By Jordan Kuehne

LOVES PARK, Ill. (Saturday, August 22, 2009) – Ricky Bilderback knows a thing or two about points racing at the Rockford Speedway, evidenced by his record-tying seven Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Model track championships. Tonight, Bilderback moved just a little closer to fulfilling his quest for a record-setting eighth title, grabbing the lead early in the 30-lap feature and holding off a furious late-race charge from points leader Jerry Gille for his fifth feature victory of the year. With only three weeks remaining on the season, Gille’s points lead was sliced to just a single point over Bilderback, while the third wheel of the points battle, Jon Reynolds Jr, edged out Gille for second by mere inches. George Sparkman cushioned his points lead in the Budweiser American Short Trackers with a victory over his brother, BJ. Dana Czach Jr, Tom Palma and Cory Cootware also collected feature victories on the evening.

Mike Lloyd jumped out front in the beginning stages of the 30-lap Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models main event as Ricky Bilderback, looking to make a move in the standings and potentially reclaim the points lead from defending champion Jerry Gille, jumped into second from his fourth place starting spot.

The red flag came out five laps into the feature when rookie Mikie Breiner backed into the wall in turn three. Both John Beinlich and Jake Gille had nowhere to go, unfortunately making hard contact with Breiner’s machine as points leader Jerry Gille, Tyler Peterson and Nick Shutkas were also involved in the mayhem. Jerry Gille managed to return to the track on the lead lap after changing a flat tire during the caution.

On the restart, Bilderback moved down to the bottom groove of the racing surface to take away the lead from Lloyd as Jon Reynolds Jr, up to third in points entering the weekend, followed him into second. Jerry Gille rocketed from the back to third in just seven laps, passing Steve Dobbratz for the position. Gille turned his sights toward the leaders as he slowly reeled in Reynolds Jr. for the second position.

The battle for second was intense as Gille managed to track down Reynolds Jr. and get side-by-side with “Driver X” on the final lap, but he came up inches short as Jon Reynolds Jr. barely held on for the bridesmaid’s position.

Ricky Bilderback collected his fifth feature victory of the season as all of the furious action was safely behind him in his rearview mirror. In the process, Bilderback closed the gap on Gille to just one point with just three weeks remaining in the race for the championship.

“We got a couple breaks tonight,” stated a pleased Bilderback in victory lane. “Gille had a fast, fast car out there and we started out front (in fourth) and just hit our marks. It’s nice to get another win, especially with the points battle coming to an end.”

Mike Lloyd and Tim Noble rounded out the top five.

Rookie Matt Booker started out front and after just one lap, went to the back, losing power in his machine and bringing out the caution on the second lap of the 25-lap Budweiser American Short Trackers main event.

Jason Bragg grabbed the lead on a wild restart, as points leader George Sparkman jumped into third as his brother, BJ Sparkman, followed him into fourth. Bragg wasn’t out front long before Steve Erickson Jr. began pressuring him for the lead as the Sparkman brothers joined the fray.

Erickson Jr. got loose out of turn two allowing George Sparkman to make his way into second as BJ found himself in third. George Sparkman put the heat on Bragg, getting side-by-side with the leader and using the bottom line to take away the top spot halfway into the race as BJ once again followed his brother, this time into second.

It was smooth sailing out front for George Sparkman until Erickson Jr, running third, spun out unassisted in turn four with five laps remaining. Running in fifth and sixth respectively, Jack Atchison and Scott Hoeft couldn’t avoid Erickson Jr as they both piled into his idled car. Erickson Jr. and Hoeft’s promising nights were over early after the incident.

George Sparkman held off his brother’s late race efforts to collect his second feature win of the season, extending his lead in the standings to 27 points in doing so.

BJ Sparkman, Bragg, Nick Cina Jr. and Jeffery Turnure Jr finished off the top five.

Tom Palma grabbed the lead when the green flag waved on the 20-lap INEX Legends headliner. Bobby Yonkee drove through the field to second as fast qualifier Aaron Moyer worked his way to third.

With just four laps remaining, Moyer used the inside to maneuver by Yonkee for the second position before setting his sights on Palma for the lead. Moyer ran out of time though, as Tom Palma held on for his second feature win of the season on the high-banked quarter mile.

Rachael Pinkerman, consistent all year long in the
division, held on to claim the INEX Legends championship over Kyle Jusits, becoming one of the first women to claim a title in a non-female exclusive division in the long, storied history of the Rockford Speedway.

Yonkee came home third while Adam Rawski had a solid finish crossing the finish line in fourth.

Dana Czach Jr. found victory lane in the 20-lap Mtn Dew RoadRunners feature tonight, topping the 19 car field by grabbing an early lead and holding off a late move by Joe LaMarca to collect the trophy.

Robert Roush had a strong run, coming home third while points leader Bobby Frisch and Howie Ware, who fought back from an earlier incident, rounded out the top five.

Cory Cootware won the 6-lap INEX Bandoleros feature, holding off Morgan Melichar for the victory and the championship crown.

Earlier in the evening, Jason Van Hise lengthened his lead in the Sam’s Drive-In RoadRunner Challenge standings, taking home the win in an exciting Double OH! Race that honored Windsor Auto Sales Breast Cancer Awareness Night.

The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series returns to the Rockford Speedway next Saturday night for Bobcat of Rockford Kid’s Night and The Great Bike Give-A-Way. On tap next weekend are the Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models, Bargain Hunter Sportsman, Mtn Dew RoadRunners and the Central States Super Cups plus the Sam’s Drive-In RoadRunner Challenge featuring the Driver’s Bike Race as well as Kids Bike Races. Gates open at 5pm with qualifying scheduled for 6pm and the green flag waving at 7:07pm. Tickets are $10 for adults and all kids ages 11 and under get in FREE! Numerous bikes will be given away to lucky children in the stands during the evening.

For more information, including the remaining 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 American Short Trackers

A-Main 01 -- 1. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 2. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 3. Jason Bragg, Rockford;
4. Nick Cina, Jr, Roscoe; 5. Jeffery Turnure, Rockford; 6. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 7. Kyle Lapier (r), Belvidere; 8. Tanner Atchison, Byron; 9. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 10. Rachel Sparkman, Loves Park; 11. Jack Atchison, Stillman Valley; 12. Dave Lee, Rockford; 13. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 14. Steve Erickson, Jr, Rockton; 15. Scott Hoeft (r), Watertown, Wis; 16. Laura Siarkiewicz (r), Algonquin; 17. Matt Booker (r), Wonder Lake; 18. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton.

Heat 01 -- 1. Kyle Lapier (r), Belvidere; 2. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 3. Rachel Sparkman, Loves Park; 4. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 5. Jack Atchison, Stillman Valley; 6. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 7. Dave Lee, Rockford; 8. Laura Siarkiewicz (r), Algonquin; 9. Jeffery Turnure, Rockford.

Heat 02 -- 1. Jason Bragg, Rockford; 2. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 3. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 4. Steve Erickson, Jr, Rockton; 5. Nick Cina, Jr, Roscoe; 6. Tanner Atchison, Byron; 7. Scott Hoeft (r), Watertown, Wis; 8. Matt Booker (r), Wonder Lake; 9. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton.

Time Trial -- 1. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 2. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 3. Steve Erickson, Jr,
Rockton; 4. Tanner Atchison, Byron; 5. Jason Bragg, Rockford; 6. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 7. Scott Hoeft (r),
Watertown, Wis; 8. Matt Booker (r), Wonder Lake; 9. Nick Cina, Jr, Roscoe; 10. Jack Atchison, Stillman Valley; 11. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 12. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 13. Rachel Sparkman, Loves Park; 14. Kyle Lapier (r), Belvidere; 15. Jeffery Turnure, Rockford; 16. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 17. Dave Lee, Rockford; 18. Laura Siarkiewicz (r), Algonquin.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 2. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 3. Zach Rodriguez,
Rockton; 4. Tanner Atchison, Byron; 5. Steve Erickson, Jr, Rockton; 6. Jason Bragg, Rockford.

NASCAR Late Models

A-Main 01 -- 1. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 2. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Machesney Park; 3. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 4. Mike Lloyd, Davis; 5. Tim Noble, Janesville, Wis; 6. Steve Dobbratz, Rio, Wis; 7. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 8. Brandon Eash (r), Rockford; 9. Nick Shutkas, Loves Park; 10. Dave Cooter, Jr., Lincolnshire; 11. Jacob Gille, Winnebago; 12. Timothy Slater (r), Hampshire; 13. Joe Darnell, Machesney Park; 14. Bryan Ellis, Loves Park; 15. Tyler Peterson, Lake Geneva, Wis; 16. John Beinlich (r), Prairie View; 17. Mikie Breiner (r), Johnburg; 18. Tom Gille, Winnebago.

Heat 01 -- 1. Brandon Eash (r), Rockford; 2. Tim Noble, Janesville, Wis; 3. Dave Cooter, Jr., Lincolnshire; 4. Tyler Peterson, Lake Geneva, Wis; 5. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 6. Joe Darnell, Machesney Park; 7. Bryan Ellis, Loves Park.

Heat 02 -- 1. Mike Lloyd, Davis; 2. Tom Gille, Winnebago; 3. Mikie Breiner (r), Johnburg; 4. Timothy Slater (r), Hampshire; 5. John Beinlich (r), Prairie View.

Heat 03 -- 1. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 2. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 3. Steve Dobbratz, Rio, Wis; 4. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Machesney Park; 5. Jacob Gille, Winnebago.

Time Trial -- 1. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 2. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 3. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Machesney Park; 4. Steve Dobbratz, Rio, Wis; 5. Fred Nason, Roscoe; 6. Jacob Gille, Winnebago; 7. Nick Shutkas, Loves Park; 8. Mikie Breiner (r), Johnburg; 9. Tom Gille, Winnebago; 10. John Beinlich (r), Prairie View; 11. Mike Lloyd, Davis; 12. Timothy Slater (r), Hampshire; 13. Tyler Peterson, Lake Geneva, Wis; 14. Tim Noble, Janesville, Wis; 15. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 16. Brandon Eash (r), Rockford; 17. Dave Cooter, Jr., Lincolnshire; 18. Joe Darnell, Machesney Park; 19. Bryan Ellis, Loves Park.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 2. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 3. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Machesney Park; 4. Steve Dobbratz, Rio, Wis; 5. Jacob Gille, Winnebago; 6. Fred Nason, Roscoe.

NASCAR Road Runners

A-Main 01 -- 1. Dana Czach, Wauconda; 2. Joe LaMarca, Rockford; 3. Robert Roush, Marengo; 4. Bobby Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 5. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 6. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 7. Billy McCoy, Belvidere; 8. David Lignell, Rockford; 9. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 10. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 11. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park; 12. Linnea Lundy, Loves Park; 13. Michael (Mike) Wallis, Machesney Park; 14. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park; 15. Richard Nielsen, Byron; 16. Mike Leopold, Algonquin; 17. Brian Mayer, Machesney Park; 18. Justin Hawkins, Machesney Park; 19. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry.

Heat 01 -- 1. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 2. Billy McCoy, Belvidere; 3. Justin Hawkins, Machesney Park; 4. Lloyd
Hawkins, Machesney Park; 5. Mike Leopold, Algonquin; 6. Linnea Lundy, Loves Park; 7. Michael (Mike) Wallis,
Machesney Park; 8. Jason Brockway, Machesney Park.

Heat 02 -- 1. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 2. Alex Papini, Machesney Park; 3. Brian Mayer, Machesney Park; 4. Richard Nielsen, Byron; 5. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 6. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 7. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park.

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

Challenge 01 -- 1. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 2. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park; 3. Robert Roush, Marengo; 4.
Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 5. Justin Hawkins, Machesney Park; 6. David Lignell, Rockford; 7. Mike Leopold,
Algonquin.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Alex Papini, Machesney Park; 2. Dana Czach, Wauconda; 3. Joe LaMarca, Rockford; 4. Bobby
Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 5. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 6. Robert Roush, Marengo.