From Berlin
It’s been 16 years since Page Jones, son of 1963 Indianapolis winner Parnelli Jones, won a 30-lap USAC Sprint race at Berlin Raceway in Marne, Mich. The USAC AMSOIL Sprint Cars return to the historic 7/16-mile paved oval June 12 and another Jones will be among the featured drivers.
Levi Jones of Olney, Ill., like Parnelli a USAC champion, continues his defense of his 2009 title as he pilots the Tony Stewart Racing entry in the 2010 series.
Parnelli himself is among former USAC race winners at the Marne oval. Indianapolis 500 winner Mario Andretti and his son Jeff have both been victorious in USAC races there, as have USAC champions Rich Vogler, Gene Hartley, Bob Tattersall, Jimmy Davies, Norm Nelson, Don White, Bob Wente, Sam Sessions, Larry Dickson, Greg Weld, Rollie Beale, Bobby East, Tate Martz and Tony Elliott.
The June 12 racing program also features the USAC Regional Midgets and Mario Marietta of Indianapolis, Ind. could be among top threats for victory, having won races at Berlin the past two years.
Of the 175 USAC races contested in Michigan, 36 have been at Berlin Raceway. The June 12 event will mark the 14th Michigan appearance of the USAC Sprint Cars and the 17th appearance of the USAC Midgets in the Wolverine State. In addition, the USAC Stock Cars, Pro Fords and Ford Focus Midgets have all competed in Michigan.
One of the most proficient USAC Sprint drivers in the state of Michigan was Eric Gordon, who won three in a row at Berlin in 1990, 1991 and 1992. Gordon just scored an amazing ninth victory in the prestigious “Little 500” classic at Anderson, Ind. May 29.
Tickets are priced at $20, with kids 6-12 admitted for $5 and kids under 6 free. Michigan Auto Race Fans members will be admitted half-price ($10) with proof of membership and a special half-price ticket coupon will also be available at many Berlin Raceway sponsor locations in the area. A driver autograph session is planned and racing gets under way at 7 pm.