Loves Park, IL- Jerry Gille was honored for his first career Rockford Speedway Championship in the NASCAR Stanley Steemer Late Models, Saturday January 24, 2009 at Forest Hills Lodge. After falling just one point shy of the title in 2007, Gille topped seven time defending track Champion Ricky Bilderback and a host of other contenders to add his name to Rockford Speedway’s rich history. During the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Banquet in Las Vegas, Gille was also awarded a new Sparco Firesuit, attended a special NASCAR State Champions Dinner event and was recognized for his accomplishments on the stage at the Rio All-Suite Hotel.

Jeremy Miller and crew celebrated his second straight BRP Big 8 Series presented by Gandrud Chevrolet Championship, runner-up Michael Bilderback who came up one marker short in his Championship quest was named the Assembly Products Sportsman of the Year. Big 8 Series Rookie of the Year Ross Kenseth was unable to attend due to a high school basketball game.

The biggest award of the evening, the Hugh G. Deery Award was presented to Paul and Paula McCann from Stanley Steemer in recognition of their endless support of short track auto racing and Rockford Speedway. Paul McCann was nearly speechless when receiving awards but later stated that he was extremely honored and couldn’t wait for race season to return to the Midwest. Tim Melvin who is officially retiring after over 30 years of competition was awarded the Jody Deery Award of Excellence and Noel Ramge was recognized as the Sportsman of the Year.

Both Fred Nason (Sportsman) and BJ Sparkman (Short Trackers) were honored for their third career Championship, each having claimed the honors in 2005, 2007 and again in 2008. A first time Champion gave perhaps the best speech of the night, Coca-Cola RoadRunner titlist Terrance Robinson gave a heartfelt speech, dedicating his Championship to his dad who is battling cancer.

All told, over 150 awards were presented to competitors, fans and sponsors alike including two brand new Lefthander Chassis, two complete Five-Star Bodies, a new Lincoln Welder, well over $15,000 in cash awards in addition to the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Point Fund drivers in the top four weekly divisions receive, Champions coats to each Champion, Budweiser and Coca-Cola Jackets in addition to Rookie of the Year Award Certificates totaling over $1,000 in prizes. Opening remarks by Rockford Speedway’s Jody Deery and NASCAR’s Lauren Westcoat welcomed the large crowd and set the stage for an entertaining evening that included commentary from track announcer Eric Huenefeld, video segments by Tabitha Bennett and music by Roger Peters.

CHAMPIONS
NASCAR Stanley Steemer Late Models- Jerry Gille
BRP Big 8 Series presented by Gandrud Chevrolet- Jeremy Miller
Bargain Hunter Sportsman- Fred Nason
Budweiser American Short Trackers- BJ Sparkman
Coca-Cola RoadRunners- Terrance Robinson
Crap Scrapper Hornets- Matt Mangiaracina
Sam’s Drive-In RoadRunner Challenge- Raymond Hardesty
Yellowbook Hornet Challenge- Randy Reynolds
Stateline Staffing Service Winged Women on Wheels- Laura Siarkiewicz
Figure 8- Chris Gantz
RoadRunner Super Summer Series- Charlie Frisch
Legends- Matt Booker
Bandoleros- Kyle Vergata
Allison Legacy- Dwight Dunlap

Hugh G. Deery Memorial Award- Paul and Paula McCann
Jody Deery Award of Excellence- Tim Melvin
Rockford Speedway Sportsman of the Year- Noel Ramge
Assembly Products Big 8 Series Sportsman of the Year- Michael Bilderback
CRAFTSMAN Mechanic of the Year- BJ Muraski
Quality Team Award- Jerry Gille
Lincoln Electric/Rockford Industrial Welding Supply Team Player- Randy Samples
Number One Fan Award- Chris Isom

Rookie of the Year
NASCAR Stanley Steemer Late Models- Alex Papini
BRP Big 8 Series presented by Gandrud Chevrolet- Ross Kenseth
Bargain Hunter Sportsman- Chris Gantz
Budweiser American Short Trackers- Chris Gantz

Speedway Auto Mall Dash
NASCAR Stanley Steemer Late Models- Matt Berger
Bargain Hunter Sportsman- Fred Nason
Budweiser American Short Trackers- BJ Sparkman
Coca-Cola RoadRunners- Terrance Robinson

Lefthander Chassis Give-A-Way
Rockford Speedway- Jerry Gille
BRP Big 8 Series presented by Gandrud Chevrolet- Ryan Carlson

Fivestar Bodies Complete Body Give-A-Way
Rockford Speedway- Tyler Peterson
BRP Big 8 Series presented by Gandrud Chevrolet- Steve Dobbratz

Gandrud Chevrolet Crate Challenge
Michael Bilderback

Achievement Awards
Best Appearing Late Model- Matt Berger
Best Appearing Sportsman- Brock Behnke
Best Appearing Short Tracker- Brett McCoy
Best Appearing RoadRunner- Terrance Robinson
Best Appearing Hornet- Randy Reynolds
Most Likely to Succeed Late Model- Jon Reynolds, Jr.
Most Likely to Succeed Sportsman- Doug Bennett
Most Likely to Succeed Short Tracker- Nick Letsinger
Most Improved Late Model- Jake Gille
Most Improved Sportsman- Ron Young
Most Improved Short Tracker- Nick Cina, Jr

General Awards
Rock of Gibralter Award- Billy McCoy
“Lightning McQueen” Award- Don Exline
Diamond in the Rough Award- Steve Erickson, Jr
Accounting 101 Award- Jon Reynolds, Sr
The Sharing Award- Jake Cholke
Dukes of Hazard Award- Josh Lundy
Outrageous Fortune Award- Jeffrey Turnure
Git ‘R Done Award- Dave Lignell
Driver Development Award- Michael Bilderback
Wing Ding Award- Mike Forrester
Perserverance Award- Jack Atchison
Chicago Cubs Award- Vachenzia Jester
Always There Through Hell & High Water- David Russell
Shake ‘N Bake Award- Alex Papini
IPOD Award- Tyler Peterson
Ken Schrader Award- Ron Morris
Lead, Follow or Get Out of the Way- Lloyd Hawkins