By Jordan Kuehne

LOVES PARK, Ill. (Friday, October 1st, 2010) -- The tradition and pageantry of racing's original big event makes its return to the Midwest this weekend as the historic Rockford Speedway plays host to the 45th annual National Short Track Championships. 'One Great Racing Weekend' will certainly live up to its billing in 2010 as fans will be treated to three jam-packed slates of racing excitement as the pits once again teem with race cars and hot shoes eager to etch their name in the history books. 12 divisions will take to the high banked quarter-mile over the span of three days, as upwards of 200 racing machines compete for glory.

The on-track festivities get off to a swift start tonight as the Weekly Warrior Late Models Stanley Steemer 45 headlines a full lineup of action. Also on tap are the All-American Sportsman and their Metro Medical 40, the American Short Trackers' Gilley's Heating & Cooling 40, the RoadRunners' Marden Tire & Auto Service 40, the 2nd Hornet/Bandit Challenge Stateline Staffing Services 25, and the return of the National Figure 8 League to NSTC's with their Ferrellgas 15.

The action gets underway at 5:30pm with Nason's Landscaping 'Faster Than a Speeding Bullet' qualifying before the green flag waves at 7:07pm sharp. Spectator gates open at 4pm and adult admission is just $10 while kids ages 6-11 get in for $5 and children 5 and under get in for FREE.

Tomorrow promises to be another spectacular day of racing at Rockford as the Big 8 Series presented by Gandrud Chevrolet headlines a comprehensive day of racing on the oval. With practice beginning at 10:30am and racing action getting underway at 5:05pm, NSTC's Saturday will welcome five divisions to the track as the stars and cars from local tracks across the Midwest make the trek looking for a chance to wear the wreath and become National Short Track Champion. The Super Late Models will headline Nason's Landscaping 'Faster Than a Speeding Bullet' qualifying that gets underway at 2:15pm as over 35 drivers look to make the main event, the Budweiser 200, on Sunday.

Feature divisions for tomorrow evening include the Big 8 Series Hinckley Springs 108, the Area Sportsman Sam's Drive-In 50, the Illini Midgets Bobcat of Rockford 50, and the Hobby Stox Cevene Care Clinic 40, while the Super Late Models will set most of their field for Sunday's showcase with odd/even heats and qualifying races during the early stages of the night.

Spectator gates open at 2pm and adult admission is just $18 for Saturday's program while kids ages 6-11 are $9. Children ages 5 and under get in for FREE.

The final day of the 45th edition of NSTC's features a scintillating lineup headlined by the Super Late Models and the crowning of the next 'National Short Track Champion', as over 35 wheelmen from across the Midwest will look to first make the show and then wear the wreath in the Budweiser 200. Some of the stars entered in this year's legendary event include 3-time NSTC champ 'Fast' Eddie Hoffman, as well as veteran Chris Wimmer, Rockford regular Jon Reynolds Jr, former ASA Midwest champion Nathan Haseleu, and defending National Short Track Champion Josh Nelms.

The Mid-American Stock Car Series will also be in action as their season winds down and their points battle heats up with a lot on the line in the Mtn Dew 75. MASCS qualifying will get the day started at 11:15am with the green flag waving on the storied event at 12:30pm. Spectator gates will open at 10am with a fan autograph session scheduled for 11:30am in the Bud Pavilion. Adult admission is just $20 for Sunday while kids ages 6-11 are $10 and children 5 and under will once again get in for FREE.

For more information on the 45th annual National Short Track Championships, including ticket packages and a full schedule of events, call the Speedway Box Office at (815) 633-1500 or visit the track's website at www.rockfordspeedway.com.