PHOTOS

By: Kevin Ramsell
LOVES PARK, IL (Saturday, April 26, 2008) – Ryan Carlson and his crew had a busy week. After being involved in a hard wreck last week, he came back tonight to capture the Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Model win at Rockford Speedway.

Chris Gantz, Ricky Nielsen, Tim Melvin, and John Zellinga also took home feature wins.

Brett McCoy was the early leader in the 30-lap main event. Carlson, who was the evening’s fast qualifier, started his charge to the front from the eighth starting position.

Carlson found the inside line to work for him on a cool night as that was the preferred way for him to get to the front. With six laps to go, he would get past Tim Sargent for second and would keep his momentum going as he set his sights on McCoy for the lead.

With four laps to go, McCoy would get loose coming off of turn two and that would allow Carlson to get by and take the top spot and the checkered flag. Jerry Gille would get past McCoy on the last lap to come home second.

“That was one of my hardest drives I had to make for a win,” Carlson said in victory lane. “I have to thank my crew guys, we cut the car in half, put it back together and it was fast.”

Sargent and Bob Kahler would round out the top five.

Gantz made his move from a Coca-Cola RoadRunner and Figure 8’s complete as he won the NASCAR All-American Sportsman feature event.

Dave Edwards was early leader in the 25-lap feature. Gantz started third it only took him until lap 5 when he moved from 3rd to first in one lap as he got past Rick Nielsen for second coming off of turn two and then took the lead from Edwards going into turn three.

Gantz would break away to a straightaway lead over the rest of the field in the caution free event. Behind him, Ron Morris and Brock Behnke would put on a great side-by-side battle for second.

It was Gantz taking the win with Morris holding off Behnke by a nose for second. Last week’s feature winner, Fred Nason was fourth with Edwards rounding out the top five.

Melvin led a large freight train to the finish in the Budweiser American Short Tracker feature event. Melvin started on the pole of the 25-lap event and would go wire-to-wire. But, it wasn’t an easy drive as he held off numerous attempts by last week’s feature winner, BJ Sparkman, and four other short trackers in a Talladega style freight train.

The feature event would see only one caution as Steve Erickson, Jr. would spin in turn two on lap 10. Erickson would collect George Sparkman and then take a hard hit from Zach Rodriguez. All three were done for the night.

Melvin would hold off a final charge from Sparkman to collect his first win of the year. Kelly Evink would finish third with Aaron Rude in fourth. Larry Dickinson II would round out the top five.

Nielsen capped off the evening of racing by taking home the Coca-Cola RoadRunner feature win.

Nielsen as the early leader for the 20-lap feature event. But Brewster wanted to show the way and he got to the top spot on lap 3 by passing Nielsen on the inside and taking over the top spot.

Nielsen would stay close to Brewster throughout the rest of the race but would not get close enough to challenge for the win as the checkers flew.

Christopher Jones was third with Robert Roush in fourth. Dennis Smith, Jr. rounded out the top five.

But, Brewster failed to pass post race inspection and was disqualified for the evening. This gave the win to Nielsen.

Zellinga worked his way past early leader Jim Thiel on lap 6 to take home the win in the FIRA/Rascal Outlaw 15-lap feature event. Thiel and Lyle Phillips put on a great battle for second. At the checkers it was Thiel holding off Phillips for the position while Zellinga took home another win at Rockford.

The Rockford Speedway would like to thank the fans who braved the weather to witness the great racing action on Saturday night. It was a tough weekend in local racing with the weather causing many cancellations. But the Speedway staff worked overtime to get the track ready for the evening’s activities and the hard work paid off with the great racing action.

Two great events will take place next weekend. On Saturday, May 3rd, it’s USG Night with the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series in action. It’s also BOB 95.3 FM Family night where a family can get four tickets, four hot dogs, four French fries and four Coca-Cola’s for only $40. The Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models, Budweiser American Short Trackers, Coca-Cola RoadRunners, Legends and Bandoleros will all be in action.

On Sunday May 4th, it’s Metalwars IV Demolition Derby by Darkhorse Racing. The wild action will get underway at 1 pm. The afternoon of fun will feature Super Modifieds, Compact Cars and Urban Assault Vehicles. The great Demolition Derby action returns to the Speedway. Make your plans to be a part of this fun event.

NASCAR All American Sportsmen
A-Main 01 -- 1. Chris Gantz, Rockford; 2. Ron Morris, Belvidere; 3. Brock Behnke, South Beloit; 4. Fred Nason, Roscoe; 5. Dave Edwards, Salem, Wis; 6. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 7. Warren (Butch) Swinbank, Rockford; 8. David Lounsbury, Beloit, Wis; 9. Don Exline, Oak Lawn; 10. Josh Geigle, Walcott, Iowa; 11. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 12. Randy Samples, Rockton.

Heat 01 -- 1. Ron Morris, Belvidere; 2. Randy Samples, Rockton; 3. Josh Geigle, Walcott, Iowa; 4. Dave Edwards, Salem, Wis; 5. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 6. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 7. Ron Young, Rockford.

Heat 02 -- 1. Chris Gantz, Rockford; 2. David Lounsbury, Beloit, Wis; 3. Warren (Butch) Swinbank, Rockford; 4. Fred Nason, Roscoe; 5. Brock Behnke, South Beloit; 6. Don Exline, Oak Lawn.

Time Trial -- 1. Fred Nason, Roscoe; 2. Brock Behnke, South Beloit; 3. Warren (Butch) Swinbank, Rockford; 4. Don Exline, Oak Lawn; 5. Chris Gantz, Rockford; 6. David Lounsbury, Beloit, Wis; 7. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 8. Ron Morris, Belvidere; 9. Dave Edwards, Salem, Wis; 10. Josh Geigle, Walcott, Iowa; 11. Randy Samples, Rockton; 12. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Fred Nason, Roscoe; 2. Warren (Butch) Swinbank, Rockford; 3. Brock Behnke, South Beloit; 4. Chris Gantz, Rockford; 5. Don Exline, Oak Lawn; 6. David Lounsbury, Beloit, Wis.

NASCAR American Short Trackers
A-Main 01 -- 1. Tim Melvin, Machesney Park; 2. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 3. Kelly Evink, Machesney Park; 4. Aaron Rude, Cambridge, Wis; 5. Larry Dickinson II, Cedarville; 6. Nick Cina, Jr, Roscoe; 7. Steven Allman, Oconomowoc, Wis; 8. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 9. Victor Young, Genoa; 10. Rachel Sparkman, Loves Park; 11. Nick Letsinger, Rockford; 12. Kenny Marcellis, West Chicago; 13. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 14. Steve Erickson, Jr, Machesney Park; 15. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton.

Heat 01 -- 1. Jeffery Turnure, Rockford; 2. Kenny Marcellis, West Chicago; 3. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 4. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 5. Victor Young, Genoa; 6. Rachel Sparkman, Loves Park; 7. Nick Letsinger, Rockford; 8. Rob Baaske, Rockford; 9. Steven Allman, Oconomowoc, Wis.

Heat 02 -- 1. Steve Erickson, Jr, Machesney Park; 2. Kelly Evink, Machesney Park; 3. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 4. Aaron Rude, Cambridge, Wis; 5. Tim Melvin, Machesney Park; 6. Nick Cina, Jr, Roscoe; 7. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 8. Larry Dickinson II, Cedarville.

Time Trial -- 1. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 2. Kelly Evink, Machesney Park; 3. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 4. Larry Dickinson II, Cedarville; 5. Steve Erickson, Jr, Machesney Park; 6. Aaron Rude, Cambridge, Wis; 7. Tim Melvin, Machesney Park; 8. Nick Cina, Jr, Roscoe; 9. Jeffery Turnure, Rockford; 10. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 11. Steven Allman, Oconomowoc, Wis; 12. Victor Young, Genoa; 13. Kenny Marcellis, West Chicago; 14. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 15. Rachel Sparkman, Loves Park; 16. Rob Baaske, Rockford; 17. Nick Letsinger, Rockford.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Aaron Rude, Cambridge, Wis; 2. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 3. Kelly Evink, Machesney Park; 4. Steve Erickson, Jr, Machesney Park; 5. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 6. Larry Dickinson II, Cedarville.

NASCAR Late Models
A-Main 01 -- 1. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 2. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 3. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 4. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 5. Bob Kahler, Caledonia; 6. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Roscoe; 7. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 8. Noel Ramge, Helenville, Wis; 9. Bill Hobson, Roscoe; 10. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 11. Bobby Davis, Winnebago; 12. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 13. Alex Papini, Machesney Park; 14. Tyler Peterson, Lake Geneva, Wis; 15. John Ovadal, Jr., Watertown, Wis; 16. Ryan Livieri, Jefferson, Wis.

Heat 01 -- 1. Alex Papini, Machesney Park; 2. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 3. Bill Hobson, Roscoe; 4. Noel Ramge, Helenville, Wis; 5. Ryan Livieri, Jefferson, Wis; 6. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 7. Bobby Davis, Winnebago; 8. Tyler Peterson, Lake Geneva, Wis.

Heat 02 -- 1. Bob Kahler, Caledonia; 2. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 3. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Roscoe; 4. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 5. John Ovadal, Jr., Watertown, Wis; 6. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 7. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 8. Matt Berger, Loves Park.

Time Trial -- 1. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 2. John Ovadal, Jr., Watertown, Wis; 3. Bob Kahler, Caledonia; 4. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Roscoe; 5. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 6. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 7. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 8. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 9. Bill Hobson, Roscoe; 10. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 11. Alex Papini, Machesney Park; 12. Noel Ramge, Helenville, Wis; 13. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 14. Bobby Davis, Winnebago; 15. Tyler Peterson, Lake Geneva, Wis; 16. Ryan Livieri, Jefferson, Wis.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 2. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 3. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 4. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Roscoe; 5. John Ovadal, Jr., Watertown, Wis; 6. Bob Kahler, Caledonia.

NASCAR Road Runners
A-Main 01 -- 1. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 2. Christopher Jones, Rockford; 3. Robert Roush, Marengo; 4. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 5. Terrance Robinson, Beloit, Wis; 6. Vachenzia Jester, Beloit, Wis; 7. David Lignell, Rockford; 8. Steven Clark, Rockford; 9. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park; 10. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 11. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park; 12. Marci Lundberg, Belvidere; 13. Kevin Nighswonger, Rockford; 14. Sam Christofano, Rockford; 15. Jerry Edge, Marengo; 16. David Russell, Rockford; 17. Sabrina Castillo, Rockford; 18. Ronald Stoltz, Rockford; 19. Richard Edge, Marengo; 20. Justin Wagner, South Beloit; 21. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 22. Jason Brewster, Beloit, Wis.

Heat 01 -- 1. Justin Wagner, South Beloit; 2. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 3. Vachenzia Jester, Beloit, Wis; 4. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 5. Kevin Nighswonger, Rockford; 6. David Russell, Rockford; 7. Jason Brewster, Beloit, Wis.

Heat 02 -- 1. Steven Clark, Rockford; 2. Christopher Jones, Rockford; 3. Marci Lundberg, Belvidere; 4. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park; 5. Richard Edge, Marengo; 6. Jerry Edge, Marengo; 7. Sam Christofano, Rockford; 8. Sabrina Castillo, Rockford.

Heat 03 -- 1. David Lignell, Rockford; 2. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 3. Terrance Robinson, Beloit, Wis; 4. Robert Roush, Marengo; 5. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park; 6. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 7. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park.

Challenge 01 -- 1. Robert Roush, Marengo; 2. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 3. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park; 4. David Lignell, Rockford; 5. Ronald Stoltz, Rockford; 6. Sabrina Castillo, Rockford; 7. David Russell, Rockford; 8. Christopher Jones, Rockford; 9. Richard Edge, Marengo; 10. Jason Brewster, Beloit, Wis.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Terrance Robinson, Beloit, Wis; 2. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 3. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park; 4. David Lignell, Rockford; 5. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 6. Robert Roush, Marengo.