Tag Archive for: @latemodels

Austin Berry’s 2024 super late model season ended prematurely when his lone powerplant failed.  The issues were extensive and expensive to repair, leaving the Mifflin, Pennsylvania driver’s program sidelined for the remainder of last season.

It was a tough pill to swallow, given that the engine was refreshed prior to the season.  An expensive repair wasn’t in the budget, especially so soon.

What many fans didn’t know was that Berry strapped into a racecar a few more times before 2024 came to a close.  To have a little fun and keep his skills sharp, he accepted an offer to pilot Bobby Dunn’s modified in a handful of races in Pennsylvania and Virginia.  

Despite never wheeling a modified before, Berry scored a podium finish in his first outing and followed it up with some impressive stats.  In 5 races, he accumulated 4 top-tens, 3 top-fives, and 2 podiums. 

LIMITED OPPORTUNITY

The modified venture spurred offseason conversations that led to a 2025 opportunity for Berry. Dunn offered him the seat of his No.34D limited late model for 15-20 races.

Berry accepted.  Two of his primary partners, Tuscarora Restoration and Juniata Veterinary Clinic, will join him aboard the No.34D for 2025.

The Dunn/Berry limited late model team will focus primarily on Selinsgrove Speedway in 2025, but they did kick things off last weekend by entering the Sunday afternoon show at Hagerstown Speedway, then hustling to Bedford Speedway the same night to complete the double.  

Their efforts yielded feature finishes of 8th and 4th, respectively, at the MD and PA speedways.  Solid results for the new pairing.

SUPER RETURN

The good news doesn’t end there for Berry.  He will also return to the seat of the Austin Berry Racing Tuscarora Restoration, Juniata Veterinary Clinic, Berry’s Siding & Seamless Gutter, Dye It Rite, SRI Performance / Stock Car Steel & Aluminum, VP Racing Fuels No.86 super late model in 2025.

The team’s Cornett engine has emerged from the shop at Barron’s Racing Engines ready for battle, and the team plans to kick off their season at Selinsgrove Speedway Friday night, April 18th.

Berry plans to compete in 12-15 super late model events at Selinsgrove, Port Royal, Bridgeport, and Clinton County, including some Appalachian Mountain Speedweek and Fall Clash events.  The team is also considering possible trips to Path Valley and Bedford Speedways.

Approximately ten of Berry’s race nights will involve double-duty, wheeling both the No.86 and No.34D on the same night.

FULL PLATE

Not only will Berry be at the wheel of two racecars this season, but he will have a lot going on away from the track, too.  

“My wife and I recently broke ground for our new house.  We’re building on a piece of land we bought a few years ago, and we are managing the project ourselves, so we will be pretty busy with the house this year, not to mention continuing to raise our two young girls, who are getting busier and busier.”, Berry shared.

“With everything going on, our race schedule for both cars may be very fluid.”

Berry’s new house will also include a new race shop, which he hopes to be able to move into during next offseason.

UP NEXT

Berry will be in action this Friday night April 18th, pulling double duty, piloting both his No.86 super late model and Dunn’s No.34D limited late model.