The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

ASA ACDelco Series Returns to Berlin Speedway

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

July 10, 2001

Series will make 36th appearance at .438-mile Michigan oval

PENDLETON, Ind. - After a one-year absence from one of the traditional stops on the ASA ACDelco Series schedule, a return to Berlin (MI) Raceway on Friday, July 13 and Saturday, July 14. The tires.com 300 presented by BFGoodrich Tires is ASA ’s 36th appearance at the .438-mile oval located just west of Grand Rapids (MI) and is the only 2001 ASA visit to the state of Michigan.

“We are excited to welcome tires.com and Discount Tire Company to a second event entitlement promotion,” said ASA Vice President of Sales and Marketing Mark Gundrum. “ASA’s return to Berlin has already drawn a great deal of attention and with the promotion and sponsorship support of tires.com and BFGoodrich Tires, we expect our visit to the Grand Rapids area to be one of our marquee events this year.”

One of ASA’s all-time greats is equally excited about returning to Berlin Raceway. “I have always enjoyed racing at Berlin,” said seven-time ASA National Champion Mike Eddy. “I’ve been competitive every time we’ve raced at Berlin and the track has been ver y good to me.”

The Midland (MI) native, who drives the Meijer Chevrolet racked up 11 victories at Berlin Raceway, including four consecutive victories while sweeping the 1990 and 1991 events.

On Friday, July 13, ASA practice begins at 11 a.m., with qualifications taking center stage at 4 p.m. The Berlin Sportsmen 25-lap race goes green at 7 p.m., with the ASA 100-lap qualifier race starting at 8:30 p.m. On Saturday, ASA’s exclusive on-track aut ograph session is scheduled for 7 p.m., with pre-race ceremonies starting at 8:15. The tires.com 300 presented by BFGoodrich Tires begins at 9 p.m.

Mike Miller, driving the Jani-King Pontiac, won the most recent event at Berlin in August of 1999. The former Wisconsin resident paced the field on five different occasions for a total of 150 circuits in the 300-lap affair. Miller grabbed the lead for the final time on lap 290 from Mike Garvey and cruised to his second consecutive triumph on the oval. Following the leaders across the stripe were Tim Sauter, Dave Sensiba and Bob Senneker.

Eddy sits atop the list of all-time ASA victories at Berlin Raceway with 11 to his credit. Senneker has captured seven wins. Johnny Benson Jr. has four wins at the challenging .438-mile oval and Butch Miller has recorded three. Benson, the 1993 ASA Nationa l Champion, has recorded six pole positions, with Butch Miller also nabbing six fast qualifier awards.

Tickets for the tires.com 300 presented by BFGoodrich Tires are available through the ASA office and are $20 for a general admission ticket. Qualifying day tickets are $10 each. Children 12 and younger are admitted free with a paying adult. Additional info rmation is available through the ASA ticket line, 1-888-ASA-1020. VISA and MasterCard are accepted for ticket orders.

Text provided by Jeremy Troiano

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot photos and racing art, please visit The Racing Image Galleries and The Visions of Speed Art Gallery

.