By Jordan Kuehne

LOVES PARK, IL. (Saturday, June 6, 2009) -- Jerry Gille held off late advances from Ryan Carlson and Ricky Bilderback to collect his first Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Model feature win of 2009 tonight at the Rockford Speedway. Several late cautions gave Carlson and Bilderback opportunities to make their move late but Gille was too tough and managed to prevail. Doug Bennett, BJ Sparkman and Bobby Frisch also collected feature wins in front of an enthusiastic crowd on Kar Korner’s World Famous Trailer Race Night.

The Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models 30-lap main event was full of action early as Tim Noble turned around Mikie Breiner to bring out the caution on lap two. Breiner got loose entering turn three and Noble couldn’t check up in time causing a multi-car pileup. Jon Reynolds Jr, Tyler Peterson and Tim Sargent were also involved in the accident. Noble and Kyle Shear were both sent to the tail end of the 18 car field for their roles in the wreck.

Mark Hartline inherited the lead on the restart as defending champion Jerry Gille quickly jumped into second. Gille worked his way by Hartline on lap four bringing 17-year-old Michael Bilderback with him into the runner-up spot. Seven-time track champion Ricky Bilderback managed to get by Hartline for third when a Dave Edwards’ spin in turn one brought out the second caution of the race with 13 laps remaining.

On the restart, Ricky worked his way by his nephew Michael for second and Ryan Carlson followed him into the third position. Ricky “the Rocket” had just grabbed the inside lane on Gille when John Beinlich spun around in turn two with nine laps to go. In a smart piece of strategy, Carlson took the inside lane on the restart and worked his way past Bilderback for second. The caution came out again in short order for an unassisted Jake Gille spin on the backstretch.

After a quick four laps, another John Beinlich spin created a three lap shootout between Jerry Gille, Carlson and Ricky Bilderback. Gille managed to hold off a late charge from Carlson to collect his first feature win of 2009.

“I’m a points racer and that’s all I’ve ever been but wins are nice,” a satisfied Gille stated in victory lane. “We’ve had our run of bad luck this year and we weren’t the fastest car in the feature so it was nice to have things break our way tonight.”

Ricky Bilderback, Michael Bilderback and Shear completed the top five.

The racing was fast and furious in the beginning of the 25-lap Bargain Hunter Sportsman feature as points leader Fred Nason’s night ended early after he knocked down the turn three wall with just one lap in the books. Don Exline, Chris Ehrhart and Butch Swinbank also got tangled up in the four-car accident.

Brodhead, WI. native Doug Bennett, looking to move up in points after the early incident, jumped in front of Brock Behnke on the restart.

Utica, WI.'s Kurt Kleven made his move with 20 laps remaining, working his way past Scott Lawver and Behnke into second as Bennett maintained a healthy lead. Kleven’s night didn’t end the way he wanted though, as he fell off the pace with eight laps remaining and exited into the pits for the evening.

Bennett fended off a late move by Behnke for his second feature win of the season. Bennett also inherited the points lead from Nason grabbing the top spot in the standings for the first time in 2009.

Lawver, Ron Morris and Ricky Nielson rounded out the top five.

Rachel Sparkman led the 21 car field to green in the Budweiser American Short Trackers 25-lap headliner. Matt Booker brought out the caution flag five laps in after making hard contact with the turn three wall and collecting David Russell in the process. Russell’s rear end was sheared off when he made contact with the outside wall and both drivers were forced to head home early.

BJ Sparkman, who set a new track record in qualifying, used the restart to propel himself into the top two, taking second away from Scott Hoeft with 17 laps remaining. BJ then set his sights on his niece, Rachel, for the lead, grabbing the top spot two laps later.

George Sparkman made it a family affair up front, working his way past Zach Rodriguez into third with 11 laps remaining after his daughter, Rachel, fell off the pace. George Sparkman got past Hoeft for second with eight to go but that’s as far as he would get as BJ Sparkman held off his older brother over the final eight laps to collect his second win of 2009.

Hoeft, rookie Kyle Lapier and Steve Erickson Jr. finished off the top five.

“Big Kid” Mike Swanson made his way out front early in the 20 lap Mtn Dew RoadRunner feature. Bobby Frisch, coming from the back, picked his way through the 28 car field and into second by the halfway mark. Frisch spent six laps slowly closing the gap before catching up to Swanson with four circuits to go.

Frisch stayed on Swanson’s bumper while the two drivers worked their way through lapped traffic, finally seizing his opportunity when a hole opened with two laps remaining. Frisch grabbed the top spot coming to the white flag and held on for the win.

Swanson, Ricky Nielson, Larry Dickinson II and Richard Nielson all garnered top-fives.

In the crowd favorite Kar Korner World Famous Trailer Race of Destruction, David Prince outlasted 20 other drivers to bring home the victory. Prince raced his utility van around the quarter-mile for 15 minutes before taking the win over Andrew Lyons in a fan vote.

The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series is back in action next Saturday on Parent Petroleum Kid’s Night at the Rockford Speedway. The Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models, Budweiser American Short Trackers, Mtn Dew RoadRunners and Brown’s Chicken Super Cups all take on the fast-paced quarter mile along with the Sam’s Drive-In RoadRunner Challenge featuring the Double Spin to Win Race. A special appearance will be made by Spider-Man and there will be a free 4-H Ice Cream Social and Cow Kissing Booth, plus Kid’s Stock Car Rides. All kids ages 11 and under receive free admission when the spectator gates open at 5pm, with qualifying slated for 5:45pm and racing action getting underway at 7:07pm.

For more information, including a full 2009 racing schedule, please visit the track’s website at www.rockfordspeedway.com or call the Speedway Box Office at (815) 633-1500.

NASCAR All American Sportsmen

A-Main 01 -- 1. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 2. Brock Behnke, South Beloit; 3. Scott Lawver, Roscoe; 4. Ron Morris, Belvidere; 5. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 6. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 7. Don Exline, Oak Lawn; 8. Rob Goodman (r), McHenry; 9. Chris Ehrhart, Deerfield, Wis; 10. Joey Thomas, Rockford; 11. Kurt Kleven, Cambridge, Wis; 12. Jerry Edge, Marengo; 13. Fred Nason, Roscoe; 14. Warren (Butch) Swinbank, Rockford.

Heat 01 -- 1. Ron Morris, Belvidere; 2. Warren (Butch) Swinbank, Rockford; 3. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 4. Justin
Sellers, Carol Stream; 5. Rob Goodman (r), McHenry; 6. Jerry Edge, Marengo; 7. Joey Thomas, Rockford.

Heat 02 -- 1. Kurt Kleven, Cambridge, Wis; 2. Don Exline, Oak Lawn; 3. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 4. Brock Behnke, South Beloit; 5. Scott Lawver, Roscoe; 6. Chris Ehrhart, Deerfield, Wis.

Time Trial -- 1. Fred Nason, Roscoe; 2. Don Exline, Oak Lawn; 3. Kurt Kleven, Cambridge, Wis; 4. Brock Behnke,
South Beloit; 5. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 6. Scott Lawver, Roscoe; 7. Chris Ehrhart, Deerfield, Wis; 8. Warren(Butch) Swinbank, Rockford; 9. Ron Morris, Belvidere; 10. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 11. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 12. Rob Goodman (r), McHenry; 13. Jerry Edge, Marengo; 14. Joey Thomas, Rockford.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Don Exline, Oak Lawn; 2. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 3. Fred Nason, Roscoe; 4. Kurt Kleven, Cambridge, Wis; 5. Brock Behnke, South Beloit; 6. Scott Lawver, Roscoe.

NASCAR American Short Trackers

A-Main 01 -- 1. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 2. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 3. Scott Hoeft (r),
Watertown, Wis; 4. Kyle Lapier (r), Belvidere; 5. Steve Erickson, Jr, Rockton; 6. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 7. Billy McCoy, Belvidere; 8. Nick Cina, Jr, Roscoe; 9. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 10. Rachel Sparkman, Loves Park; 11. Jason Bragg, Rockford; 12. Jack Atchison, Stillman Valley; 13. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 14. Bobby Carter, Machesney Park; 15. Dave Lee, Rockford; 16. Matt Woelber (r), Belvidere; 17. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 18. Victor Young, Genoa; 19. Laura Siarkiewicz (r), Algonquin; 20. Matt Booker (r), Wonder Lake; 21. David Russell (r), Rockford.

Heat 01 -- 1. David Russell (r), Rockford; 2. Matt Woelber (r), Belvidere; 3. Dave Lee, Rockford; 4. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 5. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 6. Bobby Carter, Machesney Park; 7. Laura Siarkiewicz (r), Algonquin.

Heat 02 -- 1. Rachel Sparkman, Loves Park; 2. Kyle Lapier (r), Belvidere; 3. Jack Atchison, Stillman Valley; 4. Jason Bragg, Rockford; 5. Billy McCoy, Belvidere; 6. Victor Young, Genoa; 7. Scott Hoeft (r), Watertown, Wis.

Heat 03 -- 1. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 2. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 3. Nick Cina, Jr, Roscoe; 4. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 5. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 6. Steve Erickson, Jr, Rockton; 7. Matt Booker (r), Wonder Lake.

Time Trial -- 1. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 2. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 3. Steve Erickson, Jr,
Rockton; 4. Matt Booker (r), Wonder Lake; 5. Nick Cina, Jr, Roscoe; 6. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 7. Brett McCoy,
Belvidere; 8. Billy McCoy, Belvidere; 9. Kyle Lapier (r), Belvidere; 10. Scott Hoeft (r), Watertown, Wis; 11. Jason Bragg, Rockford; 12. Victor Young, Genoa; 13. Rachel Sparkman, Loves Park; 14. Jack Atchison, Stillman Valley; 15. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 16. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 17. David Russell (r), Rockford; 18. Dave Lee, Rockford; 19. Matt Woelber (r), Belvidere; 20. Bobby Carter, Machesney Park; 21. Laura Siarkiewicz (r), Algonquin.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 2. Steve Erickson, Jr, Rockton; 3. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman,
Machesney Park; 4. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 5. Matt Booker (r), Wonder Lake; 6. Nick Cina, Jr, Roscoe.

NASCAR Late Models

A-Main 01 -- 1. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 2. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 3. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 4. Michael Bilderback, South Beloit; 5. Kyle Shear, Roscoe; 6. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 7. Tim Noble, Janesville, Wis; 8. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 9. Nick Shutkas, Loves Park; 10. Jacob Gille, Winnebago; 11. Joe Rusciano, Crystal Lake; 12. Brandon Eash (r),Rockford; 13. John Beinlich (r), Prairie View; 14. Timothy Slater, Hampshire; 15. Dave Edwards, Salem, Wis; 16. Tyler Peterson, Lake Geneva, Wis; 17. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Roscoe; 18. Mikie Breiner (r), Johnburg.

Heat 01 -- 1. Joe Rusciano, Crystal Lake; 2. Tyler Peterson, Lake Geneva, Wis; 3. Kyle Shear, Roscoe; 4. Mikie Breiner(r), Johnburg; 5. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 6. Brandon Eash (r), Rockford; 7. Dave Edwards, Salem, Wis; 8. Timothy Slater, Hampshire; 9. Mark Hartline, Gilberts.

Heat 02 -- 1. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 2. Michael Bilderback, South Beloit; 3. Jacob Gille, Winnebago; 4. Ryan Carlson,
Loves Park; 5. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Roscoe; 6. Nick Shutkas, Loves Park; 7. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 8. John Beinlich(r), Prairie View; 9. Tim Noble, Janesville, Wis.

Time Trial -- 1. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 2. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 3. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Roscoe; 4. Michael Bilderback, South Beloit; 5. Nick Shutkas, Loves Park; 6. Jacob Gille, Winnebago; 7. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 8. John Beinlich (r), Prairie View; 9. Tim Noble, Janesville, Wis; 10. Kyle Shear, Roscoe; 11. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 12. Mikie Breiner (r), Johnburg; 13. Tyler Peterson, Lake Geneva, Wis; 14. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 15. Joe Rusciano, Crystal Lake; 16. Dave Edwards, Salem, Wis; 17. Brandon Eash (r), Rockford; 18. Timothy Slater, Hampshire.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Roscoe; 2. Jacob Gille, Winnebago; 3. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 4. Michael Bilderback, South Beloit; 5. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 6. Nick Shutkas, Loves Park.

NASCAR Road Runners

A-Main 01 -- 1. Bobby Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 2. Mike Swanson, Rockford; 3. Richard Nielsen, Byron; 4. Larry Dickinson II, Cedarville; 5. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 6. Robert Roush, Marengo; 7. Jason Brockway, Machesney Park; 8. Dana Czach, Wauconda; 9. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park; 10. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 11. Charlie Frisch, Rockford; 12. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 13. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 14. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 15. Billy Robinson, Orfordville, Wis; 16. Kris Nilson, Rockford; 17. David Lignell, Rockford; 18. Gilbert Brewer, Genoa; 19. Mike Leopold, Algonquin;
20. Eric Schoffen, Crystal Lake; 21. Kenneth Brazee III, Machesney Park; 22. Tammy Hawkins, Machesney Park; 23.
Nick Cina, Jr, Roscoe; 24. Michael Neblock, Loves Park; 25. Anthony (Andy) Bristol, Rockford; 26. Linnea Lundy, Loves Park

Heat 01 -- 1. Jason Brockway, Machesney Park; 2. Nick Cina, Jr, Roscoe; 3. Billy Robinson, Orfordville, Wis; 4. Eric Schoffen, Crystal Lake; 5. Anthony (Andy) Bristol, Rockford; 6. Linnea Lundy, Loves Park; 7. Tammy Hawkins,
Machesney Park; 8. Jonathon Dean, Machesney Park; 9. Michael Neblock, Loves Park; 10. Marvin Butler, Rockford.

Heat 02 -- 1. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 2. Mike Swanson, Rockford; 3. Kenneth Brazee III, Machesney Park; 4. Gilbert Brewer, Genoa; 5. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park; 6. Robert Roush, Marengo; 7. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 8. Mike Leopold, Algonquin; 9. Andrew Wells, Machesney Park; 10. Vachenzia Jester, Beloit, Wis.

Heat 03 -- 1. Bobby Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 2. Richard Nielsen, Byron; 3. Charlie Frisch, Rockford; 4. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 5. Larry Dickinson II, Cedarville; 6. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 7. Kris Nilson, Rockford; 8. Dana Czach,
Wauconda; 9. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 10. David Lignell, Rockford.

Challenge 01 -- 1. Gilbert Brewer, Genoa; 2. David Lignell, Rockford; 3. Robert Roush, Marengo; 4. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 5. Alex Papini, Machesney Park; 6. Anthony (Andy) Bristol, Rockford; 7. Mike Leopold, Algonquin; 8. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park; 9. Kenneth Brazee III, Machesney Park.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 2. Dana Czach, Wauconda; 3. Charlie Frisch, Rockford; 4. Gilbert
Brewer, Genoa; 5. Larry Dickinson II, Cedarville.