Crucial trio of races on tap in Michigan
(Aaron Skillman photo)
By Ken de la Bastide
For the first time in the history of the Kenyon Midget Series there will be three races at two different venues on consecutive days. The series returns to pavement action Friday when the series visits Kalamazoo Speedway for the first time and then back-to-back features at Berlin Raceway.
Last year Kyle Ford and Aryton Houk scored wins at Berlin.
Current point leader Ryan Huggler has never competed at either venue and has a 49-point lead over Evan Hammond. “We were going to Berlin for one of the races last year, but then didn't make the trip,” Huggler said. “I've never been to Berlin, but I talked to several drivers about the track.”
He is more excited about racing at Kalamazoo Speedway, which is similar to Anderson Speedway. “Obviously we're going up there to win,” Huggler said. “We'll try to keep our nose clean and come away with some good finishes. I like the bigger ovals because of the speed,” he said of Berlin Raceway.
Kyle Sheard last year finished second at one of the Berlin races and also captured the K&K Marketing fast time award. He managed a sixth place at the other Berlin race. “Berlin is my favorite track,” Sheard said. “I'm also excited about going to Kalamazoo. I'm looking forward to the three races.”
Sheard who has suffered two DNF's this season is hoping the Michigan trio of races will help him gain ground in the championship point standings. “Hopefully we can do some good this weekend,” he said. “I think I have an advantage having raced there before. We have the set-ups.”
Buddy Hollmeyer is coming off a second place finish at Circle City Raceway and a year ago recorded top-ten finishes at the two Berlin races. “It's exciting,” he said of the three races in one weekend. “Right now I'm more comfortable in the car and hoping to get my first top five finishes on asphalt this weekend. I'm excited about going back to Berlin and I think Kalamazoo is similar to Anderson,” Hollmeyer said. “The strategy is to finish each race and bring the car home in one piece.”
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The Kenyon Midget Series races at Kalamazoo Speedway on Friday August 23, and at Berlin Raceway on Saturday August 24. Both races will be live streamed on DIRTVision.