By Jordan Kuehne

LOVES PARK, Ill. (Saturday, August 8, 2009) – Seven-time Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Model champion and current division points leader Ricky Bilderback would be the first person to admit that in order to win a championship in the premiere division at the Rockford Speedway, a driver needs a little luck during the course of the season. Tonight, luck was indeed on Bilderback’s side as he collected the trophy for the 30-lap late model feature after crossing the finish line in second, due to Tim Sargent’s post-race disqualification for an illegal motor. Nick Cina Jr, Ricky Nielsen, Jacob Van Wazer and Jamie Clos also collected feature victories on the evening.

The action was fast and furious at the beginning of the 30-lap Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Model main event as Mark Hartline spun exiting turn two, as Nick Shutkas, who had nowhere to go with a gaggle of cars around him, got caught up in the mayhem. Unfortunately for both drivers, their nights were over prematurely.

Last month’s ‘Star Spangled 76’ winner, Tim Sargent, made his move on the restart with 28 laps remaining, jumping past Tim Noble for the lead. Points leader Ricky Bilderback maneuvered his way through the field and into second five laps later, and immediately began cutting into Sargent’s margin.

Bilderback managed to nestle up to Sargent’s back bumper with ten laps remaining and started peeking on the inside of the leader in the turns, as defending champion Jerry Gille and championship contender Jon Reynolds Jr. jumped into the fray to make it a four car battle for the lead.

Bilderback made one last gasp effort with two laps remaining but couldn’t quite make the move stick as Sargent surged back on the outside and held on to cross the finish line first. Sargent, however, was not the winner after he failed post-race inspection and was disqualified for compression in his motor, leaving Bilderback to claim the trophy.

Gille, Reynolds Jr, rookie points leader Mikie Breiner and Tim Noble rounded out the top five.

The racing was intense in the early stages of the 25-lap Budweiser American Short Tracker feature as Victor Young and Nick Cina Jr. battled went door-to-door for the lead over the opening nine laps while series points leader George Sparkman jumped into the third position. Young was out front by a nose when the caution flew for a Scott Hoeft spin in turn four.

More trouble was brewing on the restart as Matt Woelber lost power in turn four and was sent into the frontstretch wall by a hapless Bobby Carter.

The battle for the lead between Young and Cina Jr. picked up right where it had left off on the next restart as the two went side-by-side for five laps. Cina Jr. used the inside line to edge out Young for the lead, and brought the Sparkman brothers, George and BJ, into second and third respectively.

George tried to turn up the heat on Cina Jr. with seven laps remaining, diving to the inside in turn three, but he lost grip exiting turn four, allowing BJ to battle back on the outside and take the second position away from his brother.

BJ’s night would soon be over though, as his machine hit a patch of oil in turn one, sending his car careening into the outside wall before coming to a rest against the turn two barrier. A helpless Victor Young was in the wrong place at the wrong time as he couldn’t avoid smashing into Sparkman’s disabled car, ending his night on the wrecker.

On the resulting restart, Nick Cina Jr. held off a late effort from George Sparkman in the three lap dash to the checkers to collect his second feature victory of the season.

Jason Bragg, rookie Matt Booker and Rachel Sparkman completed the top five.

Alex Papini was the class of the field in the 20-lap Mtn Dew RoadRunners feature, leading wire-to-wire to cross the finish line first. It was Ricky Nielsen that brought home the trophy however, after Papini failed post-race inspection and was disqualified for illegal parts on his front suspension.

Robert Roush ended up second while Jason Van Hise, points leader Bobby Frisch and Lloyd Hawkins finished off the top five.

Jamie Clos grabbed the top spot when the green flag flew on the 25-lap Central States Super Cups Pro feature and was out front when the caution flew with just three circuits to go. On the restart, Clos jumped out to a three car length cushion over Erle Hoth and Jim Termanas, holding off both drivers to cross the finish line first.

Hoth, Termanas, Jamie Domski and Andrew Forster finished off the top five.

Morgan Schissel grabbed the early lead in the 15-lap Central States Super Cups Junior feature and was out front when he received the black flag for a fuel leak. Nine-year-old Jacob Van Wazer inherited the lead from Schissel and held off a late effort from Tyler Brown to pick up the victory.

Racing returns to the Rockford Speedway this Wednesday night as Wild Wednesdays come to a close for 2009 with Wild Wednesday Back 2 School Championship Night. The Mtn Dew RoadRunner Super Summer Series championship will be decided as Charlie Frisch sits just 34 points behind points leader Gene Marocco heading into the final night. Also on tap are the Crap Scrappers Hornets, INEX Legends, INEX Bandoleros, Stateline Staffing Services Winged Women on Wheels, National Figure 8 League, Allison Legacy Cars and Spectacular Drags. The gates open at 5:30pm with qualifying at 6:25pm and racing getting underway at 7:07pm. Adult tickets are just $8 while kids ages 6-11 are $4 and children 5 and under are FREE.

The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series makes its way back to the high-banked quarter mile next Saturday night for Old Timer’s Reunion Night featuring several stars and cars of eras past at the historic Rockford Speedway. The racing lineup will include the Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models, Bargain Hunter Sportsman, Mtn Dew RoadRunners and the Illinois Vintage Racing series plus the Sam’s Drive-In RoadRunner Challenge will feature the RoadRunner Pit Stop Challenge. The third poster give-a-way of the season is scheduled as well. Gates open at 5pm with qualifying getting underway at 5:45pm and the green flag flies at 7:07pm. All senior old and over get HALF-PRICED ADMISSION while adult tickets are $10, kids ages 6-11 get in for $5 and children 5 and under get in 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 American Short Trackers

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

Heat 01 -- 1. Scott Hoeft (r), Watertown, Wis; 2. Bobby Carter, Machesney Park; 3. Matt Booker (r), Wonder Lake; 4. Matt Woelber (r), Belvidere; 5. Steve Erickson, Jr, Rockton; 6. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 7. Jeffery Turnure II (r), Rockford; 8. Dave Lee, Rockford; 9. Laura Siarkiewicz (r), Algonquin.

Heat 02 -- 1. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 2. Jason Bragg, Rockford; 3. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 4. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 5. Kyle Lapier (r), Belvidere; 6. Nick Cina, Jr, Roscoe; 7. Victor Young, Genoa; 8. Rachel Sparkman, Loves Park; 9. Tanner Atchison, Byron.

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

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 2. Victor Young, Genoa; 3. George Sparkman, Loves
Park; 4. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 5. Kyle Lapier (r), Belvidere; 6. Jason Bragg, Rockford.

NASCAR Late Models

A-Main 01 -- 1. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 2. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 3. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Machesney Park; 4. Mikie Breiner (r), Johnburg; 5. Tim Noble, Janesville, Wis; 6. Tyler Peterson, Lake Geneva, Wis; 7. Jacob Gille, Winnebago; 8. Joe Rusciano, Crystal Lake; 9. John Beinlich (r), Prairie View; 10. Timothy Slater, Hampshire; 11. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 12. Nick Shutkas, Loves Park; 13. Joe Darnell, Machesney Park; 14. Tim Sargent, South Beloit.

Heat 01 -- 1. John Beinlich (r), Prairie View; 2. Joe Rusciano, Crystal Lake; 3. Tyler Peterson, Lake Geneva, Wis; 4. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 5. Tim Noble, Janesville, Wis; 6. Timothy Slater, Hampshire; 7. Joe Darnell, Machesney Park.

Heat 02 -- 1. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 2. Mikie Breiner (r), Johnburg; 3. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 4. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Machesney Park; 5. Nick Shutkas, Loves Park; 6. Jacob Gille, Winnebago; 7. Tim Sargent, South Beloit.

Time Trial -- 1. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Machesney Park; 2. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 3. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 4. Jacob Gille, Winnebago; 5. Mikie Breiner (r), Johnburg; 6. Nick Shutkas, Loves Park; 7. Fred Nason, Roscoe; 8. Tyler Peterson, Lake Geneva, Wis; 9. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 10. Joe Rusciano, Crystal Lake; 11. Tim Noble, Janesville, Wis; 12. John Beinlich (r), Prairie View; 13. Timothy Slater, Hampshire; 14. Joe Darnell, Machesney Park; 15. Tim Sargent, South Beloit

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

NASCAR Road Runners

A-Main 01 -- 1. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 2. Robert Roush, Marengo; 3. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 4. Bobby Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 5. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park; 6. David Lignell, Rockford; 7. Eric Schoffen, Crystal Lake; 8. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 9. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 10. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 11. Dana Czach, Wauconda; 12. Jason Brockway, Machesney Park; 13. Richard Nielsen, Byron; 14. Justin Hawkins, Machesney Park; 15. Dave Lumsden, Jr., Rockford; 16. Linnea Lundy, Loves Park; 17. Kenneth Brazee III, Machesney Park; 18. Jonathon Dean, Machesney Park; 19. Michael Neblock, Loves Park; 20. Ryan Kulpa, Loves Park; 21. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 22. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 23. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park; 24. Kyle Watts, Machesney Park; 25. Brian Smith, Rockford; 26. Alex Papini, Machesney Park.

Heat 01 -- 1. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park; 2. Justin Hawkins, Machesney Park; 3. Linnea Lundy, Loves Park; 4.
Jonathon Dean, Machesney Park; 5. Kyle Watts, Machesney Park; 6. Michael Neblock, Loves Park; 7. Brian Smith,
Rockford; 8. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 9. Alex Papini, Machesney Park.

Heat 02 -- 1. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 2. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 3. Ryan Kulpa, Loves Park; 4. Dave Lumsden, Jr., Rockford; 5. Eric Schoffen, Crystal Lake; 6. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park; 7. Kenneth Brazee III, Machesney Park; 8. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 9. Jason Brockway, Machesney Park.

Heat 03 -- 1. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 2. Robert Roush, Marengo; 3. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 4. David Lignell,
Rockford; 5. Bobby Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 6. Richard Nielsen, Byron; 7. Dana Czach, Wauconda; 8. Gene Marocco,
Machesney Park.

Challenge 01 -- 1. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 2. Dave Lumsden, Jr., Rockford; 3. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park;
4. David Lignell, Rockford; 5. Kyle Watts, Machesney Park; 6. Justin Hawkins, Machesney Park; 7. Eric Schoffen, Crystal Lake; 8. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 9. Kenneth Brazee III, Machesney Park; 10. Jonathon Dean, Machesney Park; 11. Alicia Magee, Machesney Park; 12. Jason Brockway, Machesney Park.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Dana Czach, Wauconda; 2. Robert Roush, Marengo; 3. Bobby Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 4. Gene
Marocco, Machesney Park; 5. Howie Ware, South Beloit.

Super-Cup

A-Main 01 -- 1. Jamie Clos, Chicago; 2. Erle Hoth, Medinah; 3. Jim Termanas, Lake in the Hills; 4. Jamie Domski;; 5. Andrew Forster, Lake Zurich; 6. Jacob Bandaly, Villa Park; 7. Chad Logan, Sr., Elburn; 8. Jeff Myers, Elgin; 9. Jim Scanlon, Zion; 10. Steve Naples, Bartlett.

A-Main 02 -- 1. Jacob VanWazer, Lombard; 2. Tyler Brown, Carol Stream; 3. Jacob Zellmer, Waterford, Wis; 4. Jordan
Wendt;; 5. Morgan Schissel, Marshal, Wis.

Heat 01 -- 1. Jamie Clos, Chicago; 2. Erle Hoth, Medinah; 3. Tony Velez, Buffalo Grove; 4. Andrew Forster, Lake Zurich; 5. Mick Ellis, Schaumburg; 6. Chad Logan, Sr., Elburn.

Heat 02 -- 1. Jim Termanas, Lake in the Hills; 2. Jamie Domski;; 3. Steve Naples, Bartlett; 4. Jeff Myers, Elgin; 5. Jacob Bandaly, Villa Park; 6. Jim Scanlon, Zion.

Heat 11 -- 1. Morgan Schissel, Marshal, Wis; 2. Jacob VanWazer, Lombard; 3. Tyler Brown, Carol Stream; 4. Jacob
Zellmer, Waterford, Wis; 5. Jordan Wendt;.

Time Trial -- 1. Erle Hoth, Medinah; 2. Jim Termanas, Lake in the Hills; 3. Jamie Clos, Chicago; 4. Jamie Domski;; 5. Tony Velez, Buffalo Grove; 6. Steve Naples, Bartlett; 7. Andrew Forster, Lake Zurich; 8. Jim Scanlon, Zion; 9. Mick Ellis, Schaumburg; 10. Tyler Brown, Carol Stream; 11. Jacob Bandaly, Villa Park; 12. Jacob VanWazer, Lombard; 13. Morgan Schissel, Marshal, Wis; 14. Jacob Zellmer, Waterford, Wis; 15. Jordan Wendt;; 16. Chad Logan, Sr., Elburn.