Chase Purdy has been so close many times this season and was looking like last week at Elko Speedway would be the breakthrough win. However, his car caught fire in a scary crash late in the race which cost him the win and ended up finishing 14th. “I’m fine,” Purdy said. “I wanted to get out of there as quick as possible though,” Purdy shared.
That is now behind him as he prepares for this week’s ARCA Race at Berlin Speedway in Marne, Michigan. ARCA returns to Berlin Raceway for the first time since 2016. Purdy has raced at Berlin before when he ran in the K&N East Series for DGR Crosley. He finished second to his then teammate Todd Gilliland. “We had the opportunity to test there before that K&N Race last year. When we went on Race Day we had a pretty fast car and sat on the pole. We ended up finishing second to my teammate Todd Gilliland. I can’t wait to get back there in those big heavy cars. I think we will definitely be a contender for the win,” Purdy stated.
This year in the ARCA Racing Series, it’s been more competitive than ever, and it should continue this weekend at Berlin. “A lot of these teams bring in these short track ringers to run the short tracks and it’s the same when we go to the bigger tracks when they bring in the truck and Xfinity guys. They do the same with the short tracks where they bring short track specialists in to run these races. I think there are about 10 drivers that could win the race every week in ARCA. I think ARCA has done a great job of showing that this season. It’s all about being there at the right time and capitalizing on the opportunities. I think this is the toughest field that ARCA has seen in a while because everyone is just very talented. The racing just keeps getting better and better,” Purdy remarked.
Purdy has came so close many times this season with six top five finishes as well as two second place finishes. He believes this is the weekend that he can get it done. “We have to have a good car and be able to manage our tires as well as being able to capitalize on our opportunities. I really think that this is the week that we get it done and pull it into victory lane,” Purdy exclaimed.
Berlin Raceway is part of Sioux Chief Short Track Challenge but Purdy says that Berlin is not your typical short track. “It’s not really your typical short track. It’s really a complete oval because you are just constantly turning,” Purdy said. “You’ve gotta be easy in and easy off and put yourself in position to contend for the win late in the race. I think that’s the key to winning at a tough track like Berlin,” Purdy commented.
The Primera Plastics 200 from Berlin Raceway is Saturday, July 21st. Coverage begins at 9PM on MAVTV.