9/12/2022
Austin Berry
Berry’s Charge Comes to Abrupt End at Port Royal Speedway
Austin Berry’s 2022 season has contained several high points and has established the team as one to watch for on any given week, especially on their home turf at Port Royal Speedway.
The one hurdle that the team can’t seem to clear quite yet is putting together a string of top five and top ten finishes. Doing so is never an easy task, especially against the level of competition typically in attendance at ‘The Speed Palace’, but Austin Berry Racing’s level of performance has trended in that direction the past two seasons and they feel they should be getting those results now.
The goal Friday night was to finish off their Port Royal season with a run representative of the capabilities of their Tire Mart of Harrisburg / JDS Racing / Berry’s Siding & Seamless Gutter / Locust Hill Custom Butcher Shop / Nathan Berry Beef Farm / A&C Racing Engines / Swift Springs / Addicted2DirtPR.com / Penske Racing Shocks / Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic / VP Racing Fuels / Rocket Chassis XR1 No.86.
September 9: Port Royal Speedway / Port Royal, PA
[22 cars, Heat 5th (7), A-main 20th (13)]
Prior to the evening’s racing action, Berry spent some time with his wife and family selling team souvenirs; apparel and body panels. He had the chance to meet and interact with current fans, and to greet some new fans.
“We want to thank everyone who stopped by to buy shirts, sweatshirts and body panels before the races tonight. We love connecting with the fans, and it all helps our little team keep going.“, Berry said.
When the racing portion of the evening kicked off, there were 22 super late models signed in at the ‘Night Before the 50’ program. Three heats for the field were set by pill draw. All finishers transferred to the main event, with the top three being handicapped for the top starting spots.
Berry knew he would have no time to waste if he wanted to earn a handicap spot from his 7th starting spot in his 8-lap heat race. Heavy traffic kept him busy for a few laps until he broke free and forged his way forward.
Berry reached the 4th spot on lap five and started eyeing his opportunity for more, but the veteran Gary Stuhler wrestled the spot away from the Mifflin, PA resident and dropped Berry to a 5th place finish.
From his 13th starting spot in the 25-lap feature event, Berry was confident he had a good enough car to get to the top ten and possibly the top five with the aid of a caution. He was aggressive but patient in the early going, finally beginning his forward march on lap seven as he moved into 12th.
Berry reached 11th two laps later, then 10th on lap eleven. As he began to execute the pass for 9th in turn two with the race only at the halfway point, the engine sputtered and his march came to an abrupt end. He coasted along the inside fence and off the racing surface through the backstretch opening. He was officially credited with 20th.
“We were on the charge into the top 10 with a good car when the motor decided it was done. Unfortunately, the issue is terminal, and with our other motor also in the shop waiting on parts, our season is done. We won’t be able to make the trip to Dog Hollow next weekend as planned.”, a disappointed Berry shared.
“We truly appreciate everyone’s support this season! Our program continues to improve. Our off-season will be busy, especially improving our engine program. We will be back in 2023 to keep working our way to the front.“
Season Stats
16 races, 0 wins, 4 top 5’s, 7 top 10’s, 10 top 15’s, 14 top 20’s
Article Credit: ADDICTED2DIRT
Submitted By: Joey Bainey
