Will Berlin produce another new 2023 winner?

By Ken de la Bastide

With four races completed this season the Kenyon Midget Series has seen four different winners. Two of the winners Kyle Ford and Colton Bettis visited victory lane for the first time. The series returns for the second time to the lightning fast Berlin Raceway where Ford turned in a dominant performance earlier by claiming fast time, heat and feature wins.

Former champion Aryton Houk will be making his first appearance at Berlin Raceway and has a win this season at the Indianapolis Speedrome. “It will be my first time at Berlin,” Houk said. “I watched the live stream and it looked like a lot of fun.” Houk said he expects the Kenyon Midgets to approach 100 miles per hour around the oval. “It looks like you have to roll through one and two and diamond off the fourth corner,' he said. Houk said he has discussed running Berlin with Ford and Jack Macenko. “I won't be too far back,” he said of learning the line at Berlin.

Kyle Sheard is coming off strong runs at Berlin and Anderson Speedway. “It was a decent run at Anderson,” he said. “I think we're capable of running in the top five and maybe top three at every race.” Sheard said he will be running a different car at Berlin this time. “The line really wasn't the problem at Berlin,” he said of the series first ever visit. “Nobody knew what to expect so everyone was pushing it.”

Clayton Gaines had a strong run going in the Don and Mel Kenyon Classic before contact with the outside retaining wall ended his night. “I just lost focus,' he said. “I entered the corner (turn 2) high.” Gaines said he knows the Berlin Raceway is fast track, one that could match his driving style. “I've been to the track in the past helping Aaron Pierce,” he said. “You can run full throttle through three and four and into one.” Gaines said he has discussed the Berlin set-up with Dameron Taylor.

The Anderson race saw a shake-up at the top of the point standings. Ford took over the top spot when Taylor dropped out early because of a mechanical failure. He leads Taylor by 23 points.

Leading rookie is Cash Wyke currently third in points followed by two other rookies Evan Hammond and John Robbins.

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The Kenyon Midget Series returns to Berlin Raceway on Saturday July 2, 2023. Racing starts at 6:30. Races will be live streamed by MAVTV on FloRacing