Rockford Speedway/NSTC PR
LOVES PARK, IL (Friday, September 30, 2011) – It was a wild night of racing action to open the 46th Annual National Short Track Championships at the Rockford Speedway. Bobby Wilberg, Rich Hinerichsen Jr., George Sparkman, Kris Nilson, Bryce Bailey and Dennis Smith Jr. all took home a feature win.

Bobby Wilberg held off Jon Reynolds Jr. to win the Stanley Steemer 36 Weekly Warrior Late Model feature. It was a great tight battle as the top-four were nose-to-tail throughout the second half of the main event. The seven-time track champion showed he knew his way around the famous quarter-mile oval as Reynolds would try many times to get on the inside of Wilberg to contest for the top spot. Ryan Carlson and Jerry Gille were right behind the top-two giving the fans an exciting battle to the checkered flag.

It was a wild Metro Medical 40 for the All-American Sportsman. Rich Hinerichsen II took the victory over Chris Gantz and Austin Nason. Hinerichsen took over the lead over from Brian Turtle on lap 19. He appeared that he was going to get a late challenge from Matt Berger and Matt Lundberg. Those two were battling for second, with eleven laps to go when they both got together on the backstretch causing them both to go into the outside wall. Berger went off on the flatbed while Lundberg rejoined at the back of the field. Hinerichsen led the field to the final ten laps uncontested to the win.

Two scary incidents occurred during the Metro Medical 40 event. The first came on lap five when Bobby Wilberg spun in turn four with a fire in his engine area. He was able to walk away but was done for the night. Then on lap 29, Josh Thiering went up in flames while going down the backstretch. The safety crew was able to put out the fire and Thiering was all right but was also done for the night.

George Sparkman picked up another NSTC American Short Tracker feature win. Sparkman would take over the lead with 13 laps to go as he got by Scott Hoeft for the top spot. Hoeft would hold on to second while Kyle Stark would finish third.

Kris Nilson won the O’Reilly Auto Parts 20 Road Runner feature after the top two, Bobby Frisch and Dana Czach, failed the post-race inspection. Frisch took over the top spot from Lloyd Hawkins early in the event. Czach and Nilson came through the field to challenge with five laps to go. The top-three put on a great battle with Frisch holding on to the win on the track. But, after inspection it was Nilson taking home the NSTC trophy.

Bryce Bailey came through the field and passed Heather Stark with five laps to go to win the Marden Tire 20-lap Hornet Bandit Challenge feature event. Tyler Whalen came through to finish second with Kyle Stark in third.

Dennis Smith Jr. made a great last lap pass on Josh Thiering to win the Tractor Town 12-lap Figure-8 feature event. Smith came off the final corner and it was a drag race to the finish line with Smith taking the checkers.

Saturday’s action for the 46th Annual National Short Track Championships will get underway at 2:15pm on Saturday with Nason’s Landscaping “Faster Than A Speeding Bullet” qualifying for the ASA Midwest Tour Super Late Models, Big 8 Series Late Models, ASA Midwest Sportsman Tour, and the Illini Midgets.

Racing action will start at 5:05pm with qualifying races and dashes for all of the divisions. The Big 8 Series Parent Petroleum 108 will highlight the racing action along with the Illini Midgets 50, ASA Midwest Sportsman Tour Sunoco 50, and the Illinois Vintage Racing 20.

Sunday will have action getting underway at 12:30pm with the ASA Midwest Tour’s Budweiser 200, Mid-American Stock Car Series Mountain Dew 75 highlighting the afternoon of racing action.

Make your plans to join us for “One Great Racing Weekend!”

RESULTS

NASCAR All American Sportsmen
A-Main 01 -- 1. Rich Hinerichsen, II, Machesney Park; 2. Chris Gantz, Rockford; 3. Austin Nason, Roscoe; 4. Brad Gerke (r), Loves Park; 5. Jason Thoma, Jefferson, Wis; 6. Kurt Kleven, McFarland, Wis; 7. Scott Lawver, Roscoe; 8. Darrell Garman, South Beloit; 9. Matt Lundberg, Rockford; 10. Jim Tate, Jr., DeForest, Wis; 11. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 12. Kyle Chwala, Johnson Creek, Wis; 13. Bryan Turtle, Chasla, Minn.; 14. Kody Hubred, Cambridge, Wis; 15. Joshua Lundy (r), Loves Park; 16. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 17. Josh Thiering, South Beloit; 18. Rick Coppernoll, Cottage Grove, Wis; 19. Bob Moeller, McHenry; 20. Bob Wilberg, Beloit, Wis; 21. Kyle Watters, Pleasant Springs, Wis.

Heat 01 -- 1. Kyle Chwala, Johnson Creek, Wis; 2. Bryan Turtle, Chasla, Minn.; 3. Brad Gerke (r), Loves Park; 4. Darrell Garman, South Beloit; 5. Kody Hubred, Cambridge, Wis; 6. Rick Coppernoll, Cottage Grove, Wis; 7. Kyle Watters, Pleasant Springs, Wis.

Heat 02 -- 1. Jim Tate, Jr., DeForest, Wis; 2. Rich Hinerichsen, II, Machesney Park; 3. Josh Thiering, South Beloit; 4. Warren (Butch) Swinbank, Rockford; 5. Bob Moeller, McHenry; 6. Joshua Lundy (r), Loves Park; 7. Bob Wilberg, Beloit, Wis.

Time Trial -- 1. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 2. Kurt Kleven, McFarland, Wis; 3. Jason Thoma, Jefferson, Wis; 4. Chris Gantz, Rockford; 5. Austin Nason, Roscoe; 6. Matt Lundberg, Rockford; 7. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 8. Scott Lawver, Roscoe; 9. Darrell Garman, South Beloit; 10. Bob Wilberg, Beloit, Wis; 11. Kyle Chwala, Johnson Creek, Wis; 12. Jim Tate, Jr., DeForest, Wis; 13. Bryan Turtle, Chasla, Minn.; 14. Josh Thiering, South Beloit; 15. Brad Gerke (r), Loves Park; 16. Bob Moeller, McHenry; 17. Kody Hubred, Cambridge, Wis; 18. Warren (Butch) Swinbank, Rockford; 19. Rick Coppernoll, Cottage Grove, Wis; 20. Joshua Lundy (r), Loves Park; 21. Kyle Watters, Pleasant Springs, Wis.

American Short Trackers
A-Main 01 -- 1. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 2. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 3. Kyle Stark, Waterloo, Wis; 4. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 5. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 6. Joe LaMarca, Rockford; 7. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 8. Gary Stark, Waterloo, Wis; 9. Phil Malouf, Manitowish Waters, Wis; 10. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 11. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 12. Mark Bielefeldt, Loves Park; 13. Jack Atchison, Stillman Valley; 14. Alan Bekielewski (r), Roscoe; 15. David Russell, Jr, Rockford; 16. Aaron Rude, Cambridge, Wis; 17. Brad Henrey, Rockford; 18. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 19. Jason Bragg, Machesney Park; 20. Steve Erickson, Jr, Machesney Park; 21. Steve Drays, Milton, Wis; 22. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 23. Bryan Ellis, Loves Park.

Heat 01 -- 1. Alan Bekielewski (r), Roscoe; 2. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 3. Scott Lawver, Roscoe; 4. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 5. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 6. Aaron Rude, Cambridge, Wis; 7. David Russell, Jr, Rockford; 8. Bryan Ellis, Loves Park.

Heat 02 -- 1. Jason Bragg, Machesney Park; 2. Phil Malouf, Manitowish Waters, Wis; 3. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 4. Steve Drays, Milton, Wis; 5. Gary Stark, Waterloo, Wis; 6. Brad Henrey, Rockford; 7. Jack Atchison, Stillman Valley; 8. Mark Bielefeldt, Loves Park.

Time Trial -- 1. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 2. Kyle Stark, Waterloo, Wis; 3. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 4. Joe LaMarca, Rockford; 5. Steve Erickson, Jr, Machesney Park; 6. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 7. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 8. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 9. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 10. Gary Stark, Waterloo, Wis; 11. Scott Lawver, Roscoe; 12. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 13. Aaron Rude, Cambridge, Wis; 14. Jason Bragg, Machesney Park; 15. Bryan Ellis, Loves Park; 16. Steve Drays, Milton, Wis; 17. David Russell, Jr, Rockford; 18. Phil Malouf, Manitowish Waters, Wis; 19. Alan Bekielewski (r), Roscoe; 20. Mark Bielefeldt, Loves Park; 21. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 22. Christopher Jones, Rockford; 23. Ryan Nelson, Durand; 24. Brad Henrey, Rockford; 25. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 26. Jack Atchison, Stillman Valley.

Hornets
A-Main 01 -- 1. Bryce Bailey, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; 2. Tyler Whalen, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; 3. Kyle Stark, Waterloo, Wis; 4. Heather Stark, Columbus, Wis; 5. Tyler Peterson, Lake Geneva, Wis; 6. Nick Schmidt, Oak Creek, Wis; 7. Trevor Robinson, Rockton; 8. Steve McBride (r), South Beloit; 9. Charlie Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 10. Jason Dull, Machesney Park; 11. Steven Rozek, Tomah, Wis; 12. Timothy Lund, Beloit, Wis; 13. Alex Hornsby, Roscoe; 14. Jacob Aldrich, Rockford; 15. Matt Moore, Kendall, Wis; 16. Robin Ulrey, Rockford; 17. Joshua Cavin, South Beloit; 18. Robby Robinson, Orfordville, Wis; 19. Dave Schmidt, Cudahy, Wis; 20. Jocelyn Davenport, Rockford; 21. Eric Bennett, Beloit, Wis; 22. Derek Dixon, Janesville, Wis.

Heat 01 -- 1. Charlie Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 2. Trevor Robinson, Rockton; 3. Steven Rozek, Tomah, Wis; 4. Jason Dull, Machesney Park; 5. Robby Robinson, Orfordville, Wis; 6. Matt Moore, Kendall, Wis; 7. Jacob Aldrich, Rockford; 8. Eric Bennett, Beloit, Wis.

Heat 02 -- 1. Heather Stark, Columbus, Wis; 2. Nick Schmidt, Oak Creek, Wis; 3. Alex Hornsby, Roscoe; 4. Robin Ulrey, Rockford; 5. Joshua Cavin, South Beloit; 6. Jocelyn Davenport, Rockford; 7. David Cooter, Jr, Machesney Park.

Time Trial -- 1. Steve McBride (r), South Beloit; 2. Bryce Bailey, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; 3. Kyle Stark, Waterloo, Wis; 4. Dave Schmidt, Cudahy, Wis; 5. Derek Dixon, Janesville, Wis; 6. Tyler Whalen, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; 7. Tyler Peterson, Lake Geneva, Wis; 8. Timothy Lund, Beloit, Wis; 9. Steven Rozek, Tomah, Wis; 10. Nick Schmidt, Oak Creek, Wis; 11. Trevor Robinson, Rockton; 12. Robin Ulrey, Rockford; 13. Jason Dull, Machesney Park; 14. Alex Hornsby, Roscoe; 15. Robby Robinson, Orfordville, Wis; 16. Heather Stark, Columbus, Wis; 17. Matt Moore, Kendall, Wis; 18. Jocelyn Davenport, Rockford; 19. Charlie Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 20. Joshua Cavin, South Beloit; 21. Eric Bennett, Beloit, Wis; 22. David Cooter, Jr, Machesney Park; 23. Jacob Aldrich, Rockford.

Weekly Warrior Late Models
A-Main 01 -- 1. Bob Wilberg, Beloit, Wis; 2. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 3. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 4. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 5. Jacob Gille, Machesney Park; 6. Casey Johnson, Stoughton, Wis; 7. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 8. Eddie May, Crystal Lake; 9. Brandon Eash, Machesney Park; 10. Tom Gille, Winnebago; 11. John Beinlich, Prairie View; 12. James Swan, Lake Geneva, Wis; 13. Tony Bagstad, Westby, Wis; 14. Wayne Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 15. Jesse Bernhagen, Markesan, Wis; 16. Steve Dobbratz, Rio, Wis; 17. John Paul Odegaard, Brooklyn Center, Minn.; 18. Dave Edwards, Salem, Wis; 19. Vern Fagerberg, Bloomingdale; 20. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 21. Tory Adams, Madison, Wis; 22. Steve McBride (r), South Beloit; 23. Chris Blawat, Palmyra, Wis.

Heat 01 -- 1. John Beinlich, Prairie View; 2. Wayne Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 3. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 4. Curt (Billy Bob) Tillman, Roscoe; 5. Steve McBride (r), South Beloit; 6. Chris Blawat, Palmyra, Wis; 7. Robert Nelson, Solon Mills.

Heat 02 -- 1. Vern Fagerberg, Bloomingdale; 2. Tory Adams, Madison, Wis; 3. Jesse Bernhagen, Markesan, Wis; 4. Tom Gille, Winnebago; 5. Dave Edwards, Salem, Wis; 6. John Paul Odegaard, Brooklyn Center, Minn.; 7. Austin Nason, Roscoe.

Heat 03 -- 1. Bob Wilberg, Beloit, Wis; 2. Jacob Gille, Machesney Park; 3. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 4. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 5. Casey Johnson, Stoughton, Wis; 6. Tony Bagstad, Westby, Wis.

Heat 04 -- 1. Eddie May, Crystal Lake; 2. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 3. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 4. Steve Dobbratz, Rio, Wis; 5. Brandon Eash, Machesney Park.

Time Trial -- 1. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 2. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 3. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 4. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 5. Jacob Gille, Machesney Park; 6. Steve Dobbratz, Rio, Wis; 7. Casey Johnson, Stoughton, Wis; 8. Eddie May, Crystal Lake; 9. Bob Wilberg, Beloit, Wis; 10. Brandon Eash, Machesney Park; 11. Tony Bagstad, Westby, Wis; 12. James Swan, Lake Geneva, Wis; 13. Chris Blawat, Palmyra, Wis; 14. Jesse Bernhagen, Markesan, Wis; 15. John Beinlich, Prairie View; 16. Dave Edwards, Salem, Wis; 17. Curt (Billy Bob) Tillman, Roscoe; 18. Vern Fagerberg, Bloomingdale; 19. Wayne Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 20. Austin Nason, Roscoe; 21. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 22. John Paul Odegaard, Brooklyn Center, Minn.; 23. Steve McBride (r), South Beloit; 24. Tory Adams, Madison, Wis; 25. Robert Nelson, Solon Mills; 26. Tom Gille, Winnebago.

Figure 8
A-Main 01 -- 1. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 2. Josh Thiering, South Beloit; 3. Tom Schneider, Machesney Park; 4. Dave Lumsden, Jr., Rockford; 5. Roger Champlin, Beloit, Wis; 6. Dan Carlson, Rockford; 7. Brad Warthan, Sparta, Wis; 8. Brent Garnhart, Machesney Park; 9. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park; 10. Kenneth Brazee III, Rockford; 11. Jim Daugherty, Machesney Park; 12. Steven Dover, Machesney Park.

Road Runners
A-Main 01 -- 1. Kris Nilson, Rockford; 2. Terrance Robinson, Beloit, Wis; 3. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 4. Larry Dickinson II, Cedarville; 5. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 6. Dan Carlson, Rockford; 7. Anthony Lloyd, Loves Park; 8. Patrick Featherston II, Byron; 9. James Gregory, Winnebago; 10. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 11. Brian Mayer, Machesney Park; 12. Steven Dover, Machesney Park; 13. Brad Warthan, Sparta, Wis; 14. Joshua Lundy (r), Loves Park; 15. Dave Lumsden, Jr., Rockford; 16. Beau Lawson, Machesney Park; 17. Shawn Rickelman, Rockton; 18. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park; 19. Roger Champlin, Beloit, Wis; 20. Shawn Ogden, Machesney Park; 21. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 22. Alex Papini, Machesney Park; 23. Bobby Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 24. Dana Czach, Wauconda.

Last Chance "A" 01 -- 1. Dave Lumsden, Jr., Rockford; 2. Roger Champlin, Beloit, Wis; 3. Shawn Ogden, Machesney Park; 4. Alex Chabucos, Machesney Park; 5. Curt Nighswonger, Rockford; 6. Kenneth Brazee III, Rockford; 7. Kyle McQuality, Stillman Valley; 8. Steven Dover, Machesney Park; 9. David Pautsch, Jr, Roscoe; 10. Brent Garnhart, Machesney Park.

Heat 01 -- 1. Anthony Lloyd, Loves Park; 2. Dan Carlson, Rockford; 3. James Gregory, Winnebago; 4. Joshua Lundy (r), Loves Park; 5. Dave Lumsden, Jr., Rockford; 6. Alex Chabucos, Machesney Park; 7. Brent Garnhart, Machesney Park; 8. Tom Schneider, Machesney Park; 9. Jack Mayberry, Rockford.

Heat 02 -- 1. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 2. Brad Warthan, Sparta, Wis; 3. Beau Lawson, Machesney Park; 4. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 5. Roger Champlin, Beloit, Wis; 6. Curt Nighswonger, Rockford; 7. David Pautsch, Jr, Roscoe; 8. Jonathon Dean, Machesney Park; 9. Kenneth Brazee III, Rockford.

Heat 03 -- 1. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park; 2. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 3. Shawn Rickelman, Rockton; 4. Brian Mayer, Machesney Park; 5. Shawn Ogden, Machesney Park; 6. Kyle McQuality, Stillman Valley; 7. Steven Dover, Machesney Park; 8. Josh DiGiovanni, Machesney Park; 9. Austin Fowler, Loves Park.

Time Trial -- 1. Larry Dickinson II, Cedarville; 2. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 3. Dana Czach, Wauconda; 4. Alex Papini, Machesney Park; 5. Kris Nilson, Rockford; 6. Patrick Featherston II, Byron; 7. Terrance Robinson, Beloit, Wis; 8. Bobby Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 9. Anthony Lloyd, Loves Park; 10. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 11. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 12. James Gregory, Winnebago; 13. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 14. Brian Mayer, Machesney Park; 15. Dan Carlson, Rockford; 16. Beau Lawson, Machesney Park; 17. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park; 18. Joshua Lundy (r), Loves Park; 19. Curt Nighswonger, Rockford; 20. Shawn Ogden, Machesney Park; 21. Dave Lumsden, Jr., Rockford; 22. Brad Warthan, Sparta, Wis; 23. Shawn Rickelman, Rockton; 24. Alex Chabucos, Machesney Park; 25. Roger Champlin, Beloit, Wis; 26. Kyle McQuality, Stillman Valley; 27. Tom Schneider, Machesney Park; 28. Kenneth Brazee III, Rockford; 29. Josh DiGiovanni, Machesney Park; 30. Brent Garnhart, Machesney Park; 31. Jonathon Dean, Machesney Park; 32. Steven Dover, Machesney Park; 33. Jack Mayberry, Rockford; 34. David Pautsch, Jr, Roscoe; 35. Austin Fowler, Loves Park; 36. Rodger Stephenson, Cambridge, Wis.