By Jordan Kuehne

LOVES PARK, Ill. (Saturday, August 28th, 2010) – A classic battle between Jon Reynolds Jr. and Jerry Gille ended in familiar fashion tonight at the Rockford Speedway as ‘Driver X’ slammed the door shut over the final fifteen laps and fended off Gille’s late race challenge to collect the victory in the 30-lap Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models showcase. When the dust had settled, points leader Tim Sargent saw his cushion slashed in half with just two weeks remaining on the season. Rob Goodman found his way to victory lane for the first time in the Bargain Hunter Sportsman while Jason Bragg went wire-to-wire to top the Budweiser American Short Trackers headliner. Andy Forster and Robert Roush also collected trophies tonight.

Mark Hartline zoomed to the top spot in the 30-lap showcase for the Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models. Behind the leader, ‘Driver X’, Jon Reynolds Jr, didn’t waste a moment working his way into the bridesmaid’s position as he battled hard with Mikie Breiner for four laps before earning the spot.

Within a lap, Reynolds Jr. was on the inside of Hartline dueling for the lead. The two veterans touched with eight laps in the books before Reynolds Jr. claimed the lead amidst a shower of sparks. The caution flew a quarter-mile later after Jake Gille and Ryan Carlson touched helping incite a chain reaction pileup behind them as Brandon Eash and Kyle Shear got tangled on the backstretch. Joe Darnell and Tim Slater were also involved in the incident.

On the restart, Reynolds Jr. exploded to a five car length advantage over Breiner as two-time defending champion Jerry Gille snagged third and began breathing down Breiner’s neck for second. Within three laps of closing up to Breiner’s rear bumper, Gille had negotiated his way around him for second, setting his sights on the leader and crucial points.

Gille gained ground through each corner as he slowly inched closer to Reynolds Jr’s hot rod, eyeing the top spot. Gille looked for any opening as worked his way to the door of Reynolds Jr. until the two hot shoes were side-by-side for the top spot. Reynolds Jr. managed to fend off fast qualifier Gille’s challenge as the veteran mounted one last charge with three laps remaining.

Gille’s last stand wasn’t quite strong enough as Reynolds Jr’s experience allowed him to squeeze just enough juice out of his car to find victory lane for the fourth time in 2010.

“There’s no better night for this than tonight,” an elated Reynolds Jr. stated in victory lane. “We needed this win with just two weeks left (after tonight’s race). The crew worked hard to give me a great car and Jerry (Gille) raced me clean. It was good, clean racing out there like it should be and I drove the wheels off this thing to get it into victory lane. We need another one to get to the title.”

Breiner posted a stellar third-place effort while ‘Fast’ Eddie May found his way into fourth. Sargent rounded out the top five in fifth as his points lead dwindled to 15 markers.

The 25-lap Bargain Hunter Sportsman headliner was led to the green by veteran Butch Swinbank as young gun Bobby Yonkee quickly settled into the runner-up spot.

Justin Sellers drove his Camaro to Yonkee’s back bumper as defending champion Doug Bennett joined the battle for second on the outside of the high banks. Bennett maneuvered his way past Sellers for third as young gun Austin Nason took the high line into the top four.

With 15 laps remaining, Nason and Yonkee made contact on the exit of turn four sending Yonkee around and Bennett spinning to avoid the mayhem. An exhibition of great driving allowed the field to escape the crash up front with nothing more than burnt rubber as Nason and Yonkee were sent to the rear of the field for their role in the incident. Bennett was also relegated to the back of the pack after a brief visit to the pits for repairs.

On the restart, Matt Berger pushed his way into the lead after Swinbank loosened up in turn two and kissed the wall dropping back to third. Rob Goodman took advantage of Swinbank’s mistake to grab the second spot as Berger quickly built a cushion over the field out front.

The points leader, Berger fell off the pace with a flat tire as Goodman blew past him on the outside snatching the lead as the caution came with seven circuits to go for a Matt Doris spin. A chaotic restart immediately ended Josh Thiering’s night. Yonkee was inflicted with a cut left front tire as Swinbank and Ron Morris were also involved in the mayhem.

Berger returned to the track before the racing resumed staying on the lead lap as Goodman pushed ahead out front. Sellers wasn’t about to let the leader escape from his grasp though, swiftly cutting Goodman’s margin as he set up a late race pass for the win. His last gasp effort never came though as another first time victor was crowned on the high banks. Rob Goodman edged Sellers and a hard-charging Bennett to the checkers to collect his first career win at the legendary quarter-mile.

“Finally, it’s my second season now and this is the best night I’ve ever had out here,” an ecstatic Goodman admitted in victory lane. “There’s no way I’m passing Berger that easy, that’s what I thought and I knew something broke on his car. I’ll take them anyway I can get them to be totally honest. The fans, my sponsors, my crew, everyone’s great out here and it feels awesome to get this win.”

Sellers settled for a hard fought second as Bennett made a late race charge to collect third. Points leader Matt Berger survived a tumultuous evening to find his way into fourth while young Austin Nason completed the top five in fifth.

Jason Bragg burst into the top spot to pace the 17 car Budweiser American Short Trackers field to the green in their 25-lap feature. Behind Bragg the action was fast and furious as Scott Hoeft split two cars to garner third before slipping back to fifth after getting loose.

Hoeft wasn’t done however, battling back on the inside line to work his way past Keith Pierce, Zach Rodriguez, and Steve Drays for the bridesmaid’s position. The caution that Hoeft desperately needed to erase Bragg’s huge lead came with nine laps remaining after Rodriguez got loose in turn two setting up a chain reaction that collected three cars including points leader Nick Cina Jr.

Cina Jr did not return to the track in time for the restart as Hoeft wasted no time in applying the pressure to Bragg filling his rearview mirror with his blue and yellow machine. Hoeft made a gamble for the lead with five laps to go but came up snake eyes, almost ending up in the wall as Bragg escaped his grasp.

Hoeft tried to rally one final time but he ran out of time as Jason Bragg held on, going wire-to-wire to collect his second feature victory of the 2010 season. The points standings suffered a major shakeup as Cina Jr. did not finish the race while Kyle Lapier held on for a solid third place effort.

”The car was on cruise tonight,” Bragg quipped in the winner’s circle. “Or at least it certainly felt like it. It always feels nice to get into victory lane especially when you’re out front the whole way.”

Brett McCoy made a valiant return to the division with a fourth place effort as Rachel Sparkman topped off the top five with a fifth.

33 cars packed the quarter-mile as the 20-lap Mtn Dew RoadRunners feature got underway. Leading the fracas to green was Pat Smith as regular front runner Robert Roush sliced and diced through the field to challenge for the lead in the early stages. By lap six, Roush had taken away the top spot as he tried to put distance between himself and second place Eric Schoffen.

With smoke pluming into the air from a spin on the frontstretch, Roush and Schoffen continued to play cat and mouse out front a straightaway clear from the field. A three-lap shootout to the checkers was set up after Mike Leopold’s engine expired in turn four.

On the restart, Roush rushed back to the lead as Schoffen tried to keep pace out front. Schoffen’s best efforts weren’t enough however as Roush held on for his fourth victory of the 2010 campaign as he inherited the points lead in the process.

While Schoffen settled for second, Smith held on for third. Lloyd Hawkins latched onto fourth as Beau Lawson took home a top five in fifth.

Andy Forster jumped out front early in the 25-lap American Super Cups main event as Ken Jones quickly asserted himself moving up to second by lap three.

Jones quickly closed up to Forster’s back bumper as he eyed the top spot five laps into the race. A little bit behind the leaders, Erik Gehrke negotiated his way up to fourth before targeting David Cerer and third. Gehrke gave Cerer a slight love tap to let him know he was there as the leaders caught lapped traffic at the halfway point.

Erle Hoth swiftly jumped into the fray for third as he cruised past Gehrke into fourth as he eyed third place and Cerer. With the top six cars bottlenecked, each position was up for grabs as the drivers jostled and jockeyed for the prime real estate on the last lap.

With the white flag in the air, Jones closed up on the inside of Forster briefly taking the top spot. As the finish/line quickly approached, Forster used the outside line’s momentum to drive back around Jones at the line and take the victory by mere inches.

Cerer notched a third as Gehrke and Hoth rounded out the top five in fourth and fifth respectively.

The Sam’s Drive-In RoadRunner Challenge pitted the drivers with a fan as they never even fired the engines up. Tossing eggs at distances that increased with each successful throw, the top athletes in the RoadRunner division slowly rose to the top surviving the intense test of hand/eye coordination.

After a rousing back and forth between four drivers, the field was finally narrowed to two. An egg-cellent finish awaited as Kenneth Wines outdueled Arlyn Roush with a final toss, maintaining enough focus to grab the win.

The evening’s grand finale was the second ever Windsor Auto Sales Beatin’ ‘N Bashin’ Boat Race. The concept is similar to the World Famous Trailer Race of Destruction as vehicles with boats trailing behind them try to knock off the boats on their competitor’s hitch and survive the mayhem to be the last sailor standing.

After 15 minutes of intense action that saw boats flying all over the quarter-mile and numerous carnage, Jim Rosenberger prevailed in the bowling for boats amongst the final three cars left running. Rosenberger heard a roar from the crowd in victory lane as they acknowledged his efforts and showed their approval for the fairly new event.

Racing action returns to the high banks next Saturday night as Hinckley Springs Championship Countdown Night takes center stage on the quarter-mile oval as the popular Team Racing Night makes its return to the legendary facility. A full slate of action is on tap headlined by the Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models and their tight points battle up front. Also in action will be the Bargain Hunter Sportsman, Budweiser American Short Trackers and Mtn Dew RoadRunners plus the Sam's Drive-In RoadRunner Challenge Forwards/Backwards Race before the evening is capped off by a fireworks display post-race. Gates open at 5pm with the green flag waving at 7:07pm sharp.

For more information on the Rockford Speedway, including the points standings for each division, visit the track's website at www.rockfordspeedway.com or call the Speedway Box Office at (815)633-1500.

Rockford Speedway Results (Week 15)

NASCAR All American Sportsmen

A-Main 01 -- 1. Rob Goodman, McHenry; 2. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 3. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 4. Matt
Berger, Loves Park; 5. Austin Nason (r), Roscoe; 6. Ron Morris, Belvidere; 7. Bobby Yonke, Willowbrook; 8. Warren
(Butch) Swinbank, Rockford; 9. Matt Doris (r), Arlington Hghts; 10. Josh Thiering, South Beloit.

Heat 01 -- 1. Matt Doris (r), Arlington Hghts; 2. Warren (Butch) Swinbank, Rockford; 3. Bobby Yonke, Willowbrook; 4. Josh Thiering, South Beloit; 5. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream.

Heat 02 -- 1. Rob Goodman, McHenry; 2. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 3. Austin Nason (r), Roscoe; 4. Doug Bennett,
Brodhead, Wis; 5. Ron Morris, Belvidere.

Time Trial -- 1. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 2. Austin Nason (r), Roscoe; 3. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 4. Rob
Goodman, McHenry; 5. Ron Morris, Belvidere; 6. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 7. Bobby Yonke, Willowbrook; 8. Warren (Butch) Swinbank, Rockford; 9. Matt Doris (r), Arlington Hghts; 10. Josh Thiering, South Beloit.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Rob Goodman, McHenry; 2. Austin Nason (r), Roscoe; 3. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 4. Ron
Morris, Belvidere; 5. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 6. Matt Berger, Loves Park.

NASCAR American Short Trackers

A-Main 01 -- 1. Jason Bragg, Rockford; 2. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 3. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 4. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 5. Rachel Sparkman, Loves Park; 6. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 7. Joe LaMarca (r), Rockford; 8. Rodney Gilley, Winnebago; 9. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 10. Jack Atchison, Stillman Valley; 11. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 12. Christopher Jones (r), Rockford; 13. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 14. Steve Drays, Milton, Wis; 15. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 16. Laura Siarkiewicz, Algonquin; 17. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park.

Heat 01 -- 1. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 2. Steve Drays, Milton, Wis; 3. Jason Bragg, Rockford; 4. Joe LaMarca (r), Rockford; 5. Christopher Jones (r), Rockford; 6. Rodney Gilley, Winnebago; 7. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 8. Laura Siarkiewicz, Algonquin.

Heat 02 -- 1. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 2. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 3. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 4. Scott
Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 5. Rachel Sparkman, Loves Park; 6. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 7. George Sparkman, Loves Park;
8. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park.

Time Trial -- 1. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 2. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 3. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 4. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 5. Rachel Sparkman, Loves Park; 6. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 7. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 8. Jason Bragg, Rockford; 9. Joe LaMarca (r), Rockford; 10. Steve Drays, Milton, Wis; 11. Christopher Jones (r), Rockford; 12. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 13. Rodney Gilley, Winnebago; 14. Jack Atchison, Stillman Valley; 15. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 16. Laura Siarkiewicz, Algonquin; 17. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 2. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 3. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 4. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 5. Rachel Sparkman, Loves Park; 6. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere.

NASCAR Late Models

A-Main 01 -- 1. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 2. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 3. Mikie Breiner, Johnburg; 4. Eddie May, Crystal Lake; 5. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 6. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 7. Mike Lloyd, Davis; 8. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 9. Dave Edwards (r), Salem, Wis; 10. Jacob Gille, Winnebago; 11. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 12. Vern Fagerberg (r), Bloomingdale; 13. Joel Clossey, Beloit, Wis; 14. Joe Darnell, Machesney Park; 15. Wayne Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 16. Kyle Shear, Roscoe; 17. Brandon Eash, Rockford; 18. Timothy Slater, Hampshire.

Heat 01 -- 1. Timothy Slater, Hampshire; 2. Wayne Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 3. Brandon Eash, Rockford; 4. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 5. Dave Edwards (r), Salem, Wis; 6. Joe Darnell, Machesney Park; 7. Vern Fagerberg (r),
Bloomingdale; 8. Joel Clossey, Beloit, Wis; 9. Mikie Breiner, Johnburg.

Heat 02 -- 1. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 2. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 3. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 4. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 5. Mike Lloyd, Davis; 6. Eddie May, Crystal Lake; 7. Jacob Gille, Winnebago; 8. Kyle Shear, Roscoe; 9. Jerry Gille, Roscoe.

Time Trial -- 1. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 2. Eddie May, Crystal Lake; 3. Jacob Gille, Winnebago; 4. Mike Lloyd, Davis; 5. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 6. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 7. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 8. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 9. Kyle Shear, Roscoe; 10. Mikie Breiner, Johnburg; 11. Brandon Eash, Rockford; 12. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 13. Dave Edwards (r), Salem, Wis; 14. Wayne Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 15. Vern Fagerberg (r), Bloomingdale; 16. Timothy Slater, Hampshire; 17. Joe Darnell, Machesney Park.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Mike Lloyd, Davis; 2. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 3. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 4. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 5. Eddie May, Crystal Lake; 6. Jacob Gille, Winnebago.

NASCAR Road Runners

A-Main 01 -- 1. Robert Roush, Marengo; 2. Eric Schoffen, Crystal Lake; 3. Pat Smith, Belvidere; 4. Lloyd Hawkins,
Machesney Park; 5. Beau Lawson, Machesney Park; 6. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 7. Charlie Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 8.
Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 9. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 10. Richard Nielsen, Byron; 11. Gene Marocco,
Machesney Park; 12. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 13. Dave Lumsden, Jr., Rockford; 14. Jason Brockway, Machesney Park; 15. Marvin Butler, Rockford; 16. David Lignell, Rockford; 17. Anthony Lloyd, Loves Park; 18. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 19. John Jamison, Byron; 20. Ryan Hughes, McHenry; 21. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 22. Adam Cartwright, Woodstock; 23. Anthony (Andy) Bristol, Rockford; 24. Josh DiGiovanni, Loves Park; 25. Linnea Lundy, Loves Park; 26. Jonathon Dean, Machesney Park; 27. Mike Leopold, Algonquin; 28. Michael (Mike) Wallis, Machesney Park; 29. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park; 30. Curt Nighswonger, Rockford.

Heat 01 -- 1. Beau Lawson, Machesney Park; 2. Eric Schoffen, Crystal Lake; 3. Linnea Lundy, Loves Park; 4. Ryan Hughes, McHenry; 5. Curt Nighswonger, Rockford; 6. Anthony (Andy) Bristol, Rockford; 7. Jonathon Dean, Machesney Park; 8. John Jamison, Byron; 9. Josh DiGiovanni, Loves Park.

Heat 02 -- 1. Pat Smith, Belvidere; 2. Marvin Butler, Rockford; 3. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 4. Mike Leopold,
Algonquin; 5. David Lignell, Rockford; 6. Michael (Mike) Wallis, Machesney Park; 7. Adam Cartwright, Woodstock; 8.
James Gregory, Winnebago.

Heat 03 -- 1. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park; 2. Richard Nielsen, Byron; 3. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 4. Joshua
Lundy, Loves Park; 5. Anthony Lloyd, Loves Park; 6. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 7. Dave Lumsden, Jr., Rockford; 8. Jason Brockway, Machesney Park.

Heat 04 -- 1. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 2. Robert Roush, Marengo; 3. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 4. Jason Van
Hise, Loves Park; 5. Charlie Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 6. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 7. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford.

Challenge 01 -- 1. Kenneth Wines, Machesney Park; 2. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 3. Anthony (Andy) Bristol, Rockford; 4. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 5. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 6. Jason Brockway, Machesney Park; 7. Matt Belknap, Lake in the Hills; 8. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park; 9. Jonathon Dean, Machesney Park; 10. Pat Smith, Belvidere; 11. Kyle Watts, Machesney Park; 12. Michael (Mike) Wallis, Machesney Park; 13. Robert Roush, Marengo; 14. Adam Cartwright, Woodstock

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Robert Roush, Marengo; 2. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 3. Dave Lumsden, Jr., Rockford; 4. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 5. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 6. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park.

American Super Cup Series

A-Main 01 -- 1. Andrew Forster, Lake Zurich; 2. Ken Jones, Lombard; 3. David Cerer, Antioch; 4. Erik Gehrke,
Grayslake; 5. Erle Hoth, Medinah; 6. Jacob VanWazer, Lombard; 7. Dakota Potts, Zion; 8. Mike Mayer, Antioch; 9. Mick Ellis, Schaumburg; 10. Mike Baum, Mukwonago, Wis; 11. Mike Zinn, Schaumburg; 12. Chuck Hinman, Crystal Lake; 13. Theresa Udelle, Round Lake.

Heat 01 -- 1. Andrew Forster, Lake Zurich; 2. Jacob VanWazer, Lombard; 3. Erik Gehrke, Grayslake; 4. Mick Ellis, Schaumburg; 5. David Cerer, Antioch; 6. Mike Zinn, Schaumburg; 7. Mike Baum, Mukwonago, Wis.

Heat 02 -- 1. Ken Jones, Lombard; 2. Erle Hoth, Medinah; 3. Dakota Potts, Zion; 4. Chuck Hinman, Crystal Lake; 5.
Mike Mayer, Antioch; 6. Theresa Udelle, Round Lake.

Time Trial -- 1. Erik Gehrke, Grayslake; 2. Erle Hoth, Medinah; 3. Jacob VanWazer, Lombard; 4. Mike Mayer, Antioch; 5. David Cerer, Antioch; 6. Ken Jones, Lombard; 7. Andrew Forster, Lake Zurich; 8. Dakota Potts, Zion; 9. Mick Ellis, Schaumburg; 10. Mike Zinn, Schaumburg; 11. Chuck Hinman, Crystal Lake; 12. Theresa Udelle, Round Lake.