By: Kevin Ramsell
LOVES PARK, IL (Wednesday, April 16, 2008) – Last year, it came down to the final lap, but it will continue into 2008 as “The People’s Champion” Jerry Gille will be looking for seven-time defending track champion, Ricky Bilderback, and will attempt to remove him from his throne. Gille’s quest will start this Saturday night with the 61st Annual Coca-Cola Season Opener for the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series at Rockford Speedway.

Back at the championship banquet in January, Gille told those in attendance that he doesn’t plan on holding back this year in the Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Model division. He wants a Rockford Speedway championship and he feels that he has one coming after falling one-point short at the end of the 2007 season.

Bilderback will be looking for a record setting 8th straight championship this season with a new car and engine. The fight will be one to watch this season.

The NASCAR All-American Sportsman will also be competing this Saturday night as defending champion, Fred Nason, will be looking for his third championship in four years.

Will the Sparkman brothers continue to keep a hold on the championship in the Budweiser American Short Tracker division? Last year, it was BJ Sparkman holding off Tim Melvin for his second AST championship. Expect to see some tough competition out of this division this season as Sparkman will be holding off challenges from drivers including Tim Melvin, Steve Allman, and Aaron Rude.

The 2006 champion is back as 68-year-old Gene Marocco is back competing in the Coca-Cola RoadRunner division in 2008. The young driver had to take a year off after winning the 2006 championship. His goal this year is simple…to finish second in points.

It should be an exciting 2008 season as many of your favorite Rockford Speedway weekly competitors will be back along with a lot of new fresh faces competing at the historic .29167-mile oval.

Gates open at 5:00pm with qualifying at 6:15pm. NASCAR Whelen All-American Series action will get underway at 7:07pm.

Bring an empty 20 oz. Coca-Cola product and get $2 off admission!!!

For more information, including on having a birthday party or company outing at the Rockford Speedway, please call the track office at (815) 633-1500.

For updated stories, results, directions, and point standings, please visit the track’s website at www.rockfordspeedway.com.