By Jordan Kuehne

LOVES PARK, Ill. (Saturday, April 24th, 2010) – Another season opener, another win for Ricky Bilderback. The seven-time Rockford Speedway Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Model track champion began his quest for a record eighth title tonight with his second consecutive win in a season opening event, racing to victory in the 63rd season opener at the legendary facility. Bilderback tamed the high banks and rocketed through a venerable 18 car field that didn’t include two-time defending champion Jerry Gille, who saw his day come to a premature end when a part in his motor broke during a heat race. After holding off a charging Mikie Breiner, Bilderback claimed the early points lead. He was joined by Budweiser American Short Trackers defending champion George Sparkman atop the standings, as Sparkman dueled with Kyle Lapier before prevailing for the win. The rains came soon after, suspending the Mtn Dew RoadRunners feature until next weekend.

Alex Papini piloted the strong 18 car field of Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models to the green flag in the opening feature of the year for the high-powered machines. Ricky Bilderback wasted no time in moving through the field from his fourth place starting spot, inheriting second with five laps scored in the 30-lap headliner.

‘Driver X’, Jon Reynolds Jr, worked over Kyle Shear for fourth only to witness Shear’s motor go south exiting turn four with 19 laps remaining. As the caution flew, fast qualifier Tim Sargent brought his wounded machine to the pits ending his night early.

On the restart, Reynolds Jr. blew past Matt Berger for third as Bilderback dove to the inside of Papini looking for the lead. Bilderback and the leader both got loose, making contact with each other in the middle of turn three and forcing Papini to the rear of the field. Reynolds Jr, Tom Gille, and Mike Lloyd were all in the wrong place at the wrong time, getting caught up in the mayhem.

Bilderback took advantage on the ensuing restart, grabbing the lead and jumping out to a four car length lead as Berger eased into second. Papini was in the midst of a charge back through the field, moving up to sixth when debris on the backstretch brought out the third caution of the evening.

2009 rookie of the year Mikie Breiner stole second on the restart while Bilderback once again built up a cushion. Breiner was closing on Bilderback but ran out of time as the seven-time champion rocketed to his second consecutive season opening victory, turning his sights toward a record eighth championship.

“There’s no better way to start the season off obviously,” an exasperated Bilderback said after the race. “I would like to get another championship and this is the way to get it going.”

Young Tanner Whitten held off a hungry Berger for third as Reynolds Jr. fought back to finish fifth rounding out the top five.

Two-time defending champion Jerry Gille was running second in an earlier heat race when a distributor piece in the engine broke on the final lap, disabling his machine and prematurely ending his night.

George Sparkman jumped out to the early lead in the 25-lap Budweiser American Short Trackers main event. Kyle Lapier quickly snatched up second and worked on Sparkman’s cushion as the leader paced the 13 car field around the high banks.

The first six cars began to break away from the rest of the field with five laps in the books. The six car pack soon became a five car contingent when fast qualifier B.J. Sparkman fell off the pace with 15 laps remaining, handing 2009 rookie of the year Scott Hoeft the fourth position.

The battle for the lead heated up as Lapier peeked on the inside of the defending champion for the lead. With ten circuits remaining, the young driver made a diving attempt on the inside of Sparkman for the top spot and lost momentum exiting turn two. Lapier fell into the clutches of Cina Jr. as the two dueled for the bridesmaid’s position.

As the white flag flew, Lapier rallied for a last ditch effort at the win but fell two car lengths short as George Sparkman picked up right where he left off in 2009, collecting the first Budweiser American Short Trackers feature victory of the season.

Cina Jr. came home third while Hoeft edged out Bragg for fourth to round out the top five.

The Mtn Dew RoadRunners were unable to get the entire 20-lap duration of their feature event into the record books, completing five laps before Mother Nature decided to end the night early as a driving rain began to fall around the speedway.

Howie Ware was leading when the caution flew for precipitation and will pace the 19 car field back to green for the final 15 laps when the race is resumed next Saturday night. Heat race winners Robert Roush and Jeff Allendorf were holding down second and third respectively at the time of the caution.

The Mtn Dew RoadRunners return next Saturday, May 1st, for a double dose of feature action alongside the Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models and Budweiser American Short Trackers as another exciting NASCAR Whelen All-American Series season begins to take shape. The American Super Cups make their debut and the Sam’s Drive-In RoadRunner Challenge returns to the scene with their opening act of 2010, the always entertaining Grocery Cart Race. Gates open at 4pm with qualifying scheduled for 5:45pm. The green flag flies at 7:07pm as the first $uper $aver $pecial of 2010 awaits fans who arrive before 6:30pm, offering up to two adult and four kids’ tickets, plus four hot dogs and four Pepsi drinks for just $30.

For more information on the 2010 Rockford Speedway season, including a full schedule, visit the track website at www.rockfordspeedway.com or call the Speedway Box Office at (815)633-1500.

NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Results (Saturday, April 24th, 2010)

NASCAR American Short Trackers

A-Main 01 -- 1. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 2. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 3. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 4. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 5. Jason Bragg, Rockford; 6. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 7. Rachel Sparkman, Loves Park; 8. Joe LaMarca, Rockford; 9. Tanner Atchison, Byron; 10. James Isaac, Rockford; 11. Laura Siarkiewicz, Algonquin; 12. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 13. Christopher Jones, Rockford.

Heat 01 -- 1. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 2. Joe LaMarca, Rockford; 3. Rachel Sparkman, Loves Park; 4. James Isaac, Rockford; 5. Laura Siarkiewicz, Algonquin; 6. Christopher Jones, Rockford.

Heat 02 -- 1. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 2. Tanner Atchison, Byron; 3. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 4. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 5. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 6. Jason Bragg, Rockford.

Time Trial -- 1. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 2. Jason Bragg, Rockford; 3. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 4. Tanner Atchison, Byron; 5. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 6. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 7. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 8. Joe LaMarca, Rockford; 9. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 10. Rachel Sparkman, Loves Park; 11. Jack Atchison, Stillman Valley; 12. Christopher Jones, Rockford; 13. James Isaac, Rockford; 14. Laura Siarkiewicz, Algonquin.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Jason Bragg, Rockford; 2. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 3. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 4. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 5. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 6. Tanner Atchison, Byron.

NASCAR Late Models

A-Main 01 -- 1. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 2. Mikie Breiner, Johnburg; 3. Tanner Whitten, Congerville; 4. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 5. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 6. Eddie May, Crystal Lake; 7. Jacob Gille, Winnebago; 8. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 9. Wayne Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 10. Alex Papini, Machesney Park; 11. Steve Erickson, Jr, Machesney Park; 12. Tom Gille, Winnebago; 13. Mike Lloyd, Davis; 14. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 15. Kyle Shear, Roscoe; 16. Vern Fagerberg, Bloomingdale; 17. David Cooter, Jr, Machesney Park; 18. Brandon Eash, Rockford.

Heat 01 -- 1. Tanner Whitten, Congerville; 2. Jacob Gille, Winnebago; 3. Mike Lloyd, Davis; 4. Steve Erickson, Jr, Machesney Park; 5. Vern Fagerberg, Bloomingdale; 6. Joe Darnell, Machesney Park.

Heat 02 -- 1. Kyle Shear, Roscoe; 2. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 3. Wayne Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 4. Brandon Eash, Rockford; 5. Eddie May, Crystal Lake; 6. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 7. Alex Papini, Machesney Park.

Heat 03 -- 1. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 2. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 3. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 4. Tom Gille, Winnebago; 5. Mikie Breiner, Johnburg; 6. Jerry Gille, Roscoe.

Time Trial -- 1. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 2. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 3. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 4. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 5. Tom Gille, Winnebago; 6. Mikie Breiner, Johnburg; 7. Alex Papini, Machesney Park; 8. Kyle Shear, Roscoe; 9. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 10. Wayne Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 11. Eddie May, Crystal Lake; 12. Brandon Eash, Rockford; 13. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 14. Mike Lloyd, Davis; 15. Tanner Whitten, Congerville; 16. Jacob Gille, Winnebago; 17. Vern Fagerberg, Bloomingdale; 18. Steve Erickson, Jr, Machesney Park; 19. David Cooter, Jr, Machesney Park.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 2. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 3. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 4. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 5. Tom Gille, Winnebago; 6. Mikie Breiner, Johnburg.

NASCAR Road Runners

Heat 01 -- 1. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park; 2. Anthony Vito, Crystal Lake; 3. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 4. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 5. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 6. Dana Czach, Wauconda; 7. Marvin Butler, Rockford; 8. Pat Smith, Belvidere; 9. Jarrod Sutherland, Machesney Park.

Heat 02 -- 1. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 2. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 3. Robert Roush, Marengo; 4. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park; 5. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 6. Jason Brockway, Machesney Park; 7. Brian Mayer, Machesney Park; 8. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 9. Jerry Edge, Marengo; 10. Adam Cartwright, Woodstock.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Robert Roush, Marengo; 2. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 3. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 4. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 5. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 6. Jason Brockway, Machesney Park