By T.J. Buffenbarger
1. This was my first visit to Berlin Raceway since the new grandstands, suites, and midway were constructed this spring. While Berlin was already a first class facility the recent upgrades lifts the Marne, Michigan oval into another level of quality. The view from the new stands is absolutely incredible and should make for a lot of happy fans during September’s SOD and World of Outlaws programs. Facilities aside I encountered plenty of friendly and helpful staff members along with the announcing staff keeping the fans entertained during down time. I was looking forward to the SOD/Outlaws weekend because it was a “home game” for me, but now I’m looking forward to seeing my adopted home track being discovered by dirt sprint car fans in September.
2. Brian Gerster was not sure if would be winning championships at this stage in his career. Ironically his second championship came with a former Rob Hoffman constructed car that has been coined as “Sea Biscuit” by car owner Dick Myers. Some may have viewed Gerster and Sea Biscuit ready for the scrap heap, but both are going strong and winning races in 2014.
3. When Troy DeCaire is on his game he is still as good as it gets on the blacktop. Berlin Raceway for whatever reason brings out the best in DeCaire as he gets through the tricky turns three and four using multiple lines as good as anyone we’ve ever seen. Watching DeCaire run through three and four at Berlin is worth the price of admission.
4. Berlin Raceway featured a 6:30 start time, had an on-track autograph session before the races started, and still managed to end the program early enough even after a fuel stop in the sprint car feature where kids where everywhere in the pit area getting autographs and sitting in cars.
5. Even with 15 cars both heat races featured some passing early in the race, which I often absent in preliminary events at times. Overall it was a highly entertaining night of racing with Must See Racing at Berlin Raceway.