By Jordan Kuehne

LOVES PARK, IL. (Saturday, August 1, 2009) – “Driver X” Jon Reynolds Jr. had the X-factor of luck on his side tonight, managing to be in the right place at the right time when a wild wreck collected four of the top five cars in the running order and holding on to collect his third feature victory of the season in front of an excited standing room only crowd on Kar Korner “World Famous” Figure 8 Trailer Race Night at the Rockford Speedway. The wreck caught up the top two drivers in points, current points leader Ricky Bilderback and defending champion Jerry Gille, as Reynolds Jr, sitting third in points, took advantage of his opportunity to close the gap. Matt Rumple made it a clean sweep in the Bargain Hunter Sportsman division while Steve Erickson Jr. and Robert Roush won features on the evening.

The action was fast and furious at the beginning of the 30-lap Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models main event as a wild wreck collected points leader Ricky Bilderback and defending champion Jerry Gille as well as rookie Mikie Breiner and Mark Hartline. Bilderback’s machine ended up on top of Hartline’s driver’s side door just two laps in, as all four cars came together against the turn one wall. The red flag came out for the clean up as all four drivers walked away from the incident. Bilderback returned to the race and finished in his damaged car.

Brandon Eash jumped out front on the restart as “Driver X”, Jon Reynolds Jr, began picking his way through the field. Reynolds Jr. grabbed second from Joe Rusciano ten laps in and used the inside line one lap later to grab the lead away from Eash.

Reynolds Jr. was building a cushion on the field when the second caution of the race flew for a spin by Dave Cooter Jr. in turn four. Reynolds Jr. had a great restart as Eash and Tyler Peterson battled for the second position behind him, trying to track down “Driver X”.

It wasn’t enough as Jon Reynolds Jr. held on to collect the hardware and the victory, reinserting himself into the championship race with his third feature win of the season.

“The car’s been stout the last two weeks,” an excited Reynolds Jr. stated in victory lane. “When I’ve been finishing, it’s been in the top three, otherwise we’ve been heading to the trailer early. It’s unfortunate what happened to the top two (Ricky Bilderback and Jerry Gille), but we were in the right place at the right time and we earned this win.”

Rusciano and Nick Shutkas rounded out the top five.

Rob Goodman took the top spot in the early stages of the Bargain Hunter Sportsman 25-lap main event and was out front when the first caution of the race flew for a Ricky Nielsen spin in turn two.

The restart with 21 circuits remaining was Doug Bennett’s cue to make his move, jumping from fifth to second in four laps as new track record holder and fast qualifier Matt Rumple followed him into third. Rumple maneuvered his way past the points leader for second and just one lap later, Rumple was out front, making the inside line the place to be as he drove past Goodman and into the lead.

The battle for second between Bennett and three-time defending division champion Fred Nason was beginning to heat up when the caution flew after Steve Vaughn lost a wheel in turn three. The wheeling and dealing continued as Nason and Bennett went side-by-side for second over the final ten laps, Nason edging out his competition for second by a bumper.

Matt Rumple, piloting a fast car all night long, collected the trophy to make it a clean sweep on the night after setting fast time and winning his heat race earlier.

Nason, Bennett, Brock Behnke and Goodman completed the top five.

Steve Erickson Jr. jumped out to the early lead in the 25-lap Budweiser American Short Trackers headliner. Matt Booker made his way into second just five laps in as defending champion BJ Sparkman immediately began to pressure the rookie for the position, making the pass and bringing the points leader, his brother George Sparkman, into third behind him.

The Sparkman brothers were slowly reeling Erickson Jr. in when the caution flew with 10 laps remaining for a Jason Bragg spin, bunching the field back up and pitting both Sparkman brothers side-by-side. Trouble was brewing on the restart though, as the top three drivers in the point standings, BJ and George Sparkman and Nick Cina Jr. all got together, ending their nights early and collecting three other cars in the process.

Erickson Jr. and Booker took advantage when the green flew, jumping ahead of the field and battling each other for the lead. Steve Erickson Jr. would prevail though, going wire-to-wire to take home his second feature win of the season and in the process, gaining ground in the point standings.

Booker, Rachel Sparkman, Jack Atchison and Tanner Atchison finished off the top five.

Robert Roush started out front and built a comfortable margin over the field in the 20-lap feature event for the Mtn Dew RoadRunners before points leader Bobby Frisch forced his way into second and began closing the gap on the leader. Frisch ran out of time as Roush went wire-to-wire to collect his first feature win of the season.

Frisch, Kris Nielson, Gene Marocco and Joshua Lundy rounded out the top five.

Solomon Barker outlasted everybody to pick up the victory in the Kar Korner “World Famous” Figure 8 Trailer Race.

Racing returns to the Rockford Speedway on Wild Wednesday Special Needs Night as a full slate takes to the track, including the Mtn Dew RoadRunner Super Summer Series, Crap Scrappers Hornets, Stateline Staffing Services Winged Women on Wheels, National Figure 8 League, Spectacular Drags, INEX Legends, INEX Bandoleros and the Allison Legacy Cars plus the ‘Drag Race’. Gates open at 5:30pm with qualifying scheduled for 6:25pm and the green flag flies at 7:07pm. Adult tickets are just $8 and kids ages 6-11 get in for $4 while children ages 5 and under get in FREE.

NASCAR Whelen All-American Series action returns to the Rockford Speedway next Saturday night as Stanley Steemer presents Pit Stop for Pets Night. On tap are the Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models, Budweiser American Short Trackers, Mtn Dew RoadRunners and Central States Super Cups plus the Sam’s Drive-In RoadRunner Challenge featuring the Hare ‘N Hound Race and the Popeye’s Kids Mini Grand-Prix. There will be a Facebook Fans After-Race Party for all fans of the Rockford Speedway on Facebook, and anyone bringing a Humane Society Donation will receive a $2 discount off admission. The gates open at 5pm with qualifying set for 5:45pm and the green flag scheduled to wave at 7:07pm. Adult tickets are $10 while kids ages 6-11 get in for $5 and children 5 and under get in for free.

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

NASCAR All American Sportsmen

A-Main 01 -- 1. Matty Rumple, Beloit, Wis; 2. Fred Nason, Roscoe; 3. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 4. Brock Behnke, South Beloit; 5. Rob Goodman (r), McHenry; 6. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 7. Ron Morris, Belvidere; 8. Don Exline, Oak Lawn; 9. Rob Solo Rio (r), Hampshire; 10. Darrell Garman, Machesney Park; 11. Scott Lawver, Roscoe; 12. Steve Vaughn, Loves Park; 13. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 14. William Glombicki, Jr (r), Machesney Park.

Heat 01 -- 1. Rob Solo Rio (r), Hampshire; 2. Darrell Garman, Machesney Park; 3. Rob Goodman (r), McHenry; 4.
Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 5. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 6. Steve Vaughn, Loves Park; 7. Don Wickstrum, Monroe, Wis; 8. William Glombicki, Jr (r), Machesney Park.

Heat 02 -- 1. Matty Rumple, Beloit, Wis; 2. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 3. Fred Nason, Roscoe; 4. Ron Morris, Belvidere; 5. Don Exline, Oak Lawn; 6. Scott Lawver, Roscoe; 7. Brock Behnke, South Beloit.

Time Trial -- 1. Matty Rumple, Beloit, Wis; 2. Fred Nason, Roscoe; 3. Brock Behnke, South Beloit; 4. Ron Morris,Belvidere; 5. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 6. Scott Lawver, Roscoe; 7. Don Exline, Oak Lawn; 8. Steve Vaughn, Loves Park; 9. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 10. Rob Goodman (r), McHenry; 11. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 12. Rob Solo Rio (r), Hampshire; 13. Darrell Garman, Machesney Park; 14. Don Wickstrum, Monroe, Wis; 15. William Glombicki, Jr (r), Machesney Park.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Matty Rumple, Beloit, Wis; 2. Brock Behnke, South Beloit; 3. Ron Morris, Belvidere; 4. Doug
Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 5. Fred Nason, Roscoe; 6. Scott Lawver, Roscoe.

NASCAR American Short Trackers

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

Heat 01 -- 1. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 2. Victor Young, Genoa; 3. Steve Erickson, Jr, Rockton; 4. Tanner Atchison, Byron; 5. Rachel Sparkman, Loves Park; 6. Jack Atchison, Stillman Valley; 7. Bobby Carter, Machesney Park; 8. Matt Woelber (r), Belvidere; 9. Laura Siarkiewicz (r), Algonquin.

Heat 02 -- 1. Jason Bragg, Rockford; 2. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 3. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 4.
George Sparkman, Loves Park; 5. Matt Booker (r), Wonder Lake; 6. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 7. Nick Cina, Jr, Roscoe; 8. Scott Hoeft (r), Watertown, Wis.

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

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 2. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 3. Matt Booker (r), Wonder Lake; 4.
Jason Bragg, Rockford; 5. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 6. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park.

NASCAR Late Models

A-Main 01 -- 1. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Machesney Park; 2. Brandon Eash (r), Rockford; 3. Tyler Peterson, Lake Geneva, Wis; 4. Joe Rusciano, Crystal Lake; 5. Nick Shutkas, Loves Park; 6. Jacob Finney, Sycamore; 7. Timothy Slater, Hampshire; 8. Joe Darnell, Machesney Park; 9. Jacob Gille, Winnebago; 10. Robert Nelson, Solon Mills; 11. Dave Cooter, Jr., Lincolnshire; 12. David Russell (r), Rockford; 13. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 14. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 15. Tom Gille, Winnebago; 16. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 17. Mikie Breiner (r), Johnburg; 18. John Beinlich (r), Prairie View.

Heat 01 -- 1. Timothy Slater, Hampshire; 2. Jacob Finney, Sycamore; 3. John Beinlich (r), Prairie View; 4. Tyler Peterson, Lake Geneva, Wis; 5. Brandon Eash (r), Rockford; 6. Dave Cooter, Jr., Lincolnshire; 7. Joe Darnell, Machesney Park; 8. Robert Nelson, Solon Mills; 9. David Russell (r), Rockford.

Heat 02 -- 1. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 2. Tom Gille, Winnebago; 3. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 4. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 5. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Machesney Park; 6. Joe Rusciano, Crystal Lake; 7. Mikie Breiner (r), Johnburg; 8. Jacob Gille, Winnebago; 9. Nick Shutkas, Loves Park.

Time Trial -- 1. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 2. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Machesney Park; 3. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 4. Jacob Gille, Winnebago; 5. Tom Gille, Winnebago; 6. Mikie Breiner (r), Johnburg; 7. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 8. Nick Shutkas, Loves Park; 9. Joe Rusciano, Crystal Lake; 10. Tyler Peterson, Lake Geneva, Wis; 11. Brandon Eash (r), Rockford; 12. Robert Nelson, Solon Mills; 13. Jacob Finney, Sycamore; 14. John Beinlich (r), Prairie View; 15. Timothy Slater, Hampshire; 16. Joe Darnell, Machesney Park; 17. Dave Cooter, Jr., Lincolnshire; 18. David Russell (r), Rockford.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 2. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Machesney Park; 3. Jacob Gille, Winnebago; 4. Tom Gille, Winnebago; 5. Mikie Breiner (r), Johnburg; 6. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton.

NASCAR Road Runners

A-Main 01 -- 1. Robert Roush, Marengo; 2. Bobby Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 3. Kris Nilson, Rockford; 4. Gene Marocco,
Machesney Park; 5. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park; 6. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 7. Eric Schoffen, Crystal Lake; 8. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 9. Dana Czach, Wauconda; 10. Richard Nielsen, Byron; 11. David Lignell, Rockford; 12. Kyle Watts, Machesney Park; 13. Kenneth Brazee III, Machesney Park; 14. Michael Neblock, Loves Park; 15. Linnea Lundy, Loves Park; 16. Ryan Kulpa, Loves Park; 17. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 18. Mike Leopold, Algonquin; 19. Billy McCoy, Belvidere.

Heat 01 -- 1. Kyle Watts, Machesney Park; 2. Linnea Lundy, Loves Park; 3. Billy McCoy, Belvidere; 4. Kenneth Brazee III, Machesney Park; 5. Mike Leopold, Algonquin; 6. Michael Neblock, Loves Park; 7. Jonathon Dean, Machesney Park; 8. Justin Hawkins, Machesney Park.

Heat 02 -- 1. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 2. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park; 3. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 4. Eric Schoffen, Crystal Lake; 5. David Lignell, Rockford; 6. Richard Nielsen, Byron; 7. Jason Brockway, Machesney Park; 8. Ryan Kulpa, Loves Park.

Heat 03 -- 1. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 2. Robert Roush, Marengo; 3. Kris Nilson, Rockford; 4. Howie Ware,
South Beloit; 5. Bobby Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 6. Dana Czach, Wauconda; 7. Richard Edge, Marengo.

Challenge 01 -- 1. Kyle Watts, Machesney Park; 2. Richard Edge, Marengo; 3. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 4. Eric Schoffen, Crystal Lake; 5. Kenneth Brazee III, Machesney Park; 6. Mike Leopold, Algonquin; 7. Alicia Magee, Machesney Park; 8. Justin Hawkins, Machesney Park.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 2. Bobby Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 3. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 4. Dana Czach, Wauconda; 5. Kris Nilson, Rockford; 6. Richard Edge, Marengo.