Story By: JARED OWEN / 500 SPRINT CAR TOUR – MARNE, MI – On Saturday, June 10th the 500 Sprint Car Tour presented by Auto Value Bumper to Bumper Parts Stores returns to Berlin Raceway for the first of two visits in 2023.
The track hosted two 500 Sprint Car Tour events in 2022 and will do the same in 2023, becoming a staple on the 500 Sprint Car Tour schedule.
The event will be the second points earning event in 2023 for the series following two races at Anderson Speedway, including the non-points earning Lucas Oil Little 500 presented by UAW.
The 2023 season started off with a dominating performance by Kyle O’Gara in the 23rd Running of the Glen Niebel Classic at Anderson Speedway. It was his second 500 Sprint Car Tour victory and also his second consecutive Glen Niebel Classic victory. O’Gara started the race on pole position and went on to lead all 75 laps. Taylor Ferns came in second, her best finish with the series and a momentum builder for the team as she chases the 500 Sprint Car Tour Championship. Defending series champion, Kody Swanson, finished the opening event in fifth place as he looks to defend his 2022 championship title.
In 2022, both races at Berlin Raceway saw Tyler Roahrig visit victory lane. The victories accounted for half of his wins in 2022. Roahrig has committed to the entire 2023 racing schedule for the 500 Sprint Car Tour and will look to win three races in a row at Berlin Raceway. Dakoda Armstrong came close to victory lane on multiple occasions in 2022, including a 3rd place and 2nd place finish in his two starts at Berlin Raceway. After a strong start to the 2023 season with a 3rd place finish at Anderson Speedway, Armstrong will continue to be a name for fans to keep an eye on as he inches closer and closer to his first victory.
The June 10th event at Berlin Raceway will see the return of familiar faces to the 500 Sprint Car Tour paddock. South African native, Quintin Saayman, will return to the series after making a permanent move to Michigan from South Africa to further his racing career. Saayman ran consistently well in 2022, running outside of the top-15 only once. Michigan fans will also see native drivers like Jeff Bloom, Jason Blonde, Nick Marcott, and Teddy Alberts return to 500 Sprint Car Tour action. Taylor Ferns, a full time competitor with the series, is also a Michigan native and will look to claim her first victory with the series at her home track.
The 500 Sprint Car Tour will be joined at Berlin Raceway by the USSA Kenyon Midget Series, the Auto Value 4 Cylinders, the Model Coveralls Limited Late Models, and Scrappers. General Admission gates open at 4:00pm and rotating practice subsequently begins at 4:00pm. Qualifying for the 500 Sprint Car Tour is set to begin at 6:00pm with racing beginning at 6:30pm.
ENTRY LIST:
1 Dakoda Armstrong New Castle, Indiana
4 Cory Buttler Baltimore, Ohio
8 Dameron Taylor Indianapolis, Indiana
11 Tom Paterson Argos, Indiana
18 Travis Welpott Pendleton, Indiana
21 Larry Kingseed Jr. Castalia, Ohio
22 Bobby Santos III Franklin, Massachusetts
24 Jackson Macenko Cincinnati, Ohio
27 Nick Marcott Wayland, Michigan
28 Jeff Bloom Bangor, Michigan
44A Teddy Alberts Kent City, Michigan
53 Justin Harper Denver, Indiana
55 Taylor Ferns Shelby Township, Michigan
56 Tyler Roahrig Plymouth, Indiana
64 Jake McElfresh Elwood, Indiana
67 Kyle O’Gara Camby, Indiana
77 Kody Swanson Kingsburg, California
77 Quintin Saayman Bapsfontein, Gauteng, SA
80 Billy Wease Fishers, Indiana