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Upgrades and New Sponsor Have Nyle Berkes Anticipating Start of '07 Season
By Dino Oberto . "Keeping Track"
For the past five years Nyle Berkes has been racing his 358 sprint car with modest results. However, heading into the 2007 season the 30-year old Berwick resident has a lot more optimism then ever before.
The reason for the upbeat approach was during this past off-season Berkes was able to upgrade his chassis and engine as well as land
a major sponsor and now more then ever he's raring to get the year rolling.
"For the first time I feel as though my attitude heading into the new season is completely different because for the first time I have a
brand new car and a top-of-the-line motor. What we've done is slowly upgraded our equipment to were I actually felt that I got the experience and
the best car that money can buy and a phenomenal motor," said Berkes.
"Now my expectations going into this year are completely differenent were as before I was happy with a top ten finish and this year I
feel have potential that I can win a few races."
His new mount will be a J & J Chassis which will be powered by a motor prepared by Ryder Racing Engines.
No matter what level of motor racing you're in, it takes money to make it all happen and Berkes has lined up a key sponsor, Cole's
Hardware, and is also accompanied by a solid array of associate backers.
Family-owned, Cole's Hardware has been in business since 1883 and has eleven
stores located throughout the Susquehanna Valley.
"Picking up Cole's Hardware has been a huge asset for us. This is the first time that we actually stepped up and had a nice big corporate
sponsorship deal. Those guys have come in financially and have helped us better prepare our team going into a new season," said Berkes.
"All the other sponsors are a big help as well and our basically associates. The Cole's Hardware sponsorship is the one though that really
has given me the ability to maximize our program.
"Cole's always said that they were interested in partnering up with a team and they were looking for someone more like me that was kind of a business professional and not just your average racer," he continued.
"I own my business so I know the marketing aspect of bringing the car to a show or a place of business. I knew I had to come up with a
marketing plan that was going to help them grow their business as well as help me succeed on the race track."
Berkes is a State Farm Insurance agent with his office located in Milton. He understands the dedication of racing fans, especially those who are affiliated on the local scene.
"Racing fans support the teams and the sponsors that support racing. We in short track racing are an extremely loyal group. We are
working class guys that are out there doing this. Absolutely nobody is getting rich so we try to support each other and each others sponsors."
Berkes began racing in go-karts and then moved up to micro sprints with the goal to always wheel a sprint car.
"The first year it was a matter of just getting use to the speeds. It really didn't come easy jumping into a 650-horsepower sprint car
after years of micro racing. It took me a good year to get up to speed," he explained.
"I really enjoy them (sprints). It's so much easier to work on the bigger cars as opposed to a micro sprint. You're not dealing with things
like chains and motorcycle issues. It's working on a real vehicle. You have a motor and a rear (end) and it's just more enjoyable to work on I think."
In his first few years of sprint car action he campaigned with the KARS organization and finished everywhere from second right down to dead last.
"We've done fair I would say. In my second year running the sprints I ended up sixth in points with the KARS traveling series which was
my best overall point finish. The next year we ended up eighth but they have since dissolved.
"Ever since then I never really concentrated on running for points. Instead we just traveled to different race tracks and running around
different places. Points really haven't been a top priority.
"Three years ago we actually ran our 358 motor against the 410's at Clinton County and we ended up seventh in points down there. Like I said though we never really did the points thing. We would take in a show at Williams Grove or Selinsgrove and concentrated on just having fun doing some of the big money races elsewhere."
With all that he has going for him at the present, winning will now be his focus and he hopes to make that happen at Selinsgrove.
"Right now Selinsgrove is as good as it gets when it comes to the 358's. There are a lot of very good cars there. There could be a guy who
wins there one week and not qualify the next. The competition is that tough," Berkes said.
"So I think that if I were able to win or get a top five finish then I really feel as though I've accomplished something because you
guaranteed you beat some top quality cars there.
"I'd like to pull off a victory and just to get my first win and I'm really hoping that it comes at Selinsgrove being that I grew up watching
races there. I even lost my first tooth there. Other than trying to get a win I just hope to have a successful season and keep my car in once piece
and run in the top ten weekly and be a contender to win races."
While Selinsgrove will be his primary stop, Berkes will also contend at all the big money paying 358 shows at Williams Grove Speedway and
on occasion run some Friday night events at Clinton County.
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