Story By: A2DPR / AUSTIN BERRY RACING – PORT ROYAL, PA – Everything came together just in time last week for Austin Berry to roll his Tuscarora Restoration, Juniata Veterinary Clinic, Berry’s Siding & Seamless Gutter, Dye It Rite, SRI Performance, VP Racing Fuels No.86 out of the shop and head to Selinsgrove Speedway for his first laps in a super late model since June of 2024.
His limited late model ride would be waiting there for him as well, making for a double-duty night.
SNYDER COUNTY DOUBLE
Berry didn’t seem to lose a step in his super late model despite the long layoff. He qualified 5th quickest in his group in qualifying, then moved forward to a 4th-place heat race finish to give himself the 11th starting spot in the main event.
In the 25-lap finale, Berry struggled a little, sliding backwards to a 17th-place finish.
“We just missed the setup for the feature. We learned from it and put it in our notebook. Things change rapidly in this sport, so we will have to play a little catch-up since we’ve been on the sidelines since the middle of last season.”, Berry said.
Berry had a great night going in the Dunn No.34D limited late model, scoring a runner-up finish in his heat race and then charging from his 6th starting spot in the feature to challenge for 3rd late in the race. Unfortunately, with five laps remaining, his right rear tire gave up and he slipped to an 11th-place finish.
“We picked the wrong right rear, and it basically melted. I had no grip the last few laps. We’ll know better next time.”, Berry shared.
PALACE RECAP
Berry woke up Saturday morning with no plans to race that night, but by late morning, all that had changed, and the team decided to prep the car, load up their super late model, and make the short tow to The Speed Palace, Port Royal Speedway.
The stout field of 35 cars was split into two groups for qualifying. Berry and his entire team were all smiles after qualifying after the Mifflin, PA driver timed 3rd quickest in his flight.
Berry started on the front row of his heat race, but one midrace bobble cost him a couple of spots and relegated him to a 4th-place finish. In the uneventful main event, he started 14th and finished 16th.
“It never feels good to go backwards, but it was nice to have speed in qualifying again! The motor ran great all weekend. We just need to tune on our package for later in the night, and we will be ok.”, Berry commented.
“We have a couple of weeks off with the super, so we will wrench on her and get ready for the next one at Selinsgrove on May 2nd. Thanks to my great crew for all their hard work all week long, getting both cars ready and all their efforts at the track! Also, a huge thanks to all our partners, without them it wouldn’t be possible!”
UP NEXT
Berry will be back in the Limited Late Model this Saturday, April 26th, at Selinsgrove Speedway. On May 2nd, he will return to double-duty, racing both his super and limited at Selinsgrove Speedway.