By Jordan Kuehne

LOVES PARK, Ill. (Saturday, August 6th, 2011) -- Jerry Gille's certainly got a knack for late season charges and the two-time Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models champion made his presence known with a division-leading fifth visit to the winner's circle tonight at the Rockford Speedway. Gille snagged a second consecutive trophy after surviving a mayhem-filled 30-lap main event that got the carnage started well before the evening's closing act, the Kar Korner World Famous Figure 8 Trailer Race.

With an enthused crowd cheering him on in victory lane, Gille stepped up to the plate and didn't mince words when asked about his top rival, points leader Ryan Carlson.

"We're gonna spank his butt," Gille exclaimed to the delight of the many fans in attendance and if the recent pattern holds form, he certainly will be a player for a third title -- Gille has managed to slash what was once a 50-plus point deficit to a relatively minor gap of just 10 markers with a little over a month remaining in the season.

Scott Hoeft finally broke through and collected his first Budweiser American Short Trackers feature win of 2011 after a heat race incident left BJ Sparkman reeling and brother George holding the points lead. In the tight Bargain Hunter Sportsman class, Matt Lundberg landed in the winner's circle with a spirited effort that left him trailing 15-year-old Austin Nason by just two points as the gap continues to close with time winding down.

Alex Papini solidified his efforts for a first career Mtn Dew RoadRunners championship with a fourth place finish as his close friend, Jarrod Sutherland, took home the hardware after going wire-to-wire for the victory. In the event fans were waiting for, Mark Madey managed to outlast Chris Lindah and leave an indelible mark in the Kar Korner World Famous Figure 8 Trailer Race.

A massive wreck collected over half of the Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models main event field on the third turn of the opening lap, forcing a red flag as points leader Ryan Carlson, defending champion Tim Sargent, Jake Gille, Steve McBride, and Mark Hartline all suffered heavy damage in the carnage. Sargent soared into the billboards during the melee as Jake Gille ran down the backstretch to exchange pleasantries with Jon Reynolds Jr. after he escaped his limping hot rod.

After a ten minute delay as the safety crew cleaned turns three and four and an extended caution period, the majority of the damaged cars managed to return including Ryan Carlson. When the race was finally restarting, Jon Reynolds Jr. suddenly slowed in turn four and exited the track as Carlson followed him to the pits. Both drivers returned in time for the green flag as Mitch Garfield grabbed the lead when racing finally got underway.

Tom Gille wasted little effort moving around the teenager for the top spot on lap three as Jerry Gille garnered a podium position after maneuvering around Jake Gille for third. Jerry Gille’s assault on the leaders continued with a swift surge past Garfield before setting his sights on the his brother and the clean air.

The family affair for the lead went Jerry’s way as he continued his late season surge, ascending to the top spot with nine laps in the books. As the top three cars separated themselves on the quarter-mile oval, Steve Rubeck rocketed into fourth with nothing more than half a race car remaining thanks to the opening lap incident.

Jerry Gille slowly built up a straightaway lead over brother Tom as the laps began to click off at a torrid pace. With under ten circuits left, Rubeck utilized the bottom groove to roll past Mitch Garfield for third.

Nothing more than lapped traffic remained in Jerry Gille’s path as the fast qualifier put fellow championship contenders Ryan Carlson and Jon Reynolds Jr. both a lap down with three laps to go. Gille hit his marks on the white flag lap and cruised into victory lane for a division-leading fifth time, riding his late season momentum to a second consecutive win and leaving a suddenly minute ten point gap as all that separated himself and Carlson in the standings. Gille took the opportunity to throw down the gauntlet to his top challenger in the winner’s circle.

"Thank god we had Mark Hartline ahead of us (on that opening lap wreck)," Gille enthusiastically admitted afterwards. "We may not have the money that (Carlson) does but we have a really nice race car, a really good crew, and we are going to spank his butt."

Tom Gille made it a family affair up front with his runner-up result while Steve Rubeck rallied to a third place finish. Young Mitch Garfield continued a stellar rookie campaign with his fourth place effort as Jake Gille somehow garnered a top five after being sandwiched against the wall in the opening lap carnage.

Carlson struggled with issues under the hood of his machine and ended up with a ninth-place showing.

The subplot for the Budweiser American Short Trackers 25-lap headliner began during their final heat race when points leader BJ Sparkman and niece Rachel Sparkman ended up in the turn four fence. BJ Sparkman’s crew furiously worked to help him return just in time to start shotgun in the feature minus a front end while Rachel Sparkman’s car stalled out during the warm up laps and exited to the pits.

Mayhem ensued on the second lap of the event after Alan Bekielewski and Nick Letsinger made contact and spun in front of the field to force an early caution. When racing resumed, Chris Jones retained possession of the lead as Scott Hoeft and Joe LaMarca went door-to-door for the bridesmaid’s position.

With the top five cars running under a blanket, it was Hoeft who made the first chess move with 19 laps remaining, diving underneath Jones and snagging the lead on the exit of turn two as Nick Cina Jr. followed his torrid pace and worked up to third right before another yellow flew, this time for Victor Young’s escaped wheel parked his hot rod in the infield with 16 circuits to go.

On the restart, Cina Jr. corralled second via the holeshot as championship contender George Sparkman found himself in fourth after a Joe LaMarca slipup. Hoeft hustled to a three car length edge as Sparkman surged to a podium spot, zooming past Jones and bringing LaMarca with him into fourth as the laps clicked off on the scoreboard.

After a wild dustup between midpack cars in turn three of the penultimate lap, Hoeft survived heavy traffic on the frontstretch as he came to the checkers to collect his first feature trophy of the 2011 campaign. With the win, Hoeft hustled up the standings into second and trails George Sparkman by just 24 markers with a handful of races remaining in 2011.

“I didn’t think this was ever gonna come,” Hoeft admitted afterwards. “Look at this crowd; I’ve never seen a crowd or raced in front of this many people and to win a race in front of everyone like this is awesome. If you’re gonna get to the front, you gotta go right away and I did it.”

Cina Jr. collected a strong runner-up effort as LaMarca landed a top three finish. George Sparkman assumed command of the points standings with his fourth place result while Bryan Ellis scored his best finish of the year with a fifth place showing.

The points leader heading into the night, BJ Sparkman, limped home to a disappointing season-worst 19th place finish and relinquished the top spot in the standings to brother George.

The early edge in the 25-lap Bargain Hunter Sportsman feature went to Darrell Garmin in his return to the legendary high banks of the Rockford Speedway. Steve Rubeck, pulling double duty on the evening, rolled to the runner-up spot and quickly mounted a challenge for the top position.

Behind Rubeck, Matt Lundberg’s ‘Family Truckster’ station wagon maneuvered to the high side and made it a three car fray up front as the rest of the field sorted themselves out behind them. Lundberg inherited second with six laps in the books as Rubeck slowed on the backstretch and dropped to the back of the pack.

The battle for the lead was a brief one as Lundberg landed out front with 16 circuits remaining, diving to the bottom of Garmin and wasting no time escaping to a comfortable cushion. As the race moved past the halfway mark, defending champion Matt Berger worked his way by Brad Gerke via the low line as Lundberg continued to pull away out front.

Berger set his sights on second and secured the spot as Garmin got hung out to dry. The veteran dropped to fifth as Gerke and young points leader Austin Nason took command of the third and fourth positions respectively.

Despite Berger’s spirited charge to second, no one had anything for Matt Lundberg’s hot rdo as the Illinois hotshoe ran away to his fourth feature win of the year and sliced what was a seven point deficit in the standings to a mere two markers with a little over a month remaining in the race to the championship.

“It’s a rocket,” Lundberg quipped afterwards. “Without my crew and my sponsors, I wouldn’t be out here doing this. Hopefully we can maintain this strong run and contend for the title over the last month.”

Berger settled for second as Brad Gerke's strong return to racing continued with a third place finish. Young Austin Nason scratched and clawed to a fourth place result while Darrell Garmin rounded out the top five in fifth in a rare showing at the asphalt oval.

Jarrod Sutherland soared to the lead in the 20-lap Mtn Dew RoadRunners main event as Jason Van Hise veered through a cloistered cluster of machines en route to the second position.

Van Hise fell off the pace with 13 circuits remaining as Arlyn Roush inherited the runner-up spot and Brett McCoy split Jeff Allendorf and Terry Ciano Jr. to snag third.

Ciano Jr. fought back on the inside of McCoy though and eventually garnered the position before pressuring Roush for second. After a brief jousting session for the bridesmaid’s position, Ciano Jr. emerged with the spot as Roush fell into the clutches of McCoy in fourth.

Out front, Sutherland smoothly surged to a straightaway edge as McCoy pushed past Roush for the third position with three laps to go.

No one had anything for the ‘Blond Bomber’ as Jarrod Sutherland snagged his first career win in the division in dominating fashion, going wire-to-wire for the victory.

“I’ve had too many of these slip away from me,” Sutherland acknowledged. “I appreciate everyone coming out here and it feels good to get my first RoadRunners win.”

Ciano Jr. claimed second as Brett McCoy managed a solid third place effort. Points leader Alex Papini survived a fiery evening as he notched a fourth place finish while Arlyn Roush rounded out the top five in fifth.

With over 20-plus trucks, vans, cars, and an assortment of other vehicles towing trailers, fans were certainly treated to a spectacular show in the main event of the evening's program, the Kar Korner World Famous Figure 8 Trailer Race. After a variety of fireworks ensued both on-track and in the night sky, trailers littered the infield and the speedway as the event came down to its final pair of competitors.

Mark Madey used some deft maneuvers and sheer will to nix Chris Lindah's dreams of victory. Madey got a standing ovation for his efforts as he outlasted everyone to collect the hardware for his trophy case.

With an extra $50 and a gallon of Sam’s famous homemade root beer up for grabs, there was a bit of an additional incentive for the victor of tonight’s Sam’s Drive-In RoadRunner Challenge Escape from I-90 Race. The event pitted seven Mtn Dew RoadRunners against one another while machines from the Figure 8 Trailer Race attempted to block their path in a convincing facsimile of Interstate 90.

Jason Van Hise grabbed the early lead as the field managed to escape ‘I-90’ unscathed over the opening seven laps. On the final lap, runner-up Jeff Allendorf’s daring maneuver came up shy as Van Hise held on for the win and the extra goodies in victory lane.

Racing returns to the high banks of the Rockford Speedway this week for the final round of Wild Wednesday. Championship Night will crown division titlists in eight classes including the Mtn Dew RoadRunner Super Summer Series as well as the Bandits, INEX Legends, Bandoleros, Misfits, Winged Women on Wheels, Figure 8, and as well as the Bandit Challenge. The fan-favorite Law Office of Kim MacCloskey Spectacular Drags return for one final midweek showing as well in what promises to be an eventful evening of fast-paced action.

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 on the Rockford Speedway, including point standings and the remaining 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 13

NASCAR All American Sportsmen

A-Main 01 -- 1. Matt Lundberg, Rockford; 2. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 3. Brad Gerke (r), Loves Park; 4. Austin Nason, Roscoe; 5. Darrell Garman, South Beloit; 6. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 7. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 8. Brandon Swinbank (r), Rockford; 9. Rich Hinerichsen, II, Machesney Park; 10. Steve Rubeck, Rockford.

Heat 01 -- 1. Brandon Swinbank (r), Rockford; 2. Darrell Garman, South Beloit; 3. Brad Gerke (r), Loves Park; 4. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 5. Joshua Lundy (r), Loves Park.

Heat 02 -- 1. Matt Lundberg, Rockford; 2. Austin Nason, Roscoe; 3. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 4. Doug Bennett,
Brodhead, Wis; 5. Rich Hinerichsen, II, Machesney 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. Steve Rubeck, Rockford; 7. Brad Gerke (r), Loves Park; 8. Darrell Garman, South Beloit; 9. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 10. Brandon Swinbank (r), Rockford; 11. Joshua Lundy (r), Loves Park.

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

NASCAR American Short Trackers

A-Main 01 -- 1. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 2. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 3. Joe LaMarca, Rockford; 4. George
Sparkman, Loves Park; 5. Bryan Ellis, Loves Park; 6. Steve Drays, Milton, Wis; 7. Jack Atchison, Stillman Valley; 8. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 9. Christopher Jones, Rockford; 10. Nick Worman, Algonquin; 11. Brad Henrey, Rockford; 12. David Russell, Jr, Machesney Park; 13. Dave Lee, Rockford; 14. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 15. Steve Putman, Jr., Beloit, Wis; 16. Alan Bekielewski, Roscoe; 17. Rachel Sparkman, Belvidere; 18. Victor Young, Genoa; 19. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 20. Nick Letsinger, Rockford.

Heat 01 -- 1. Brad Henrey, Rockford; 2. Nick Worman, Algonquin; 3. Dave Lee, Rockford; 4. Steve Putman, Jr., Beloit, Wis; 5. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 6. Victor Young, Genoa; 7. David Russell, Jr, Machesney Park.

Heat 02 -- 1. Steve Drays, Milton, Wis; 2. Joe LaMarca, Rockford; 3. Nick Letsinger, Rockford; 4. Christopher Jones, Rockford; 5. Alan Bekielewski, Roscoe; 6. Jack Atchison, Stillman Valley; 7. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park.

Heat 03 -- 1. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 2. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 3. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 4. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 5. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 6. Rachel Sparkman, Belvidere; 7. Bryan Ellis, Loves Park.

Time Trial -- 1. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 2. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 3. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 4. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 5. Rachel Sparkman, Belvidere; 6. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 7. Bryan Ellis, Loves Park; 8. Christopher Jones, Rockford; 9. Joe LaMarca, Rockford; 10. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 11. Alan Bekielewski, Roscoe; 12. Nick Letsinger, Rockford; 13. Steve Drays, Milton, Wis; 14. Jack Atchison, Stillman Valley; 15. Victor Young, Genoa; 16. Steve Putman, Jr., Beloit, Wis; 17. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 18. Nick Worman, Algonquin; 19. David Russell, Jr, Machesney Park; 20. Dave Lee, Rockford; 21. Brad Henrey, Rockford.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 2. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 3. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 4. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 5. Rachel Sparkman, Belvidere; 6. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere.

NASCAR Late Models

A-Main 01 -- 1. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 2. Tom Gille, Winnebago; 3. Steve Rubeck, Rockford; 4. Mitchell Garfield (r), Gilberts; 5. Jacob Gille, Machesney Park; 6. Eddie May, Crystal Lake; 7. Ryan Miles, Crystal Lake; 8. John Beinlich, Prairie View; 9. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 10. Dave Edwards, Salem, Wis; 11. Brandon Eash, Machesney Park; 12. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 13. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 14. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 15. Steve McBride (r), South Beloit;

Heat 01 -- 1. Dave Edwards, Salem, Wis; 2. Eddie May, Crystal Lake; 3. Brandon Eash, Machesney Park; 4. John
Beinlich, Prairie View; 5. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 6. Mitchell Garfield (r), Gilberts; 7. Steve McBride (r), South Beloit; 8. Ryan Miles, Crystal Lake.

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

Time Trial -- 1. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 2. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 3. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 4. Steve Rubeck, Rockford; 5. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 6. Tom Gille, Winnebago; 7. Jacob Gille, Machesney Park; 8. Eddie May, Crystal Lake; 9. Mitchell Garfield (r), Gilberts; 10. Dave Edwards, Salem, Wis; 11. John Beinlich, Prairie View; 12. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 13. Brandon Eash, Machesney Park; 14. Steve McBride (r), South Beloit; 15. Ryan Miles, Crystal

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

NASCAR Road Runners

A-Main 01 -- 1. Jarrod Sutherland, Venice, Calif.; 2. Terry Ciano, Jr., Janesville, Wis; 3. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 4. Alex Papini, Machesney Park; 5. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 6. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 7. Patrick Featherston II, Byron; 8. Brian Mayer, Machesney Park; 9. Adam Cartwright, Marengo; 10. James Gregory, Winnebago; 11. Steven Dover, Machesney Park; 12. Josh DiGiovanni, Machesney Park; 13. Kyle McQuality, Stillman Valley; 14. Jonathon Dean, Machesney Park; 15. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 16. Joey Thomas, Rockford.

Heat 01 -- 1. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 2. James Gregory, Winnebago; 3. Jarrod Sutherland, Venice, Calif.; 4. Kyle McQuality, Stillman Valley; 5. Steven Dover, Machesney Park; 6. Josh DiGiovanni, Machesney Park; 7. Jonathon Dean, Machesney Park; 8. Adam Cartwright, Marengo; 9. Brian Mayer, Machesney Park.

Heat 02 -- 1. Terry Ciano, Jr., Janesville, Wis; 2. Patrick Featherston II, Byron; 3. Alex Papini, Machesney Park; 4. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 5. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 6. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 7. Joey Thomas, Rockford; 8. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 9. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford.

Challenge 01 -- 1. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 2. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 3. Adam Cartwright, Marengo; 4. Joey Thomas, Rockford; 5. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 6. Steven Dover, Machesney Park; 7. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Terry Ciano, Jr., Janesville, Wis; 2. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 3. Alex Papini, Machesney Park; 4. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 5. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 6. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford.