Butler County Speedway
After victory, Berck penalized for spinning leader
Kyle Berck talks about his Butler County Speedway victory. (Joe Orth)
RISING CITY, Neb. (April 28) — Winningest series driver Kyle Berck captured the season opener on the Nebraska-based Super Late Model Racing Series at Butler County Speedway, but the Marquette, Neb., driver was penalized postrace for spinning another competitor. | Slideshow
The fifth-starting Berck, who has 39 career series victories, took the $1,010 victory ahead of 11th-starting J.C. Wyman of Griswold, Iowa. Pole-starting Andrew Kosiski of Omaha, Neb., was third followed by Omaha’s Bill Leighton Jr. and Tad Pospisil of Norfolk, Neb.
Justin Gregg of Hastings, Neb., took the lead from outside the front row and led 13 laps before Berck took command on a restart. Three laps later, another yellow waved for Don Smith Jr., and Gregg regained the lead on the restart when Berck was caught napping.
Exiting turn two, Berck caught Gregg and made contact, spinning him out of the lead. After discussion among officilas, Gregg was sent to the tail while Berck was restored to the lead. He controlled the race the rest of the way.
After the race, officials reviewed the incident and conferred with both teams. SLMRS officials docked Berck 24 points in the title chase, putting him two points behind Gregg. Wyman is the points leader.
Notes: Berck is sponsored by Aurora Agronomy, Strobel Construction, Swartz Race Cars and Fontanelle. ... Aurora Agronomy is a new sponsor for Berck. ... Eric Vanosdall won the Hoosier Tire Hard Charger award. ... Next up for the series is the May 26 Charlie Clark Memorial at I-80 Speedway in Greenwood, Neb.; that event pays $2,022-to-win.
SLMRS @ Butler County: (1) Kyle Berck, (2). J.C. Wyman, (3) Andrew Kosiski, (4) Bill Leighton Jr., (5) Tad Pospisil, (6) Robbie Andersen, (7) Billy Murphy, (8) Junior Coover, (9) Eric Vanosdall, (10) Ben Sukup, (11) Justin Gregg, (12) Don Smith Jr., (13) Micah Veleba, (14) Bryan Molt, (15) Alonzo Grosse, (16) Kyle Coover, (17) Jim Johnson, (18) Brian Kenkel, (19) Justin Zeitner, (20) Kevin Hamele, (21) Steve Kempt, (22) Mike Wiarda. Heat race winners (among 22 cars): Pospisil, Kenkel, Berck.
