By Jordan Kuehne

LOVES PARK, Ill. (Saturday, June 25th, 2011) -- On a night upon which the Rockford Speedway Midseason Champions were crowned, invading Midwestern journeyman James Swan fended off two Rockford contenders en route to the winner's circle. Swan endured late race challenges from current points leader Ryan Carlson and two-time Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models champion Jerry Gille on the way to his first career late model victory on the high banks, grabbing the 30-lap showdown and throwing his name in the gauntlet for the title of Gilley's Cool 5 Series victor come October.

The night crowned USG Midseason Champions in four divisions while at the same time serving as the second of five rounds in the Gilley's Cool 5 Series, a special points battle that will offer up an enticing 13-thousand plus prize pool when winners are crowned at October's 46th annual National Short Track Championships.

Doug Bennett fended off Matt Berger for the Bargain Hunter Sportsman win while young gun Austin Nason earned the honors of Midseason Champion. In the Budweiser American Short Trackers, Joe LaMarca cruised to his first career victory while BJ Sparkman came home fourth to clinch the Midseason crown. Kris Nilson grabbed the trophy in the Mtn Dew RoadRunners while an excited Alex Papini claimed a Midseason title.

James Swan surged to the early advantage in the 30-lap Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models headliner as Matt Berger pushed his way into second.

A quick yellow came on the third lap of the second bout of the Gilley’s Cool 5 Series for a John Beinlich spin in turn two; Vern Fagerberg was also involved in the incident but emerged virtually unscathed. Both drivers maintained their position on the lead lap as points leader Ryan Carlson moved up to a podium spot in third.

On the restart, Swan escaped as Carlson and Tom Gille tussled for the third position. Carlson edged ahead on the outside as Berger fell into his clutches for the runner-up spot. With Gille closing up behind them in fourth, the battle for second quickly became a three car fray as Berger and his fellow vet occupied the high side of the banked asphalt while Carlson tried the low line.

Swan certainly didn’t mind the intense battle for second as he slipped away to a comfortable five car-length cushion at the halfway point. Carlson finally cleared Tom Gille for third and jumped to the top of the high banks as two-time track champion Jerry Gille closed up behind in the fifth spot, looking to move into contention for his third feature win of the season.

Jerry Gille aided his quest for another win when he snatched the fourth position from his brother right before a second yellow flew for a solo trip through the spin cycle by John Beinlich with 11 circuits remaining.

James Swan jumped back to a solid edge on the restart as Carlson cruised past Berger for second with under ten laps to go. Jerry Gille wasn’t far behind, moving into a top three spot as both Rockford regulars swiftly slashed the gap between themselves and the leader.

While Carlson peeked to the inside of Swan for the lead, Gille was doing the same thing to his rival for the runner-up spot. Carlson slipped to the bottom of Swan with the white flag waving as Gille swung to the high side. Swan emerged with the win by a car length while ‘RC’ edged Gille for second by an eyelash.

The win was Swan’s first at Rockford in a late model as the racing journeyman justified his long trek to the stateline speed plant with a hard earned trophy.

"The best part of this is it locks me into the JMcK 63 at the end of the year at LaCrosse," Swan joyously acknowledged. "I won at Slinger with this car and its been kind of mediocre ever since. We've been learning and learning and we came here and got kind of lucky. I'll take it."

Carlson’s runner-up finish secured the Midseason championship by 52 points over 2010 titlist Tim Sargent. Jerry Gille’s third place effort pulled him to within 54 markers of Carlson while Berger came home fourth. Tom Gille pieced together a strong run to round out the top five in fifth.

“It was a good race tonight,” Carlson admitted. “I didn’t need that last yellow because that slowed us up there. We lucked out a few times, earned a few wins, and we’re on the downhill slide here. Hopefully we can put together one more strong half for a title.”

The Budweiser American Short Trackers 25-lap feature got off to a rough and tumble start as last weekend’s feature victor Rachel Sparkman and heat race winner Nick Letsinger got together, making hard contact on the backstretch of the opening lap before coming to a rest in the turn three infield. Both drivers had their night end on the hook as Scott Hoeft exited to the pits for repairs after his involvement in the mayhem.

Steve Drays drove to the lead when the green flag waved as 2010 champ Kyle Lapier looked for a lane around runner-up Joe LaMarca. With the top six cars running nose-to-nose, Drays continued to fend off LaMarca’s advances as Lapier pulled even on the outside for second with 15 laps to go.

LaMarca shot off turn two like a cannon at the halfway mark before leaning on Drays down the frontstretch and saving his machine from turning around en route to the top spot as Lapier kept pace and inherited the bridesmaid’s position. Drays’ drop continued as George and BJ Sparkman moved into third and fourth respectively while LaMarca pulled away up front.

Running away and hiding from the field over the course of the final ten laps, LaMarca landed in the winner’s circle for the first time in an American Short Tracker.

“I was the best man in a wedding about four hours ago,” LaMarca quipped. “Got done taking a million pictures and got out here and the starter didn’t go. Gotta thank my guys tonight – we had a lot of luck to end up here.”

Lapier ended up second behind his friend while the brothers Sparkman, George and BJ, came home third and fourth. Drays held on for a solid top five after leading the first 13 laps.

BJ Sparkman’s fourth-place effort meant that the longtime contender was the Midseason champ, leading the standings by 18 points over his brother George.

“We can get the fuel cell knocked out in the heat race and still finish fourth (in the feature),” BJ lamented. “It’s a tough class this year, that’s for sure.”

Justin Sellers squeezed by Scott Lawver to nab the top spot in the early stages of the 25-lap Bargain Hunter Sportsman main event. Doug Bennett quickly worked from fourth into the lead by a nose with four laps in the books as fast qualifier and defending champion Matt Berger jumped to second a circuit later.

Brad Gerke grabbed third from Sellers as Austin Nason followed his path for fourth while the halfway mark came and went. Up front, Berger began to eye a potential move for the win as the laps wound down in the caution-free race.

Berger managed to close up to the back bumper of Bennett and apply the heat but each attempt was thwarted by the leader’s traction on the high side of the oval. With under five to go, Berger mustered one last challenge but he couldn’t make it stick as Bennett held on for the win.

The Wisconsin driver grabbed his first feature win of the season on USG Midseason Championship night as the sun shined on the second round of the Gilley’s Cool 5 Series.

“I hated to give away two features so far this season,” Bennett admitted. “That was a tough race and a long 25 laps for us.”

Third to cross the line was Brad Gerke by a nose as Nason wasn't far behind him in a tight finish at the stripe. Gerke was disqualified during post-race inspection however allowing Nason to move up to third. Sellers inherited fourth while Rich Hinerichson II finished off the top five.

With half of the season in the history books, young gun Austin Nason took home the Midseason title by 16 markers over Matt Lundberg and his 'Family Truckster' while a fast closing Matt Berger sits 18 points behind in third.

“I’m learning how to race with guys,” the 15-year-old Nason stated. “Next year I hope to be in a late model and this is another learning year for me.”

Adam Cartwright corralled the top spot as the 20-lap Mtn Dew RoadRunners main event got off to a quick start. Brett McCoy worked his way to the lead on lap five but the revolving door of race leaders thrust a lightning fast Kris Nilson out front with 14 circuits remaining.

Dana Czach took over the second spot as McCoy dropped to third. ‘Bullet’ Bobby Frisch made his return to the Rockford Speedway and ran fourth at the halfway mark.

Nilson nosed away from the pack as Czach gave chase with under five to go. ‘Zippity’ Czach managed to close the gap to a single car length but came up short as Nilson held on for his first win of the year in a caution-free event.

“I gotta thank my crew and everyone for giving me a strong car,” the winner acknowledged afterwards. “This is a good second run in the Gilley’s (Cool 5 Series) and hopefully we can keep challenging in those events.”

Czach settled for second as McCoy muscled into the top three with a third place finish. Frisch nursed it home for a fourth-place effort as Anthony Lloyd notched a top five in fifth.

Alex Papini took home the title of Midseason Champion by a slim margin of six points over elder statesmen Gene Marocco.

“We just have to finish races and try not to make too many people mad on the way to the front every week,” Papini offered. “There’s a lot of fun but it’s not any less work than late models. Points racing is stressful and it’s tough keeping the parts on these machines but we’re having a lot of fun.”

The Sam’s Drive-In RoadRunner Challenge featured a six-lap dash around the quarter-mile and half of the figure eight track on the infield. Adam Cartwright and Arlyn Roush went door-to-door over the course of the first four laps before Cartwright got turned around by an overeager Roush.

Roush relinquished the lead when he missed a trip through the ‘little-O’ and Steve Dover did the same exact thing on the final lap to hand the victory to Terry Ciano Jr, who messed up the process on the very first lap. A crazy race ended with Ciano Jr. holding the checkers while Roush came in second.

Wild Wednesday makes its 2011 debut this upcoming Wednesday night, June 22nd, as the Mtn Dew RoadRunner Summer Series kicks off its mad dash through the six-week summer season. Increased purses greet the drivers of the Bandits, INEX Legends, Bandoleros, and Misfits while the Winged Women on Wheels, Figure 8, and Law Office of Kim MacCloskey Spectacular Drags make their season debuts as well.

Adult admission is just $8 while teenagers ages 12-17 get in for $6 and kids ages 6-11 get in for only $4. Children ages 5 and under are FREE with gates opening at 5:30pm and the green flag waving on all the exciting racing action at 7:07pm sharp!

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

Rockford Speedway Results

NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Week 8

NASCAR All American Sportsmen

A-Main 01 -- 1. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 2. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 3. Austin Nason, Roscoe; 4. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 5. Rich Hinerichsen, II, Machesney Park; 6. Matt Lundberg, Rockford; 7. Shannon Stoltz (r), Machesney Park; 8. Rob Goodman, McHenry; 9. Brandon Swinbank (r), Rockford; 10. Joshua Lundy (r), Loves Park; 11. Scott Lawver, Roscoe; 12. Brad Gerke (r), Loves Park.

Heat 01 -- 1. Shannon Stoltz (r), Machesney Park; 2. Brandon Swinbank (r), Rockford; 3. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 4. Rob Goodman, McHenry; 5. Scott Lawver, Roscoe; 6. Joshua Lundy (r), Loves Park.

Heat 02 -- 1. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 2. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 3. Rich Hinerichsen, II, Machesney Park; 4. Matt Lundberg, Rockford; 5. Austin Nason, Roscoe; 6. Brad Gerke (r), Loves Park.

Time Trial -- 1. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 2. Austin Nason, Roscoe; 3. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 4. Matt Lundberg, Rockford; 5. Rich Hinerichsen, II, Machesney Park; 6. Rob Goodman, McHenry; 7. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 8. Scott Lawver, Roscoe; 9. Shannon Stoltz (r), Machesney Park; 10. Brandon Swinbank (r), Rockford; 11. Joshua Lundy (r), Loves Park; 12. Brad Gerke (r), Loves Park.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 2. Brad Gerke (r), Loves Park; 3. Rich Hinerichsen, II, Machesney Park; 4. Matt Lundberg, Rockford; 5. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 6. Austin Nason, Roscoe.

NASCAR American Short Trackers

A-Main 01 -- 1. Joe LaMarca, Rockford; 2. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 3. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 4. Boyce (BJ)
Sparkman, Machesney Park; 5. Steve Drays, Milton, Wis; 6. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 7. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 8. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 9. Christopher Jones, Rockford; 10. Steve Erickson, Jr, Machesney Park; 11. Brad Henrey, Rockford; 12. David Russell, Jr, Machesney Park; 13. Alan Bekielewski, Roscoe; 14. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 15. Dave Lee, Rockford; 16. Rachel Sparkman, Belvidere; 17. Nick Letsinger, Rockford.

Heat 01 -- 1. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 2. Steve Drays, Milton, Wis; 3. Christopher Jones, Rockford; 4. Steve Erickson, Jr, Machesney Park; 5. Alan Bekielewski, Roscoe; 6. Brad Henrey, Rockford; 7. David Russell, Jr, Machesney Park; 8. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 9. Dave Lee, Rockford.

Heat 02 -- 1. Nick Letsinger, Rockford; 2. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 3. Joe LaMarca, Rockford; 4. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 5. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 6. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 7. Rachel Sparkman, Belvidere; 8. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park.

Time Trial -- 1. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 2. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 3. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere;
4. Joe LaMarca, Rockford; 5. Nick Letsinger, Rockford; 6. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 7. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 8. Rachel Sparkman, Belvidere; 9. Steve Erickson, Jr, Machesney Park; 10. Steve Drays, Milton, Wis; 11. Alan
Bekielewski, Roscoe; 12. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 13. Christopher Jones, Rockford; 14. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 15. Brad Henrey, Rockford; 16. David Russell, Jr, Machesney Park; 17. Dave Lee, Rockford.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 2. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 3. Scott Hoeft, Watertown,
Wis; 4. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 5. Nick Letsinger, Rockford.

NASCAR Late Models

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

Heat 01 -- 1. Joel Clossey, Beloit, Wis; 2. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 3. Mitchell Garfield (r), Gilberts; 4. Curt (Billy Bob) Tillman, Roscoe; 5. Wayne Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 6. John Beinlich, Prairie View; 7. James Swan, Lake Geneva, Wis; 8. Vern Fagerberg, Bloomingdale; 9. Dave Edwards, Salem, Wis.

Heat 02 -- 1. Jacob Gille, Machesney Park; 2. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 3. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 4. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 5. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 6. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 7. Tom Gille, Winnebago; 8. Kyle Shear, Roscoe.

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

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 2. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 3. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 4. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 5. Tom Gille, Winnebago; 6. Jacob Gille, Machesney Park.

NASCAR Road Runners

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

Heat 01 -- 1. James Gregory, Winnebago; 2. Adam Cartwright, Marengo; 3. Shawn Rickelman, Rockton; 4. Steven Dover, Machesney Park; 5. Josh DiGiovanni, Machesney Park; 6. Patrick Featherston II, Byron; 7. David Rodden, Loves Park; 8. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry.

Heat 02 -- 1. Dan Carlson, Rockford; 2. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 3. Bobby Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 4. Arlyn Roush,
Woodstock; 5. Brian Mayer, Machesney Park; 6. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 7. Terry Ciano, Jr., Janesville, Wis; 8. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere.

Heat 03 -- 1. Terrance Robinson, Beloit, Wis; 2. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 3. Kris Nilson, Rockford; 4. Alex Papini, Machesney Park; 5. Dana Czach, Wauconda; 6. Anthony Lloyd, Loves Park; 7. Howie Ware, South Beloit.

Challenge 01 -- 1. Terry Ciano, Jr., Janesville, Wis; 2. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 3. Steven Dover, Machesney Park; 4. Adam Cartwright, Marengo; 5. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 2. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 3. Kris Nilson, Rockford; 4.
Terrance Robinson, Beloit, Wis; 5. Dana Czach, Wauconda; 6. Alex Papini, Machesney Park.