By Jordan Kuehne

LOVES PARK, Ill. (Wednesday, August 11th, 2010) – It was only fitting that on Championship Night for Wild Wednesday, a couple of champions prevailed in tight finishes. Gene Marocco won a photo finish reminiscent of ‘Days of Thunder’ as his machine was pushed down the banked track by Mike Swanson who held the lead exiting turn four. Marocco won by mere millimeters and took home a second Mtn Dew RoadRunner Super Summer Series title. In a joint feature involving the INEX Legends and the Allison Legacy’s, Kyle Voss pushed Dwight Dunlap to his breaking point after collecting the win, but ‘Double D’ managed to hold on ensuring him the title. The Winged Women on Wheels feature had a late race pass by Tracy Wallin to win the feature and the title by a single point. Other feature winners on the evening included Rachael Pinkerman, Cory Cootware, Devon Dixon, and Bobby Frisch.

Mike ‘Big Kid’ Swanson jumped out front in the early stages of the 25-lap Mtn Dew RoadRunners Super Summer Series finale. Points leader Gene Marocco wasted no time making a move into the top five jumping into fourth by lap two. Brian Mayer inherited second from Anthony Lloyd who dropped to the bottom.

Swanson began to edge away from Mayer as Marocco began eyeing up second with 16 laps remaining. Marocco and Mayer went door-to-door for second before Mayer eased up a little bit on the backstretch enabling the veteran to move into the runner-up position. With the laps winding down, a potential shootout was setting up out front as Marocco reeled in Swanson and sliced into this large margin.

Marocco finally got to Swanson’s bumper with nine laps remaining and began eyeing the lead on the bottom groove. Mayer surrendered a top five when he pulled to the infield while the two leaders continued to battle out front. With three laps remaining, Marocco made his move pushing to the inside of Swanson and the two traded paint exiting turn four.

As the white flag waved, the two went into turns one and two door-to-door with Swanson edging ahead on the backstretch. The two touched in turn four but Swanson appeared to have the victory if he kept his momentum going on the high side and stayed straight. ‘Big Kid’ didn’t though, opting to go down to cut off Marocco’s head of steam to the finish line. The move backfired as Marocco beat Swanson to the line by mere millimeters to find victory in one of the most exciting races in recent history at the high banks. Marocco’s win allowed him to take home two trophies on the evening as he also collected the overall Mtn Dew RoadRunner Super Summer Series crown by 34 markers over Terrence Robinson who claimed the Dash championship in a tie with Marocco.

“It was a great year for us and it feels good to get the last one,” a happy Marocco stated in victory lane. “I’m pleased that we ended up on top when everything was said and done.”

Jason Brockway took third while Dennis Smith Jr. found fourth. Lloyd landed a top five in fifth.

Devon Dixon burst to the lead in the 15-lap Crap Scrappers Hornets Swarm on the oval. With Vinny Mangiaracina having the title locked up, Dixon was racing for victory lane on Wild Wednesday.

Mangiaracina raced into third in the early stages, passing Mark Seipts for the position. Deric Bloomingdale soon came under fire from Mangiaracina as the two dueled for second. The position was Mangiaracina’s after a short battle and he turned his attention towards tracking down the leader.

Mangiaracina ran out of time though as Dixon’s lead was too much to overcome, but settled for the consolation prize of the Hornets title by 34 points over Dixon. The race winner, Dixon took home a consolation prize of his own grabbing the last Wild Wednesday victory of the season in the division.

Justin Pearson finished off a solid year with a third while Bloomingdale held onto fourth. Seipts rounded out the top five in fifth.

The Allison Legacy’s and INEX Legends had a joint 20-lap feature event on the final Wild Wednesday, setting up championship drama all over the race track. Rachael Pinkerman jumped out front in the Legends portion of the event as Cory Cootware settled into second, looking to hold off Brandon Heisler for the position and the points title.

The Allison Legacy’s were led to the line by Kyle Voss, who was looking for his third win of the summer and some distance between himself and Dwight Dunlap, the points leader.

Voss had the car of Mark Hayes between himself and Dunlap as he raced to a lead and desperately tried to steer clear of ‘Double D’. Unfortunately for Voss, Hayes got loose with six laps remaining and went spinning on the front stretch to bring out the caution and allow Dunlap to move into second.

Back in the Legends, Pinkerman continued to pace the field out front as Cootware and Heisler dueled for second and the title. Heisler worked his way around a loose Cootware in turn three when the race resumed and never looked back, fending off the young gun for the title by a mere three points with his second place effort as Pinkerman collected another victory in the division, her third.

Voss continued to lead in the Allison Legacy’s, fending off Dunlap’s late charge to ensnare a victory but his bid for a title effort fell short when Dunlap finished second. Dunlap took home another title but was forced to work for it in 2010, edging Voss by a minute four markers for the championship.

Hayes’ efforts ended in third while Brian Baldyga rounded out the Allison Legacy’s portion with a fourth.

Cootware found redemption in the INEX Bandoleros though, as he started out front in the 12-lap main event. With Deanna Chandler having the title mathematically locked up entering the feature, Cootware survived a damaged rear end to edge a loose Morgan Melichar for the lead with four laps to go.

From there, it was Cootware’s race to win and win it he did, hitting his marks and collecting a fourth feature win of the summer. Due to the fact he missed a race in the middle of the summer though, young Deanna Chandler’s consistency and determination paid off as she collected the title by six points over Melichar.

The Winged Women on Wheels title was up in the air entering their final 12-lap headliner of the summer. Olivia Chance held a one-point edge over Tracy Wallin as the feature got underway, with each position worth two markers, meaning whichever driver finished ahead, won the title.

Laura Siarkiewicz maneuvered to the early lead in the event as Wallin blew through the field into second within two laps. With eight laps remaining, Wallin snatched the lead from Siarkiewicz and began to pull away from the field as Chance desperately tried to keep pace.

Chance worked her way into second with five laps remaining and gave chase to Wallin out front but fell short as Wallin took home her third win of the summer and won the title by a single marker.

“This feels so great to win it like this,” an ecstatic Wallin screamed after jumping from her car in victory lane. “I have to thank my family and my crew for this opportunity. To return to the track and win a title like this, it feels great.”

The final event of the evening also had a title in flux with the 10-lap feature getting underway. Bobby Frisch negotiated his way into the early lead of the headliner while Dennis Smith Jr. and Tom Schneider battled through the field eyeing the points crown.

While Frisch pulled away from the field out front, Smith Jr. got the jump on Schneider and moved ahead of him as he eyed third from Adam Cartwright. With the championship on the line, Smith Jr. couldn’t find a way around Cartwright’s machine. Frisch led the field to the checkers as Cartwright took home the second spot.

Smith Jr. settled for third and Schneider took fourth meaning the points standings ended dead even and needed a tiebreaker. With each driver having two feature wins, Tom Schneider took the title from Dennis Smith Jr. with three second place tallies to two for the driver of the 08.

After one of the tightest points finishes in recent history at the high banked quarter-mile, Schneider celebrated with family and friends. “This feels great,” he admitted. “I can’t take anything away from Dennis (Smith Jr.) because he drove clean and had a heck of a year out there. This is how I want to win one though.”

In the Yellowbook Hornet Challenge, drivers and designated fans competed in the Driver/Fan Water Balloon Toss. The field quickly thinned out from the starting nine as drivers and fans alike fumbled with the slippery balloons. Finally, there were two remaining throwing their respective balloons almost 20 yards. Charles Shepard and the quick hands of his fan partner enabled him to hold off Devon Dixon for the win.

For more information on Wild Wednesday, including the final points standings, visit the track website at www.rockfordspeedway.com or call the Speedway Box Office at (815)633-1500.

Rockford Speedway Results

Hornets

A-Main 01 -- 1. Devon Dixon, Janesville, Wis; 2. Vinny Mangiaracina, Rockford; 3. Justin Pearson, Belvidere; 4. Deric Bloomingdale, Rockford; 5. Mark Seipts, Loves Park; 6. Dennis Claus, Jr, Loves Park; 7. Robby Robinson, Orfordville, Wis; 8. Chandale Swartwout, Janesville, Wis; 9. Charles Shepard, Rockford; 10. Shawn Ogden, Machesney Park; 11. Steve McBride, South Beloit.

Heat 01 -- 1. Deric Bloomingdale, Rockford; 2. Robby Robinson, Orfordville, Wis; 3. Dennis Claus, Jr, Loves Park; 4. Charles Shepard, Rockford; 5. Mary McBride, South Beloit; 6. Billy Rogers, Rockford; 7. Chandale Swartwout, Janesville, Wis.

Heat 02 -- 1. Shawn Ogden, Machesney Park; 2. Devon Dixon, Janesville, Wis; 3. Vinny Mangiaracina, Rockford; 4. Mark Seipts, Loves Park; 5. Justin Pearson, Belvidere; 6. Steve McBride, South Beloit.

Challenge 01 -- 1. Charles Shepard, Rockford; 2. Devon Dixon, Janesville, Wis; 3. Deric Bloomingdale, Rockford; 4. Pamela Toepfer, Machesney Park; 5. Billy Rogers, Rockford; 6. Mary McBride, South Beloit; 7. Steve McBride, South Beloit; 8. Chandale Swartwout, Janesville, Wis; 9. Olivia Chance, Roscoe.

National Figure 8 League

A-Main 01 -- 1. Bobby Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 2. Adam Cartwright, Woodstock; 3. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 4. Tom Schneider, Belvidere; 5. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park; 6. Dave Lumsden, Jr., Rockford; 7. Michael (Mike) Wallis, Machesney Park; 8. Curt Nighswonger, Rockford.
Winged Women on Wheels

A-Main 01 -- 1. Tracy Wallin, Rockford; 2. Olivia Chance, Roscoe; 3. Mary McBride, South Beloit; 4. Laura Siarkiewicz, Algonquin; 5. Chandale Swartwout, Janesville, Wis; 6. Pamela Toepfer, Machesney Park.

Heat 01 -- 1. Tracy Wallin, Rockford; 2. Olivia Chance, Roscoe; 3. Chandale Swartwout, Janesville, Wis; 4. Mary
McBride, South Beloit; 5. Laura Siarkiewicz, Algonquin; 6. Pamela Toepfer, Machesney Park.

Allison Legacy's

A-Main 01 -- 1. Kyle Voss, Woodstock; 2. Dwight Dunlap, Machesney Park; 3. Mark Hayes, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa; 4. Brian Baldyga, Carol Stream.

Heat 01 -- 1. Mark Hayes, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa; 2. Dwight Dunlap, Machesney Park; 3. Kyle Voss, Woodstock; 4. Brian
Baldyga, Carol Stream.

INEX Bandoleros

A-Main 01 -- 1. Cory Cootware, Iron Mountain, MI; 2. Morgan Melichar, Mishicot, WI; 3. Deanna Chandler, Machesney Park.

Heat 01 -- 1. Cory Cootware, Iron Mountain, MI; 2. Deanna Chandler, Machesney Park; 3. Morgan Melichar, Mishicot, WI

INEX Legends

A-Main 01 -- 1. Rachel Pinkerman, Barrington Hills; 2. Brandon Heisler, Aurora; 3. Cory Cootware, Iron Mountain,

Heat 01 -- 1. Rachel Pinkerman, Barrington Hills; 2. Cory Cootware, Iron Mountain, Mich.; 3. Brandon Heisler, Aurora.

Time Trial -- 1. Rachel Pinkerman, Barrington Hills; 2. Cory Cootware, Iron Mountain, Mich.; 3. Brandon Heisler,
RoadRunner Summer Rumble

A-Main 01 -- 1. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 2. Mike Swanson, Rockford; 3. Jason Brockway, Machesney Park; 4.
Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 5. Anthony Lloyd, Loves Park; 6. Terrance Robinson, Beloit, Wis; 7. Dave Lumsden, Jr., Rockford; 8. Beau Lawson, Machesney Park; 9. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 10. Michael (Mike) Wallis, Machesney Park; 11. Curt Nighswonger, Rockford; 12. Adam Cartwright, Woodstock; 13. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park; 14. Brian Mayer, Machesney Park; 15. Charlie Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 16. Bobby Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 17. Tom Schneider, Belvidere.

Heat 01 -- 1. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 2. Dave Lumsden, Jr., Rockford; 3. Jason Brockway, Machesney Park; 4. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park; 5. Charlie Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 6. Curt Nighswonger, Rockford; 7. Adam Cartwright,
Woodstock; 8. Michael (Mike) Wallis, Machesney Park.

Heat 02 -- 1. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 2. Anthony Lloyd, Loves Park; 3. Terrance Robinson, Beloit, Wis; 4.
Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 5. Beau Lawson, Machesney Park; 6. Mike Swanson, Rockford; 7. Brian Mayer,
Machesney Park.

Time Trial -- 1. Terrance Robinson, Beloit, Wis; 2. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 3. Beau Lawson, Machesney Park; 4. Anthony Lloyd, Loves Park; 5. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 6. Brian Mayer, Machesney Park; 7. Mike Swanson,
Rockford; 8. Jason Brockway, Machesney Park; 9. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 10. Dave Lumsden, Jr., Rockford; 11. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park; 12. Curt Nighswonger, Rockford; 13. Charlie Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 14. Adam Cartwright, Woodstock; 15. Michael (Mike) Wallis, Machesney Park.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Terrance Robinson, Beloit, Wis; 2. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 3. Brian Mayer, Machesney
Park; 4. Beau Lawson, Machesney Park; 5. Anthony Lloyd, Loves Park; 6. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park.