Berlin will bring high speed thrills
By Ken de la Bastide
When the Kenyon Midget Series travels to Berlin Raceway in Marne, Michigan it will be the biggest track the competitors have ever raced on. The D-shaped track, just under a half-mile, features wide sweeping corners with two well defined racing lines. There is the low grove, but the track is wide enough and with enough banking to make two-wide racing possible.
The Kenyon Midget Series will be visiting the Berlin speedplant twice this year in conjunction with the 500 Sprint Car Tour and both events will be broadcast on Flo Racing.
Veteran competitor Dameron Taylor agreed that the Berlin oval is the biggest the series has raced on with the Columbus (OH) oval a close second. His father, Tim, raced at the Berlin track when he was competing with the American Speed Association in a full-bodied stock car.
“We've talked about the track surface and entry points going into the corner,” Dameron said. “I think I'll be alright. I raced some bigger tracks in a full sized Midget on the East Coast.” Taylor said the track has sweeping corners and should be fast for the Kenyon Midgets. “Everyone was nervous when we went to Shady Bowl because it was so fast,” he said. “But you could throw a blanket over the field after qualifying.”
Taylor is also planning to compete in the 500 Sprint Car Tour event as a tune-up for the next Anderson Speedway race.
Ford said he's looking forward to racing on the bigger track. “Oval wise this will be the biggest track I've ever competed at,” he said. “I have watched a few videos. The track is really fast and I think who ever gets off the fourth corner the best will have the best chance of winning. I think there could be some drafting.” Ford said it appears the line through the corners is about a lane or two up from the bottom. “It'll get your adrenaline pumping,” he said.
Rookie Evan Hammond is preparing for the weekend and excited about racing at Berlin. “The start of the season has been a little rocky,” he said. “But I'm pretty happy with the way things are going. I've been fast. I'm looking to improve the rest of the season.” Hammond has only seen a picture of the Berlin oval on Google maps. “It looks super fast and there is banking in the corners,” he said. “You'll get to stretch your legs.”
There is one certainty that will come out of the Berlin race, a new point leader. After two races Aryton Houk is leading Dameron Taylor in the overall standings by four points with Kyle Ford 71 points back. But Houk will not be competing at Berlin.
Dezi Pedergon is fourth and leads the battle for rookie of the year by 11 points over John Robbins with Cash Wyke another 17 points back.
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The Kenyon Midget Series races at Berlin Raceway on Saturday June 10, with races starting at 6:30. Live streaming by MAVTV on FloRacing.
The series will return to Berlin for a second time on Saturday July 22.