2022 NASCAR Icebreaker at Berlin Raceway

Track Profile: Getting To Know Michigan's Berlin Raceway

Track Profile: Getting To Know Michigan's Berlin Raceway

Get to know the tricky half-mile Berlin Raceway, located in Marne, Michigan, ahead of Saturday's NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series opener.

Apr 19, 2022 by NASCAR Roots
Track Profile: Getting To Know Michigan's 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

TrackBerlin Raceway
LocationMarne, Michigan
Opened1951
LayoutOval
SurfaceAsphalt
Length7/16 mile
Banking13 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.

ARCA Menards Series races at Berlin Raceway

YearDateSeriesWinnerComplete Results
202107-17-2021ARCA Menards SeriesDaniel DyeResults
201808-25-2018ARCA Menards SeriesJoe Graf Jr.Results
201707-01-2017NASCAR K&N Pro Series East (Now ARCA Menards Series East)Todd GillilandResults
201608-06-2016ARCA Menards SeriesDalton SargeantResults
201508-08-2015ARCA Menards SeriesGrant EnfingerResults
201408-09-2014ARCA Menards SeriesGrant EnfingerResults
201308-10-2013ARCA Menards SeriesErik JonesResults
201208-11-2012ARCA Menards SeriesChris BuescherResults
201107-09-2011ARCA Menards SeriesMatt MerrellResults
201008-07-2010ARCA Menards SeriesJoey CoulterResults
200907-25-2009ARCA Menards SeriesJustin LoftonResults
200807-26-2008ARCA Menards SeriesScott SpeedResults
200707-07-2007ARCA Menards SeriesBrian KeselowskiResults
200607-15-2006ARCA Menards SeriesBrian KeselowskiResults
200507-16-2005ARCA Menards SeriesJoey MillerResults
200407-03-2004ARCA Menards SeriesFrank KimmelResults
200305-24-2003ARCA Menards SeriesFrank KimmelResults
200207-20-2002ARCA Menards SeriesFred CampbellResults
200109-22-2001ARCA Menards SeriesTim SteeleResults
200007-15-2000ARCA Menards SeriesTim SteeleResults
199907-10-1999ARCA Menards SeriesFrank KimmelResults
198608-02-1986ARCA Menards SeriesBob KeselowskiResults
197308-17-1973ARCA Menards SeriesBob SennekerN/A
197007-03-1970ARCA Menards SeriesRamo ScottN/A
196805-29-1968ARCA Menards SeriesAndy HamptonN/A
196409-04-1964ARCA Menards SeriesIggy KatonaN/A
196206-29-1962ARCA Menards SeriesHarold SmithN/A
196006-24-1960ARCA Menards SeriesDon WhiteN/A
195906-12-1959ARCA Menards SeriesBob JamesN/A
195905-15-1959ARCA Menards SeriesBob JamesN/A
195809-12-1958ARCA Menards SeriesNelson StaceyN/A
195807-25-1958ARCA Menards SeriesLes SnowN/A