Loves Park, IL- Defending Spring Classic Champion and 2010 Jefferson Speedway Track Champion Casey Johnson has filed his entry to defend his title during the 34th Spring Classic on Sunday afternoon April 17 at Rockford Speedway. The 2008 Dells Raceway Park Champion Mike Ehde will also return to Big 8 Late Model Series action when he returns to Rockford where he recorded his only series win during the 2007 Spring Classic.

The green flag will wave on the 2011 Big 8 Late Model Series presented by Gandrud Chevrolet season at 1pm Sunday April 17. Spectator gates will open at 11am with qualifying taking place at 11:15am. A 108 lap feature event will cap the day for the Big 8 drivers, which will also include a 50 lap Mid-American Stock Car feature. Adult tickets are $20 for adults, students (ages 12-17) $10, kids (ages 6-11) $5, with children ages 5 and under admitted free.

Visit www.rockfordspeedway.com for a complete schedule of events including the Saturday April 16 practice or call the Speedway Box Office at 815-633-1500.

SPRING CLASSIC CHAMPIONS
Year Driver Name Series
1978 Dick Trickle ARTGO Challenge Series*
1979 Tom Reffner ARTGO Challenge Series**
1980 Larry Detjens ARTGO Challenge Series
1981 Joe Shear ARTGO Challenge Series
1982 Al Schill ARTGO Challenge Series
1983 Dick Trickle ARTGO Challenge Series
1984 Dick Trickle ARTGO Challenge Series
1985 Al Schill ARTGO Challenge Series
1986 Joe Shear ARTGO Challenge Series
1987 Dick Trickle ARTGO Challenge Series
1988 Joe Shear ARTGO Challenge Series
1989 Joe Shear ARTGO Challenge Series
1990 Scott Hansen ARTGO Challenge Series
1991 Kevin Cywinski ARTGO Challenge Series
1992 Jim Weber ARTGO Challenge Series
1993 Scott Hansen ARTGO Challenge Series
1994 Tony Strupp ARTGO Challenge Series
1995 Kevin Cywinski ARTGO Challenge Series
1996 Larry Schuler ARTGO Challenge Series
1997 Eddie Hoffman ARTGO Challenge Series
1998 Steve Carlson NASCAR Elite Series
1999 Steve Carlson NASCAR Elite Series
2000 Steve Carlson NASCAR Elite Series
2001 Steve Carlson NASCAR Elite Series
2002 Brian Hoppe NASCAR Elite Series
2003 Steve Carlson NASCAR Elite Series
2004 Steve Carlson NASCAR Elite Series
2005 Mike Beyer Big 8 Series
2005 Justin Diercks NASCAR Elite Series
2006 Mike Beyer Big 8 Series
2006 Steve Rubeck Wisconsin Challenge Series
2007 Mike Ehde Big 8 Series
2007 Steve Rubeck Wisconsin Challenge Series
2008 Michael Bilderback Big 8 Series
2009 Rained Out Twice Big 8 Series
2010 Casey Johnson Big 8 Series

* Held at Grundy County Speedway
** Held at Capitol Super Speedway (Madison)