By Jordan Kuehne

LOVES PARK, Ill. (Saturday, May 1st, 2010) – Mike Lloyd had waited a long time for this one, “too long” as he put it, but the veteran driver broke through on a special night landing in victory lane tonight at the Rockford Speedway after a wild Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models feature that saw two cautions in the final four laps. Lloyd survived numerous restarts and a late race charge from a fiery Matt Berger to collect his first feature win since the 2008 National Short Track Championships on the same night the quarter-mile oval played host to his organization, Mike Lloyd’s Racing for a Reason. Last weekend’s victor, Ricky Bilderback, was involved in a rough accident with three laps remaining to set up the exhilarating shootout. Kyle Lapier fended off BJ Sparkman to win the Budweiser American Short Trackers main event while Gene Marocco and Howie Ware collected feature victories in the Mtn Dew RoadRunners’ doubleheader. Erle Hoth held off Erik Gehrke for the win in the debut of the American Super Cups at the legendary facility.

Brandon Eash made a move to the top spot in the early stages of the 30-lap Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models headliner. Eash wasn’t long for the lead though as Mike Lloyd charged out front on the inside. The action in the middle of the field was intense as Kyle Shear and two-time defending champion Jerry Gille battled for fourth with nine laps in the books.

Eash swiftly fell back into their clutches as Gille jumped two spots in one lap, moving up to third as Shear held on to fourth. Seven-time track champion Ricky Bilderback began mounting an effort for consecutive wins to open the season, pushing up to fourth with ten laps remaining. Lloyd continued to pace the field, maintaining a steady cushion over second place Matt Berger.

A Jon Reynolds Jr. spin on the frontstretch brought out a late caution with four laps to go. The mayhem wasn’t over as Ricky Bilderback and Mike Beyer made contact on the frontstretch one lap later, setting off a chain reaction pileup in turn one that caught up both drivers as well as Shear and Reynolds Jr. ‘Driver X’ and Shear both managed to drive away from the accident as a three-lap shootout was born.

Lloyd stuck his car out front by a nose on the restart and held off a hungry Berger for his first feature win since taking down the 2008 National Short Track Championships Feature Winners Invite.

“The car was fast and it felt good rolling through the turns,” a smiling Lloyd stated in victory lane while receiving congratulations from friends, family, and track owner Jody Deery. “It feels really good to get another win out here at Rockford, especially tonight with (Mike Lloyd’s) Racing for a Reason here. This is a special night and that was a great battle.”

On a night filled with action and excitement, the always steady Jerry Gille rallied from a difficult opening weekend to finish third. Tim Sargent held on for fourth and Alex Papini came from the back of the pack, surviving his penalty from last week’s adventure to finish fifth.

The Budweiser American Short Trackers main event got off to a fast paced start as Kyle Lapier took advantage of his front row starting position to snag the early lead. Nick Cina Jr. snuck past Jason Bragg on the outside for second bringing George Sparkman with him up to third. Sparkman wasted no time in mounting a challenge for second, glimpsing to the inside of Cina Jr. with 15 laps remaining.

George Sparkman lost momentum exiting turn four and watched his brother BJ Sparkman propel past him on the outside, grabbing third in the process. With the laps winding down, a debris caution halted BJ Sparkman’s inside attempt for second, setting up a three-lap dash to the checkers.

BJ Sparkman made a final push on the ensuing restart, making quick work of Cina Jr. for second before setting his sights on Lapier and the win. The three-time champion ran out of time though as Kyle Lapier collected his first feature win of the young 2010 season.

Cina Jr. held on to third while George Sparkman grabbed fourth. Scott Hoeft came home in fifth to round out the top five.

Howie Ware led the field to the first green flag of the night in a resumption of last week’s rain-suspended Mtn Dew RoadRunners headliner. The race restarted with 15 laps remaining and by turn four, Robert Roush was peeking on the inside of Ware and eyeing the top spot. Roush was rushing the inside line when the caution flew with six laps left as Pat Smith’s car dumped fluid in the middle of turns one and two.

On the restart, Roush reapplied pressure to the inside of Ware before slipping up as the white flag waved, costing him a chance at the win. Roush’s loss was Ware’s gain as the driver finally collected a feature win, leading the 19 car field to the checkered flag.

Jeff Allendorf managed a strong third-place finish a week after starting out front.

Pat Smith headed up the second half of the 20-lap Mtn Dew RoadRunners doubleheader, pacing the 24 car field for the opening four laps before exiting the track during a caution. Ricky Nielsen grabbed the top spot on the restart, passing three cars to get there as the elder statesmen of the high banks, Gene Marocco, bided his time before maneuvering into the bridesmaid’s position.

Marocco wasn’t done, patiently waiting as the laps winded down before making the winning move, mashing past Nielsen with two circuits remaining to notch his first feature win of the year.

Brett McCoy snatched second after Richard Nielsen was disqualified during post-race inspection. Dennis Smith Jr. snuck up to third while Jason Van Hise edged out Howie Ware for fourth.

Erle Hoth rocketed to the lead in the 25-lap feature debut of the American Super Cups at the Rockford Speedway. Erik Gehrke, a venerable veteran who’s always strong at the high-banked oval, picked up where he left off in the heat race challenging the leader with the bottom groove his lane of choice.

After a brief caution, Hoth and Gehrke resumed their side-by-side battle for the top spot. As the white flag waved, Hoth drove past Gehrke on the outside and maintained a two car length lead through the final two turns to collect the victory.

Mick Ellis, Cody Lipstreuer, and David Cerer rounded out the top five.

Jason Van Hise and Robert Roush tag-teamed to win the Sam’s Drive-In RoadRunner Challenge Grocery Cart Race, dashing around the infield over the course of two laps to claim the opening challenge event of 2010. They managed to outmanuever four other teams of two drivers apiece, delighting the crowd with their shopping prowess over the four-turn course.

Racing returns to Rockford next Saturday as the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series lights up the night sky with an exciting slate of action. Sparks will fly as the debut of the Bargain Hunter Sportsman hightlights an evening that will also feature the Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models, Budweiser American Short Trackers, and Mtn Dew RoadRunners plus the Sam's Drive-In RoadRunner Challenge featuring the Morning Make-up Dash. The first 500 moms will receive fresh cut flowers and all escorted ladies are admitted FREE! The green flag drops at 7:07pm while gates open at 5pm. Qualifying gets underway at 6pm.

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

NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Results (Week 2)

NASCAR American Short Trackers

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

Heat 01 -- 1. Tanner Atchison, Byron; 2. Rachel Sparkman, Loves Park; 3. Joe LaMarca, Rockford; 4. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 5. Christopher Jones, Rockford; 6. Laura Siarkiewicz, Algonquin; 7. James Isaac, Rockford.

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

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

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

NASCAR Late Models

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

Heat 01 -- 1. Jacob Gille, Winnebago; 2. Alex Papini, Machesney Park; 3. Brandon Eash, Rockford; 4. Wayne
Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 5. Mike Lloyd, Davis; 6. Steve Erickson, Jr, Machesney Park; 7. David Cooter, Jr, Machesney Park; 8. Vern Fagerberg, Bloomingdale; 9. Joe Darnell, Machesney Park.

Heat 02 -- 1. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 2. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 3. Kyle Shear, Roscoe; 4. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 5. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 6. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 7. Mikie Breiner, Johnburg; 8. Mike Beyer, Machesney Park.

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

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

NASCAR Road Runners

A-Main 01 -- 1. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 2. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 3. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 4. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 5. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 6. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park; 7. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park; 8. Mike Leopold, Algonquin; 9. Jason Brockway, Machesney Park; 10. Jerry Edge, Marengo; 11. Anthony Vito, Crystal Lake; 12. Ron Young, Rockford; 13. Brian Mayer, Machesney Park; 14. Kenneth Brazee III, Rockford; 15. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 16. Marvin Butler, Rockford; 17. Josh DiGiovanni, Loves Park; 18. Pat Smith, Belvidere; 19. Charles Lumsden, Rockford; 20. Adam Cartwright, Woodstock; 21. Robert Roush, Marengo; 22. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 23. Richard Nielsen, Byron; 24. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere.

Heat 01 -- 1. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 2. Richard Nielsen, Byron; 3. Mike Leopold, Algonquin; 4. Ron Young,
Rockford; 5. Josh DiGiovanni, Loves Park; 6. Charles Lumsden, Rockford; 7. Michael (Mike) Wallis, Machesney Park; 8. Kenneth Brazee III, Rockford; 9. Steve Gregory, Machesney Park.

Heat 02 -- 1. Pat Smith, Belvidere; 2. Adam Cartwright, Woodstock; 3. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 4. Jerry Edge,
Marengo; 5. Marvin Butler, Rockford; 6. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park.

Heat 03 -- 1. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 2. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 3. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park; 4. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 5. Robert Roush, Marengo; 6. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 7. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 8. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 9. Anthony Vito, Crystal Lake.

Challenge 01 -- 1. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 1. Robert Roush, Marengo; 2. Jerry Edge, Marengo; 2. Josh
DiGiovanni, Loves Park; 3. Pat Smith, Belvidere; 3. Kyle Watts, Machesney Park; 4. Kenneth Brazee III, Rockford; 4. Brian Mayer, Machesney Park; 5. Michael (Mike) Wallis, Machesney Park; 5. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park; 6.
Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 6. Adam Cartwright, Woodstock.

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

American Super Cup Series

A-Main 01 -- 1. Erle Hoth, Medinah; 2. Erik Gehrke, Grayslake; 3. Mick Ellis, Schaumburg; 4. Cody Lipstreuer, Genoa City, Wis; 5. David Cerer, Antioch; 6. Mike Baum, Mukwonago, Wis; 7. Steve Kennedy, McHenry; 8. Mike Mayer, Antioch; 9. Ken Jones, Lombard; 10. Bob Wright, Valparaiso, Ind.; 11. Adam Milczarek, Chicago; 12. Andrew Forster, Lake Zurich.

Heat 01 -- 1. Erle Hoth, Medinah; 2. Ken Jones, Lombard; 3. Mick Ellis, Schaumburg; 4. Mike Baum, Mukwonago, Wis;
5. Mike Mayer, Antioch; 6. Bob Wright, Valparaiso, Ind..
Heat 02 -- 1. David Cerer, Antioch; 2. Erik Gehrke, Grayslake; 3. Andrew Forster, Lake Zurich; 4. Steve Kennedy, McHenry.