:::CRA Super Series:::

Four Leaders, VanHaitsma Wins

Marne, MI (October 9, 2011) - The CRA Super Series’ Keyser’s Port City Racing 125 at Berlin Raceway Saturday night had seven lead changes during the first half of the race with Johnny VanDoorn, Peter Cozzolino and Tim DeVos trading the lead seven times in the first 65 laps. DeVos took over on lap 66 and held on until Terry VanHaitsma fought from the tail of the race at the start to take over the lead on the 99^th lap and not allow anyone else to lead, racing to the win with Ross Meeuwsen finishing second, Chris Anthony third, Tim DeVos fourth and Alec Carll fifth.

Terry VanHaitsma celebrates Keyser' Port
City Racing 125 win. Tom DeVette Photos.

VanDoorn started on the outside of the front row and he made a very strong move to the flag on the green to pull out to the early lead. Cozzolino who started just behind VanDoorn followed him to second. Cozzolino would pass VanDoorn on the outside to take the lead on the 13^th lap. VanDoorn would not let him go and retook the lead on the 38^th lap, just before the first of eight cautions.

Cozzolino would fight back to again pass VanDoorn on the outside on the 44th lap, but could not hold as Van Doorn moved back to the lead on the next lap to hold it for just four laps himself. Cozzolino took it back for three laps before the EDCO Welding Fast Qualifier DeVos roared to the lead on the 51^stlap, pulling VanDoorn with him. VanDoorn was not done, retaking the lead on the 62^nd lap earning the RaceTrailerSales.com Halfway Leader Award only to have DeVos come back on lap 66.

While the leaders were fighting to stay in front, VanHaitsma had worked his way through the field. He had to start 26^th of the 27 cars in the field due to a broken hub in practice that prevented him from qualifying as he had to get a replacement from his race shop. Before the race VanHaitsma commented, "I hate to have to start back here, I really feel like I have a great car tonight." The Hudsonville, MI native proved to be right, as he passed cars in bunches (mostly on the high side) to get up in the front and start to battle the Top Five by the 75^th lap.

VanHaitsma took the lead from DeVos on the 99^th lap driving the outside line, after he had made his way through the field to restart on outside of the front row following the final caution on the 97^th lap. While DeVos, and then Meeuwsen would attempt to keep up with VanHaitsma, he would prove too strong as he started to pull away for the win as the laps ran out.

"I am so happy with this win, having to start at the back after the hub broke, I did not think it would happen, but everything just worked. A very satisfying win!" VanHaitsma stated after the race.

VanHaitsma earned the Lane Automotive/ISKY Racing Cams Hardcharger Award, the Racing Electronics Hardcharger Award as well as one of the Hoosier Racing Tire Performance Awards for moving from 26^th to first. Tom Thomas earned the other Hoosier Racing Tire Performance Award after moving from 22^nd to 10^th.

Griffin took home the Rookie of the Race Award. The VDL Fuel Systems Hot Lap of the Race Award for the fastest lap during the race went to Dave Lake. Joe Bush received the DJ Safety Hard Luck Award as the first car out after his clutch went out on the 44^th lap.

Griffin and Scott Hantz entered the event with Hantz leading the 2011 season championship race by only 15 points. Griffin gained eight points on Hantz going into the season finale Winchester 400.

The next event for the CRA Super Series will be the 40^th Annual Winchester 400 at Winchester Speedway on October 14^th through the 16^th. On Friday there will be open practice for all CRA divisions and USA Modifieds with Vore’s Welding CRA FWD Compacts championship race and special races for the Sullivan RV CRA Late Model Sportsman, and the EDCO Welding CRA Street Stocks. The weekend will also feature the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour presented by GM Performance Parts on Saturday along with the Sullivan RV CRA Late Model Sportsman, and the EDCO Welding CRA Street Stocks in their 2011 season finales and Winchester 400 qualifying for the CRA Super Series. For more information about any of the CRA divisions go to www.craracing.net. To learn more about Winchester Speedway see www.winchesterspeedway.com.