By: Eric Huenefeld
Despite consistent showings in each of his first four Late Model starts this season at Rockford Speedway, Matt Berger was not necessarily a happy driver.

Berger, the former Sportsman division champion, had finished among the top six in each race he had entered in 2012, including the season opening Spring Classic. Despite those good finishes, the Loves Park driver felt he could do better. He felt that his car was capable of more. He felt he and his team were capable of being a winner in the super competitive Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models division.

Berger was right. Saturday night he would become the third different winner in four different Late Model features, holding off the advances of “Driver X” Jon Reynolds Jr and two-time track champion Jerry Gille to become the third different winner in four Late Model features this season.

Berger would have the best seat in the house on the start of the 30 lap feature event, sitting on the outside front row. He was amongst fast company, as defending track champ Ryan Carlson was on the pole to inside of Berger. The two would nearly cause a major incident on the opening lap, as Carlson would get around in turn two, just missing Berger while bottling up the other sixteen starters in the field. Mitch Garfield, winner the Saturday night previous, would suffer the most damage in the skirmish, but would return to the track to continue.

As the field got down to business, a quartet of contenders made there way to the front. It was Berger leading Reynolds along with former Late Model Rookie of the Year Alex Papini and Gille. As Berger led, the battling for second through fourth was furious between Reynolds, Papini and Gille. After a few laps of green, Reynolds settled into second, while Gille and Papini continued an evening long battle for position. Gille would eventually win the third place battle, and Papini would settle for fourth.

The yellow flag would wave at halfway, as Garfield would be involved in another incident, this time with Late Model Rookie Austin Nason. The yellow would give the field another shot at Berger and as the green waved, it was Reynolds and Gille giving chase to Berger for the top spot. The trio would juke and jive for the top three spots, but no positions would change hands. Berger hit the line in first, winning his first Late Model feature since 2008. Reynolds would end up in second spot, followed by Gille. Alex Papini would bag a fourth place finish in his first Late Model start of the year, with Beloit's Matthew Clossey rounding out the top five.

For the third time this season, the Bargain Hunter Sportsman took to the track at the Rockford Speedway. And for the second time in three tries, Darrell Garman took home the feature win. Garman, who also won the division's opening night feature event, took the top honors on this evening, staying ahead of a bevy of furious back and forth action for the positions behind him.

Garman would start alongside Justin Sellars on the front row for the 25 lap feature event, and quickly pounced to the lead. Sellars would fall into the clutches of a three-deep battle for second place, involving fast qualifier Johnny Robinson II and last years Sportsman champion Austin Nason. As Nason tried to make a move on Sellars for second, Robinson hung Nason to the bottom of the speedway and advanced to the third spot. But, as Robinson tried to move past Sellars, Nason would return the favor and send Robinson backwards. The move cost Robinson three spots, and put Nason into second as Sellars fell back to third.

The order would stay the same until lap 16, when the lone caution flag of the race would fly, bunching the field back up for one last run at Garman. Doug Bennett, who was in an unfamiliar car, was one of the drivers in favor of the yellow flag. Bennett, driving a second car out of the Nason stable after his own ride suffered issues in qualifying, would advance from sixth to third on the “cone restart” and would quickly wrestle second spot away from Nason on the restart. Bennett would then chase after Garman. The two would stay within a car length of each other, and Bennett would have a couple of shots at Garman in the last couple laps, but was unable to complete the pass. Garman would win, with Bennett in second. Nason finished third, followed by Robinson and Sellars.

In the Rockstar Energy Drink Roadrunner feature, a race of twists and turns would end up producing a first time feature winner, as Marengo's Adam Cartwright would be standing tall above the 29 car starting field. Cartwright would start in the middle of the pack, behind front row starter Austin Fowler, who held the early lead. As the field completed lap three, a large seven-car pile up would slow the field to a stand-still and block the tracks first corner. Jeff Allendorf and Robert Roush were amongst the notables that were unable to continue after the melee.

On the restart, Fowler's lead was gone, and for the second straight week it was Josh Carter who would nab the lead, with Cartwright and Anthony Lloyd right behind. Lloyd would move past both Cartwright and Carter in only five laps and have the race lead by lap eight. After opening up a significant lead, Lloyd would pull out of the race on lap 12, and for the second straight week the Roadrunner feature became a free-for-all for the win.

Cartwright would inherit the lead, and would see two former track champions behind him in Bobby Frisch and Gene Marocco. The two former champs tussled side-by-side, to the benefit of Cartwright, who was able to get away from the paint-swapping battle for second and hang on for the win. The trophy was Cartwright's first ever for a feature win at Rockford Speedway. Frisch, meanwhile, would outlast Marocco for second, Howie Ware finished in fourth in his first race of 2012, and Dennis Smith Jr continued with his great start to the 2012 season, coming home in fifth spot.

The Crap Scrapper Hornet division made their debut Saturday night, and just like that old coffee commercial, their 15 lap feature was “good til the last drop.” At the drop of the green flag, Tommy Pinkston would take the lead from a standing start, and held the advantage until a yellow flag at lap seven. On the ensuing standing start, “Wild Child” Nick Schneider would take the lead from Pinkston and begin to make a little distance on the field.

One final yellow for debris would slow the field on lap 10 and set up for the frantic finish, which featured Schneider, Thomas Andrus and Jeremia Rychecky. With three to go, Andrus would catch Schneider and begin to go door-to-door with the leader. The two would continue side-by-side through the “Monza” section of the track, but would be overtaken by Rychecky, who gunned the gas and blasted by both drivers and took the lead. Rychecky would roll on to the win, his first ever win in only his second ever race in a race car of any kind. Schneider finished second, with Andrus in third.

Nason’s Landscaping presents Round I of the Gilley’s Cool 5 Series with the NASCAR Stanley Steemer Late Models, Bargain Hunter Sportsman, Miller Lite American Short Trackers and RockStar Energy RoadRunners all slated for competition this upcoming Saturday, May 19. The Race for the White House will be the Sam’s Drive-In RoadRunner Challenge during the second Miller Lite Dollar Beer Night of 2012. Spectator gates open at 5pm, qualifying will get underway at 5:55pm with the Stateline Staffing Services Dashes Going Green at 7:07pm. Adult general admission tickets are $12, students ages 12-17 are $8, kids ages 6-11 are $5 with children ages 5 and under admitted free. For additional information visit www.rockfordspeedway.com or contact the Speedway Box Office at 815-633-1500.

NASCAR Stanley Steemer Late Models
A-Main 01 -- 1. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 2. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 3. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 4. Alex Papini, Machesney Park; 5. Matthew Clossey, Beloit, Wis; 6. Wayne Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 7. Brandon Eash, Machesney Park; 8. Eddie May, Crystal Lake; 9. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 10. John Beinlich, Prairie View; 11. Mitchell Garfield, Gilberts; 12. Danny Church (r), Big Bend, Wis; 13. Timothy Slater, Hampshire; 14. Austin Nason (r), Roscoe; 15. Jacob Gille, Machesney Park; 16. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 17. Steve McBride, South Beloit.

Heat 01 -- 1. Austin Nason (r), Roscoe; 2. Brandon Eash, Machesney Park; 3. Matthew Clossey, Beloit, Wis; 4. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 5. Timothy Slater, Hampshire; 6. Steve McBride, South Beloit; 7. John Beinlich, Prairie View; 8. Eddie May, Crystal Lake; 9. Danny Church (r), Big Bend, Wis.

Heat 02 -- 1. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 2. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 3. Alex Papini, Machesney Park; 4. Jacob Gille, Machesney Park; 5. Mitchell Garfield, Gilberts; 6. Wayne Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 7. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 8. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 9. Ricky Bilderback, Roscoe.

Time Trial -- 1. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 2. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 3. Ricky Bilderback, Roscoe; 4. Alex Papini, Machesney Park; 5. Mitchell Garfield, Gilberts; 6. Jacob Gille, Machesney Park; 7. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 8. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 9. Wayne Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 10. Matthew Clossey, Beloit, Wis; 11. Austin Nason (r), Roscoe; 12. Brandon Eash, Machesney Park; 13. Timothy Slater, Hampshire; 14. Danny Church (r), Big Bend, Wis; 15. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 16. Steve McBride, South Beloit; 17. Eddie May, Crystal Lake; 18. John Beinlich, Prairie View.Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Ricky Bilderback, Roscoe; 2. Alex Papini, Machesney Park; 3. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 4. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 5. Mitchell Garfield, Gilberts; 6. Jacob Gille, Machesney Park.

Bargain Hunter Sportsman
A-Main 01 -- 1. Darrell Garman, South Beloit; 2. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 3. Austin Nason (r), Roscoe; 4. Johnny Robinson, II, Beloit, Wis; 5. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 6. Daryl Gerke, Whitelaw, Wis; 7. Rob Goodman, McHenry; 8. Scott Lawver, Roscoe; 9. Bob Moeller, McHenry; 10. Warren (Butch) Swinbank, Rockford; 11. Patrick Featherston II (r), Byron; 12. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 13. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park; 14. Brandon Swinbank, Fitchburg, Wis.

Heat 01 -- 1. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 2. Scott Lawver, Roscoe; 3. Bob Moeller, McHenry; 4. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 5. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park; 6. Patrick Featherston II (r), Byron; 7. Brandon Swinbank, Fitchburg, Wis; 8. Warren (Butch) Swinbank, Rockford.

Heat 02 -- 1. Austin Nason (r), Roscoe; 2. Johnny Robinson, II, Beloit, Wis; 3. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 4. Daryl Gerke, Whitelaw, Wis; 5. Darrell Garman, South Beloit; 6. Rob Goodman, McHenry.

Time Trial -- 1. Johnny Robinson, II, Beloit, Wis; 2. Daryl Gerke, Whitelaw, Wis; 3. Mike Beyer, Machesney Park; 4. Austin Nason (r), Roscoe; 5. Rob Goodman, McHenry; 6. Darrell Garman, South Beloit; 7. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 8. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 9. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 10. Bob Moeller, McHenry; 11. Scott Lawver, Roscoe; 12. Brandon Swinbank, Fitchburg, Wis; 13. Patrick Featherston II (r), Byron; 14. Warren (Butch) Swinbank, Rockford; 15. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Johnny Robinson, II, Beloit, Wis; 2. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 3. Rob Goodman, McHenry; 4. Daryl Gerke, Whitelaw, Wis; 5. Darrell Garman, South Beloit; 6. Austin Nason (r), Roscoe.

RockStar Energy RoadRunners
A-Main 01 -- 1. Adam Cartwright, Marengo; 2. Bobby Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 3. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 4. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 5. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 6. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 7. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 8. Derek Nichol, Roscoe; 9. Alex Chabucos, Machesney Park; 10. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 11. Kenneth Brazee III, Rockford; 12. Brad Troxel, S. Beloit; 13. Jason Brockway, Machesney Park; 14. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 15. Kyle McQuality,
Stillman Valley; 16. Brent Garnhart, Machesney Park; 17. Shawn Rickelman, Rockton; 18. David Rodden, Loves Park; 19. James Gregory, Winnebago; 20. Dustin Radant, Machesney Park; 21. Linnea Lundy, Loves Park; 22. Austin Fowler, Loves Park; 23. Anthony Lloyd, Loves Park; 24. Josh Carter, Rockford; 25. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 26. Brian Mayer, Machesney Park; 27. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park; 28. Jonathan Stoltz, Freeport.

Heat 01 -- 1. Josh Carter, Rockford; 2. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 3. Brent Garnhart, Machesney Park; 4. Brad Troxel, S. Beloit; 5. Austin Fowler, Loves Park; 6. Steven Dover, Rockford; 7. David Rodden, Loves Park; 8. Linnea Lundy, Loves Park; 9. Dustin Radant, Machesney Park; 10. Kyle McQuality, Stillman Valley.

Heat 02 -- 1. Derek Nichol, Roscoe; 2. Alex Chabucos, Machesney Park; 3. Adam Cartwright, Marengo; 4. Jason Brockway, Machesney Park; 5. Kenneth Brazee III, Rockford; 6. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 7. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park; 8. James Gregory, Winnebago; 9. Shawn Rickelman, Rockton.

Heat 03 -- 1. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 2. Anthony Lloyd, Loves Park; 3. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 4. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 5. Bobby Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 6. Brian Mayer, Machesney Park; 7. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 8. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 9. Jonathan Stoltz, Freeport; 10. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry.

Challenge 01 -- 1. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 2. Adam Cartwright, Marengo; 3. Kenneth Brazee III, Rockford; 4. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 5. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 6. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park; 7. Robert Roush, Woodstock; 8. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 9. Jonathan Stoltz, Freeport; 10. Dustin Radant, Machesney Park; 11. Brent Garnhart, Machesney Park.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 2. Bobby Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 3. Anthony Lloyd, Loves Park; 4. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 5. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 6. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park.

Crap Scrappers Hornets
A-Main 01 -- 1. Jeremia Rychecky, South Beloit; 2. Nick Schneider, Rockton; 3. Thomas Andrus, Rockford; 4. Jason Schlesner, Roscoe; 5. Stephen Hillary, Machesney Park; 6. Tommy Pinkston, Machesney Park; 7. Klint Egelhoff, Loves Park; 8. Jacob Aldrich, Rockford; 9. Steven Clark, Machesney Park; 10. Ryan Andrews, Woodstock; 11. Charlie Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 12. Mary McBride, South Beloit; 13. Craig Schmuggerow, Garden Prairie; 14. Blake Andrus, Rockford; 15.
Rebecca Pace;; 16. Keith Mesch, Rockford; 17. Tyler Deschaine, Loves Park; 18. Mark Seipts, Loves Park; 19. Jon Havrilesko, Roscoe; 20. John Tolle, Elgin.

Heat 01 -- 1. Klint Egelhoff, Loves Park; 2. Ryan Andrews, Woodstock; 3. Stephen Hillary, Machesney Park; 4. Steven Clark, Machesney Park; 5. Nick Schneider, Rockton; 6. Jason Schlesner, Roscoe; 7. Blake Andrus, Rockford; 8. Craig Schmuggerow, Garden Prairie; 9. Tyler Deschaine, Loves Park.

Heat 02 -- 1. Jeremia Rychecky, South Beloit; 2. Mary McBride, South Beloit; 3. Mark Seipts, Loves Park; 4. Charlie Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 5. Thomas Andrus, Rockford; 6. Jon Havrilesko, Roscoe; 7. Jacob Aldrich, Rockford; 8. Tommy Pinkston, Machesney Park; 9. Keith Mesch, Rockford; 10. Rebecca Pace;; 11. John Tolle, Elgin.