David Smith, Jr.
NCRA Public Relations
(405) 740-4769
[email protected]
Berck Adds Hutch Nationals to NCRA Late Model Resume!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Hutchinson, Kansas – July 26, 2014 - It’s been nine years since the National Championship Racing Association of Park City, Kansas presented by Precise Racing Products sanctioned the late model portion of the famed Hutchinson Grand Nationals and it has been about as long as Kyle Berck has competed with the series. The former two-time touring champion made the most of his chance to have his name etched in the record books as he won the 58th Annual O’Reilly Auto Parts Hutchinson Grand Nationals presented by Mel Hambelton Ford on Saturday night at the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson, Kansas.
Weder and Berck started on the front row for the fifteen lap feature with Berck quickly jumping out into the lead as the green flag fell. Berck had his Missile chassis hooked up early as he would open an eight car length lead over Weder.
His pace would slow on lap four when Kasey Beckham spun in turns three and four.
The restart saw Berck run the top side while former touring champion Weder ran the bottom of the famed half mile oval with Berck staying out front.
A couple of cautions on lap ten and eleven slowed the pace and once the racing action went green, Berck found Weder on his rear bumper. One close call late in the race saw Berck get off the cushion coming out of turn four to slow his pace allowing Weder to pull along side. However, Berck would gain the momentum heading down the front stretch to stay out front and entering turns one and two, put five car lengths between himself and Weder.
Berck would lead the final laps unchallenged and go on to claim his 30th career series victory, second on the all-time win list. Weder settled for second while Jeremy Petty fought off late race challenges from Chris Kratzer to finish fourth.
The next event for the NCRA Late Model series will be on Friday and Saturday night, August 8-9 for the annual “King of the Hill Late Model Shootout” at Junction Motor Speedway in McCool, Nebraska with the MARS DIRTcar and Lucas Oil MLRA late model series.
NCRA Late Models
Kansas State Fairgrounds/Hutchinson, Kansas
July 26, 2014
10 Cars
1st Heat: 1) Tommy Weder, Jr., 2) Kyle Berck, 3) Scott Phillips, 4) Jeremy Petty, 5) Chris Kratzer, 6) Kasey Beckham, 7) Chris Bratcher, 8) Damian Patocka, 9) Wylan Petrie, 10) Eric Main
A Feature: 1) Kyle Berck, 2) Tommy Weder, Jr., 3) Chris Kratzer, 4) Jeremy Petty, 5) Damian Patocka, 6) Chris Bratcher, 7) Scott Phillips, 8) Eric Main, 9) Kasey Beckham, 10) Wylan Petrie
