Track profile: Berlin Raceway

Berlin Raceway at first glance appears to be your typical short track, a paved oval slightly less than a half-mile in length.

In reality, for drivers, the 7/16-mile track in Marne, Michigan, is one of the toughest short tracks in the nation.

Berlin is classified as an oval even though its rounded straightaways give drivers the feel of a circle. There is no time for rest on the nine-degree banked straights before diving into the 13-degree corners.

Oh, and the backstretch wall? It does not exist. Which can be convenient as it relates to the damage cars could sustain hitting a wall, but the lack of a barrier often leads to drivers losing position as they slide into the grass.

Below is everything to know about Berlin Raceway, which begins its 72nd season of racing this Saturday with the annual running of the Icebreaker.

Berlin Raceway

Track Profile

Chester Mysliwiec and his family opened Berlin Raceway, located within the Berlin Fairgrounds, as a dirt track in 1951. In 1966, track was paved and configured as the 7/16-mile oval we recognize today. It was repaved in 1990.

Berlin had been hosting successful grass roots racing for 50 years when the West Michigan Whitecaps purchased the track in 2001 and invested in the infrastructure. The improvements included new restrooms, a sound system, private party areas, a catch fence and other amenities to ensure Berlin would remain the premier track in the Midwest and become the most fan-friendly.

The West Michigan Whitecaps in 2008 sold the the track to businessman Michael Blackmer, who after making even more structural improvements sold it to DBD Ventures in 2011.

In 2014, Berlin Raceway became Berlin Raceway and Entertainment Complex with a multi-million dollar facility upgrade and additional events like concerts and monster truck shows. Berlin became a NASCAR-sanctioned Home Track in 2016.

The sound of spring in West Michigan …@BerlinRaceway 🏁
Opening Day – April 16 pic.twitter.com/22d9tQpceH

– Jeff Striegle (@JeffStriegle) April 5, 2022

These days, Berlin hosts racing every Saturday night from April through September. The divisions include Super Late Models, Outlaw Late Models, Limited Late Models, Sportsman, 4 Cylinders, Vintage Racing and Mini Wedges.

The track has also hosted the ARCA Menards Series multiple times dating back to 1958, with Daniel Dye winning the most recent visit by the series to the track in 2021. The series is slated to return to Berlin in 2022 on June 18.

In addition, the track hosts a number of major late model races each season. It starts this Saturday with the annual running of the Icebreaker featuring the Super Late Model, Limited Late Model, Sportsman and 4 Cylinder divisions.

Other big events every year at Berlin include the Money in the Bank 150 on June 8 as well as the Battle at Berlin on Aug. 10.

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series competitor Carson Hocevar has won the last two Money in the Bank 150s while Kyle Crump is the defending winner of the Battle at Berlin.

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ARCA Menards Series races at Berlin Raceway