PHOTOS

By: Eric Huenefeld
Seventeen year-old Steve Erickson Jr. has been proving all year long he has the talent to compete in the veteran-laden Budweiser American Short Tracker division at the Rockford Speedway. For a rookie to step into a division immediately and compete with names like Sparkman, Melvin, McCoy and the like, one can already be impressed. But to also win against those names in your first year, now that is an accomplishment.

Erickson Jr. powered away from the large Short Tracker field and staked claim to the top spot in the division's 25 lap feature event during Stanley Steemer Night at the races on Saturday.

But to win, Erickson had to work through the field to take the top spot. The youngster would not be denied in his quest for victory, going from 6th to 1st in only seven laps. Erickson would battle with teammate Kyle Lapier for three laps before slipping into the top spot and never looking back. Before hitting lap traffic near the end of the event, Erickson would build a full straightaway lead on his nearest competition.

The major battle was from second on back. A mess of race cars mixed and matched positions as the race neared its conclusion. Brett McCoy ended up making the most of the heated action, moving from 5th to third in the final two laps. Behind Erickson, teammate Kyle Lapier would take the runner up spot. But Lapier's car failed post race inspection, handing the runner up spot to McCoy. Steve Allman had a great run on the night, taking third. And points leader BJ Sparkman stormed through the field to end up in fourth and pad his points lead.

Mike Beyer became the 8th different winner in the Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models, muscling to the point and holding off a furious charge from Ryan Carlson to take the checkers. Beyer would run hard into turn four on lap 6, taking Jake Gille near the wall, and also taking him out of the lead. Beyer would then pace the field for the remainder of the 30 lap, caution-free event. With Carlson in pursuit, Beyer hit his marks and stayed solidly ahead to win the event. Carlson hit the line second, but post race inspection also proved his mount illegal. That would move points leader Jerry Gille to the runner up spot. Ricky Bilderback was the hard charger of the event, moving up from 11th to 3rd, after a hard fought ten lap battle with Jake Gille. Gille ended with his best career finish in fourth spot.

Popeye's Point Leader Fred Nason once again delivered half-priced Sunday dinner to Rockford Speedway fans, winning his 25 lap Bargain Hunter Sportsman feature. Nason passed his old nemesis Doug Bennett on lap 4 and held off a wild, late-race charge from Brock Behnke to end the night in victory lane. In 10 laps, Behnke cut the lead from a straightaway to half a car length at the checekers. The finish kept the tightest points battle at the Speedway close, with only 14 points separating Nason and Behnke atop the standings. Don Exline would have another solid finish, taking third. And Bennett would get around Justin Sellars with two laps remaining to enter the top 4 at the finish.

Lloyd Hawkins ran away with the win in the 20 lap, caution free Coca-Cola Roadrunner feature. While Hawkins danced into the moonlight with his first win of the year, the action was for the runner-up spot. Taking the runner-up spot was Mr. Consistency, Terrance Robinson, the division points leader. Robinson moved from his 7th starting spot to take second late in the race. Richard Nielson was third, followed by Gene Marocco, who blasted from his 14th starting spot to finish fourth.

The Illinois Vintage Racers were also on hand at Rockford Speedway Saturday night. The group brought a mix of Nostalgic Stock Cars and Vintage Racing Coupes to test the high banks. With drivers from as far away as Michigan and Tennessee competing, no one could catch Chicago area veteran Pat Echlin, who beat Butch Dunn and Bill Knippenberg to the line for the victory. The group will return with more cars and more action during the 43rd Annual ARMY National Guard National Short Track Championships, September 26-28 at the famed quarter-mile oval.

Bargain Hunter Sportsman
A-Main 01 -- 1. Fred Nason, Roscoe; 2. Brock Behnke, South Beloit; 3. Don Exline, Oak Lawn; 4. Doug Bennett,

Brodhead, Wis; 5. Justin Sellers (r), Carol Stream; 6. Ron Morris, Belvidere; 7. Ron Young, Rockford; 8. Randy

Samples (r), Rockton; 9. Beau Lawson (r), Machesney Park; 10. Walter Forsythe, Burbank; 11. Robert Hansberry, Jr, Beloit, Wis; 12. Chris Gantz (r), Rockford; 13. Warren (Butch) Swinbank, Rockford.

Heat 01 -- 1. Ron Morris, Belvidere; 2. Ron Young, Rockford; 3. Beau Lawson (r), Machesney Park; 4. Randy Samples (r), Rockton; 5. Walter Forsythe, Burbank; 6. Robert Hansberry, Jr, Beloit, Wis.

Heat 02 -- 1. Fred Nason, Roscoe; 2. Chris Gantz (r), Rockford; 3. Warren (Butch) Swinbank, Rockford; 4. Brock

Behnke, South Beloit; 5. Don Exline, Oak Lawn; 6. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 7. Justin Sellers (r), Carol Stream.

Time Trial -- 1. Brock Behnke, South Beloit; 2. Chris Gantz (r), Rockford; 3. Don Exline, Oak Lawn; 4. Fred Nason, Roscoe; 5. Warren (Butch) Swinbank, Rockford; 6. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 7. Justin Sellers (r), Carol Stream; 8. Ron Young, Rockford; 9. Randy Samples (r), Rockton; 10. Ron Morris, Belvidere; 11. Beau Lawson (r), Machesney Park; 12. Robert Hansberry, Jr, Beloit, Wis; 13. Walter Forsythe, Burbank; 14. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Chris Gantz (r), Rockford; 2. Brock Behnke, South Beloit; 3. Warren (Butch) Swinbank, Rockford; 4. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 5. Fred Nason, Roscoe; 6. Don Exline, Oak Lawn.

Budweiser American Short Trackers
A-Main 01 -- 1. Steve Erickson, Jr (r), Machesney Park; 2. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 3. Steven Allman, Oconomowoc, Wis; 4. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 5. Aaron Rude, Cambridge, Wis; 6. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 7. Tim Melvin, Machesney Park; 8. Jack Atchison, Stillman Valley; 9. Nick Letsinger, Rockford; 10. David Russell, Rockford; 11. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 12. Dave Lee, Rockford; 13. Billy McCoy, Belvidere; 14. Matt Woelber, Belvidere; 15. Nick Cina, Jr, Roscoe; 16. Jeffery Turnure, Rockford; 17. Tanner Atchison, Byron; 18. Bruce Tucker, Machesney Park; 19. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere. (DQ)
Heat 01 -- 1. Matt Woelber, Belvidere; 2. Jack Atchison, Stillman Valley; 3. Billy McCoy, Belvidere; 4. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 5. David Russell, Rockford; 6. Tanner Atchison, Byron; 7. Dave Lee, Rockford.

Heat 02 -- 1. Nick Letsinger, Rockford; 2. Steven Allman, Oconomowoc, Wis; 3. Jeffery Turnure, Rockford; 4. Nick Cina, Jr, Roscoe; 5. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 6. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere.

Heat 03 -- 1. Aaron Rude, Cambridge, Wis; 2. Steve Erickson, Jr (r), Machesney Park; 3. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 4. Tim Melvin, Machesney Park; 5. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 6. Bruce Tucker, Machesney Park.

Time Trial -- 1. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 2. Tim Melvin, Machesney Park; 3. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 4. Bruce Tucker, Machesney Park; 5. Aaron Rude, Cambridge, Wis; 6. Steve Erickson, Jr (r), Machesney Park; 7. Jeffery Turnure, Rockford; 8. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 9. Nick Cina, Jr, Roscoe; 10. Steven Allman, Oconomowoc, Wis; 11. Nick Letsinger, Rockford; 12. Billy McCoy, Belvidere; 13. Jack Atchison, Stillman Valley; 14. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 15. Tanner Atchison, Byron; 16. Matt Woelber, Belvidere; 17. Dave Lee, Rockford; 18. David Russell, Rockford; 19. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere (DQ)
Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 2. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 3. Tim Melvin, Machesney Park; 4. Aaron Rude, Cambridge, Wis; 5. Steve Erickson, Jr (r), Machesney Park; 6. Bruce Tucker, Machesney Park.

NASCAR Stanley Steemer Late Models
A-Main 01 -- 1. Mike Beyer, Machesney Park; 2. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 3. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 4. Jacob Gille, Winnebago; 5. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 6. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Roscoe; 7. Bill Hobson, Roscoe; 8. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 9. Noel Ramge, Helenville, Wis; 10. Alex Papini (r), Machesney Park; 11. Nick Shutkas, Loves Park; 12. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 13. Joel Clossey, Beloit, Wis; 14. Joe Rusciano, Crystal Lake; 15. Tyler Peterson (r), Lake Geneva, Wis; 16. Bobby Davis, Winnebago; 17. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park (DQ)
Heat 01 -- 1. Alex Papini (r), Machesney Park; 2. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 3. Bobby Davis, Winnebago; 4. Tyler Peterson (r), Lake Geneva, Wis; 5. Joe Rusciano, Crystal Lake; 6. Jacob Gille, Winnebago; 7. Noel Ramge, Helenville, Wis; 8. Joel Clossey, Beloit, Wis; 9. Steve Rubeck, Monroe Center.

Heat 02 -- 1. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 2. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 3. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Roscoe; 4. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 5. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 6. Bill Hobson, Roscoe; 7. Nick Shutkas, Loves Park; 8. Mike Beyer, Machesney Park; 9. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park.

Time Trial -- 1. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Roscoe; 2. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 3. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 4. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 5. Nick Shutkas, Loves Park; 6. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 7. Mike Beyer, Machesney Park; 8. Bill Hobson, Roscoe; 9. Jacob Gille, Winnebago; 10. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 11. Steve Rubeck, Monroe Center; 12. Noel Ramge, Helenville, Wis; 13. Alex Papini (r), Machesney Park; 14. Tyler Peterson (r), Lake Geneva, Wis; 15. Bobby Davis, Winnebago; 16. Joe Rusciano, Crystal Lake; 17. Joel Clossey, Beloit, Wis; 18. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park (DQ)

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 2. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 3. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 4. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Roscoe; 5. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 6. Nick Shutkas, Loves Park.

Coca-Cola RoadRunners
-Main 01 -- 1. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park; 2. Terrance Robinson, Beloit, Wis; 3. Richard Nielsen, Byron; 4. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 5. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 6. Robert Roush, Marengo; 7. David Lignell, Rockford; 8. Joe LaMarca, Rockford; 9. Dana Czach, Wauconda; 10. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park; 11. Jonathan Stoltz, Rockford; 12. Vachenzia Jester, Beloit, Wis; 13. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 14. Steven Clark, Rockford; 15. Kyle Watts, Loves Park; 16. Brian Smith, Rockford; 17. Richard Murphy, Machesney Park; 18. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 19. Kenneth Brazee III, Rockford; 20. Christopher Jones, Rockford; 21. Robert Stoltz, Rockford.

Heat 01 -- 1. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 2. Robert Stoltz, Rockford; 3. Joe LaMarca, Rockford; 4. Jonathan Stoltz,

Rockford; 5. Kenneth Brazee III, Rockford; 6. Richard Murphy, Machesney Park; 7. Brian Smith, Rockford.

Heat 02 -- 1. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park; 2. Richard Nielsen, Byron; 3. Kyle Watts, Loves Park; 4. Steven Clark, Rockford; 5. Vachenzia Jester, Beloit, Wis; 6. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 7. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere.

Heat 03 -- 1. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 2. Terrance Robinson, Beloit, Wis; 3. Christopher Jones, Rockford; 4. Dana Czach, Wauconda; 5. Robert Roush, Marengo; 6. David Lignell, Rockford; 7. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park.

Challenge 01 -- 1. Jonathan Stoltz, Rockford; 2. Robert Stoltz, Rockford; 3. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park; 4.

Kenneth Brazee III, Rockford; 5. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 6. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 7. Kyle Watts, Loves Park.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 2. David Lignell, Rockford; 3. Robert Roush, Marengo; 4.
Joshua Lundy, Loves Park; 5. Dana Czach, Wauconda; 6. Terrance Robinson, Beloit, Wis.