Bilderback Claims Overall Title for the Second Year in a Row

By Kevin Ramsell
Saturday, September 29, 2007 (Loves Park, IL) – Ricky Bilderback claimed the overall win in the Big 8 Series Twin 58-lap feature at the second day of the 42nd Annual National Short Track Championships at the Rockford Speedway. Ryan Carlson and Jeremy Miller would each claim a feature win.

Carlson made up for his second place overall finish at Jefferson by taking home the Stanley Steemer 58-lap feature event, the first of two feature events for the Big 8 Series.

Kyle Jarlsberg was the early leader in the first feature as 25 cars took Greg Oliver's green flag.

Carlson, who started sixth, didn't waist any time working his way to the front. On lap 19, while battling Bob Kahler for third, the two touched going down the backstretch. The two stayed connected as they went into turn three causing Kahler to get loose and allowing to take the position.

Three laps later, Carlson would get past Keith Tolf for second and set his sights on Jarlsberg. On lap 30, Jarlsberg continued to lead but had Carlson and Ricky Bilderback right behind him. As the three went down the backstretch, Carlson jumped to the inside of Jarlsberg and took over the top spot.

Bilderback would work his way past Jarlsberg for second on lap 37 and try to chase down Carlson.

But, Carlson was to strong for Bilderback as he led all the way to the checkered flag with Bilderback a car length behind. Jon Reynolds Jr. would get past Jarlsberg on the last lap to finish third. Matt Bryne would round out the top five.

"We had some hard luck, I didn't think we had to wait this long," an excited Carlson stated in victory lane. "My guys stuck by me all year, this one is for them."

It was a wild start to the second feature event as at least ten cars were involved in a huge wreck coming off of turn four.

On the second attempt, it was Mike Ehde taking the lead in the Rockford's Best Seal & Stripe 58-lap feature.

On lap 3, John Knaus got loose and spun in turns three and four. Matt Berger had no where to go and made hard contact with the wall. Sonny Schoffen was also involved. All drivers were alright.

Ehde continued to lead as Carlson started working his way to the front. Carlson would make his way to the top-five on lap 22 as he got around Bilderback on the outside.

But, Carlson's night would come to an end two laps later he was on the outside of Jarlsberg to make a bid for fourth. As the two came off of turn four, Jarlsberg got loose and got into Carlson causing the two to make contact with the outside wall. Both were done for the evening.

Ehde continued to lead on the re-start with Jeff Steenbergen in second. Current point leader, Jeremy Miller, made his presence known as he moved his way up to third by the halfway mark.

Steenbergen's great run came to a screeching halt on lap 34 when he appeared to have something break in as he entered turn one and made hard contact with the outside wall. He was able to walk away.

Ehde continued to lead with Miller all over his back bumper. On lap 35, Miller went to the inside of Miller to take over the top spot. Miller would then pull out to a ten-car length lead.

Miller would pull away to about a straightaway lead over Ehde over final 18 laps to take home his first feature win of the year.

Ehde would hold off Bilderback for second. Tim Sargent had a strong run to come home fourth with Brady Liddle rounding out the top five.

"It's hard to pass here, you have to work him over," Miller stated in victory lane in regards to passing Ehde. Earlier this year, Ehde held off Miller to win the Spring Classic at Rockford.

Bilderback's second and third place finish gave him the overall win for the second year in a row.

"We had a lot of luck, we didn't have enough to catch Ryan in the first race and my tires went away in the second," Bilderback stated.

Miller took home the Nason Landscaping "Faster Than a Speeding Bullet" fast qualifying award by setting a fast time of 13.818
seconds.

The final race of the 2007 season will take place this Thursday night at the 38th Annual Oktoberfest Race Weekend at La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway in West Salem, WI. A champion will be crowned following the 40-lap feature event.

For more information on the Oktoberfest Race Weekend, please visit La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway; please visit their website at www.lacrossespeedway.com.

For more information on the Big 8 Series, please visit its website at www.big8series.com.

Big 8 Series Limited Late Models

Feature 01 -- 1. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 2. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 3. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Roscoe; 4. Kyle Jarlsberg, Cambridge,Wis; 5. Matt Byrne, Burlington, Wis; 6. Keith Tolf, Union Grove, Wis; 7. Jeremy Miller, Rockton; 8. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 9. Mike Lloyd, Davis; 10. Noel Ramge, Helenville, Wis; 11. Mike Beyer, Machesney Park; 12. Michael Bilderback, South Beloit; 13. Bob Wilberg, Beloit, Wis; 14. Jake Gille, Winnebago; 15. Mike Ehde, Prairie du Chien, Wis; 16. Tim Sargent (r), South Beloit; 17. Jeff Steenbergen, Waupun, Wis;
18. Sonny Schoffen, Island Lake; 19. Gary Bock, Kaukauna, Wis; 20. John Knaus, Rockford; 21. Bob Kahler, Belvidere; 22. Andy Niles, Holmen, Wis; 23. Brady Liddle, Oregon, Wis; 24. John Paul Odegaard, Brooklyn Center, Minn.; 25. James Kruschke III, Reedsburg, Wis.

Feature 02 -- 1. Jeremy Miller, Rockton; 2. Mike Ehde, Prairie du Chien, Wis; 3. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 4. Tim Sargent (r), South Beloit; 5. Brady Liddle, Oregon, Wis; 6. Mike Lloyd, Davis; 7. Matt Byrne, Burlington, Wis; 8. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Roscoe; 9. John Knaus, Rockford; 10. Andy Niles, Holmen, Wis; 11. Mike Beyer, Machesney Park; 12. Gary Bock, Kaukauna, Wis; 13. Jeff Steenbergen, Waupun, Wis; 14. Kyle Jarlsberg, Cambridge, Wis; 15. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 16. Jake Gille, Winnebago; 17. Michael Bilderback, South Beloit; 18. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 19. Sonny Schoffen, Island Lake; 20. Bob Wilberg, Beloit, Wis; 21. Noel Ramge, Helenville, Wis; 22. Keith Tolf, Union Grove, Wis; 23. Bob Kahler, Belvidere.

Overall -- 1. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 2. Jeremy Miller, Rockton; 3. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Roscoe; 4. Matt Byrne, Burlington, Wis; 5. Mike Lloyd, Davis; 6. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 7. Mike Ehde, Prairie du Chien, Wis; 8. Kyle Jarlsberg, Cambridge, Wis; 9. Tim Sargent (r), South Beloit; 10. Mike Beyer, Machesney Park; 11. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 12. Brady Liddle, Oregon, Wis; 13. Keith Tolf, Union Grove, Wis; 14. John Knaus, Rockford; 15. Michael Bilderback, South Beloit; 16. Jeff Steenbergen, Waupun, Wis; 17. Jake Gille, Winnebago; 18. Noel Ramge, Helenville, Wis; 19. Gary Bock, Kaukauna, Wis; 20. Andy Niles, Holmen, Wis; 21. Bob Wilberg, Beloit, Wis; 22. Sonny Schoffen, Island Lake; 23. Bob Kahler, Belvidere; 24. John Paul Odegaard, Brooklyn Center, Minn.; 25. James Kruschke III, Reedsburg, Wis.

Qualifier Heat 01 -- 1. Mike Ehde, Prairie du Chien, Wis; 2. Jake Gille, Winnebago; 3. Michael Bilderback, South Beloit; 4. Tim Sargent (r), South Beloit; 5. James Kruschke III, Reedsburg, Wis; 6. Gary Bock, Kaukauna, Wis; 7. Mike Taylor, Stoughton, Wis.

Qualifier Heat 02 -- 1. Mike Beyer, Machesney Park; 2. John Paul Odegaard, Brooklyn Center, Minn.; 3. Jeff Steenbergen, Waupun, Wis; 4. Sonny Schoffen, Island Lake; 5. Ed Szelagowski Jr, Westfield, Wis; 6. Andy Niles, Holmen, Wis.

Fast Odd Heat 01 -- 1. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 2. Bob Kahler, Belvidere; 3. Kyle Jarlsberg, Cambridge, Wis; 4. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 5. Jeremy Miller, Rockton; 6. Matt Byrne, Burlington, Wis.

Fast Even Heat 02 -- 1. John Knaus, Rockford; 2. Brady Liddle, Oregon, Wis; 3. Bob Wilberg, Beloit, Wis; 4. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Roscoe; 5. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 6. Keith Tolf, Union Grove, Wis; 7. Noel Ramge, Helenville, Wis.

Last Chance Heat 01 -- 1. Sonny Schoffen, Island Lake; 2. Tim Sargent (r), South Beloit; 3. James Kruschke III, Reedsburg, Wis; 4. Gary Bock, Kaukauna, Wis; 5. Ed Szelagowski Jr, Westfield, Wis; 6. Mike Taylor, Stoughton, Wis; 7. Andy Niles, Holmen, Wis.

Time Trial -- 1. Jeremy Miller, Rockton; 2. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 3. Matt Byrne, Burlington, Wis; 4. Bob Wilberg, Beloit, Wis; 5. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 6. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Roscoe; 7. Bob Kahler, Belvidere; 8. Brady Liddle, Oregon, Wis; 9. Kyle Jarlsberg, Cambridge, Wis; 10. Keith Tolf, Union Grove, Wis; 11. Matt Berger,
Loves Park; 12. John Knaus, Rockford; 13. Mike Lloyd, Davis; 14. Noel Ramge, Helenville, Wis; 15. Michael Bilderback, South Beloit; 16. Jeff Steenbergen, Waupun, Wis; 17. Mike Ehde, Prairie du Chien, Wis; 18. Mike Beyer, Machesney Park; 19. Jake Gille, Winnebago; 20. Sonny Schoffen, Island Lake; 21. Tim Sargent (r), South Beloit; 22. John Paul Odegaard, Brooklyn Center, Minn.; 23. James Kruschke III, Reedsburg, Wis; 24. Andy Niles, Holmen, Wis; 25. Gary Bock, Kaukauna, Wis; 26. Ed Szelagowski Jr, Westfield, Wis; 27. Mike Taylor, Stoughton, Wis; 28. Scott McGinnis (r), Sugar Grove; 29. Matt Mylin, Roscoe; 30. A.J. Henriksen, Mooresville, N.C.; 31. Shawn Conley, Huntley; 32. Becca Kasten, Mequan, Wis; 33. Bryan Turtle, Shakopee, Minn..