By Jordan Kuehne

LOVES PARK, Ill. (Saturday, September 5, 2009) – Jerry Gille inched ever closer to his second consecutive Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Model championship tonight at the Rockford Speedway, grabbing the lead in the early stages of the 30-lap headliner and fending off an advance from title contender Jon Reynolds Jr for his third victory of the season. In the process, Gille extended his points lead over seven-time track champion Ricky Bilderback to 13 markers, while Reynolds Jr. fell to 26 points off the pace with just one week remaining in the battle for the crown. On Speedway Auto Mall Team Racing Night which featured the top ten drivers in the point standings in all four NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions randomly teamed up, Gille aided his Team Sunoco as they combined for the lowest overall score in the four features and collected bragging rights and glory. Doug Bennett drove to victory in the Bargain Hunter Sportsman 25-lap feature and maintained a steady eight point lead over three-time defending champion Fred Nason in the standings. Brett McCoy won the Budweiser American Short Trackers main event while Jason Brockway brought home the trophy in the Mtn Dew RoadRunners feature.

Mikie Breiner jumped out front in the early stages of the 30-lap Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models feature event. Breiner was leading when the caution flew five laps into the race for a spin in turn four by John Beinlich.

On the restart, points leader Jerry Gille and title contender “Driver X”, Jon Reynolds Jr, made their moves, moving past Breiner and Tyler Peterson into first and second as the other title contender, Ricky Bilderback, followed them into third. Reynolds Jr. immediately began peeking on the inside of Gille, trying to take away the top spot with a move reminiscent of last week’s victorious pass.

Reynolds Jr. gave Gille all he could handle, trying to work the low line for the lead for several laps but the defending champion was simply too strong, fending off the challenge and hitting his marks over the final 15 laps to take the checkers first.

Gille collected his third feature win of the season and extended his points lead over seven-time track champion Bilderback to 13 while Reynolds Jr. fell 26 points behind with only one week remaining on the season. Gille also put Team Sunoco in the lead on Team Racing Night with his victory, with only the Mtn Dew RoadRunners feature event remaining.

Bilderback, Breiner and Peterson rounded out the top five.

Scott Lawver made an early move for the lead in the 25-lap Bargain Hunter Sportsman feature, as the tight points battle between Doug Bennett and Fred Nason came to fruition on the track as the two veterans worked their way through the field into second and third respectively.

Bennett tracked down Lawver for the top spot, battling side-by-side for three laps before finally claiming the lead halfway into the feature. Nason followed the points leader into second as Matt Berger jumped to the inside lane and grabbed third.

Nason slowly closed back up on Bennett’s bumper, peeking to the inside and trying to position himself properly in hopes of a late race pass for the win. As the white flag waved, Nason made a last gasp effort using the bottom lane, getting halfway alongside the leader but not quite completing the move as Bennett managed to hold on for his fourth feature win of the season.

In the process, Bennett maintained a steady points lead, as his margin is at eight with just one week remaining. Bennett also garnered momentum for Team Five Star Racing Bodies with his win.

Matt Berger, Lawver and Rob Goodman finished off the top five in the race.

The 25-lap main event for the Budweiser American Short Trackers witnessed Brett McCoy grab an early lead before the caution flew for a Zach Rodriguez spin on the frontstretch with six laps clicked off. On the restart, Nick Cina Jr. maneuvered his way into second and turned his sights on the leader as McCoy tried to nurse his lead over the remaining laps.

Not too far behind the top two positions, points leader George Sparkman was steadily working his way through the field, finding himself in an intense battle for third with rookie Scott Hoeft. The newcomer and the veteran battled side-by-side for the position for seven laps before Sparkman prevailed, taking third away.

Sparkman immediately moved to the bottom groove and worked his way by Cina Jr. for second, making a last ditch effort for the win but coming up half a car length short as McCoy held on to go wire-to-wire for his first feature win of the season. McCoy helped Team Moroso get off to a good start on the evening, earning the minimum of one point with his victory.

Cina Jr, Hoeft and Steve Erickson Jr. completed the top five.

Jason Brockway went wire-to-wire in the 20-lap Mtn Dew RoadRunners feature event, picking up the victory after foiling several late race efforts by points leader Bobby Frisch. Brockway collected the hardware for his first feature win of the season.

Frisch’s second place finish locked up the first annual Team Racing Night victory, as Team Sunoco, comprised of Frisch, Jerry Gille, George Sparkman and Steve Vaughn, earned bragging rights, glory and a prize package courtesy of Jack Daniels and O’Reilly Auto Parts.

Brockway, Arlyn Roush, Sonny Schoffen and Robert Roush rounded out the top five.

Robert Roush was victorious earlier in the evening during a taxing Sam’s Drive-In RoadRunner Challenge, flushing away several challengers to claim the crown in the Outhouse Race.

The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series returns to the Rockford Speedway for the final time this season next Saturday night, as tight points battles in the Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models and Bargain Hunter Sportsman come to their exciting conclusions on Whelen Engineering Championship/Fan Appreciation Night. A full slate is on deck with champions being crowned in the Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models, Bargain Hunter Sportsman, Budweiser American Short Trackers and Mtn Dew RoadRunners plus the Sam’s Drive-In RoadRunner Challenge will determine a champion with their Creeper Race and the Popeye’s Kids Mini Grand Prix will also be in action. There will be a post-race bonfire with live music and a lot of fun for everyone. Gates open at 5pm with qualifying getting underway at 6pm and the green flag waves at 7:07pm sharp. Adult tickets are just $10 while kids ages 6-11 are $5 and children 5 and under are admitted for FREE.

For more information, including the full schedule for the 44th annual National Short Track Championships and much 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. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 2. Fred Nason, Roscoe; 3. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 4. Scott Lawver, Roscoe; 5. Rob Goodman (r), McHenry; 6. Brock Behnke, South Beloit; 7. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 8. Steve Vaughn, Loves Park; 9. Don Exline, Oak Lawn; 10. Ron Morris, Belvidere.

Heat 01 -- 1. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 2. Don Exline, Oak Lawn; 3. Steve Vaughn, Loves Park; 4. Rob Goodman (r), McHenry; 5. Scott Lawver, Roscoe.

Heat 02 -- 1. Brock Behnke, South Beloit; 2. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 3. Ron Morris, Belvidere; 4. Fred Nason, Roscoe; 5. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis.

Time Trial -- 1. Fred Nason, Roscoe; 2. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 3. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 4. Brock Behnke, South Beloit; 5. Ron Morris, Belvidere; 6. Don Exline, Oak Lawn; 7. Scott Lawver, Roscoe; 8. Rob Goodman (r), McHenry; 9. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 10. Steve Vaughn, Loves Park; 11. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Ron Morris, Belvidere; 2. Fred Nason, Roscoe; 3. Brock Behnke, South Beloit; 4. Don Exline, Oak Lawn; 5. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis.

NASCAR American Short Trackers

A-Main 01 -- 1. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 2. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 3. Nick Cina, Jr, Roscoe; 4. Scott Hoeft (r), Watertown, Wis; 5. Steve Erickson, Jr, Rockton; 6. Rachel Sparkman, Loves Park; 7. Jason Bragg, Rockford; 8. Jeffery Turnure, Rockford; 9. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 10. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 11. Tanner Atchison, Byron; 12. Victor Young, Genoa; 13. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 14. Dave Lee, Rockford; 15. Laura Siarkiewicz (r), Algonquin; 16. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 17. Jack Atchison, Stillman Valley; 18. Matt Woelber (r), Belvidere; 19. Alex Papini, Big Rapids, Mich..

Heat 01 -- 1. Jason Bragg, Rockford; 2. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 3. Jeffery Turnure, Rockford; 4. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 5. Victor Young, Genoa; 6. Dave Lee, Rockford; 7. Laura Siarkiewicz (r), Algonquin.

Heat 02 -- 1. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 2. Scott Hoeft (r), Watertown, Wis; 3. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 4. Rachel Sparkman, Loves Park; 5. Matt Woelber (r), Belvidere; 6. Jack Atchison, Stillman Valley.

Heat 03 -- 1. Nick Cina, Jr, Roscoe; 2. Steve Erickson, Jr, Rockton; 3. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 4. Zach
Rodriguez, Rockton; 5. Tanner Atchison, Byron; 6. Alex Papini, Big Rapids, Mich..

Time Trial -- 1. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 2. Steve Erickson, Jr, Rockton; 3. Tanner Atchison, Byron; 4. Nick Cina, Jr, Roscoe; 5. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 6. Jack Atchison, Stillman Valley; 7. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 8. Matt Woelber (r), Belvidere; 9. Scott Hoeft (r), Watertown, Wis; 10. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 11. Rachel Sparkman, Loves Park; 12. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 13. Jeffery Turnure, Rockford; 14. Jason Bragg, Rockford; 15. Victor Young, Genoa; 16. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 17. Dave Lee, Rockford; 18. Laura Siarkiewicz (r), Algonquin; 19. Alex Papini, Big Rapids, Mich..

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 2. Nick Cina, Jr, Roscoe; 3. Tanner Atchison, Byron; 4. Steve Erickson, Jr, Rockton; 5. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 6. Alex Papini, Big Rapids, Mich..

NASCAR Late Models

A-Main 01 -- 1. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 2. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Machesney Park; 3. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 4. Mikie Breiner (r), Johnburg; 5. Tyler Peterson, Lake Geneva, Wis; 6. Jacob Gille, Winnebago; 7. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 8. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 9. John Beinlich (r), Prairie View; 10. Brandon Eash (r), Rockford; 11. Dave Cooter, Jr., Lincolnshire; 12. Joe Darnell, Machesney Park.

Heat 01 -- 1. Brandon Eash (r), Rockford; 2. John Beinlich (r), Prairie View; 3. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 4. Mikie Breiner (r), Johnburg; 5. Dave Cooter, Jr., Lincolnshire; 6. Joe Darnell, Machesney Park.

Heat 02 -- 1. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 2. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 3. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Machesney Park; 4. Ricky
Bilderback, Rockton; 5. Jacob Gille, Winnebago; 6. Tyler Peterson, Lake Geneva, Wis.

Time Trial -- 1. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Machesney Park; 2. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 3. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 4. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 5. Jacob Gille, Winnebago; 6. Tyler Peterson, Lake Geneva, Wis; 7. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 8. Mikie Breiner (r), Johnburg; 9. John Beinlich (r), Prairie View; 10. Dave Cooter, Jr., Lincolnshire; 11. Joe Darnell, Machesney Park; 12. Brandon Eash (r), Rockford; 13. Timothy Slater (r), Hampshire.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Jacob Gille, Winnebago; 2. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Machesney Park; 3. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 4. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 5. Tyler Peterson, Lake Geneva, Wis; 6. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton.

NASCAR Road Runners

A-Main 01 -- 1. Jason Brockway, Machesney Park; 2. Bobby Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 3. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 4. Sonny
Schoffen, Island Lake; 5. Robert Roush, Marengo; 6. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 7. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 8.
Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 9. Anthony (Andy) Bristol, Rockford; 10. Brian Mayer, Machesney Park; 11. John Logan, Jr., Loves Park; 12. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park; 13. Kris Nilson, Rockford; 14. Jim Ehle, Belvidere; 15. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 16. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 17. Billy McCoy, Belvidere; 18. Dave Lumsden, Jr., Rockford; 19. Eric Schoffen, Crystal Lake; 20. David Lignell, Rockford; 21. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 22. Dana Czach, Wauconda; 23. Brian Smith, Rockford; 24. Richard Nielsen, Byron; 25. Linnea Lundy, Loves Park; 26. Michael Neblock, Loves Park; 27. Kyle Watts, Machesney Park; 28. Marvin Butler, Rockford; 29. Kenneth Brazee III, Machesney Park; 30. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park.

Heat 01 -- 1. Sonny Schoffen, Island Lake; 2. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 3. Jim Ehle, Belvidere; 4. Marvin Butler, Rockford; 5. Kyle Watts, Machesney Park; 6. Brian Smith, Rockford; 7. Michael Neblock, Loves Park; 8. Kenneth Brazee III, Machesney Park; 9. Steve Gregory, Machesney Park.

Heat 02 -- 1. Anthony (Andy) Bristol, Rockford; 2. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park; 3. Jason Brockway, Machesney
Park; 4. Brian Mayer, Machesney Park; 5. Dave Lumsden, Jr., Rockford; 6. Linnea Lundy, Loves Park; 7. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park; 8. Alex Papini, Big Rapids, Mich..

Heat 03 -- 1. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 2. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 3. Billy McCoy, Belvidere; 4. John Logan, Jr., Loves Park; 5. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 6. Eric Schoffen, Crystal Lake; 7. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 8. David Lignell, Rockford.

Heat 04 -- 1. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 2. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 3. Bobby Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 4. Robert Roush, Marengo; 5. Dana Czach, Wauconda; 6. Kris Nilson, Rockford; 7. Charlie Frisch, Beloit, Wis.

Challenge 01 -- 1. Robert Roush, Marengo; 2. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 3. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 4. Kyle Watts, Machesney Park; 5. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park; 6. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 7. Eric Schoffen, Crystal Lake; 8. Dana Czach, Wauconda; 9. Kenneth Brazee III, Machesney Park; 10. Michael Neblock, Loves Park; 11. Brian Mayer, Machesney Park.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Bobby Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 2. Kris Nilson, Rockford; 3. Dana Czach, Wauconda; 4. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park; 5. Howie Ware, South Beloit.