1989 - First ARTGO Victory for Campbell at Berlin

 

Fred Campbell smiles during post-race ceremonies following his first career ARTGO Challenge Series feature win at Berlin Raceway. – Mike Dunn Photo

Berlin, Mich. (May 27, 1989) – Fred Campbell took the lead on the 10th lap and then withstood seven caution periods to edge Bob Senneker to win the WMUS American Cancer Society Benefit 100 for ARTGO Challenge Series late models Saturday night at Berlin Raceway.

For Campbell, one of the top weekly drivers at the tricky 7/16-mile paved oval, it was his first-ever ARTGO victory. Cambell became the 36th different winner in the 15-year history of the touring series.

“The cautions came just right for me,” Campbell reported after the marathon event. After my tires cooled down, they came back really well each time.”

Scott Hansen won the heated battle for third over Terry Baldry. Steve Holzhausen, early leader Jim Weber, Steve Holzhausen, Dick Harrington, and Jack Landis were the top nine that finished the contest’s full 100 laps.

Two of the caution periods involved small engine compartment fires in the Landis and Holzhausen cars, when tire rubber on the track was thrown up on one their headers.

Local favorite Bruce VanderLaan never made it past hot laps as his car lost oil pressure and ARTGO point leader Joe Shear was sidelined in his heat race with major engine problems after timing second quickest in the 34-car field.

The race was completely restarted after fast qualifier Bryan Reffner, in his first trip to Berlin, spun on the first lap.

Gledius Frye paced the opening three laps before Weber took over. Campbell breezed into the lead on the 10th circuit and four laps later, Senneker took over the second spot. Local point leader Johnny Benson Jr became the first feature runner to be sidelined with mechanical trouble after just 17 laps.

With the field tightly bunched, the main event went 45 rounds before the first car was lapped. The most serious caution period came with only 17 laps to go when Jack Gritter blew a tire and skidded into the first turn wall.

The largest crowd of the young season watched the action snuggly wrapped in blankets for protection from the cool Memorial Day Weekend evening weather.


Results –


1. Fred Campbell, Battle Creek
2. Bob Senneker, Dorr
3. Scott Hansen, Green Bay, Wis.
4. Terry Baldry, Omro, Wis.
5. Steve Carlson, La Crosse, Wis.
6. Jim Weber, Roseville, Minn.
7. Steve Holzhausen, Bangor, Wis.
8. Dick Harrington, Otsego
9. Jack Landis, Angola, Ind.
10.Dennis Berry, Flint
11.Tim Fedewa, Holt
12.Jeff Finley, Lansing
13.George Prziborowski, Apple Valley, Minn.
14.Tom Carlson, La Crosse, Wis.
15.Jack Gritter, Wyoming