Loves Park, IL- Two time defending NASCAR Stanley Steemer Late Model Champion Jerry Gille is the latest to file his entry for the first ever Illinois Vintage State Championship taking place this Sunday June 27 at Rockford Speedway. Gille recently claimed back to back victories in the top class at the 63 year old speedway, and will now try to find victory lane Sunday while behind the wheel of a 1962 Chevrolet Impala convertible prepared by Bill’s Speed Shop in Joliet, IL.

“I just love the old stuff, that is what I grew up watching at Rockford.” Commented an excited Gille. “When they announced this event, I knew I wanted to be a part of it, these vintage cars are just cool.” Gille will also have his 1965 Dodge Coronet 500 Stock Car restoration project on display alongside numerous vintage display vehicles including open wheeled midget cars from the 1940’s and Sal Tovella’s 1970 Plymouth Superbird. Tovella will serve as Grand Marshall while longtime speedway starter Jack Heiman will return to the flagstand to twirl the sticks for the Jessup Automotive Race of Champions.

Spectator gates will open at 11am, qualifying begins at 11:30am with the first race at 1pm. Admission tickets are $12 for adults, ages 6-11 are $5, ages 5 and under are free and $6 will allow those ages 62 and older to enjoy over twenty vintage cars battle the legendary Rockford quarter-mile high banked oval. Racing action will include the American Super Cup Series and will conclude with the 50 lap Illinois Vintage State Championship main event. For more information visit www.rockfordspeedway.com or call the Speedway Box Office at 815-633-1500.

Expected Entries
Sunday June 27, 2010
IL Vintage State Championship
Rockford Speedway

# Driver Name Hometown Car Make Special Notes of Interest
2 Gary Mitidero Homer Glen, IL 72 Camaro * 300 Lap Winner Raceway Park (IL) 1970
3 Freddy Pitner Knoxville, TN 68 Chevelle
3 Randy Drefahl East Troy, WI 65 Impala Leroy Yabourgh Tribute Car
6 Donnie Harmonn, Jr Essex, IL 55 Chevy
7 Mike Marden Monee, IL 72 Plymouth Former USAC/ARCA Driver
8 Billy Knippenberg, Jr Minooka, IL 64 Chevelle * Earnhardt Tribute Car
13 Bobby Vosatka Lagrange Park, IL 66 Nova
13 Pat Heany Milwaukee, WI 66 Chevelle
20 TJ Markham Sycamore, IL 70 Nova * Former Sycamore/Lasalle Champion
22 Denny Falkos Aurora, IL 71 Chevelle * 1996 Sycamore Speedway Champion
25 John Provenzano Steator, IL 59 Oldsmobile * Nine time Late Model Champion
28 Bruce Griffin Lincoln, AL 64 Chevy II * NVRA Vintage Champion
28 Ronnie Lewis Crystal Lake, IL 65 Ford Fred Lorenzen Tribute Car
29 Brendon Lewis Crystal Lake, IL 68 Ford Bobby Allison Tribute Car
36 Tom Knippenberg Minooka, IL 72 Camaro * Joe Shear Tribute Car
47 Jeff Fritz Friendship, WI 72 Camaro * Former ARTGO Competitor
73 Bill Lessings West Dundee, IL 70 Chevelle
88 Pat Echlin Dyer, IN 57 Chevy * Four Time Raceway Park (IL) Champion
99 Frank Sabenak, Jr Cicero, IL 61 Studebaker Hawk Ray Young Tribute Car
188 Josh Nelms Joliet, IL 57 Oldsmobile * Ralph Earnhardt Tribute Car/NSTC Champion
K2 Butch Dunn Sheffield, IL 55 Ford Dale Earnhardt Tribute Car
O1 Jerry Gille Roscoe, IL 62 Chevy Convertible * Nikey Chevrolet Special

* Eligible for Jessup Automotive Race of Champions