PHOTOS

Hansberry, Sparkman, Logan Jr. and Ace collect Wins on the opening night.

By: Kevin Ramsell
LOVES PARK, IL (Friday, September 26, 2008) – For the second year in a row, a seven-time track champion won the Weekly Warrior Late Model feature win at the 43rd Annual National Short Track Championships at Rockford Speedway. Bob Hansberry, BJ Sparkman, Jon Logan Jr. and Chester Ace also took home NSTC wins on the opening night of the three day event.

It was a wild start to the 43-lap feature event for the Weekly Warrior Late Models as they saw three caution flags in the first four laps. The worse came on lap 4 when Tim Sargent and Bill Hobson got together in turn one causing Hobson to spin. A seven-car pile up ensued with Bobby Wilberg, Nick Shutkas, Mike Lloyd, Matt Berger, Sonny Schoffen, and Tyler Kelley also involved bringing out the red flag.

Sargent and Hobson were the cause of the incidents and officials declared that the others could get their spot back if they did not go to the pits for repairs. Wilberg was one of those that did not need to go to the pits and he was given his third spot back.

On the re-start, John Paul Odegaard was leading while Wilberg got past Mike Beyer for second with Ricky Bilderback in third on lap 7. Two laps later, Bilderback would go on the inside of Wilberg and take over second.

Bilderback then tried the same move on the inside of Odegaard on lap 12 and would take over the top spot on lap 13. Wilberg would get past Odegaard for second a lap later.

At the halfway mark, Bilderback would pull out to almost a straightaway lead over Wilberg with Odegaard still in third.

The caution flew again on lap 28 when Wes Coon made contact Alex Papini in turns three and four causing Papini to spin.

On the re-start, Wilberg tried to stay close to Bilderback, but he would fall back as Bilderback began to pull away again.

It would be an easy drive for Bilderback as he would go on to the win with Wilberg in second. Odegaard would hold off a late challenge from Jon Reynolds Jr. to finish third. Steve Dobbratz rounded out the top five.

Wilberg had a fast time of 13.879 seconds.

Wilberg also competed in the All-American Sportsmen division and would jump to the early lead in the 43-lap event. Wilberg would have Bob Hansberry in his rear view mirror in the first 27 laps. But, that all change on lap 28 when Hansberry was on the inside of Wilberg for the top spot. As the two came off of turn two Wilberg got loose then sparks flew has his right rear tire came off his car as he was going down the backstretch.

Wilberg was done for the evening and this handed the lead over Hansberry. On the re-start, he would have Doug Bennett and Fred Nason behind him.

With 11 laps to go, Nason would get past Bennett for second and set his sights on Hansberry. Nason would catch up to the Hansberry’s back bumper with nine laps to go.

Nason would make repeated attempts to get on the inside of Hansberry, but Hansberry would get a good run off of the corners all the way to the checkered flag.

Hansberry would collect his fourth NSTC All-American Sportsmen win with his past victories coming in 1995, 96 and 2001. Nason’s, who was the two-time defending winner, was second with Brock Behnke in third.

Bennett was fourth with David Lounsbury in fifth.

Lounsbury set the fast time going 14.865 seconds.

Sparkman collected his second American Short Tracker National Short Track Championship after holding off Tim Melvin in a wild 43-lap feature event.

Sparkman, who won the championship in 2005, started on the outside of the second row for the feature event. He followed outside front row starter Aaron Rude to the front and then got to the inside of Rude to challenge for the lead on lap three.

The two raced side-by-side for the next three laps until Sparkman was able to get a bite coming off of turn two on lap 7 to take the top spot.

Three cautions would slow the feature event that eventually left only eight cars left with 20-laps to go.

Sparkman would hold off a challenge from 1994 champion Tim Melvin in the final 20-laps to win his second NSTC trophy.

Nick Cina Jr. was third with Steve Erickson Jr. in fourth. Kyle LaPier would round out the top five.

Kelly Evink was the fast qualifier with a time of 15.429 seconds. Melvin failed post-race inspection moving Cina up to second.

Billy Robinson was the early leader in the feature event for the RoadRunners. A caution on the second lap for a three car wreck in turn one was not a good thing for Robinson as it was discovered he was leaking fluid and was sent to the pits. Dan Sander would inherit the lead.

Sanders would get challenged for the lead on lap 4 as Christopher Jones went to the inside and took over the top spot. This caused the top six to run side-by-side for the lead.

On lap 13, the six cars were trying to go around a slow Sam Christofano when Jones made contact with Sanders causing Jones to spin and make hard contact with the outside wall. Jones was able to walk away.

Jon Logan Jr. would go on the inside of Sanders on the re-start and take over the top spot on lap 10 with Charlie Frisch following into second.

A lap later, Frisch was on the inside of Logan to challenge but it was Logan holding on to the top spot while they battled side-by-side. Frisch would get the lead on lap 15, but Logan would give Frisch a shot in turns one and two causing Frisch to get loose, but he held on to the top spot.

But, it was over as Frisch would develop engine problems on lap 18 and was done for the night. This gave the lead back to Logan.

Logan would pull away from Ricky Nielsen and repeat as the NSTC RoadRunner champion. Nielsen takes second with Richard Nielsen in third. Jason Brewster was fourth with Sanders rounding out the top five.

Sam Christofano led qualifying with a time of 16.985 seconds.

Chester Ace took the early lead in the 25-lap Hornet vs. Bandit Challenge. Ace was being challenged in the early going by Steve McBride. McBride would lose the second spot on lap 13 when Vinny Mangiaracina took over the second spot.

Ace would work his way through lap traffic with Mangiaracina right on his back bumper all the way to the checkered flag as he would go wire-to-wire and take home the win in the caution free event.

Steve McBride was third with Cory Skolaski in fourth. Kyle Riedner rounded out the top five.

Ryan Nelson took home a Bullet award with his time of 16.875 seconds.

The racing action will continue on Saturday with Nason’s Landscaping Faster Than a Speeding Bullet qualifying getting underway at 2:15 pm and racing starting at 5:05 pm.

The Super Late Models, BRP Big 8 Series presented by Gandrud Chevrolet, USST Super Trucks, Area Sportsmen, and Hobby Stox will be in action on Saturday.

NASCAR All American Sportsmen
A-Main 01 -- 1. Robert Hansberry, Beloit, Wis; 2. Fred Nason, Roscoe; 3. Brock Behnke, South Beloit; 4. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 5. David Lounsbury, Beloit, Wis; 6. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 7. Warren (Butch) Swinbank, Rockford; 8. Ron Young, Rockford; 9. Justin Sellers (r), Carol Stream; 10. Randy Samples (r), Rockton; 11. Don Whitebear, Red Wing, Minn.; 12. Bob Wilberg, Town of Beloit, Wis; 13. Jason Thoma, Jefferson, Wis; 14. Chris Gantz (r), Rockford; 15. Kyle Watters, Stoughton, Wis.

Heat 01 -- 1. Bob Wilberg, Town of Beloit, Wis; 2. Robert Hansberry, Beloit, Wis; 3. Justin Sellers (r), Carol Stream; 4. Warren (Butch) Swinbank, Rockford; 5. Ron Young, Rockford; 6. Kyle Watters, Stoughton, Wis; 7. Randy Samples (r), Rockton.

Time Trial -- 1. David Lounsbury, Beloit, Wis; 2. Jason Thoma, Jefferson, Wis; 3. Chris Gantz (r), Rockford; 4. Fred Nason, Roscoe; 5. Brock Behnke, South Beloit; 6. Don Whitebear, Red Wing, Minn.; 7. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 8. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 9. Robert Hansberry, Beloit, Wis; 10. Warren (Butch) Swinbank, Rockford; 11. Bob Wilberg, Town of Beloit, Wis; 12. Ron Young, Rockford; 13. Justin Sellers (r), Carol Stream; 14. Randy Samples (r), Rockton; 15. Kyle Watters, Stoughton, Wis.
American Short Trackers

A-Main 01 -- 1. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 2. Nick Cina, Jr, Roscoe; 3. Steve Erickson, Jr (r), Machesney Park; 4. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 5. Steven Allman, Oconomowoc, Wis; 6. David Russell, Rockford; 7. Jeffery Turnure, Rockford; 8. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 9. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 10. Rachel Sparkman (r), Loves Park; 11. Aaron Rude, Cambridge, Wis; 12. Jason Bragg, Rockford; 13. Kelly Evink, Machesney Park; 14. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 15. Joe Kilpatrick, Tinley Park; 16. Tim Melvin, Machesney Park.

Heat 01 -- 1. Jeffery Turnure, Rockford; 2. Aaron Rude, Cambridge, Wis; 3. Steven Allman, Oconomowoc, Wis; 4. Jason Bragg, Rockford; 5. Rachel Sparkman (r), Loves Park; 6. David Russell, Rockford; 7. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 8. Joe Kilpatrick, Tinley Park.

Time Trial -- 1. Kelly Evink, Machesney Park; 2. Steve Erickson, Jr (r), Machesney Park; 3. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 4. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 5. Tim Melvin, Machesney Park; 6. Nick Cina, Jr, Roscoe; 7. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 8. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 9. Aaron Rude, Cambridge, Wis; 10. Steven Allman,Oconomowoc, Wis; 11. Jeffery Turnure, Rockford; 12. Jason Bragg, Rockford; 13. Rachel Sparkman (r), Loves Park; 14. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 15. David Russell, Rockford; 16. Joe Kilpatrick, Tinley Park.

Hornets
A-Main 01 -- 1. Chester Ace, Oregon, Wis; 2. Vinny Mangiaracina, Rockford; 3. Steve McBride, South Belot; 4. Cory Skolaski, Fitchburg, Wis; 5. Kyle Riedner, Waunakee, Wis; 6. Tim Jendrycki, Round Lake; 7. Matt Mangiaracina, Machesney Park; 8. Ryan Nelson, Durand; 9. Roger Schultz, Rockford; 10. Bryan Ellis, Roscoe; 11. Dave Schmidt, Cudahy, Wis; 12. Brandon Skolaski, Fitchburg, Wis; 13. Brandon Riedner, Waunakee, Wis; 14. Andy Hill, South Beloit; 15. Robin Ulrey, Rockford; 16. Adam Barclay, Machesney Park; 17. Scott Schelling, Rockton; 18. Richard Remer, Winnebago; 19. David Pautsch, Jr, Roscoe; 20. Bryan Nalan Jr, South Beloit; 21. George Wiltzius, Rockford; 22. Russell DiPiazza, Waunakee, Wis; 23. Mark Bielefeldt, Loves Park; 24. Nick Lasher, Machesney Park; 25. Justin Pearson, Belvidere; 26. Jason Dull, Machesney Park.

Heat 01 -- 1. Scott Schelling, Rockton; 2. Mark Bielefeldt, Loves Park; 3. David Pautsch, Jr, Roscoe; 4. Dave Schmidt, Cudahy, Wis; 5. Adam Barclay, Machesney Park; 6. Andy Hill, South Beloit; 7. Richard Remer, Winnebago; 8. Robin Ulrey, Rockford; 9. Justin Pearson, Belvidere; 10. Jason Dull, Machesney Park; 11. Russell DiPiazza, Waunakee, Wis; 12. George Wiltzius, Rockford.

Time Trial -- 1. Ryan Nelson, Durand; 2. Nick Lasher, Machesney Park; 3. Matt Mangiaracina, Machesney Park; 4. Vinny Mangiaracina, Rockford; 5. Kyle Riedner, Waunakee, Wis; 6. Steve McBride, South Belot; 7. Tim Jendrycki, Round Lake; 8. Cory Skolaski, Fitchburg, Wis; 9. Bryan Ellis, Roscoe; 10. Chester Ace, Oregon, Wis; 11. Brandon Skolaski, Fitchburg, Wis; 12. Roger Schultz, Rockford; 13. Brandon Riedner, Waunakee, Wis; 14. Dave Schmidt, Cudahy, Wis; 15. Robin Ulrey, Rockford; 16. Adam Barclay, Machesney Park; 17. Richard Remer, Winnebago; 18. David Pautsch, Jr, Roscoe; 19. Scott Schelling, Rockton; 20. Andy Hill, South Beloit; 21. Justin Pearson, Belvidere; 22. George Wiltzius, Rockford; 23. Russell DiPiazza, Waunakee, Wis; 24. Bryan Nalan Jr, South Beloit; 25. Mark Bielefeldt, Loves Park.

Weekly Warrior Late Models
A-Main 01 -- 1. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 2. Bob Wilberg, Town of Beloit, Wis; 3. John Paul Odegaard, Brooklyn Center, Minn.; 4. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Roscoe; 5. Steve Dobbratz, Rio, Wis; 6. Alex Papini (r), Machesney Park; 7. Kyle Shear, Roscoe; 8. Noel Ramge, Helenville, Wis; 9. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 10. Mike Taylor, Stoughton, Wis; 11. Nick Shutkas, Loves Park; 12. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 13. Mike Beyer, Machesney Park; 14. Wes Coon, Nekoosa, Wis; 15. Joe Rusciano, Crystal Lake; 16. Vern Fagerberg, Bloomingdale; 17. Bill Hobson, Roscoe; 18. Mike Lloyd, Davis; 19. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 20. Sonny Schoffen, Island Lake; 21. Tyler Kelley, Oregon, Wis; 22. Jacob Finney, Sycamore; 23. Travis Dassow, West Bend, Wis; 24. Becca Kasten, Mequon, Wis.

Last Chance "A" 01 -- 1. Noel Ramge, Helenville, Wis; 2. Wes Coon, Nekoosa, Wis; 3. Kyle Shear, Roscoe; 4. Vern Fagerberg, Bloomingdale; 5. Mike Taylor, Stoughton, Wis; 6. Joe Rusciano, Crystal Lake; 7. Jacob Finney, Sycamore; 8. Timothy Slater, Hampshire; 9. Justin Wagner, South Beloit; 10. Terry Limberopoulos, Cuba, Mo.

Heat 01 -- 1. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 2. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 3. Tyler Kelley, Oregon, Wis; 4. Wes Coon, Nekoosa, Wis; 5. Vern Fagerberg, Bloomingdale; 6. Jacob Finney, Sycamore; 7. Timothy Slater, Hampshire; 8. Kyle Shear,

Heat 02 -- 1. Alex Papini (r), Machesney Park; 2. Travis Dassow, West Bend, Wis; 3. Sonny Schoffen, Island Lake; 4. Noel Ramge, Helenville, Wis; 5. Joe Rusciano, Crystal Lake; 6. Mike Taylor, Stoughton, Wis; 7. Terry Limberopoulos, Cuba, Mo.; 8. Justin Wagner, South Beloit.

Heat 03 -- 1. Becca Kasten, Mequon, Wis; 2. Steve Dobbratz, Rio, Wis; 3. John Paul Odegaard, Brooklyn Center, Minn.; 4. Bob Wilberg, Town of Beloit, Wis; 5. Nick Shutkas, Loves Park.

Heat 04 -- 1. Mike Lloyd, Davis; 2. Mike Beyer, Machesney Park; 3. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 4. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 5. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Roscoe; 6. Bill Hobson, Roscoe.

Time Trial -- 1. Bob Wilberg, Town of Beloit, Wis; 2. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 3. Michael Bilderback, South Beloit; 4. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 5. Nick Shutkas, Loves Park; 6. Bill Hobson, Roscoe; 7. John Paul Odegaard, Brooklyn Center, Minn.; 8. Mike Beyer, Machesney Park; 9. Becca Kasten, Mequon, Wis; 10. Mike Lloyd, Davis; 11. Steve Dobbratz, Rio, Wis; 12. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Roscoe; 13. Tyler Kelley, Oregon, Wis; 14. Alex Papini (r), Machesney Park; 15. Kyle Shear, Roscoe; 16. Noel Ramge, Helenville, Wis; 17. Wes Coon, Nekoosa, Wis; 18. Travis Dassow, West Bend, Wis; 19. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 20. Sonny Schoffen, Island Lake; 21. Vern Fagerberg, Bloomingdale; 22. Joe Rusciano, Crystal Lake; 23. Jacob Finney, Sycamore; 24. Terry Limberopoulos, Cuba, Mo.; 25. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 26. Justin Wagner, South Beloit; 27. Timothy Slater, Hampshire.

Road Runners
A-Main 01 -- 1. John Logan, Jr., Loves Park; 2. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 3. Richard Nielsen, Byron; 4. Jason Brewster, Beloit, Wis; 5. Dan Sander, Rockton; 6. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park; 7. Brad Warthan, Sparta, Wis; 8. Harley Jankowski, Sparta, Wis; 9. David Lignell, Rockford; 10. Kenneth Brazee III, Rockford; 11. Adam Moore, Sparta, Wis; 12. Mike Swanson, Rockford; 13. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 14. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 15. Lennard Groleau, S. Beloit; 16. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 17. Billy Robinson, Orfordville, Wis; 18. Dana Czach, Wauconda; 19. Kyle Watts, Loves Park; 20. Charlie Frisch, Rockford; 21. Sam Christofano, Rockford; 22. Christopher Jones, Rockford; 23. Vachenzia Jester, Beloit, Wis; 24. Tom Flippo, Jr., Byron; 25. Greg Pruitt, Rockford; 26. Terrance Robinson, Beloit, Wis; 27. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park.

Last Chance "A" 01 -- 1. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park; 2. David Lignell, Rockford; 3. Curt Nighswonger, Rockford; 4. Doug Jackson, Jr, Machesney Park; 5. Charles Vian, Sparta, Wis; 6. Brian Smith, Rockford; 7. Mark Bielefeldt, Loves Park; 8. Steven Clark, Rockford; 9. Adam Moore, Sparta, Wis; 10. Joe Saltow, Machesney Park; 11. Troy Chase, Marshfield, Wis.

Heat 01 -- 1. Tom Flippo, Jr., Byron; 2. Greg Pruitt, Rockford; 3. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park; 4. Lennard Groleau, S. Beloit; 5. Dana Czach, Wauconda; 6. Mike Swanson, Rockford; 7. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 8. Kyle Watts, Loves Park; 9. Steven Clark, Rockford; 10. Curt Nighswonger, Rockford; 11. Mark Bielefeldt, Loves Park; 12. Joe Saltow, Machesney Park; 13. Troy Chase, Marshfield, Wis; 14. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park.

Heat 02 -- 1. Billy Robinson, Orfordville, Wis; 2. Dan Sander, Rockton; 3. Jason Brewster, Beloit, Wis; 4. Brad Warthan, Sparta, Wis; 5. Harley Jankowski, Sparta, Wis; 6. Vachenzia Jester, Beloit, Wis; 7. Kenneth Brazee III, Rockford; 8. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 9. David Lignell, Rockford; 10. Doug Jackson, Jr, Machesney Park; 11. Adam Moore, Sparta, Wis; 12. Brian Smith, Rockford; 13. Charles Vian, Sparta, Wis.

Time Trial -- 1. Sam Christofano, Rockford; 2. Richard Nielsen, Byron; 3. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 4. Charlie Frisch, Rockford; 5. John Logan, Jr., Loves Park; 6. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 7. Terrance Robinson, Beloit, Wis; 8. Christopher Jones, Rockford; 9. Greg Pruitt, Rockford; 10. Jason Brewster, Beloit, Wis; 11. Dana Czach, Wauconda; 12. Brad Warthan, Sparta, Wis; 13. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park; 14. Harley Jankowski, Sparta, Wis; 15. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park; 16. Vachenzia Jester, Beloit, Wis; 17. Tom Flippo, Jr., Byron; 18. Billy Robinson, Orfordville, Wis; 19. Lennard Groleau, S. Beloit; 20. Dan Sander, Rockton; 21. Troy Chase, Marshfield, Wis; 22. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 23. Mike Swanson, Rockford; 24. Kenneth Brazee III, Rockford; 25. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 26. David Lignell, Rockford; 27. Kyle Watts, Loves Park; 28. Doug Jackson, Jr, Machesney Park; 29. Steven Clark, Rockford; 30. Adam Moore, Sparta, Wis; 31. Curt Nighswonger, Rockford; 32. Brian Smith, Rockford; 33. Mark Bielefeldt, Loves Park; 34. Charles Vian, Sparta, Wis.