NASCAR’s Schrader at Berlin Aug. 9

Published 9:06 am Thursday, July 31, 2014

When you’re putting in 90-plus races year after year after year, it’s nearly impossible to remember them all.

NASCAR/ARCA veteran Ken Schrader has unquestionably raced at more tracks across America than most, and that includes Berlin Raceway. But it’s what he remembers about the renowned Marne, Michigan, short track that’s interesting.

“I remember it being slick and, overall, challenging. Seemed like it didn’t have a wall on the back straightaway either,” Schrader recalled of Berlin.

The track still doesn’t have a backstretch wall, which adds to the mystique that is the quirky Berlin oval.

“I’m sure I drove it — maybe twice in late models — about 15 years ago. Had a blast each time; I can tell you that. Every race is a special event.”

And Schrader will drive it again Saturday night, Aug. 9 in the ARCA Racing Series Federated Auto Parts 200 in his own No. 52 Federated Auto Parts Chevrolet.

For Schrader, there’s a lot on the line at Berlin, not only because he’s still got the intense desire to win, but for what the race represents.

This year’s Federated Auto Parts 200 at Berlin is the third leg of ARCA’s 2014 Bill France Four Crown championship, an annual honor that reaches back to 1984 when Davey Allison became the inaugural recipient/champion.

The Four Crown schedule provides a link to the series’ roots, featuring a diverse combination of tracks in any given season. This year’s schedule includes New Jersey Motorsports Park (road course), Chicagoland Speedway (superspeedway), Berlin Raceway (short track), and the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds (mile dirt), where the Four Crown will conclude Sept. 1.