By: Kevin Ramsell
Saturday, September 08, 2007 (Loves Park, IL) – A great crowd was on hand for the Budweiser Night of Thrills presented by LaMonica Beverages. Along with the wild events, the Crap Scrapper Hornet division had their championship night and the Auto Soccer World Championships was decided on this great night.

Mangiaracina grabbed the lead on the second lap of the 15-lap feature event from Justin Pearson.

The only caution flew on lap 6 when Mark Bielefeldt’s motor blew while driving through the chicane backstretch. On the standing re-start, Lasher would get the jump and move into the third position.

It was a great three car battle for the lead throughout the final nine laps with the son, Anthony, holding off the father, Vinny Mangiaracina and Lasher for the win.

Solomon Barker was fourth and Roger Schultz was fifth. Lasher’s third place finish locked up his first ever championship.

“I have been waiting for this for about five seasons, this is great,” an emotional Lasher stated in victory lane.

Lasher also won the Hornet Challenge but came up four points short of winning the Hornet Challenge Championship to Roger Schultz.

The Auto Soccer World Championship was a scary start to Team USA as Team International scored the first goal. But, Team USA came back to score three unanswered goals to win the championship 3-1.

Doug Noelke and his “Big Dawg” monster truck put on a great show in front of the large crowd with his car crushing and pop wheelie action. And the Carolina Crusher monster truck provided rides for the fans.

Gary Oscarson and a cameraman from Speed TV held off Jim Rosenberger to win the Figure 8 Train Race. Oscarson also won the Skid Car Race.

Tommy Markham in his Ford Pick-up truck won the Spectacular Drags. Tim Clark won the Rollover Contest.

Jim Rosenberger survived and won the School Bus Demolition Derby.

Midwest Motorsport Drifting will return to the Rockford Speedway on Sunday, September 16th at Noon.

The 42nd Annual Chicago International Trucks National Short Track Championships will take place on September 28-30, 2007. Two great nights and one great afternoon of racing action with a 200-lap Super Late Model feature highlighting Sunday afternoon’s racing action. A full schedule and ticket information can be found at www.rockfordspeedway.com. It’s “One Great Racing Weekend.”

For more information, please call the track office at (815) 633-1500 or visit the Speedway’s website at www.rockfordspeedway.com.

Hornets
A-Main 01 -- 1. Anthony Mangiaracina, Rockford; 2. Vinny Mangiaracina, Rockford; 3. Nick Lasher, Machesney Park; 4. Solomon Barker, South Beloit; 5. Roger Schultz, Rockford; 6. Mark Vicencio, Rockford; 7. Justin Pearson, Belvidere; 8. David Russell, Rockford; 9. David Pautsch, Jr, Roscoe; 10. Andrew Vineyard, Belvidere; 11. Jon Eggert, Machesney Park; 12. Mark Bielefeldt, Loves Park; 13. Ryan Williams, Machensey Park; 14. Steve McBride, Rockton; 15. Craig Schmuggerow, Garden Prairie.
Heat 01 -- 1. Andrew Vineyard, Belvidere; 2. Roger Schultz, Rockford; 3. Ryan Williams, Machensey Park; 4. Justin Pearson, Belvidere; 5. Mark Bielefeldt, Loves Park; 6. Jon Eggert, Machesney Park; 7. Craig Schmuggerow, Garden Prairie; 8. David Pautsch, Jr, Roscoe.

Heat 02 -- 1. Nick Lasher, Machesney Park; 2. Anthony Mangiaracina, Rockford; 3. Steve McBride, Rockton; 4. David Russell, Rockford; 5. Vinny Mangiaracina, Rockford; 6. Solomon Barker, South Beloit; 7. Mark Vicencio, Rockford.

Challenge 01 -- 1. Nick Lasher, Machesney Park; 2. Mark Bielefeldt, Loves Park; 3. Steve McBride, Rockton; 4. Roger Schultz, Rockford; 5. Ryan Williams, Machensey Park; 6. Jon Eggert, Machesney Park; 7. David Russell, Rockford; 8. David Pautsch, Jr, Roscoe.