out there somewhere. By lap 30, the 11 was right on the tail of the 29. In two laps, the lead switched and never switched back despite trepidations from both the winner and the pursuer.

"I thought for sure Russ would be back because we kept getting tighter and tighter," said Chris in victory lane. "I thought I was going to lose it at the end. I didn't know how close he was. I really laid low today. I tried to get a little bit of rest. I certainly don't feel good but these guys give me an awesome car so I can't give up on them at any time. I just gave it everything I had and we were lucky enough to come out on top tonight.

"Today it seemed like such a chore to just get in the car and get hooked up. After the heat I was worn out. I didn't know how I was going to make 50 laps. I guess I had enough adrenaline to get me going and keep me going. The car was tight most of the time, which made it easier for me to drive. I didn't think I would have enough for Woody. When I got by him I expected him to come back by me. I thought we had slowed up, but we held on.

"Thanks to all the fans who came out to watch. I hope it was a decent race to watch. I love coming to Berlin. It's been a great track for me. It's a blast running here. I wish we'd had a little more competition and that Johnny (Benson) had made it with his new car. But, I'll take what I got and again thanks to everybody for coming out."

Second place finisher Wood, who continues to be Perley's keenest competition, knew that nothing would keep Perley from being his challenger once in the lead.

"We had a really good car again tonight. The guys did a really good job. I was watching the scoreboard. I knew he was coming. When you see the camera flashes, you know he's there. I was getting loose, trying to hang in there. I knew Chris was going to get me. I'm happy to finish second. I'd like to thank all the fans for coming out tonight and Randy Sweet of Sweet Manufacturing for helping us out all the time and to Doc Hathaway who does a really good job on the car. We're happy with tonight's results."

Bob Bond took over the third spot late in the going from Jeff Holbrook for his best ISMA finish to date.

"It was a good run. We just took our time. The car was good getting in and we were loose getting off. It was a little tight coming off four probably like everybody was. Jeff was kind of running a tough groove. I was faster getting in and I finally squeezed underneath him there going into three. I think everybody was getting a littler slower as I got faster. I was just getting the hang of the track. This is a great crowd here tonight. I'm glad to see them all. I hope they enjoyed the show and hope they come back next year."

Early attrition shortened an already shorter than normal field, when Johnny Benson Jr. and Dave Shullick Jr. both had engine problems in their cars. But when the green flag dropped, the remaining cars showed they had come to race. Brandon Bellinger put the 02 out front at the start but things slowed on lap 3 when Doug Didero's 3 slid off the backstretch. A rash of pit stops followed while Didero was brought back onto the track.

Rob Summers took over the lead from Bellinger on lap 4 and pulled away, but moving up quickly was Russ Wood to take over on lap 8.

As Wood began to pull away from Summers, and the racing began to sort out, Mike Ordway Jr. called it a day after something caused the 41 car to handle so badly that he pulled pit side.

Yellow fell again on lap 17 when the 84 of Mike Lichty stopped out front with steam pouring from his car. An errant radiator hose was the cause and Lichty was able to make a quick repair and return. Unfortunately during the same yellow Summers pitted and repitted for good.

Out front Perley used the restart to grab off second from Jeff Holbrook as Danny Lane and Mark Sammut waited in the wings right behind.

The Wood-Perley duel was heated as the race approached and passed the halfway mark. Holbrook, Lane, Bob Bond, Larry Lehnert, Doug Didero and Mike Lichty were the next in line.

On lap 32, after many attempts at an outside pass, Perley was able to complete the maneuver, taking the lead from Wood off turn four. Behind, Bond just getting used to the new venue for him, was on the move getting by Lane after a spirited battle for the fourth place spot. Mark Sammut was also moving up the scoreboard when Doug Didero brought out his second yellow. This time Didero did not return as the field bunched for the final 9 laps.

On lap 43, Bond finally made good on his try for third putting Holbrook back a notch and one lap later Sammut took away fourth from the 35. Jeff said later, "I did not need that last caution. I was solidly in third and when that caution came out I was loose and I knew somebody would be coming. But, we had a pretty good weekend. I was hoping Russell would win. But Chris Perley is Chris Perley so I'm happy. We did good."

Perley was a lap car out front of Wood at the checkered as Bond, Sammut and Holbrook held their ground in the top five.

Sammut said of his top five, "Our car was off all day. We were so loose right from the time we got here. We kept tightening it but we still didn't get it tight enough for the feature. But there it was the best it had been all day. I just ran around and drove my own car. I didn't have anything for the 11 or 29. But I think we were pretty much as good as everybody else. Maybe in another few laps we might have gotten the 25 but maybe not. It's one thing to catch them and another thing to go by. Considering how bad the day started out and how it ended, I'm more than happy to finish fourth."

Larry Lehnert, Danny Lane, Dave Trytek, Brandon Bellinger and Doug Didero rounded out the top ten.

Summary Heat 11: Dave Trytek, Danny Lane, Mike Lichty, Dave McKnight, Chris Perley, Jeff Holbrook, Bobby Bond, Larry Lehnert

Heat 2: Rob Summers, Mike Ordway Jr., Russ Wood, Mark Sammut, Brandon Bellinger, Doug Didero, Mike Ordway Sr.

DNS: Johnny Benson Jr. (21), Dave Shullick Jr. (61)

ISMA-Berlin 50: 1. Chris Perley (11), 2. Russ Wood (29), 3. Bobby Bond (25), 4. Mark Sammut (78), 5. Jeff Holrbook (35), 6. Larry Lehnert (92), 7. Danny Lane (5), 8. Dave Trytek (70), 9. Brandon Bellinger (02), 10. Doug Didero (3), 11. Mike Lichty (84), 12. Dave McKnight (94), 13. Mike Ordway Sr. (74), 14. Rob Summers (97), 15. Mike Ordway Jr. (41).