By Jordan Kuehne

LOVES PARK, Ill. (Saturday, May 22nd, 2010) – You can call him the comeback man. Jerry Gille started his charge for a third consecutive title at the Rockford Speedway tonight, setting fast time and controlling the Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models feature, blowing past eleven cars and taking the lead on lap 10. Gille held off a strong Tim Sargent after a late caution, taking the checkers and making amends for a devastating opening week that left him behind the eight ball early. Gille has shaved over 25 points off his deficit since week one and sits a mere 23 points behind Sargent, well within striking range as the summer months approach. Rachel Sparkman and Nick Cina Jr. had the crowd on their feet in the Budweiser American Short Trackers headliner, trading the lead for 12 laps before Sparkman inched by the points leader on the outside at the finish line, collecting her first career feature win and earning a standing ovation. Doug Bennett, Robert Roush, and Allen Gillis also collected wins in their respective feature events.

Mark Hartline jumped out front as the 30-lap Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models main event got underway. Two-time defending champion and fast qualifier Jerry Gille pushed past eight cars into fourth over the course of the opening four laps.

Gille cleared Wayne Freimund and Kyle Shear to negotiate his way into second as Hartline worked feverishly in an attempt to build a cushion. His cushion evaporated fast as Gille’s rocket ship flew past Hartline on the inside with 19 laps remaining, sailing away to a three car length lead.

The battle for third between Freimund and Shear went back and forth until Shear’s run of bad luck continued, spinning around unassisted in turn two with 17 laps remaining to bring out the yellow flag. Jerry Gille jumped out front on the restart as Mike Lloyd and Tim Sargent dueled for fourth. Sargent managed to work past Lloyd for fourth and he didn’t stop there, mashing his way by Hartline and Jake Gille into the bridesmaid’s position.

Just when it appeared as though Jerry Gille might run away and hide, the caution that Tim Sargent desperately needed came when young Tyler Peterson went on a date with the concrete in turn two. With a seven lap dash to the finish on the horizon, Ricky Bilderback made the Delaware double-file cone work to his advantage, hopping up to third and assuming the position as the first car on the inside.

Sargent received another opportunity to challenge for the win after a Brandon Eash spin with five laps remaining brought out the third caution of the race. As the white flag waved, Sargent closed up to Gille’s back bumper but ran out of time, falling two car lengths short as Jerry Gille held on for his first feature win of 2010.

“This was a win that we really needed,” a pleased Gille said in victory lane. “The points are obviously nice after week one (when Gille didn’t start the feature due to mechanical issues) but getting that first win, the monkey off the back, that is one of the best feelings there is. The car was a rocket ship tonight and I have to thank the crew for that; they did a great job putting me in a position to win.”

Sargent settled for second while Mike Lloyd notched a solid third place effort. Bilderback fought a loose race car but held on for fourth and Jake Gille had a strong fifth-place finish to round out the top five.

The action was heated in the early stages of the 25-lap Budweiser American Short Trackers headliner as defending champion George Sparkman and Kyle Lapier got locked up on the opening lap. Both drivers suffered a flat tire in the mayhem and were forced into the pits for repairs.

Up front, Keith Pierce snatched the lead as points leader Nick Cina Jr. charged through the field, gaining five spots and moving up to third by lap seven. Rachel Sparkman began sizing up Pierce for the lead as Cina Jr. closed up behind.

Rachel Sparkman grabbed the top spot, using the bottom groove to work her way by the veteran driver as the caution flew for a pileup in turn four with 14 circuits to go. Joe LaMarca and BJ Sparkman made contact, prematurely ending LaMarca’s night.

On the ensuing restart, Rachel Sparkman jumped out to a two car length lead as Cina Jr. maneuvered his way past Pierce into second. With starter Steve Vettore showing ten laps remaining, Scott Hoeft’s engine let go entering turn one, leaving a trail of fluid that sent a helpless Tanner Atchison and Kyle Lapier careening into the outside retaining wall.

Ten laps and a mirror full of Nick Cina Jr. were all that separated Rachel Sparkman from her first career feature win. On the restart, Cina Jr. jumped to the inside of the leader as the two drivers went door-to-door, trading paint as well as the top spot over the final laps. Side-by-side coming to the white flag, both drivers threw their cars deep into the turns over the final quarter-mile. With the entire crowd on its feet, third-generation driver Rachel Sparkman held up the family name well, edging Cina Jr. by a mere tire at the line to collect her first feature victory.

“Holy cow,” an excited Sparkman stated in victory lane. “I never thought this was going to be me. As a third-generation driver, I thought this was my dad’s thing, my grandpa’s thing, my uncle’s thing, but I never thought this day would come. It feels so great to win one of these (features). I really can’t do the feeling justice.”

Jason Bragg maneuvered his way up to third while BJ Sparkman rallied from an early incident for fourth. Keith Pierce had his best showing of the short season so far, hanging on for fifth to complete the top five.

Bobby Yonkee nabbed the lead in the beginning stages of the 25-lap Bargain Hunter Sportsman main event. Points leader Matt Berger charged from the back up to fourth, turning his attention towards third place Brock Behnke with five laps in the books.

The caution flew with 14 laps remaining for an incident involving Ron Morris and Matt Lundberg in turn one. Both drivers got together and went around before straightening things out and continuing the race in the back.

When the green flag waved Brock Behnke made his move, pushing past Rob Goodman for second and immediately applying heat to the back bumper of the young Yonkee. Berger looked to follow suit, clearing Goodman for third with ten laps remaining before making short work of Behnke for the bridesmaid’s position.

Berger wasted no time in challenging Yonkee for the lead, peeking on the inside four times but failing to make it stick exiting turn two on each occasion. An Austin Nason trip through the spin cycle set the stage for a green-white-checkered shootout between Berger and Yonkee. While under caution, Brock Behnke’s hood came unlatched, snuffing out the former champion’s third-place run and sending him to the pits.

In a finish reminiscent of action seen on Sundays, 15-year-old Bobby Yonkee fended off both Berger and Doug Bennett to cross the line first. The action was in the young gun’s rearview mirror as Berger and Bennett made contact in turn two on the final lap, sending Berger spinning into the infield and costing him the points lead. However, it was Bennett that collected the win and inherited the points lead after Yonkee was disqualified during post-race inspection.

Rob Goodman had a strong second place showing while third-place Ron Morris, fourth-place Matt Lundberg, and fifth-place Butch Swinbank all had solid top-five efforts.

Doug Orseske snatched the top spot when the green flag waved in the 25-lap Illini Midgets main event. Aaron Willis Jr. made mincemeat of the second row, jumping from his sixth place starting position up to second in two laps.

Willis Jr. wasn’t alone for long, coming under fire from local driver Eddie Sauer for second before the caution waved on lap nine for a spin in turn one. Defending series champion Allen Gillis blew past Sauer for second as Willis Jr. fell off the pace with mechanical gremlins.

As the halfway point came and went, Gillis made his move in the division that the legendary facility was originally built to host, working over the inside of Orseske in turn four before completing the pass at the end of the frontstretch to inherit the lead. With the lead in hand, Gillis built a comfortable cushion over Orseske, hitting his marks over the final 12 laps to top the 17 car field and collect his second consecutive victory at Rockford.

Freddie Teer Jr. managed a solid third while Tyler Deschaine came home fourth. Derrick Gough edged out Sauer at the line to round out the top five in fifth.

The 20-lap Mtn Dew RoadRunners main event got off to a fast start as Robert Roush assumed control early. Making his 2010 debut, Charlie Frisch wasted no time charging from his fifth place starting position into second, swiftly turning his sights toward the leader on lap three.

A game of cat and mouse began on lap five as Frisch peeked to the inside of Roush exiting turn two, looking for an opening to stick his nose into. Over the final ten laps, Frisch worked his way onto the inside of Roush on three occasions, only to have his effort for the win thwarted by lapped traffic or a loose race car each time.

Roush held off a last gasp effort by Frisch at the line, edging out the venerable veteran by a nose for his first feature win of the young 2010 season. Coupled with a pair of second place finishes, Roush’s 2010 season has gotten off to a good start.

Howie Ware’s solid season continued as he managed a third place effort while Jeff Allendorf and Jarrod Sutherland rounded out the top five.

Tonight’s Sam’s Drive-In RoadRunner Challenge featured the Do the Dew Challenge as five drivers chugged a glass of Mtn Dew before completing four laps around the high banks. Robert Roush busted out first, leading the pack around in good time after he got jacked up on the Dew. Roush, maybe feeling some liquid courage, made it three-wide with Mike Wallis and Mike Leopold on lap two and survived unscathed, holding on for the victory. Raymond Hardesty collected crucial points, holding on for second.

A wild night of racing foreshadowed what promises to be another great night of action next Saturday, as the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series makes their way back to the high banks with a full slate of racing excitement that will be in 3-D! On tap for Cost Cutters Racing in 3-D Night are the Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models, Bargain Hunter Sportsman, Budweiser American Short Trackers, Mtn Dew RoadRunners as well as the Sam's Drive-In RoadRunner Challenge featuring the Double Spin to Win and a Rollover Contest is also in the cards. Gates open at 5pm with qualifying getting underway at 5:45pm. The green flag waves at 7:07pm sharp.

For more information on the Rockford Speedway, including a full 2010 schedule and more, visit the track's website at www.rockfordspeedway.com or call the Speedway Box Office at (815)633-1500.

Rockford Speedway Week 4 Results

NASCAR All American Sportsmen

A-Main 01 -- 1. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 2. Rob Goodman, McHenry; 3. Ron Morris, Belvidere; 4. Matt Lundberg, Rockford; 5. Warren (Butch) Swinbank, Rockford; 6. Scott Lawver, Roscoe; 7. Brock Behnke, South Beloit; 8. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 9. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 10. Austin Nason (r), Roscoe; 11. Jerome Edge (r), Marengo; 12. Joey Thomas, Rockford; 13. Matt Doris, Arlington Hghts; 14. Mike Musial, Countryside; 15. Bobby Yonke, Willowbrook.

Heat 01 -- 1. Warren (Butch) Swinbank, Rockford; 2. Bobby Yonke, Willowbrook; 3. Scott Lawver, Roscoe; 4. Rob
Goodman, McHenry; 5. Jerome Edge (r), Marengo; 6. Mike Musial, Countryside; 7. Matt Doris, Arlington Hghts; 8. Joey Thomas, Rockford.

Heat 02 -- 1. Brock Behnke, South Beloit; 2. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 3. Ron Morris, Belvidere; 4. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 5. Austin Nason (r), Roscoe; 6. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 7. Matt Lundberg, Rockford.

Time Trial -- 1. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 2. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 3. Ron Morris, Belvidere; 4. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 5. Brock Behnke, South Beloit; 6. Matt Lundberg, Rockford; 7. Austin Nason (r), Roscoe; 8. Rob Goodman, McHenry; 9. Scott Lawver, Roscoe; 10. Bobby Yonke, Willowbrook; 11. Warren (Butch) Swinbank, Rockford; 12. Jerome Edge (r), Marengo; 13. Joey Thomas, Rockford; 14. Mike Musial, Countryside; 15. Matt Doris, Arlington Hghts; 16. Joshua Grenlund, Delavan, Wis.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 2. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 3. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 4. Brock Behnke, South Beloit; 5. Matt Lundberg, Rockford; 6. Ron Morris, Belvidere.

NASCAR American Short Trackers

A-Main 01 -- 1. Rachel Sparkman, Loves Park; 2. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 3. Jason Bragg, Rockford; 4. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 5. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 6. Jack Atchison, Stillman Valley; 7. Dave Lee, Rockford; 8. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 9. Laura Siarkiewicz, Algonquin; 10. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 11. Tanner Atchison, Byron; 12. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 13. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 14. Christopher Jones, Rockford; 15. Joe LaMarca, Rockford; 16. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton.

Heat 01 -- 1. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 2. Rachel Sparkman, Loves Park; 3. Christopher Jones, Rockford; 4. Joe LaMarca, Rockford; 5. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 6. Dave Lee, Rockford; 7. Laura Siarkiewicz, Algonquin; 8. Jack Atchison, Stillman Valley.

Heat 02 -- 1. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 2. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 3. Tanner Atchison, Byron; 4. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 5. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 6. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 7. Jason Bragg, Rockford; 8. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton.

Time Trial -- 1. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 2. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 3. Jason Bragg, Rockford; 4.
George Sparkman, Loves Park; 5. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 6. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 7. Tanner Atchison, Byron; 8.
Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 9. Joe LaMarca, Rockford; 10. Rachel Sparkman, Loves Park; 11. Jack Atchison, Stillman Valley; 12. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 13. Christopher Jones, Rockford; 14. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 15. Dave Lee,
Rockford; 16. Laura Siarkiewicz, Algonquin.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 2. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 3. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 4. Jason Bragg, Rockford; 5. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 6. George Sparkman, Loves Park.

NASCAR Late Models

A-Main 01 -- 1. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 2. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 3. Mike Lloyd, Davis; 4. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 5. Jacob Gille, Winnebago; 6. Wayne Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 7. Eddie May, Crystal Lake; 8. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 9. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 10. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 11. David Cooter, Jr, Machesney Park; 12. Steve Erickson, Jr, Machesney Park; 13. Brandon Eash, Rockford; 14. Tyler Peterson, Lake Geneva, Wis; 15. Joe Darnell, Machesney Park; 16. Kyle Shear, Roscoe; 17. Curt Tillman, Rockford.

Heat 01 -- 1. Curt Tillman, Rockford; 2. Mike Lloyd, Davis; 3. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 4. David Cooter, Jr, Machesney Park; 5. Tyler Peterson, Lake Geneva, Wis; 6. Wayne Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 7. Steve Erickson, Jr, Machesney Park; 8. Brandon Eash, Rockford; 9. Joe Darnell, Machesney Park.

Heat 02 -- 1. Eddie May, Crystal Lake; 2. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 3. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 4. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 5. Jacob Gille, Winnebago; 6. Kyle Shear, Roscoe; 7. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 8. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 9. Mikie Breiner, Johnburg.

Time Trial -- 1. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 2. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 3. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 4. Mikie Breiner, Johnburg; 5. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 6. Kyle Shear, Roscoe; 7. Eddie May, Crystal Lake; 8. Jacob Gille, Winnebago; 9. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 10. Wayne Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 11. Tyler Peterson, Lake Geneva, Wis; 12. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 13. David Cooter, Jr, Machesney Park; 14. Mike Lloyd, Davis; 15. Steve Erickson, Jr, Machesney Park; 16. Curt Tillman, Rockford; 17. Joe Darnell, Machesney Park; 18. Brandon Eash, Rockford; 19. Dave Edwards, Salem, Wis; 20. Alex Papini, Machesney Park; 21. Vern Fagerberg, Bloomingdale.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 2. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 3. Mikie Breiner, Johnburg; 4. Jon
Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 5. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 6. Kyle Shear, Roscoe.

NASCAR Road Runners

A-Main 01 -- 1. Robert Roush, Marengo; 2. Charlie Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 3. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 4. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 5. Jarrod Sutherland, Machesney Park; 6. Dana Czach, Wauconda; 7. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 8. Anthony Vito, Crystal Lake; 9. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 10. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 11. Ron Young, Rockford; 12. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 13. Richard Nielsen, Byron; 14. Brian Mayer, Machesney Park; 15. Jason Brockway, Machesney Park; 16. Marvin Butler, Rockford; 17. Jerry Edge, Marengo; 18. Anthony Lloyd, Loves Park; 19. Mike Leopold, Algonquin; 20. Michael (Mike) Wallis, Machesney Park; 21. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 22. Curt Nighswonger, Rockford; 23. Josh DiGiovanni, Loves Park; 24. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park.

Heat 01 -- 1. Charlie Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 2. Richard Nielsen, Byron; 3. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 4. Marvin Butler, Rockford; 5. Anthony Lloyd, Loves Park; 6. Josh DiGiovanni, Loves Park; 7. Curt Nighswonger, Rockford; 8. Michael (Mike) Wallis, Machesney Park.

Heat 02 -- 1. Jarrod Sutherland, Machesney Park; 2. Dana Czach, Wauconda; 3. Brian Mayer, Machesney Park; 4. Ron
Young, Rockford; 5. Robert Roush, Marengo; 6. Jerry Edge, Marengo; 7. Mike Leopold, Algonquin; 8. Ricky Nielsen,
Rockford.

Heat 03 -- 1. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park; 2. Anthony Vito, Crystal Lake; 3. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 4. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 5. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 6. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 7. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 8. Jason Brockway, Machesney Park.

Challenge 01 -- 1. Robert Roush, Marengo; 2. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 3. Jerry Edge, Marengo; 4. Michael (Mike) Wallis, Machesney Park; 5. Mike Leopold, Algonquin.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 2. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 3. Jarrod Sutherland, Machesney
Park; 4. Dana Czach, Wauconda; 5. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 6. Brett McCoy, Belvidere.

Illini Racing Series Midgets

A-Main 01 -- 1. Allen Gillis, Westmont; 2. Doug Orseske, Frankfort; 3. Freddie Teer, Jr, Union; 4. Tyler Deschaine, Loves Park; 5. Derrick Gough, Roscoe; 6. Eddie Sauer, Davis; 7. Tyler Trainor, Streator; 8. Loran Critchett Jr., Alsip; 9. Charlie Holt, Lamont; 10. Bob Adams, St. Charles; 11. Jim Canterbury, Rock Island; 12. Scott Koerner, Joliet; 13. Aaron Willis, Jr, Essex; 14. Sean Murphy, Joliet; 15. Kurt Mayhew, Demotte, Ind.; 16. Lamont Critchett, Demotte, Ind.; 17. Dave Ohlendorf, Manhattan.

Heat 01 -- 1. Allen Gillis, Westmont; 2. Lamont Critchett, Demotte, Ind.; 3. Loran Critchett Jr., Alsip; 4. Derrick Gough, Roscoe; 5. Tyler Trainor, Streator; 6. Tyler Deschaine, Loves Park; 7. Aaron Willis, Jr, Essex; 8. Scott Koerner, Joliet.

Heat 02 -- 1. Doug Orseske, Frankfort; 2. Eddie Sauer, Davis; 3. Bob Adams, St. Charles; 4. Dave Ohlendorf,
Manhattan; 5. Kurt Mayhew, Demotte, Ind.; 6. Sean Murphy, Joliet; 7. Freddie Teer, Jr, Union; 8. Jim Canterbury, Rock Island.

Time Trial -- 1. Allen Gillis, Westmont; 2. Charlie Holt, Lamont; 3. Tyler Deschaine, Loves Park; 4. Loran Critchett Jr., Alsip; 5. Lamont Critchett, Demotte, Ind.; 6. Aaron Willis, Jr, Essex; 7. Tyler Trainor, Streator; 8. Derrick Gough, Roscoe; 9. Scott Koerner, Joliet; 10. Doug Orseske, Frankfort; 11. Dave Ohlendorf, Manhattan; 12. Freddie Teer, Jr, Union; 13. Eddie Sauer, Davis; 14. Bob Adams, St. Charles; 15. Kurt Mayhew, Demotte, Ind.; 16. Sean Murphy, Joliet; 17. Jim Canterbury, Rock Island.