Dale Nottestad, Cambridge, Wis; showed patience when many others didn't, biding his time and picking off cars to get to the front before putting it on cruise control and never looking back on the way to victory lane. Pictured with Dale is Speedway CEO Jody Derry and series flagman.

Throughout the day race fans saw close racing action making for action packed racing.

By Jordan Kuehne -- (MASCS story courtesy of Matt Panure)

Out of the 25 Big 8 cars in the pits today at Rockford for Spring Classic practice, stop watches unofficially had Kyle Jarlsberg and Ryan Carlson atop the speed charts with defending Rockford Speedway Track Champion Tim Sargent coming on strong during the final minutes of testing. All told over 30 Big 8 cars are expected to fight for top honors in the 108 lap feature tomorrow (Sunday), qualifying 11:15 FIRST BIG RACE 1pm.

Rockford, IL- The 34th annual Spring Classic will take center stage this Sunday afternoon at Rockford Speedway with a 1pm start time, officially marking the start of short track racing in the upper Midwest. Engines have been roaring all week in preparation for this marquee event which will feature the top drivers from weekly short tracks in Wisconsin and Illinois as the Big 8 Late Model Series presented by Gandrud Chevrolet as well as the Mid-American Stock Car Series begin their seasons at the high banked quarter mile paved oval.

Loves Park, IL- Defending Spring Classic Champion and 2010 Jefferson Speedway Track Champion Casey Johnson has filed his entry to defend his title during the 34th Spring Classic on Sunday afternoon April 17 at Rockford Speedway. The 2008 Dells Raceway Park Champion Mike Ehde will also return to Big 8 Late Model Series action when he returns to Rockford where he recorded his only series win during the 2007 Spring Classic.

Big 8 Entry Form - Spring Classic Schedule

Loves Park, IL- The 34th Spring Classic at Rockford Speedway will now feature a 108 lap Big 8 Late Model Series presented by Gandrud Chevrolet feature event on Sunday afternoon April 17. The Mid-American Stock Car Series shares the card with a 50 lap feature during the annual Midwest pavement opening event.

New for 2011, all Big 8 Series double file restarts will utilize the ‘Choose’ rule, utilized weekly at many of the nation’s short tracks, including Rockford Speedway. On restarts, the field will be reset in their running order, then be given the option to choose what lane they want to restart the race in, either inside or outside, with the leader out front.

Being interviewed is eventual BRP Big 8 Series winner is Casey Johnson from Stoughton, Wisconsin.

Racing action out of turn 2 saw these two competitors exchanging paint as they raced down the backstretch.

By Jordan Kuehne

As of Thursday, the last driver to visit victory lane during Big 8 Series Spring Classic competition was planning on watching this Sunday’s race from the Rockford Speedway grandstand. Although it would be a great race to witness, he wanted to be a part of the 33rd annual Spring Classic, contending for another win in the tough Midwestern series. Michael Bilderback’s plans changed today.

Spring Classic Big 8 Entry List

This Sunday afternoon, the top weekly racers from Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota will begin their 2010 campaign on the high banks of Rockford Speedway. A total of 9 current and past short track champions have filed entries for the 33rd annual Spring Classic, which will see both the Big 8 Series Late Models and Mid-American Stock Cars in action. Three drivers looking to defend their 2009 triumphs will tighten their belts for the first time this season including two time defending Rockford Speedway titlist Jerry Gille, Madison International and 2007- 2008 Big 8 Series Champion Jeremy Miller as well as Dells Raceway Park Champ Corey Jankowski.