By Jordan Kuehne

LOVES PARK, IL (Saturday, July 4, 2009) – Tim Sargent has had more than his share of bad luck this season at the Rockford Speedway but the breaks went his way tonight as he fended off challenges from both Kyle Jarlsberg and Ricky Bilderback to collect his first victory of 2009 in grand fashion. Sargent grabbed the lead on the first lap and held on tight to win the ‘Star Spangled 76’, the first round of the second annual Goodyear Stateline Challenge, a battle between the Rockford and Jefferson Speedways. The Bargain Hunter Sportsman win went to former division champion Brock Behnke while Bobby Frisch won the annual Mtn Dew RoadRunner ‘Midnight Ride of Paul Revere’ featuring 20 laps ran in total darkness.

The fireworks arrived early in the first round of the Goodyear Stateline Challenge, the Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models ‘Star Spangled 76’, as the caution flew just one lap into the feature for a three-car wreck in turn three involving Tim Slater, Joe Darnell and Jody Krueger. Krueger’s car was heavily damaged after a scary ride on the outside wall and his night was over before the engine even got hot.

Tim Sargent led the field back to the green as defending champion Jerry Gille made a quick advance to the front driving below Mike Lloyd for third and bringing Ricky Bilderback with him into fourth. Bilderback was alongside Gille battling hard for the third position on lap 21 when the second caution of the race came out after a hard wreck in turn four prematurely ended the event for both Brandon Eash and Tyler Peterson.

Bilderback used the restart cone to his advantage jumping past Gille on the inside and fighting for second with Kyle Jarlsberg. Sargent, Jarlsberg and Bilderback settled into position a lap later as Jefferson Speedway visitor Steve Dobbratz turned up the pressure on Jerry Gille for fourth. Dobbratz couldn’t get past the defending late model champion on the outside as the halfway mark came and went.

Sargent continued to pace the field when the third caution of the night came out after Mikie Breiner’s engine let go on the frontstretch with 27 laps remaining, bunching the field up for another double-file restart.

Michael Bilderback used his front bumper to take away fifth from Ryan Carlson, almost turning Carlson around on the frontstretch. Michael’s uncle, Ricky, continued to pressure Jarlsberg for second but he couldn’t make the move on the inside work, losing grip exiting the turns. Bilderback made a last ditch effort for the runner-up spot with two circuits left but Jarlsberg beat him to the line by two car-lengths.

Tim Sargent held them both off, topping a 26 car field to collect the win, his first feature title of 2009.

“It’s about time we had our luck turn around a bit,” a tired Sargent said in victory lane. “We couldn’t pick a much better race to change it up at, that’s for sure. I feel like things are headed in the right direction now. The car’s been fast all year and we just needed some luck to go our way.”

Sargent collected an extra $100 courtesy of Rod Gilley for his win in the headliner and he will make the trip next Saturday night to Jefferson Speedway in Cambridge, Wisconsin to challenge for the overall crown.

Jarlsberg, Ricky Bilderback, Jerry Gille and Michael Bilderback rounded out the top five.

The action was fast and furious in the beginning stages of the 25-lap main event for the Bargain Hunter Sportsman. The first caution flew three laps in for mayhem on the frontstretch involving Butch Swinbank and points leader Doug Bennett. Swinbank’s night was over early but Bennett managed to keep it going and received his spot back.

Brock Behnke led the 20 car field back to green and held on to the top spot to the end, never relinquishing the lead despite late race charges from Kurt Kleven and Fred Nason. The battle was for second as Tory Bagley worked the low line by Curt Thompson only to have second taken away in the next turn by Kleven. Nason followed Kleven into third using the inside to take the spot.

Behnke fended off a late move by Kleven to pick up his first feature win of the season.

“It’s been a while since we won and we had a good starting spot,” an ecstatic Behnke said after the win. “I was out front and didn’t have to worry about traffic so we built up a solid margin and held on.”

Bagley and Thompson rounded out the top five.

Bobby Frisch was victorious in the annual Mtn Dew RoadRunner ‘Midnight Ride of Paul Revere’, a 20-lap feature event ran in total darkness.

A tradition over the last 20 years, the 21 car field raced around under pitch black skies. Frisch made an early move for the lead and held on for the victory, lengthening his points lead in the process.

Racing returns to the Rockford Speedway next week for Equipment Depot Wild Wednesday Petrol-Palooza Night featuring the fourth round of the Mtn Dew RoadRunner Super Summer Series. Also on tap are the Crap Scrapper Hornets, Spectacular Drags, Stateline Staffing Services Winged Women on Wheels, National Figure 8 League, INEX Legends, INEX Bandoleros, Allison Legacy Cars plus the Hornet King of the Hill Challenge. The Rockford Area Day Camp Afternoon Sparktacular takes place earlier in the day with stock car rides for kids and a media race plus much more and gates open at noon with the action getting underway at 1pm. Wild Wednesday gates open at 5:30pm with racing starting at 7:07pm and all adults save the price of one gallon of premium gas off their ticket price.

Next Saturday night, the Green Mamba Jet Car and the Devastator Monster Truck headline an amazing night of action at the Rockford Speedway, a Mid-Summer’s Night Scream! Also on deck are the Redneck Ring of Fire, Crap Scrappers Hornets, Spectacular Drags, FREE Monster Truck Rides, Hornet Stop ‘N Go, Belly Flop Contest, Death Defying Explosion, Figure 8 Train Race, Tractor Trailer Crash, Auto Soccer, Popeye’s Kids Mini Grand Prix, and the first ever Boat Race plus Hillbilly Fun with Airbags! The gates open at 5pm and the action gets underway at 7:07pm sharp.

For more information, including a full 2009 racing schedule and more, please visit the track website at www.rockfordspeedway.com or call the Speedway Box Office at (815) 633-1500.

NASCAR All American Sportsmen

A-Main 01 -- 1. Brock Behnke, South Beloit; 2. Kurt Kleven, Cambridge, Wis; 3. Fred Nason, Roscoe; 4. Tory Bagley, McFarland, Wis; 5. Curt Thompson, Ft. Atkinson, Wis; 6. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 7. Don Exline, Oak Lawn; 8. Ron Morris, Belvidere; 9. Chris Ehrhart, Deerfield, Wis; 10. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 11. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 12. Tom Reents, Janesville, Wis; 13. Jason Dunn, Sun Prairie, Wis; 14. Rob Goodman (r), McHenry; 15. Scott Lawver, Roscoe; 16. Steve Vaughn, Loves Park; 17. Jerry Edge, Marengo; 18. Rob Solo Rio (r), Hampshire; 19. Andy Raley, Fall River, Wis; 20. Warren (Butch) Swinbank, Rockford; 21. William Glombicki, Jr (r), Machesney Park.

Heat 01 -- 1. Rob Goodman (r), McHenry; 2. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 3. Jerry Edge, Marengo; 4. Rob Solo Rio (r), Hampshire; 5. Andy Raley, Fall River, Wis; 6. William Glombicki, Jr (r), Machesney Park; 7. Steve Vaughn, Loves Park.

Heat 02 -- 1. Jason Dunn, Sun Prairie, Wis; 2. Ron Morris, Belvidere; 3. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 4. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 5. Tom Reents, Janesville, Wis; 6. Warren (Butch) Swinbank, Rockford; 7. Scott Lawver, Roscoe.

Heat 03 -- 1. Fred Nason, Roscoe; 2. Kurt Kleven, Cambridge, Wis; 3. Don Exline, Oak Lawn; 4. Chris Ehrhart, Deerfield, Wis; 5. Tory Bagley, McFarland, Wis; 6. Curt Thompson, Ft. Atkinson, Wis; 7. Brock Behnke, South Beloit.

Time Trial -- 1. Don Exline, Oak Lawn; 2. Fred Nason, Roscoe; 3. Kurt Kleven, Cambridge, Wis; 4. Chris Ehrhart,
Deerfield, Wis; 5. Tory Bagley, McFarland, Wis; 6. Brock Behnke, South Beloit; 7. Curt Thompson, Ft. Atkinson, Wis; 8. Scott Lawver, Roscoe; 9. Jason Dunn, Sun Prairie, Wis; 10. Tom Reents, Janesville, Wis; 11. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 12. Warren (Butch) Swinbank, Rockford; 13. Ron Morris, Belvidere; 14. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 15. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 16. Rob Goodman (r), McHenry; 17. Jerry Edge, Marengo; 18. Rob Solo Rio (r), Hampshire; 19. Andy Raley, Fall River, Wis; 20. William Glombicki, Jr (r), Machesney Park.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Kurt Kleven, Cambridge, Wis; 2. Fred Nason, Roscoe; 3. Chris Ehrhart, Deerfield, Wis; 4. Don Exline, Oak Lawn; 5. Tory Bagley, McFarland, Wis; 6. Brock Behnke, South Beloit.

NASCAR Late Models

A-Main 01 -- 1. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 2. Kyle Jarlsberg, Cambridge, Wis; 3. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 4. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 5. Michael Bilderback, South Beloit; 6. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 7. Mike Lloyd, Davis; 8. Steve Dobbratz, Rio, Wis; 9. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 10. Casey Johnson, Stoughton, Wis; 11. James Swan, Lake Geneva, Wis; 12. Tom Gille, Winnebago; 13. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Machesney Park; 14. Jacob Gille, Winnebago; 15. Bob Kahler, Caledonia; 16. Nick Shutkas, Loves Park; 17. Joe Rusciano, Crystal Lake; 18. John Beinlich (r), Prairie View; 19. Justin Schultz, Rio, Wis; 20. Timothy Slater, Hampshire; 21. Joe Darnell, Machesney Park; 22. Mikie Breiner (r), Johnburg; 23. Tim Noble, Janesville, Wis; 24. Tyler Peterson, Lake Geneva, Wis; 25. Brandon Eash (r), Rockford; 26. Jody Krueger,

Heat 01 -- 1. Bob Kahler, Caledonia; 2. Casey Johnson, Stoughton, Wis; 3. Justin Schultz, Rio, Wis; 4. Timothy Slater, Hampshire; 5. Nick Shutkas, Loves Park; 6. Joe Rusciano, Crystal Lake.

Heat 02 -- 1. Tyler Peterson, Lake Geneva, Wis; 2. Brandon Eash (r), Rockford; 3. John Beinlich (r), Prairie View; 4. Tom Gille, Winnebago; 5. Jody Krueger, Edgerton, Wis; 6. Joe Darnell, Machesney Park.

Heat 03 -- 1. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 2. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 3. Jacob Gille, Winnebago; 4. Steve Dobbratz, Rio, Wis; 5. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 6. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 7. Mike Lloyd, Davis.

Heat 04 -- 1. Kyle Jarlsberg, Cambridge, Wis; 2. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 3. James Swan, Lake Geneva, Wis; 4. Jon
Reynolds, Jr., Machesney Park; 5. Michael Bilderback, South Beloit; 6. Mikie Breiner (r), Johnburg; 7. Tim Noble, Janesville, Wis.

Time Trial -- 1. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 2. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Machesney Park; 3. Steve Dobbratz, Rio, Wis; 4. James Swan, Lake Geneva, Wis; 5. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 6. Michael Bilderback, South Beloit; 7. Jacob Gille, Winnebago; 8. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 9. Mike Lloyd, Davis; 10. Mikie Breiner (r), Johnburg; 11. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 12. Kyle Jarlsberg, Cambridge, Wis; 13. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 14. Tim Noble, Janesville, Wis; 15. Casey Johnson, Stoughton, Wis; 16. Tom Gille, Winnebago; 17. Nick Shutkas, Loves Park; 18. John Beinlich (r), Prairie View; 19. Bob Kahler, Caledonia; 20. Jody Krueger, Edgerton, Wis; 21. Joe Rusciano, Crystal Lake; 22. Brandon Eash (r), Rockford; 23. Justin Schultz, Rio, Wis; 24. Joe Darnell, Machesney Park; 25. Timothy Slater, Hampshire; 26. Tyler Peterson, Lake Geneva, Wis.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 2. Michael Bilderback, South Beloit; 3. Steve Dobbratz, Rio, Wis; 4. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Machesney Park; 5. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 6. James Swan, Lake Geneva, Wis.

NASCAR Road Runners

A-Main 01 -- 1. Bobby Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 2. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park; 3. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 4. Robert Roush, Marengo; 5. David Lignell, Rockford; 6. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 7. Richard Nielsen, Byron; 8. Anthony (Andy) Bristol, Rockford; 9. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 10. Dan Carlson, Rockford; 11. Vachenzia Jester, Beloit, Wis; 12. Chad Smith, Machesney Park; 13. Kenneth Brazee III, Machesney Park; 14. Dave Lumsden, Jr., Rockford; 15. Jason Brockway, Machesney Park; 16. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park; 17. Dana Czach, Wauconda; 18. Michael Neblock, Loves Park.

Heat 01 -- 1. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park; 2. Dan Carlson, Rockford; 3. Anthony (Andy) Bristol, Rockford; 4. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 5. Chad Smith, Machesney Park; 6. Marvin Butler, Rockford; 7. Dave Lumsden, Jr.,
Rockford.

Heat 02 -- 1. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 2. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 3. Jason Brockway, Machesney Park; 4. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park; 5. Kenneth Brazee III, Machesney Park; 6. Vachenzia Jester, Beloit, Wis; 7. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park.

Heat 03 -- 1. Robert Roush, Marengo; 2. Richard Nielsen, Byron; 3. Bobby Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 4. David Lignell,
Rockford; 5. Dana Czach, Wauconda; 6. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 7. Howie Ware, South Beloit.

Challenge 01 -- 1. David Lignell, Rockford; 2. Robert Roush, Marengo; 3. Kenneth Brazee III, Machesney Park; 4.
Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 5. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park; 6. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 7. Marvin Butler,
Rockford; 8. Michael Neblock, Loves Park.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Bobby Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 2. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 3. Dana Czach, Wauconda; 4. Gene
Marocco, Machesney Park; 5. Howie Ware, South Beloit.