Posted on by Adam Fenwick

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

Berlinlogo 4

Berlin Raceway

Track Berlin Raceway
Location Marne, Michigan
Opened 1951
Layout Oval
Surface Asphalt
Length 7/16 mile
Banking 13 degrees in turns; nine degrees in straightaways

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.

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.

FOLLOW BERLIN: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

ARCA Menards Series races at Berlin Raceway

Year Date Series Winner Complete Results
2021 07-17-2021 ARCA Menards Series Daniel Dye Results
2018 08-25-2018 ARCA Menards Series Joe Graf Jr. Results
2017 07-01-2017 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East (Now ARCA Menards Series East) Todd Gilliland Results
2016 08-06-2016 ARCA Menards Series Dalton Sargeant Results
2015 08-08-2015 ARCA Menards Series Grant Enfinger Results
2014 08-09-2014 ARCA Menards Series Grant Enfinger Results
2013 08-10-2013 ARCA Menards Series Erik Jones Results
2012 08-11-2012 ARCA Menards Series Chris Buescher Results
2011 07-09-2011 ARCA Menards Series Matt Merrell Results
2010 08-07-2010 ARCA Menards Series Joey Coulter Results
2009 07-25-2009 ARCA Menards Series Justin Lofton Results
2008 07-26-2008 ARCA Menards Series Scott Speed Results
2007 07-07-2007 ARCA Menards Series Brian Keselowski Results
2006 07-15-2006 ARCA Menards Series Brian Keselowski Results
2005 07-16-2005 ARCA Menards Series Joey Miller Results
2004 07-03-2004 ARCA Menards Series Frank Kimmel Results
2003 05-24-2003 ARCA Menards Series Frank Kimmel Results
2002 07-20-2002 ARCA Menards Series Fred Campbell Results
2001 09-22-2001 ARCA Menards Series Tim Steele Results
2000 07-15-2000 ARCA Menards Series Tim Steele Results
1999 07-10-1999 ARCA Menards Series Frank Kimmel Results
1986 08-02-1986 ARCA Menards Series Bob Keselowski Results
1973 08-17-1973 ARCA Menards Series Bob Senneker N/A
1970 07-03-1970 ARCA Menards Series Ramo Scott N/A
1968 05-29-1968 ARCA Menards Series Andy Hampton N/A
1964 09-04-1964 ARCA Menards Series Iggy Katona N/A
1962 06-29-1962 ARCA Menards Series Harold Smith N/A
1960 06-24-1960 ARCA Menards Series Don White N/A
1959 06-12-1959 ARCA Menards Series Bob James N/A
1959 05-15-1959 ARCA Menards Series Bob James N/A
1958 09-12-1958 ARCA Menards Series Nelson Stacey N/A
1958 07-25-1958 ARCA Menards Series Les Snow N/A
Posted on by Staff Report

LEE, N.H. – Kevin Rice, auto racing reporter for Area Auto Racing News, is boosting the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour purse for the Granite State Derby at Lee USA Speedway on May 21 by selling lap money.

With the addition of the funds, the total purse for the Granite State Derby 175 alone will push over $115,000.

Each lap is a minimum of $100 to purchase, with half of the money going to the leader of that specific lap and the other half to a random top-10 car. Laps are available for the first 100 green flag laps of the race. If a driver was to lead all of the first 100 green flag laps, they would go home with more than $5,000 in just lap money alone. Multiple laps have already been purchased for more than $100 and more are expected. Caution laps will not see any lap money distributed.

Anyone interested in purchasing a lap should contact Kevin Rice directly at [email protected] for more information.

“When I spoke with NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour car owner Danny Watts and he went over some of the costs associated with racing this year, it really spoke volumes to me,” Kevin Rice, who has been collecting bonus awards for many years, said. “We need to help these teams to get through the 2022 season. The lap money gives fans, businesses and those in the racing industry a chance to help, while also continuing to add to the anticipation for the Whelen Modified Tour return to New Hampshire’s Center of Speed next month.”

The race itself will serve as the first of three in the Whelen Granite State Short Track Cup.

Nocella Paving has also posted a $1,000 award to the highest finishing driver in the race that has never been to Victory Lane in a NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race. Carl Rice has posted a $300 bonus award to the highest finishing father in the 175-lap race. Anyone who would like to post an additional award outside of lap money may also do so by contacting Rice.

Upon purchasing each lap, purchasers will have the chance to pick what they would like the lap to say. Most have selected to purchase laps in memory of others, while some have put their business name. A full list of laps that are currently taken is available at jdvproductions.com/granite-state-derby.

“The opportunity to remember some of the best in the sport who have passed, such as Venetta Narducci, who we recently lost to cancer, is a good feeling and is a big part of this,” Rice said. “Venetta was an amazing woman, who not only embraced everyone she ever met, but she also helped keep race teams on track, just like we are trying to do with this bonus money.”

The inaugural Granite State Derby at Lee USA Speedway will take place on Saturday, May 21. The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will headline the day with their 175-lap race, returning to the New Hampshire oval for the first time since 1998. The race will serve as the fourth event of the season for NASCAR’s oldest touring series. On top of the Whelen Modified Tour, fans will be able to see countless other divisions, with just about every type of race car a fan could ask for.

“We’re excited to see Kevin and all of the fans and businesses adding to the bonus funds to give back to the dedicated teams of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour,” Josh Vanada, owner of JDV Productions, said. “We are always happy to reward the teams who commit to racing in one of the toughest divisions in the whole country. With the strategy element and tire conservation that often plays a major role in racing at Lee, drivers will now have more incentive than ever to race as hard as possible to collect the extra cash in the pot.”

The Granite State Pro Stock Series will be joined by the NHSTRA Mini Stocks in a Battle For The Belt race, the NEMA Lites and Pro 4 Modifieds as house divisions. Racing will begin at 2:45 p.m. and last into the evening, capped off by the Granite State Derby 175.

Tickets are available in advance today by visiting JDVProductions.com, where fans can also purchase tickets to the JDV Experience – a behind the scenes view with a private autograph session, inspection tour, marquee seating and more.

Posted on by Zack Albert

NASCAR officials fined Ty Gibbs $15,000 for a behavioral violation Tuesday for hitting another competitor’s car on pit road after Friday night’s Xfinity Series race at Martinsville Speedway.

Gibbs was shuffled out of contention in a final overtime attempt in Friday’s Call 811 Before You Dig 250, handing the race victory to teammate Brandon Jones and the $100,000 Dash 4 Cash bonus to AJ Allmendinger. Gibbs took out his frustration on the No. 1 JR Motorsports Chevrolet of rival Sam Mayer, delivering bumper contact on the cool-down lap that spilled over to pit road. The two emerged from their cars and fought before officials separated them.

The bumping from Gibbs’ No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota occurred while crews, officials and other personnel were waiting for the cars to stop on Martinsville’s tight pit lane post-race. The violation fell under the heading of Section 4.3.A&E (NASCAR Member Conduct) and Section 8.8.8 (Crew member/Servicing) in the NASCAR Rule Book.

RELATED: Gibbs, Mayer spar at Martinsville | Backseat Drivers debate

Both Gibbs and Mayer were also summoned to the Xfinity Series officials’ hauler for a consultation after Friday night’s event. They went their separate ways after a 10-minute talk.

The No. 54 JGR team was also penalized after the car was found with a single unsecured lug nut after Friday’s race. Crew chief Chris Gayle was fined $5,000.

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

NASCAR officials also issued four-week suspensions Tuesday to three members of the Richard Childress Racing No. 2 team in the Xfinity Series for a ballast violation at Martinsville.

The safety infraction fell under Section 10.5.2.5.F, which relates to the “loss or separation of added ballast from the vehicle.” As a result, the following crew members were suspended for the next four races: crew chief Jeff Stankiewicz, car chief Kris McCabe and engineer Sam Bowers.

The violation occurred during Thursday practice, before Friday’s race. Sheldon Creed started fifth and finished 30th.

RELATED: Martinsville race results | Xfinity Series schedule

There were no penalties stemming from Saturday’s Cup Series event at Martinsville. Competition officials announced post-race the No. 10 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford and the No. 43 Petty GMS Motorsports Chevrolet would be taken back to the NASCAR Research & Development Center for further inspection.

Posted on by Bozi Tatarevic

Editor’s note: Bozi Tatarevic is a professional racing mechanic and pit-crew member. He will provide technical analysis for NASCAR.com throughout the 2022 season.

The NASCAR Next Gen car is set to race on dirt for the first time later this week at Bristol Motor Speedway, and like the previous generation car, it required some changes in order to make the shift from pavement to dirt. Most of these changes are pretty straightforward with the ultimate goal of not collecting dirt on body panels and suspension components.

Bozi Tatarevic
Bozi Tatarevic

Rules Bulletin No. 8 was released a couple of weeks ago, and it jumped into many details of what the specs would look like for dirt racing with the Next Gen car. The first updates are seen in the safety section and show us our first view of some of the unique components for the Bristol dirt race. One such example is the panel that sits below the engine, so the rules have been updated to add specific wording and diagram on how that engine panel must be tethered to the chassis, including the specific anchors that must be used.

Dirtdebrisshields

An array of approved parts has also been added to the “Dirt Event Debris Shields” section under rule 14.6, which lists approved panels that must come from Fibreworks, along with shims and mounts that teams may supply on their own. In addition to the parts list, updates have been added for specific changes related to the underwing and diffuser, including parts that will be omitted for dirt events, such as the diffuser flap cable, diffuser flap assembly and diffuser scoop extension panel.

Exitshroud

As many of the composite parts used for the rest of the schedule are being replaced with metal pieces for dirt events, there is now also an added clause stating that “deburring and breaking sharp edges will be permitted within reason on all metal parts” as tied to internal heat shielding and bracing. In addition to those changes, additional shielding will be permitted from the front firewall forward to prevent mud and dirt from collecting in the engine bay.

Screens will also be permitted for rocker box vents and rear wheel tub vent. The exhaust exit shrouds must be mounted on the inside of the rocker boxes versus their typical mounting on the outside, which is likely to prevent dirt catching on them. The final update will be welcomed by fans of color-matched side skirts and rocker boxes as it states “paint or vinyl will be permitted on the outside vertical surface of the rocker boxes” for dirt events.

On the suspension side, another rule has also been added in that section that will allow spring bags to be installed on the damper assembly for dirt events. Installing spring bags is likely being allowed because it would prevent dirt from getting behind the springs and inside the dampers as it would fully cover them.

RELATED: Full Bristol Motor Speedway schedule 

Dirt event details have been added to the vehicle inspection measurement pages as well, and as with other races, the wheelbase specification is 110 inches. However, for dirt, the allowable tolerances have been adjusted by a few tenths of an inch specifically for that surface, but the upper and lower limits remain within less than an inch of each other.

The other update is in the ground clearance section that states skid blocks, commonly called rub blocks, must be removed for all dirt events. A cover plate that is 0.125 inches thick must be added in lieu of the skid blocks to protect the recovery strap location and conical receiver reference surface.

Most of these components were tested and validated at Lancaster Speedway last year and finalized in the months since then. Once the final package was assembled, the test car was sent to Bristol with Stewart Friesen behind the wheel again and tested in conditions similar to what we will see in the race in order to confirm the parts and pieces.

In addition to the components that were previously approved, replacing the windshield with a mesh screen was also tested but not chosen at this time due to the requirement for more research from the safety side and the likelihood of having to build some type of deflection cover for the driver’s hands. 

The Next Gen car looked very much at home on the dirt at Bristol as Friesen tested, and initial videos appear to show the Cup car has picked up some speed over what we saw last year. That wouldn’t be surprising considering the range of adjustments available with the new car, especially when it comes to the independent rear suspension. Seeing a full field of Next Gen cars on the dirt this weekend should provide for a great show as drivers try to slide their way to a victory.


Posted on by Zack Albert

Alex Bowman helped out at the NASCAR Hall of Fame on Tuesday to pull the wraps off the retro-look No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet he’ll drive at Darlington Raceway next month. The car pays tribute to one of the Hall of Fame’s own — Class of 2017 inductee Mark Martin.

The No. 48 Ally Chevrolet will shift from its traditional purple hues to a red, white and blue look for the Goodyear 400 on May 8 (3:30 p.m. ET, FS1, MRN, SiriusXM), the main event for the annual NASCAR Throwback Weekend tripleheader. The design takes its inspiration from Martin’s 1993 victory in the Southern 500, the track’s long-running Labor Day classic.

Bowman recalled first meeting Martin at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 2013, Martin’s last season in the NASCAR Cup Series. In the years since, he’s become better acquainted with Martin’s place in the sport’s history, telling his story through his interviews and podcast appearances. He also said Martin has kept in touch with him during his more recent visits to the track, always taking time to say hello – “which blows my mind,” Bowman says.

RELATED: See more of Bowman’s scheme | Cup Series standings | Buy Darlington tickets

“To me, it’s just really cool to be able to throw back to a guy like that,” Bowman said. “There aren’t many racers left. And it’s cool to be able to throw back to an era where he was so on the mechanical side of things just like he was on the driver’s side of things.”

2022 April12 Alex Bowman 2 Main Image
Zack Albert | NASCAR Digital Media

Bowman said he first mentioned the No. 48 tribute to Martin during the race weekend at the Circuit of The Americas last month. Martin was on hand for Tuesday’s unveiling, albeit virtually – piped in through a video teleconference from Montana – and said he was flattered by the gesture.

“I was really caught off guard. And it’s a really cool thing,” said Martin, who drove for Hendrick Motorsports from 2009-2011. “I don’t know if you guys can really realize what it means to us old-timers to just be remembered. It’s such an incredible honor, and Darlington is such a historic race track. You know, this is just perfect. I was really surprised that Alex chose my car. Really happy that Ally allowed him to do it, and they collaborated on this project. It’s just a true honor to me. And Alex is on, he’s on a roll right now. So this thing could roll right up into Victory Lane, just like it did in 1993.”

That long-ago Darlington win marked the 11th of Martin’s 40 Cup Series victories, but it also capped one of the most prolific stretches of his career – a four-race win streak during the height of his heyday with team owner Jack Roush.

Bowman’s recent run of success that Martin alluded to might be more modest, but he’s caught stride with five of his seven Cup Series victories arriving in the last 12 months. That stretch includes a triumph earlier this season at Las Vegas that virtually sealed a berth in the Cup Series Playoffs. He’s finished among the top 15 in each of the five races that have been held since.

“You know, we’ve had speed everywhere,” said Bowman, who is tied for sixth place in the Cup Series standings with Martin Truex Jr. “Martinsville and Phoenix have really been our two worst races of the year, and I would say we finished 14th and 12th. So we’ve been pretty good each and every week. Need to execute a little better, but I think things are going really well.”

Posted on by Sponsored Content

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla — NASCAR is continuing to deliver on its commitment to introduce the best racing in the world to fans around the globe through a multi-year cooperation with racing and gaming seat company Playseat®.

Playseat®’s technology driven innovation will create more opportunities for fans to experience NASCAR in ways not possible before. Going forward, NASCAR orientated racing simulators and gaming seats will be released over the course of the relationship, allowing fans to get as close as possible to the real NASCAR experience.

“We’re excited to team up with NASCAR over the course of multiple years and to unlock the true racing experience.” Said Fernando Smit, Founder and President of Playseat®. “As founder of the racing simulator solutions, Playseat® has always been connecting the real and virtual world. Working with real drivers to making first-class products and then making that knowledge and performance available to everyone in the world.

As part of the collaboration, NASCAR and eNASCAR orientated racing simulators will be released, allowing eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series drivers, the best simulation drivers in the world, to upgrade their driving equipment and performance.

“Through this partnership, Playseat® is helping us introduce the sport to a new generation of fans, allowing a younger and more diverse audience to see the opportunities that sim racing and NASCAR both offer,” said Ray Smith, Director, Gaming and Esports. “Playseat® provides sim racers with elite equipment that will optimize performance and enhance the overall experience.”

Posted on by Team Release

WELCOME, N.C. – Richard Childress Racing announced Tuesday that Jeffrey Earnhardt will drive the legendary No. 3 car in the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Talladega Superspeedway. ForeverLawn, headquartered in Louisville, Ohio, and specializing in the manufacturing and installation of synthetic grass solutions, will be the primary sponsor of the entry. The race will be televised live on FOX beginning at 4 p.m. ET on April 23.

RELATED: 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series schedule 

Jeffrey is the grandson of seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Dale Earnhardt and the nephew of Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jeffrey’s father, Kerry, was a regular competitor in the Xfinity Series from 1998-2009. Jeffrey has competed in all three NASCAR national series. He has 135 Xfinity Series starts and owns a best finish of third place with Joe Gibbs Racing at Charlotte Motor Speedway in 2019.

“It’s great to have an Earnhardt back in one of our cars,” said Richard Childress, chairman and CEO of RCR. “We think Jeffrey is a talented young driver and I’m confident he will run well at Talladega.” Screen Shot 2022 04 12 At 9.26.57 Am

Jeffrey, 32, is a native of Mooresville, North Carolina, and is eagerly anticipating his first start with RCR.

“What a dream come true,” he said. “The chance to be behind the wheel of the No. 3 car for RCR, that my pawpaw made famous, has long been a dream of mine and now it’s finally happening. I can’t thank ForeverLawn enough for making my dreams come to reality and for being such a big part of my career. I also want to thank Mr. Childress for making this possible. The No. 3 car is cherished by a lot of people, and I know how much it means to him. To give me this opportunity is something I’ll never forget.”

New partners SuperPufft, Dalstrong and The Accredited Petroleum Association are also a part of this journey, making their debut with the ForeverLawn family at Talladega. They will be featured on the No. 3 car alongside returning partners Synthetic Turf Resources (STR) and Precision Products.

“My goodness, to be in the mix with two of the greatest names in, not just NASCAR, but all of racing — Childress and Earnhardt — is an incredible privilege,” said Dale Karmie, co-founder of ForeverLawn, Inc. “We at ForeverLawn are thrilled to help put these two names back together, and to do it in the iconic No. 3 — with a definite nod to the Intimidator — is just amazing. We are excited to see the #blackandgreengrassmachine hit Talladega Superspeedway.”

ForeverLawn Inc. was created out of a desire to bring the highest quality, most technologically advanced premium synthetic grass product to the residential and commercial landscape markets. Owners Brian and Dale Karmie came from the computer software industry and began selling and installing turf in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 2002. This hands-on, customer-driven experience led the brothers to start their own premium synthetic grass company, ForeverLawn, in 2004. The company has consistently led the synthetic turf industry through groundbreaking approaches to products and practice ever since. Today, the company services more than eighty localized markets through its dealer network, with an impressive regional, national and international project portfolio.

Additional details pertaining to Jeffrey’s RCR entry will be announced at a later date.

Posted on by Adam Fenwick

Buddy Kofoid’s long-term goal has never been a secret.

Someday, the 20-year-old wants to race in the NASCAR Cup Series, just like his idol, Dale Earnhardt Jr., once did.

“My goal has always been to get to NASCAR,” said Kofoid, a Toyota Racing Development driver from Penngrove, California. “I’ve said it a handful of times that I can remember as far back, maybe when I started racing myself, I always watching NASCAR on Sundays and Dale (Earnhardt) Jr. was my hero and he still is.

“As a young kid I’d be like, ‘I want to be like Dale Jr. I want to race where he is at.’ That goal and dream has never changed. I still want to get to Cup and that’s still my No. 1 priority.”

This Saturday at Bristol Motor Speedway, Kofoid will take a big step toward that goal when he debuts in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driving the No. 51 Mobil 1 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro for Kyle Busch Motorsports during the Pinty’s Truck Race on Dirt (8 p.m. ET on FS1).

“To run in NASCAR period is huge and probably one of my biggest opportunities to date for sure,” Kofoid said. “To do it for KBM and the best truck or one of the best trucks out there and to do it with Toyota and have Mobil 1 still be involved is very special to me.”

RELATED: Weekend schedule for Bristol Motor Speedway

For the uninitiated, Kofoid is one of the rising stars of open-wheel dirt racing. He’s the defending USAC National Midget Series champion, a title he claimed last year despite recovering from a broken right wrist and broken left foot sustained during a crash while racing an asphalt Late Model.

He burst onto the dirt-racing scene in 2016 when, at the age of 14, he won a sprint-car feature during the popular Trophy Cup event at Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, California.

He hasn’t slowed down much since. He has won in almost every form of race car he has driven to date, including scoring a winged sprint car victory last Saturday night at Lincoln Speedway in Abbottstown, Pennsylvania.

While he has enjoyed great success in his racing escapades to date, Kofoid knows his first foray into NASCAR is going to be wildly different than anything he has faced so far during his young career.

Despite having plenty of dirt-racing experience on his resume, Kofoid has never raced anything as heavy as the trucks that compete in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and believes there will be a steep learning curve involved as a result.

“It’s just a different dynamic,” Kofoid said. “I think getting used to the weight will be kind of tough. The weight difference is kind of tough. They’re at least twice the weight of a winged sprint car and probably close to three times the weight of a midget. It’s just a big difference.

“When you get them sideways it seems like there is a breaking point to where you just can’t save it if you get too sideways. So you’ve still kind of got to drive it with a pavement state of mind.”

When it came to announcing Kofoid’s participation in the Truck Series race at Bristol, Toyota and Kyle Busch Motorsports decided to have a bit of fun by filming an announcement video that featured Kofoid mimicking lines and scenes from the movie ‘Elf’ that starred Will Ferrell as the titular character.

“The funny thing was I had never seen … Elf and they knew that,” Kofoid said. “So the day before I did that they said, ‘OK, here’s your homework. You’ve got to watch the movie.’ So I watched the movie for the first time the day before we made that.”

The announcement video was filmed inside the Kyle Busch Motorsports shop in Mooresville, North Carolina, which allowed Kofoid to tour the shop and get to know some of the people he’ll be working with at Bristol this weekend.

He knows he’ll be working with one of the best teams in the Truck Series, which gives him confidence going into his debut. He’s hopeful that will also mean a shot at a victory at the end of the race.

“I want to win,” Kofoid said. “It would be nice to start up front and maybe run up front a lot or at least be in contention and be a factor. Just be up there where people can see you. I’d love to run up front or have a good finish.

“Ultimately it would be huge to win, but I know it’s not going to be easy and it’s going to be tough. But if we’re good enough I wouldn’t say that is impossible at all.”

Posted on by Staff Report

MARTINSVILLE, Va. — Martinsville Speedway and Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) have announced a renewal of their partnership on the entitlement for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race on Thursday, Oct. 27.

This year’s race will be the sixth time Martinsville has hosted the Whelen Modified Tour season finale (1985, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1991). The official name of the race will remain the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 200.

“As we go back to our roots of racing in our 75th anniversary season with the return of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season finale, we are proud to welcome back our long-time partners at the Virginia Tourism Corporation,” said Clay Campbell, Martinsville Speedway President. “We value the opportunity to work closely with VTC to promote and develop tourism across the Commonweatlh of Virginia with the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 200.”

“The Virginia is for Racing Lovers 200 is a great way to experience the excitement of motorsports and enjoy the outdoors,” said Rita McClenny, President and CEO of Virginia Tourism Corporation. “Martinsville Speedway is a sought-after destination for racing fans and visitors celebrating at such an iconic track will discover for themselves why Virginia is for Racing Lovers.”

The Virginia is for Racing Lovers 200 Whelen Modified Tour season finale is part of the penultimate NASCAR Playoffs race weekend featuring the Dead On Tools 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoff race on Saturday, Oct. 29 and the Xfinity 500 NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race on Sunday, Oct. 30.

Martinsville hosted a modified race in NASCAR’s inaugural season on July 4, 1948. The race was the third NASCAR sanctioned race in history in the Commonwealth of Virginia. NASCAR’s National Modified Championship, the predecessor to the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, competed at Martinsville from 1960-1984. The modern-day NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour continued to race at the historic half-mile short track from 1985-2002, 2005-2010 and 2021. This is the second consecutive year the track has hosted the Whelen Modified Tour.

Racing Virginia legend Ray Hendrick, who is the career leader in wins at Martinsville with 20, is the all-time leader in modified wins at the track with 13. NASCAR Hall of Famer Richie Evans is second with 10. NASCAR Hall of Famer Mike Stefanik, one of the Modified Tour’s 10 greatest drivers of all-time, holds the modern-day record with five wins at Martinsville.

In last season’s Virginia is for Racing Lovers 200, Ryan Preece set the Martinsville track record with a 101.768 mph lap in qualifying. The previous record was set in qualifying for a 1986 modified event, Greg Sacks had a one-lap average of 101.014 mile-per-hour. Eric Goodale won last year’s Virginia is for Racing Lovers 200.

Posted on by Staff Report

Akinori Ogata arrived in the United States from his home country of Japan in 2003 with the goal of becoming a successful NASCAR driver.

Despite knowing little about American culture at the time, Ogata had always been fascinated by the vibrant atmosphere of NASCAR. He wanted to add his name to a long and prestigious list of winners in the sport that included Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt and many more.

Nearly two decades of hard work and determination to reach that goal finally paid off for Ogata on Saturday at Hickory Motor Speedway, where he picked up a cathartic victory — his first on American soil — in the track’s Limited Late Model division.

FLORACING: Weekend Late Model highlights from Hickory

For Ogata, the pivotal milestone could not have come at a more perfect location with Hickory holding its reputation as The Birthplace of the NASCAR Stars.

“Hickory has such a great history behind it,” Ogata told NASCAR.com. “So many drivers started their own careers there. I’m a Japanese driver, but I want to be like the American racers. If I want to race in the Cup Series one day, I need to win at the local tracks so people know Akinori Ogata is a good driver.”

There were many days when Ogata wondered whether his leap of faith into NASCAR would work out.

Back in Japan, Ogata had established himself as a solid driver in multiple forms of motorsports. He claimed 30 victories as a motocross rider and even visited Victory Lane at Twin Ring Motegi driving a dirt Midget back in 2007.

Transitioning to full-time auto racing in the United States served as a clean slate for Ogata. He had to get acclimated with competing inside a full-bodied stock car all while trying to build relationships in the industry with a limited understanding of the English language.

Those challenges for Ogata were only compounded when he moved his family to Mooresville, North Carolina, back in 2010 so he could devote more time and energy toward getting comfortable with NASCAR.

“Moving to North Carolina was hard, because we honestly didn’t know anybody here,” Ogata recalled. “I could not speak any English, and it was difficult to understand what other people were saying. My English is much better now, but it was so hard when we first moved here.”

RACING REFERENCE: Ogata’s career NASCAR stats

Akinori Ogata
Akinori Ogata walks the grid prior to the NASCAR Xfinity Series Go Bowling 250 at Richmond Raceway on Sept. 11, 2021. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

Ogata admitted that adjusting to racing in the United States would have been more difficult without the assistance of people like Billy Larrimore, who was his first crew chief when he started racing at Concord Speedway in 2003, as well as his current crew chief Zach McDaniels.

Being able to regularly compete at Hickory has also helped Ogata find a comfort zone in becoming a staple of the track’s Saturday night festivities, even as he occasionally branches out into the NASCAR Xfinity and Truck Series, as well as the ARCA Menards Series East.

Hickory track operator Kevin Piercy has seen Ogata come close to winning on so many occasions and was thrilled to finally see the driver take home a checkered flag of his own.

“Akinori is a very respectful driver to his competitors,” Piercy said. “He will race you hard but clean, and I think he has a lot of grit. Akinori is a tough customer who digs in week in and week out, so I was really happy to see him finally fulfill this opportunity.”

Piercy added that the Japanese driver’s victory Saturday reinforced Hickory’s history of producing diverse winners. Last year, current ARCA Menards Series driver Rajah Caruth joined Chris Bristol as a Black winner at the track. Annabeth Barnes-Crum, Gracie Trotter, Katie Hettinger and Kate Dallenbach are among the women drivers to find Victory Lane throughout Hickory’s storied history.

Yet what Piercy enjoyed the most about seeing Ogata add to that legacy was how popular the win was amongst not only his fellow competitors, but also the local fanbase that had watched him grind over the years.

The crowd response even surprised Ogata himself.

“It was so great and emotional to see American people cheering for me,” Ogata allowed. “I never imagined people would cheer for a Japanese driver, so that was such a great moment to have those people celebrate with me at the track.”

Piercy added that Ogata more than deserved the positive response from drivers and fans because of his dedication and hopes to see him remain a focal point of Hickory’s culture by one day contending for a track championship.

“I would love to see Akinori have an opportunity to move up to Late Models,” Piercy said. “He needs a genuine chance to win a NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series championship. It would be a great honor for him to go to the banquet and accept that trophy.”

Akinori Ogata
Akinori Ogata (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)

Ogata has no intention of slowing down the momentum from Hickory even as he continues to deal with challenges on and off the track.

Staying in touch with his wife Eniko and two children Ken and Ryo has been difficult, as they now reside in Japan again, but he knows they are supporting his journey. He is eager to celebrate his first win with the family soon.

With his program making significant strides, Ogata is confident that he and his family will have plenty more to cheer about once the 2022 season ends.

“The car feels good, and the driver feels good,” Ogata said. “Everyone on the team is working very hard on the car, so I definitely believe we’re going to win more races at Hickory in the future.”

Outside of Hickory, Ogata is still dreaming big about what he wants to do with his NASCAR career. He still plans to make his debut in the NASCAR Cup Series sooner rather than later and is hoping to at least have an opportunity to race in the Daytona 500 before he eventually decides to retire.

As someone used to overcoming adversity, Ogata remains determined to pursue that Cup Series ride and keep alive a dream that has been ongoing for nearly two decades.