By Carol Haynes
Oswego, NY – The ISMA traveling super series has had a little time off from the Lee USA Classic 100 to rest before heading to Marne, Michigan’s Berlin Raceway. The Open Wheel Showdown sponsored by Engine Pro, looks to be an exciting one. Joining the ISMA winged supermodifieds will be the Xtreme Spring Series, USAC Midgets and
Model Coverall Modifieds.
The annual Open Wheel Showdown, presented by Engine Pro, is scheduled for September 25 and is a clear favorite amongst area fans, who flock to Berlin Raceway for the huge night of the fastest racing action in the state of Michigan.
Johnny Benson Jr. has also announced his intentions to compete at the 7/16th mile oval, behind the wheel of an ISMA SuperModified. Benson, who cut his teeth on Berlin Raceway’s asphalt, will make his first attempt driving a SuperModified at Berlin since his fiery crash in June of 2009 that sidelined the driver from racing competition. Johnny has no reservations about returning to the track and is anxious to try and return to Mountain Dew victory lane.
Berlin Raceway president Mike Blackmer recently added the Must See Xtreme Sprint Series to the Open Wheels Showdown’s racing lineup, and that has made race fans across the Midwest making plans to attend. The Must See Xtreme Sprint Series features the nation’s top drivers as it is the newest and most exciting open wheel shows to tour the Midwest. The inaugural ‘Must See Racing Invitational’ will mark the tour’s final stop before the long cold winter. Being coupled with the USAC Regional Midgets, ISMA SuperModifieds and the Model Coverall Modified Championship Night; this race will surely bring out the best of the best.
ISMA will bring the 2010 point title race into Berlin as Russ Wood has taken over the point lead by just 21 points after Lee USA’s Classic after Mike Lichty had held the top stop for most of the season. Wood is a five-time ISMA champion and has only recently returned full time to the ISMA tour after taking a short racing hiatus. He will prove a tough challenger to the young Canadian who is looking for his first title with just three events left on the ISMA 2010 schedule. Berlin’s event is followed by races at Seekonk (MA) and Thompson’s World Series of Racing finale in Connecticut.
Wood last won at Berlin in June of 1999 and had two prior wins at the Michigan asphalt oval in 1993 and 1994. Other ISMA winners at Berlin include Dave Shullick Sr., Joey Payne, Randy Ritskes, Lou Cicconi and the driver who has won the last five straight Berlin features, Chris Perley. The inaugural Berlin ISMA event in 1990 was won by racing legend Bentley Warren.
Pit gates open at Berlin at 1 pm with grandstands opening at 3 pm. Warm-ups begin at 2 pm with race time 7 pm.
Tickets are available for this event by going to www.berlinraceway.com or by calling 616-662-2051. Prices are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors 60+, $5 for kids 6-12 and kids 5 and under are free. For more information about the Open Wheel Showdown, please visit www.berlinraceway.