PHOTOS

By: Eric Huenefeld
Another massive holiday weekend crowd filled the Rockford Speedway on Instant Jungle night Saturday to witness some ultra-competitive racing at the quarter-mile speed plant. On this evening, fans were treated to four great divisions of racing, including the championship round of the 1st Annual Goodyear Stateline Challenge for the Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models and the Bargain Hunter Sportsman.

The first championship race in the Stateline Challenge was the 25 lap Bargain Hunter Sportsman feature. In a race that included six multiple time track champions, it was six time champ Scott Lawver who pounced from his outside front row starting spot to take the lead early in the race. Lawver would start to pull away from the field, but soon a red cloud started to hover in his rear view. That was the shape of the two time and defending track champion Fred Nason. Nason would hound Lawver for the final half of the event, juking and jiving but never completely clearing Lawver for the top spot. Lawver would also play lap traffic like a maestro to put away the race in the final five laps. Nason would hold second, 2006 track champ Brock Behnke was third and two-time champ Bob Hansberry was fourth.

Janesville's Tom Reents, in only his second ever visit tot he Rockford Speedway, would finish the feature sixth. And with that sixth place run, would lock up the overall points title for the Goodyear Stateline challenge for the Sportsman. The “Columbus Comet” Bret Schmidt was second in the final tally, while former Speedway champ Darrell Garman ended up third.

Then it was time for the “Shining Stars of Saturday Night,” the Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models, to settle their end of the Goodyear Stateline Challenge. The Late Models would have to earn whatever they got on this night, as they would run 76 grueling laps in the “Star Spangled 76.”

Mike Beyer pounced to the lead on lap one of the event after getting by pole sitter Noel Ramge on the backstretch. Beyer would hold the lead early in the event, dodging two cautions in the first seven laps. The first involved Jody Krueger and Alex Papini, who spun in water that Kruger had laid on the speedway. The second caution on lap 7 took a toll on no less than seven cars, when Matt Berger abruptly turned right and nailed the front stretch wall. Berger's car was went up in flames, but the driver was okay.

After a lengthy red-flag period, Beyer would feel the heat from seven-time track champ Ricky Bilderback for the lead. Bilderback and Beyer would trade paint for five laps, until Bilderback put his flat-black #02 in the lead on lap 18. The race would continue green until lap 37 when a three car incident between Bob Kahler, John Ovadhal Jr and Tim Sargent would bunch the field up for what would be the final charge to the checkers. The yellow was bad news for Bilderback, but good news for Jerry Gille.

Gille, the track's points leader, set fast time, but due to a large invert started in the 14th spot for the feature. Not phased by the deep start, Gille moved into the top five by lap 20 and as the race approached halfway, he began to dance with Bilderback for the top spot. Finally on lap 63, Gille powered around Bilderback on the high line to take the lead and check out for good. The popular feature win was Gille's second of the year. Bilderback, who appeared to acquire electrical problems in the final few laps, took the runner-up spot. Mike Beyer came home third and Jon Reynolds Jr. slashed through the field to fourth, making up nine spots in the feature.

Beyer's third place finish was enough for him to capture the Stateline Challenge Overall Championship for the Late Model division. Thursday's winner at Jefferson, John Ovadahl Jr., ended up second in the standings and Steve Dobbratz took third spot.

Team Jefferson also bested Team Rockford to take the Overall Track Title for the 2008 Statelien Challenge and with that the rights to “Sammie the Stateline Sow,” a 75 pound ceramic pig which will now serve as the traveling trophy for the yearly event.

In other action Saturday night, “Mad Max” McNamara of Ingelside won the 20 lap Legend feature. McNamara led the event wire-to-wire. Matt Booker came across the line in second and Dave Townsend ended the race in the third spot.

And the action was non-stop in the Crap Scrappers Hornet feature, as Matt Mangiaracina made a last lap pass on Alan Bekielewski to take the win in the 15 lap event. Bekilewski held the runner up spot and Justin Pearson was third.

NASCAR All American Sportsmen

A-Main 01 -- 1. Scott Lawver, Roscoe; 2. Fred Nason, Roscoe; 3. Brock Behnke, South Beloit; 4. Robert Hansberry, Beloit, Wis; 5. Bret Schmidt, Watertown, Wis; 6. Tom Reents, Janesville, Wis; 7. Darrell Garman, Machesney Park; 8. Ron Morris, Belvidere; 9. Beau Lawson (r), Machesney Park; 10. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 11. Mike Winters, Sun Prairie, Wis; 12. Dan Schmidt, Watertown, Wis; 13. Justin Sellers (r), Carol Stream; 14. Randy Samples (r), Rockton; 15. Ron Young, Rockford; 16. Terry Wangsness, Jefferson, Wis; 17. Don Exline, Oak Lawn; 18. James Helmer, Oconomowoc, Wis; 19. Warren (Butch) Swinbank, Rockford; 20. Mike Martindale, Rockford; 21. Michael Heelein, Oregon, Wis; 22. Jerry Edge, Marengo; 23. Chris Gantz (r), Rockford.

Heat 01 -- 1. Justin Sellers (r), Carol Stream; 2. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 3. Beau Lawson (r), Machesney Park; 4. Ron Young, Rockford; 5. Mike Winters, Sun Prairie, Wis; 6. Randy Samples (r), Rockton; 7. Mike Martindale, Rockford; 8. Jerry Edge, Marengo.

Heat 02 -- 1. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 2. Michael Heelein, Oregon, Wis; 3. Ron Morris, Belvidere; 4. Terry Wangsness, Jefferson, Wis; 5. James Helmer, Oconomowoc, Wis; 6. Dan Schmidt, Watertown, Wis; 7. Robert Hansberry, Beloit, Wis; 8. Scott Lawver, Roscoe.

Heat 03 -- 1. Warren (Butch) Swinbank, Rockford; 2. Darrell Garman, Machesney Park; 3. Don Exline, Oak Lawn; 4. Brock Behnke, South Beloit; 5. Fred Nason, Roscoe; 6. Tom Reents, Janesville, Wis; 7. Bret Schmidt, Watertown, Wis.

Time Trial -- 1. Bret Schmidt, Watertown, Wis; 2. Chris Gantz (r), Rockford; 3. Brock Behnke, South Beloit; 4. Darrell Garman, Machesney Park; 5. Fred Nason, Roscoe; 6. Warren (Butch) Swinbank, Rockford; 7. Tom Reents, Janesville, Wis; 8. Don Exline, Oak Lawn; 9. Robert Hansberry, Beloit, Wis; 10. Terry Wangsness, Jefferson, Wis; 11. Scott Lawver, Roscoe; 12. Michael Heelein, Oregon, Wis; 13. James Helmer, Oconomowoc, Wis; 14. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 15. Ron Morris, Belvidere; 16. Dan Schmidt, Watertown, Wis; 17. Mike Winters, Sun Prairie, Wis; 18. Randy Samples (r), Rockton; 19. Ron Young, Rockford; 20. Jerry Edge, Marengo; 21. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 22. Justin Sellers (r), Carol Stream; 23. Beau Lawson (r), Machesney Park; 24. Mike Martindale, Rockford.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Darrell Garman, Machesney Park; 2. Fred Nason, Roscoe; 3. Warren (Butch) Swinbank, Rockford; 4. Bret Schmidt, Watertown, Wis; 5. Brock Behnke, South Beloit; 6. Chris Gantz (r), Rockford.

Hornets

A-Main 01 -- 1. Matt Mangiaracina, Machesney Park; 2. Alan Bekielewski, Roscoe; 3. Justin Pearson, Belvidere; 4. Mark Vicencio, Rockford; 5. Randy Reynolds, Rockford; 6. Bryan Ellis, Roscoe; 7. Roger Schultz, Rockford; 8. Scott Schelling;; 9. Jon Eggert, Machesney Park; 10. David Pautsch, Jr, Roscoe; 11. Andy Hill, South Beloit; 12. Dennis Deckard, Pecatonica; 13. Danny Heavin, Rockford; 14. Jason Dull, Machesney Park; 15. Jake Vicencio, Rockford; 16. Solomon Barker, South Beloit; 17. Rick Conradson, Janesville, Wis.

Heat 01 -- 1. Dennis Deckard, Pecatonica; 2. Alan Bekielewski, Roscoe; 3. Justin Pearson, Belvidere; 4. Roger Schultz, Rockford; 5. Rick Conradson, Janesville, Wis; 6. Jason Dull, Machesney Park.

Heat 02 -- 1. Mark Vicencio, Rockford; 2. Matt Mangiaracina, Machesney Park; 3. Bryan Ellis, Roscoe; 4. Solomon Barker, South Beloit; 5. Jon Eggert, Machesney Park; 6. Randy Reynolds, Rockford; 7. Andy Hill, South Beloit; 8. David Pautsch, Jr, Roscoe; 9. Scott Schelling;; 10. Jake Vicencio, Rockford.

Challenge 01 -- 1. Roger Schultz, Rockford; 2. Randy Reynolds, Rockford; 3. Mark Vicencio, Rockford; 4. Solomon Barker, South Beloit; 5. Alan Bekielewski, Roscoe; 6. David Pautsch, Jr, Roscoe; 7. Rick Conradson, Janesville, Wis; 8. Jon Eggert, Machesney Park; 9. Nick Lasher, Machesney Park.

NASCAR Late Models

A-Main 01 -- 1. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 2. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 3. Mike Beyer, Machesney Park; 4. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Roscoe; 5. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 6. Bob Kahler, Caledonia; 7. Noel Ramge, Helenville, Wis; 8. Steve Dobbratz, Rio, Wis; 9. Roger Behlke, Jefferson, Wis; 10. John Ovadal, Jr., Watertown, Wis; 11. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 12. Dennis Schmidt, Juneau, Wis; 13. Alex Papini (r), Machesney Park; 14. Leonard Reimer, Beloit, Wis; 15. Joe Rusciano, Crystal Lake; 16. Jacob Gille, Winnebago; 17. Tyler Peterson (r), Lake Geneva, Wis; 18. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 19. Michael Bilderback, South Beloit; 20. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 21. Nick Shutkas, Loves Park; 22. Jeff Falbe, Beaver Dam, Wis; 23. Mike Taylor, Stoughton, Wis; 24. Jody Krueger, Edgerton, Wis; 25. Casey Johnson, Stoughton, Wis.

Heat 01 -- 1. Joe Rusciano, Crystal Lake; 2. Tyler Peterson (r), Lake Geneva, Wis; 3. Mike Taylor,
Stoughton, Wis; 4. Jeff Falbe, Beaver Dam, Wis; 5. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 6. Dennis Schmidt, Juneau, Wis; 7. Jody Krueger, Edgerton, Wis; 8. Casey Johnson, Stoughton, Wis; 9. Leonard Reimer, Beloit, Wis.

Heat 02 -- 1. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 2. Nick Shutkas, Loves Park; 3. Mike Beyer, Machesney Park; 4. Roger Behlke, Jefferson, Wis; 5. Noel Ramge, Helenville, Wis; 6. Jacob Gille, Winnebago; 7. Alex Papini (r), Machesney Park.

Heat 03 -- 1. John Ovadal, Jr., Watertown, Wis; 2. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 3. Michael Bilderback, South Beloit; 4. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 5. Bob Kahler, Caledonia; 6. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 7. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 8. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Roscoe.

Time Trial -- 1. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 2. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Roscoe; 3. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 4. Bob Kahler, Caledonia; 5. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 6. Michael Bilderback, South Beloit; 7. John Ovadal, Jr., Watertown, Wis; 8. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 9. Alex Papini (r), Machesney Park; 10. Jacob Gille, Winnebago; 11. Roger Behlke, Jefferson, Wis; 12. Steve Dobbratz, Rio, Wis; 13. Mike Beyer, Machesney Park; 14. Noel Ramge, Helenville, Wis; 15. Nick Shutkas, Loves Park; 16. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 17. Jeff Falbe, Beaver Dam, Wis; 18. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 19. Mike Taylor, Stoughton, Wis; 20. Casey Johnson, Stoughton, Wis; 21. Tyler Peterson (r), Lake Geneva, Wis; 22. Dennis Schmidt, Juneau, Wis; 23. Joe Rusciano, Crystal Lake; 24. Jody Krueger, Edgerton, Wis; 25. Leonard Reimer, Beloit,

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 2. Bob Kahler, Caledonia; 3. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 4. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Roscoe; 5. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 6. Michael Bilderback, South Beloit.

INEX Legends

A-Main 01 -- 1. Maxx McNamara, Ingleside; 2. Matt Booker, Wonder Lake; 3. David Townsend, Sugar Grove; 4. Aaron Moyer, Eden, Wis; 5. Cody Townsend, Sugar Grove; 6. Rich Hinerichsen, II, Machesney Park; 7. Hermann Greinig, Addison; 8. Michael Cooter, Machesney Park; 9. Tom Palma, Delvan, Wis; 10. John Magnuson;; 11. Dave Wastak, Milwaukee, Wis; 12. Brandon Heisler, Aurora.

Heat 01 -- 1. Matt Booker, Wonder Lake; 2. Maxx McNamara, Ingleside; 3. Hermann Greinig, Addison; 4. Cody Townsend, Sugar Grove; 5. Michael Cooter, Machesney Park; 6. Dave Wastak, Milwaukee, Wis.

Heat 02 -- 1. Aaron Moyer, Eden, Wis; 2. Tom Palma, Delvan, Wis; 3. David Townsend, Sugar Grove; 4. Brandon Heisler, Aurora; 5. John Magnuson;; 6. Rich Hinerichsen, II, Machesney Park.