By: Eric Huenefeld
Since early September, Josh Nelms has driven about every sort of racecar
at about every track in the region. Super Late Models at Illiana, ASA
North Late Models in La Crosse and Mid American Stockcars at the Rockford
Speedway during the 43rd Annual National Short Track Championships.
Nelms, the former Rockford Speedway Late Model Rookie of the Year, would
return to the Rockford high banks Sunday and submit an entry for the
Goblin 250 enduro. Nelms not only returned to merely race, but to defend
his title as 2007 Goblin 250 winner.

Mission: Accomplished.

Nelms was patient and took the lead nearly three-quarters of the way into
the event and cruised to his second consecutive Rockford enduro crown. The
250 lap, two-segment event was rapid with lots of action, yet very few
dust ups on track.

The field was led to green by Matt Jerry of Pingree Grove, who won the
“Race Car Beauty Contest,” and along with the nice hardware, was awarded
the pole for the main event. Jerry would lead the first 25 laps, but would
then be overtaken for the lead near lap 50 by Jason Roth. Roth, of Hazel
Green Wisconsin, was very much in command through lap 100, setting a
blistering pace in his black #31j. But nearly halfway through, Roth would
not only receive a Black Flag for rough driving, but also incur two flat
tires, sending him to the pit area and placing him several laps down.
East Dundee’s Steve Goll would assume the lead after Roth’s misfortunes
and led the field to the halfway break at lap 125.

Segment two would see the field switch tracks, from the Quarter-mile oval,
to the unique ‘Monza Style’ course, utilizing the backstretch chicane.
Goll would lead the field early, but shortly after lap 150, Goll would
have tire issues and pull into the pits. This development led to Dale
Markham inheriting the lead. But shortly after that lead change, Markham
too would be forced pitside. This handed the lead to Nelms. Nelms would
never relinquish the lead and cruised to victory. Alex Clubb finished
second in his first Goblin 250 start, and Jim Klingel would take third
spot. Goll would return to finish fourth, followed by Indiana driver Ryan
Lagestee in fifth.

The one major incident on track during the 250 lap feature was early in
Segment Two, when WXRX’s own Jim Stone of “Stone and Double T” fame, was
turned over while racing through the chicane. Stone’s car ended up on it
roof as the red flag appeared. Stone was okay, and also has material for
months to talk about on the highly-rated radio show.
After the Goblin 250, the fans were treated to a demo derby on the front
stretch, featuring cars which ran the earlier enduro. Fifteen cars clogged
the demo ring, with DJ Sparks emerging as the ‘King of the Ring.’ Roger
Markham was runner up.

Demo Derbies "Fair"

A-Main 01 -- 1. DJ Sparks, Belvidere; 2. Roger Markham, St. Charles; 3. Steve Goll, East Dundee; 4. James Stanis, Rockford; 5. Evan Nelson, LaGrange; 6. David Prince, Oregon; 7. Steve Luckey, Machesney Park; 8. Jose Quinonez, Rochelle; 9. Randy Diesing, Jr., Rockford; 10. William Quinonez, Rochelle; 11. Chad Scott, Rochelle; 12. Brad Lawlor;; 13. Alan Bekielewski, Roscoe; 14. Dale Markham, Maple Park; 15. Mike Jones, Rockford.

Hornets

A-Main 01 -- 1. Josh Nelms, Lockport; 2. Alex Clubb, Morris; 3. Jim Klingel, Aurora; 4. Steve Goll, East Dundee; 5. Ryan Lagestee, Dyer, Ind.; 6. Jimmy Stephens, Maple Park; 7. John Arndt, St. Charles; 8. Robby Johler, Des Plaines; 9. Jason Roth, Hazel Green, Wis; 10. Bob Palmero, Crown Point, Ind.; 11. Joe Dynek, Kingston; 12. Stacey McElligutt, Union; 13. Tim Loomis, Kingston; 14. Brian Kammerude, Hazel Green, Wis; 15. Ted Diangikes, Montgomery; 16. Kyle Wittmann, Des Plaines; 17. Mike Wienc, St. Charles; 18. Greg Elser, Marengo; 19. Dan Doherty, Elgin; 20. Starr Roach,

Kingston; 21. Julie Hayes, Monee; 22. Roger Markham, St. Charles; 23. Andy Hill, South Beloit; 24. Scott Vetter, Union; 25. Joseph Rasmussen, Gilberts; 26. Matt Jerry, Pingree Grove; 27. Fred Wittmann Sr., Des Plaines; 28. Linda Sparks, Belvidere; 29. Paul Bastian, Davis Junction; 30. Matt Lestikow, Freeport; 31. Gerald Hayes, Monee; 32. Geoff McKarns, Mundelein; 33. Nathan Lewis, Rochelle; 34. Louis Chatroop, Palatine; 35. Dale Markham, Maple Park; 36. Ed Gutzeit, Des Plaines; 37. Alan Bekielewski, Roscoe; 38. Mark Johler, Elk Grove; 39. Douglas Finnern, Des Plaines; 40. Mark Keith, Aurora; 41. Kyle Smith, St. Charles; 42. Brittney Alen, Sleepy Hollow; 43. Tony Doherty, Aurora; 44. Michael Brancecum, Jr, St. Charles; 45. Blake Andrus, Rockford; 46. Kris Nilson, Rockford; 47. Jim Stone, Candlewick; 48.

Stacy Roach, Genoa; 49. Jim Hartman, Carpentersville; 50. Mike Jones, Rockford; 51. Justin Pearson, Belvidere; 52. Eric Bennett, Beloit, Wis; 53. Dave Smith, Orangeville; 54. Steve Finnern, Des Plaines; 55. Chris Czaszwicz, Alsip; 56. Jordan Hartman, Kirksville, Mo.; 57. Ryan Williams, Machensey Park; 58. Steve Luckey, Machesney Park; 59. Rich Blakely, Huntley; 60. Ralph Markham, Maple Park; 61. Matt Rowe, Maribel, Wis; 62. Jason Dull, Machesney Park; 63. Steven Reich, Highland, Ind.; 64. Rick Zifko, St. Charles; 65. George Lunsford, Crystal Lake; 66. Mike Gossett, Montgomery; 67. Darin Furar, Granville; 68. Kenneth Hood, Lily Lake; 69. James Stanis, Rockford; 70. Dave Radloff, Huntley; 71. Jay Brendle, Kingston; 72. Mike Cunz, Cortland; 73. T.J. Markham, Kirkland; 74. Mike Nihles, Lancaster,

Wis; 75. Jose Quinonez, Rochelle; 76. DJ Sparks, Belvidere; 77. Ron Elser, Marengo; 78. Dan Mataragas, Dekalb; 79. Joe Powell, Rochelle; 80. Danny Allen, Elgin; 81. Frank McNeil, South Elgin; 82. Tim Wienc, Westmont; 83. John Dynek, Lake Villa; 84. Chris Roth, Livingston, Wis; 85. Nate Stinnett, Rochelle; 86. J Chapman, Scranton, Pa.; 87. Evan Nelson, LaGrange; 88. Roger Schultz, Rockford; 89. William Quinonez, Rochelle; 90. Chad Scott, Rochelle; 91. Solomon Barker, South Beloit; 92. Bryan Nalan, Sr, South Beloit; 93. Paul Milbratz Jr, McHenry; 94. Nate Kesteleyn, Marengo; 95. David Prince, Oregon; 96. Mike Mataragas, Dekalb; 97. Timothy Jones, Rockford; 98. Vinny Mangiaracina, Rockford; 99. Ed Mills, Freeport; 100. Tim Sampson, Cuba City, Wis; 101. Vachenzia Jester, Beloit, Wis; 102. Bryan

Nalan Jr, South Beloit; 103. Travis Lipford, Rockford; 104. Ryan Andrus, Woodstock; 105. Seth Pippel, Rockford; 106. Randy Diesing, Jr., Rockford; 107. Josh Guist, Poplar Grove; 108. Steve Lelak, Cresthill; 109. Mike Engeldahl, Elburn; 110. Damon Sexton, Kirkland; 111. Caleb Shultis, Stockton.