By Jordan Kuehne

LOVES PARK, Ill. (Saturday, May 21st, 2011) – Tim Sargent bucked the trend; he’s been doing that a lot lately. The defending Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models champion surged to the front of the 30-lap main event with a daring maneuver on young Michael Bilderback, taking over the top spot with 15 laps remaining and surviving heavy lapped traffic to grab his second straight win. On a night when leaders faltered in every feature event, Sargent stood strong out front en route to the victory in the first round of the Gilley’s Cool 5 Series, a cash-laden competition that pits every driver in each division against each other five times -- once a month -- before determining a champion at the 46th annual National Short Track Championships.

BJ Sparkman continued the remarkable start to his 2011 Budweiser American Short Trackers campaign with his third feature win in as many nights while Matt Lundberg took advantage of Doug Bennett’s misfortune to earn a trip to victory lane in the Bargain Hunter Sportsman. Another driver off to a strong start, Alex Papini, pushed through a 25 car Mtn Dew RoadRunners field and into the winner’s circle for the second time this season as contenders continued to emerge on the high banks.

Matt Berger emerged out front at the beginning of the opening round of the Gilley’s Cool 5 Series as the Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models went door-to-door at the start of their 30-lap main event.

Kyle Shear immediately challenged for the top spot as two-time champion Jerry Gille gave chase in third. Berger and Shear made contact in front of the 20 car field, sending Shear spinning through turn two and bunching up the field behind him. Jon Reynolds Jr. had nowhere to go, smashing into the rear end of Shear’s hot rod as Steve McBride got the worst of a five-car pileup in the back half of the field.

Shear, Reynolds Jr, McBride, and Jake Gille all visited the pits with only McBride not managing to make it back in time when the race restarted with 25 laps to go. After Brandon Eash and Brad Becker ran into each other in turn one, the field got a second chance at the restart.

Jerry Gille grabbed the top spot when the race got back underway as Ryan Carlson and Michael Bilderback dueled for second. Bilderback took the position as fast qualifier Tim Sargent pushed past Carlson for third.

With 19 laps remaining, Jerry Gille’s machine went south costing him the lead and a chance at the win as Bilderback and Sargent's battle suddenly became a whole lot more significant out front. Sargent made a daring move on the exit of turn four before edging up the track and securing the lead at the halfway mark.

Bilderback soon felt the heat from Ryan Carlson as ‘RC’ eyed the bridesmaid’s position via the bottom groove. While the top three navigated through heavy lapped traffic, James Swan was able to tighten the gap between himself and Carlson to make it a three-car battle for second.

As Sargent hit his marks for the win, Bilderback eked out a runner-up finish by a half a car length over Carlson. With his second victory of the short season, Sargent’s quest to defend his 2010 crown continues to go according to plan as the Rockton native padded his points lead and ended a stellar evening with an opening round win in the Gilley’s Cool 5 Series. With three fast times and a rocket ship for a race car, Sargent’s signified that he’s a serious contender to repeat.

"We've had a few people up in heaven the last few weeks that have been looking out for us and making it easier on us," a smiling Sargent acknowledged in victory lane. "It was fun (racing Michael) like that out there, and it was clean like it's supposed to be. I think if we can put together four more nights like this (for the Gilley's Cool 5 Series), we can really give it a run."

Swan’s visit to the historic facility garnered him a fourth place finish while Wayne Freimund continued his consistency with a top five effort.

In the Bargain Hunter Sportsman, Doug Bennett didn’t wait long to return to the lead at the Rockford Speedway grabbing the top spot on the opening lap of the 25-lap feature. Matt Lundberg quickly jumped to second while Wisconsin invader Kurt Kleven settled into third.

Ahead of the pack, Bennett slipped away to a comfortable three car length advantage with ten laps in the books while Kleven felt the heat from young gun Austin Nason for a podium spot. With 14 laps to go, Bennett’s car suddenly broke loose exiting turn two sending the former division champion into the infield grass and out of the running for a win.

The lucky beneficiary was Matt Lundberg and his ‘grocery-grabbin’ station wagon’ as the veteran inherited the top spot and assumed the same three car length advantage Bennett had held. Behind the leader, Kleven continued to fend off Nason’s advances for second as the laps ticked off quickly.

Matt Lundberg held on over the final five circuits and cruised to his first feature win of the season in a caution-free race that opened up the Gilley’s Cool 5 Series for the Bargain Hunter Sportsman.

Kleven returned to Wisconsin with a strong runner-up finish while Nason settled for a podium finish in third. Defending champion Matt Berger finished fourth while ‘Captain’ Chris Gantz completed the top five with a solid season debut in fifth.

The 25-lap Budweiser American Short Trackers headliner got off to a swift start as the 19 car field wasted no time beating and banging for positions on the high banked oval. Rachel Sparkman eased away to a solid lead as the grizzled veteran, Brett McCoy, pushed his way up to second. Scott Hoeft burst into the top three on lap two and immediately applied pressure to the back bumper of McCoy.

Out front, Sparkman’s machine began to smoke profusely before finally giving way with 14 laps remaining. After Sparkman pulled off to the infield, her father George suffered some issues of his own, spinning around on the infield to bring out a caution with 12 circuits left.

Brett McCoy maneuvered into the lead on the restart as Hoeft jumped into second. It wasn’t long before another caution flew after Steve Drehs knocked down the frontstretch wall and ricocheted into Jack Atchison’s machine, sending parts flying all over the straightaway and inducing a yellow with 11 to go.

A wild restart saw Zach Rodriguez, Nick Letsinger, and Nick Cina Jr. converge in turn two and make contact to send Rodriguez spinning into the grass and ending his night early. Meanwhile, the action up front was heated as BJ Sparkman emerged from the shadows and seemingly came from nowhere to steal the lead from McCoy with eight laps to go, shooting past a long time rival for the top spot with some help from his teammate.

Hoeft wasn’t far behind, following BJ Sparkman’s path into second while Joe LaMarca worked his way up to third. A caution with just three laps remaining for an incident involving Kyle Lapier and Nick Cina Jr. stacked the field up once again.

However, in what’s quickly becoming a prevailing theme in 2011, BJ Sparkman had no equal en route to a third consecutive victory. Sparkman extended his points lead and snagged the first round of the Gilley’s Cool 5 Series as teammate Scott Hoeft made it a 1-2 finish.

LaMarca took third while McCoy held on for a solid fourth place effort. Chris Jones charged through the field to collect a top five.

While a rough beginning slowed the start of the Mtn Dew RoadRunners feature, Patrick Featherstone had no problems finagling his way to the front of the 20-lap event. Featherstone paced a 25 car field over the opening circuits as Alex Papini and Billy McCoy gave chase in second and third respectively.

After an early race caution, McCoy mashed the gas and took the lead as Papini inherited second from Featherstone and brought Howie Ware with him into third. Papini exerted minimal effort and wasted little time working his way to the lead while Ware stayed close behind in second as the race approached the halfway point.

As the top two cars built up a buffer over the rest of the lineup, Gene Marocco and Dana Czach Jr. picked off cars left and right before going door-to-door for a podium spot. The two drivers jousted for third and Marocco escaped with a top three on the last lap.

Neither driver had a chance to contend with Alex Papini on this night though, as the fiery hotshoe continued his strong start to the 2011 campaign, snagging a second feature victory in convincing fashion.

Ware hung on for second as Marocco managed to turn in an admirable performance for third. Czach zipped to fourth while Kris Nilson found his way up to fifth.

In a Sam’s Drive-In RoadRunner Challenge that would have made Carl Edwards proud, drivers left their mark, literally, competing against each other for the chance to win the RoadRunner Smokey Burnouts contest. Fans cheered on the driver they thought did the best job of smoking up their tires as plumes of smoke filled the night air and left the crowd roaring in approval.

When it was all said and done, Arlen Roush prevailed behind his cyclone burnouts while Raymond Hardesty grabbed second for his efforts.

Holiday weekend racing makes its way to the Rockford Speedway next Saturday night for a Memorial Day Weekend special featuring a full slate of action including Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models, Bargain Hunter Sportsman, Mtn Dew RoadRunners, and the season debut of the Illini Midgets, plus the Sam’s Drive-In RoadRunner Challenge featuring the Stop ‘N Go Race. A School Bus Jump will cap off what promises to be an exciting evening of racing action at the legendary facility.

With Cost Cutters presenting Kids Night at the speedway, all children ages 11 and under will receive free admission and the first 500 kids will also receive a FREE diecast car. Children arriving early will have the opportunity to draw on the track using chalk! Gates open at 5pm with qualifying scheduled for 6pm and the green flag waving at 7:07pm sharp.

For more information, including a full 2011 schedule, visit the track’s website at www.rockfordspeedway.com or contact the Speedway Box Office at (815)633-1500.

Rockford Speedway Results

NASCAR All American Sportsmen

A-Main 01 -- 1. Matt Lundberg, Rockford; 2. Kurt Kleven, Cambridge, Wis; 3. Austin Nason, Roscoe; 4. Matt Berger,
Loves Park; 5. Chris Gantz, Rockford; 6. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 7. Rich Hinerichsen, II, Machesney Park; 8. Brad Gerke (r), Loves Park; 9. Shannon Stoltz (r), Machesney Park; 10. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 11. Tim Jendrycki, Round Lake; 12. Greg Pruitt, Rockford.

Heat 01 -- 1. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 2. Brad Gerke (r), Loves Park; 3. Shannon Stoltz (r), Machesney Park; 4. Greg Pruitt, Rockford; 5. Tim Jendrycki, Round Lake; 6. Chris Gantz, Rockford; 7. Robert Roush (r), Marengo.

Heat 02 -- 1. Kurt Kleven, Cambridge, Wis; 2. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 3. Matt Lundberg, Rockford; 4. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 5. Austin Nason, Roscoe; 6. Rich Hinerichsen, II, Machesney Park.

Time Trial -- 1. Austin Nason, Roscoe; 2. Kurt Kleven, Cambridge, Wis; 3. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 4. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 5. Matt Lundberg, Rockford; 6. Rich Hinerichsen, II, Machesney Park; 7. Chris Gantz, Rockford; 8. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 9. Brad Gerke (r), Loves Park; 10. Tim Jendrycki, Round Lake; 11. Shannon Stoltz (r), Machesney Park; 12. Robert Roush (r), Marengo; 13. Greg Pruitt, Rockford.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Matt Lundberg, Rockford; 2. Austin Nason, Roscoe; 3. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 4. Kurt Kleven, Cambridge, Wis; 5. Rich Hinerichsen, II, Machesney Park; 6. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis.

NASCAR American Short Trackers

A-Main 01 -- 1. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 2. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 3. Joe LaMarca, Rockford; 4.
Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 5. Christopher Jones, Rockford; 6. Nick Letsinger, Rockford; 7. David Russell, Jr, Machesney Park; 8. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 9. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 10. Alan Bekielewski, Roscoe; 11. Jason Kubicz, Whitewater, Wis; 12. Brad Henrey, Rockford; 13. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 14. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 15. Jack Atchison, Stillman Valley; 16. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 17. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 18. Steve Drays, Milton, Wis; 19. Rachel Sparkman, Belvidere.

Heat 01 -- 1. Brad Henrey, Rockford; 2. Alan Bekielewski, Roscoe; 3. David Russell, Jr, Machesney Park; 4. Steve Drays, Milton, Wis; 5. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 6. Jack Atchison, Stillman Valley; 7. Jason Kubicz, Whitewater, Wis.

Heat 02 -- 1. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 2. Rachel Sparkman, Belvidere; 3. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 4. Christopher Jones, Rockford; 5. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 6. Nick Letsinger, Rockford; 7. Bryan Ellis, Loves Park.

Heat 03 -- 1. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 2. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 3. Joe LaMarca, Rockford; 4. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 5. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 6. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton.

Time Trial -- 1. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 2. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 3. Joe LaMarca, Rockford;
4. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 5. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 6. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 7. Christopher Jones, Rockford; 8. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 9. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 10. Rachel Sparkman, Belvidere; 11. Nick Letsinger, Rockford; 12. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 13. Bryan Ellis, Loves Park; 14. Steve Drays, Milton, Wis; 15. David Russell, Jr, Machesney Park; 16. Alan Bekielewski, Roscoe; 17. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 18. Jack Atchison, Stillman Valley; 19. Brad Henrey, Rockford; 20. Jason Kubicz, Whitewater, Wis.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 2. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 3. George Sparkman,
Loves Park; 4. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 5. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 6. Joe LaMarca, Rockford.

NASCAR Late Models

A-Main 01 -- 1. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 2. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 3. James Swan, Lake Geneva, Wis; 4. Wayne Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 5. Joel Clossey, Beloit, Wis; 6. Mitchell Garfield, Gilberts; 7. Tom Gille, Winnebago; 8. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 9. Curt (Billy Bob) Tillman, Roscoe; 10. John Beinlich, Prairie View; 11. Vern Fagerberg, Bloomingdale; 12. Jacob Gille, Machesney Park; 13. Bradley Becker, Delevan, Wis; 14. Kyle Shear, Roscoe; 15. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 16. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 17. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 18. Brandon Eash, Machesney Park; 19. Steve McBride (r), South Beloit; 20. Michael Bilderback, South Beloit.

Heat 01 -- 1. Curt (Billy Bob) Tillman, Roscoe; 2. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 3. Vern Fagerberg, Bloomingdale; 4. John Beinlich, Prairie View; 5. Steve McBride (r), South Beloit; 6. Tom Gille, Winnebago; 7. Bradley Becker, Delevan, Wis.

Heat 02 -- 1. Jacob Gille, Machesney Park; 2. Wayne Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 3. Mitchell Garfield, Gilberts; 4. James Swan, Lake Geneva, Wis; 5. Joel Clossey, Beloit, Wis; 6. Brandon Eash, Machesney Park; 7. Kyle Shear, Roscoe.

Heat 03 -- 1. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 2. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 3. Michael Bilderback, South Beloit; 4. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 5. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 6. Matt Berger, Loves Park.

Time Trial -- 1. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 2. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 3. Michael Bilderback, South Beloit; 4. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 5. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 6. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 7. Kyle Shear, Roscoe; 8. Jacob Gille, Machesney Park; 9. Wayne Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 10. James Swan, Lake Geneva, Wis; 11. Joel Clossey, Beloit, Wis; 12. Mitchell Garfield, Gilberts; 13. Brandon Eash, Machesney Park; 14. John Beinlich, Prairie View; 15. Vern Fagerberg, Bloomingdale; 16. Curt (Billy Bob) Tillman, Roscoe; 17. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 18. Bradley Becker, Delevan, Wis; 19. Steve McBride (r), South Beloit.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 2. Michael Bilderback, South Beloit; 3. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 4. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 5. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 6. Matt Berger, Loves Park.

NASCAR Road Runners

A-Main 01 -- 1. Alex Papini, Machesney Park; 2. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 3. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 4. Dana Czach, Wauconda; 5. Kris Nilson, Rockford; 6. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 7. Dan Carlson, Rockford; 8. Terrance
Robinson, Beloit, Wis; 9. Bobby Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 10. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 11. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 12. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 13. Steve Gregory, Machesney Park; 14. Dave Lumsden, Jr., Rockford; 15. Sam Christofano, Rockford; 16. Patrick Featherstone II, Byron; 17. Steven Dover, Machesney Park; 18. Roger Champlin, Beloit, Wis; 19. David Rodden, Loves Park; 20. Adam Cartwright, Marengo; 21. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 22. Shawn Rickelman, Rockton; 23. James Gregory, Winnebago; 24. Josh DiGiovanni, Machesney Park; 25. Brian Mayer, Machesney Park.

Heat 01 -- 1. Kris Nilson, Rockford; 2. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 3. Bobby Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 4. Jonathon Dean, Machesney Park; 5. Roger Champlin, Beloit, Wis; 6. David Rodden, Loves Park; 7. Steven Dover, Machesney Park; 8. Dana Czach, Wauconda; 9. Josh DiGiovanni, Machesney Park.

Heat 02 -- 1. Patrick Featherstone II, Byron; 2. Shawn Rickelman, Rockton; 3. Dave Lumsden, Jr., Rockford; 4. Steve Gregory, Machesney Park; 5. James Gregory, Winnebago; 6. Marvin Butler, Rockford; 7. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 8. Brian Mayer, Machesney Park; 9. Sam Christofano, Rockford.

Heat 03 -- 1. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 2. Dan Carlson, Rockford; 3. Alex Papini, Machesney Park; 4. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 5. Terrance Robinson, Beloit, Wis; 6. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 7. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 8. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere.

Challenge 01 -- 1. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 2. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 3. Adam Cartwright, Marengo; 4. Steven
Dover, Machesney Park.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Terrance Robinson, Beloit, Wis; 2. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 3. Alex Papini, Machesney Park; 4. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 5. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 6. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit.