By Jordan Kuehne

LOVES PARK, Ill. (Saturday, July 31st, 2010) – Jerry Gille pulled closer to a third consecutive Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models title tonight taking advantage of other driver’s struggles and his rocket for a car and racing right through the window of opportunity on the way to his third victory of the season at the Rockford Speedway.

Gille fended off a last ditch effort from Jon Reynolds Jr. and never looked back en route to the winner’s circle while points leader Tim Sargent got tangled up in an early accident and was mired in the back of the pack for most of the race. The points gap narrowed to a slender 48 markers for Gille as Reynolds Jr. sits in second 32 points back with six weeks of racing action remaining in the 2010 campaign. “It’s time to turn it on again,” a pleased Gille stated in victory lane.

Kyle Lapier took home the win in the Budweiser American Short Trackers main event while a feisty Illini Midgets Series headliner was claimed by Tyler Trainor. Robert Roush tasted victory in the Mtn Dew RoadRunners feature.

Brandon Eash grabbed the lead in the early stages of the 30-lap main event for the Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models. Two-time defending champion Jerry Gille and ‘Driver X’, Jon Reynolds Jr, dueled for third before Gille burst up to second, passing Reynolds Jr. and Lloyd on the same lap.

Gille, who set fast time earlier in the evening, immediately set about tracking down Eash and the lead before a major development in the point’s battle took place. Points leader Tim Sargent made contact with Dan Lensing on the exit of turn four and the two went door-to-door on the frontstretch before Lensing made contact with Sargent in turn one. Sargent shot up into the turn one wall before getting nailed by Dave Edwards after coming to a rest.

Sargent returned to the track at the back of the pack as Lensing joined him in the rear. Gille eyed the top spot on the restart as Eash fended him off. With 12 laps in the books, Gille worked his way around Eash on the inside as Reynolds Jr. looked to join him in second.

Gille began building a cushion as Reynolds Jr. continued to search for a way around Eash’s machine. It didn’t take long for Reynolds Jr. to find the route around Eash on the restart as he burst into the runner-up spot and started to cut into Gille’s margin out front.

A battle for third emerged as Steve Rubeck worked his way on the inside of Eash. The two made contact in turn three with six laps to go sending Eash into the wall and creating a chain reaction of slamming on the brakes behind them. Mikie Breiner couldn’t get it done in time, running into the back of Eash before Tim Slater spun to avoid and ended up in the turn three wall. Rubeck was sent to the back for his role in the incident as Eash took his spot back.

Gille was too fast for Reynolds Jr. to catch over the final six laps as the veteran began another late season push with his third feature win of the 2010 campaign, chopping Sargent’s points lead to 48 markers.

“It felt like it was never gonna happen for a minute there,” said a smiling Gille after the race. “I know what those Cup (NASCAR Sprint Cup) drivers mean when they say you have to enjoy those victories. I have to thank Steve Strasburg and everyone for helping make this car so fast. It’s that time to turn it on again.”

Reynolds Jr. rolled to a second place finish as Mikie Breiner came home with a stellar top three finishing third. Eddie May continued a solid 2010 season with a fourth place effort while Eash recorded a top five for the first time in 2010.

Kyle Lapier jumped out front in the 25-lap Budweiser American Short Trackers main event. BJ Sparkman quickly set off in hot pursuit, negotiating his way up to second by lap three before turning his sights towards the leader.

Fast qualifier Zach Rodriguez joined the action out front to make it a three car fray, closing up to Sparkman’s bumper as the veteran peeked to the bottom of Lapier. The three drivers rode around for ten laps sizing up potential moves before Sparkman maneuvered to the inside of Lapier and pulled even for the top spot.

The two drivers went door-to-door for three laps before Lapier edged back ahead. Behind the leaders, the battle for third was heating up as Rodriguez fell into the clutches of Scott Hoeft with seven laps remaining. Hoeft moved to the bottom line in turn three and got loose sending him into the left rear quarter panel of Rodriguez and spinning him into the frontstretch wall.

Hoeft couldn’t get out of the way in time and slammed into the concrete ending his night early. Rodriguez was able to drive away and make repairs before returning to the back of the 12 car field. On the ensuing restart, Lapier took the high line back to the lead as he made the quarter-mile a little bit longer around the wall.

Sparkman made an attempt at a winning pass with three circuits to go but bobbled in turn one, costing him his chance at victory. Lapier’s night ended in victory lane as he went wire-to-wire out front to keep pace with points leader Nick Cina Jr. in the race for the title.

“It’s nice to get into victory lane like that,” a happy Lapier stated in the winner’s circle. “I have to thank BJ (Sparkman) for racing me clean out there. He had a chance to get me if he wanted to and raced me the right way. It’s a good win for us, by all means.”

Sparkman took home a hard earned runner-up finish as Jason Bragg collected third. Cina Jr. continued to tick off top fives in 2010 as he notched a fourth while Keith Pierce found his way into the top five in fifth.

The 25-lap Illini Midgets headliner got off to a fast start as the red flag flew on lap two for a hard accident involving Doug Orseske and Patrick Bruns in turn four. Bruns went for a wild ride caroming off the wall and flipping over before coming to a rest at the bottom of the track.

Eddie Sauer snatched the lead on the restart as Tyler Trainor closed in. Another caution flew two laps later for a solo spin by Kurt Mayhew on the frontstretch. Sauer immediately came under fire from Trainor on the restart, succumbing to the pressure before dropping to third.

Fast qualifier Derrick Gough and Dave Ohlendorf were battling for the bridesmaid’s position when they made contact and Ohlendorf slapped the turn two wall bringing out another yellow with 14 laps remaining.

Gough put the heat on Trainor right away as the action resumed taking several peeks on the inside entering the turns. Charlie Holt’s spin in turn one halted the proceedings and set up a four-lap shootout between Trainor and Gough.

Gough closed up fast as the green flew and dove to the inside of Trainor’s car looking for the win, even putting his nose out front at one point but couldn’t quite make it stick, settling for second as Trainor collected his first feature win of the season.

“We’ve been trying all year to get a win and those last couple laps we had some issues,” a relieved Trainor stated in victory lane. “I have to thank my team and my sponsors for helping me out. It was tough but we finally got it done.”

Gough claimed second as Lamont Critchett snagged third. Rookie Mike Gass had a great run finishing fourth while Sauer held on for a top five in fifth.

Marvin Butler paced the 24 car Mtn Dew RoadRunners field to green as their 20-lap feature event got underway. Chargin’ Charlie Frisch wasted no time working his way into the lead, blowing by Dave Lumsdun Jr. and Butler on the bottom line.

The caution flew with 15 circuits to go after a five car pileup in turn one. After the carnage was cleared, Frisch moved out front again as Brett McCoy set off on pursuit. A three-wide battle for second got frisky when Howie Ware tapped the rear of Dana Czach and sent him spinning in front of the whole field. The field managed to work their way around the idle car of Czach as the caution flew at the halfway mark with ten laps remaining.

On the restart, McCoy went side-by-side with Frisch as they duked it out for the lead. Frisch had to avoid a lapped car and a chain reaction led to a caution with six laps to go. McCoy finally made his move on the restart as Frisch fell off the pace with a flat tire. Robert Roush took Frisch’s spot in second and eyed the win with three to go.

Roush peeked to the inside as the white flag waved before slipping back on the exit of turn two ensuring McCoy crossed the line first. It was Roush’s hard fought second that ended up coming out ahead after McCoy failed post-race inspection.

Ricky Nielsen’s charge for a championship continued with a runner-up finish while his dad made it a family affair up front tallying third place for his efforts. Jason Van Hise and Dave Lumsden Jr. rounded out the top five in fourth and fifth respectively.

In an always exciting Sam’s Drive-In RoadRunner Challenge event, Jason Van Hise jumped out front early in the 2nd Over the Line Wins Race. The object of the race was pretty simple as the person who finished second won and whomever crossed the line first came home dead last.

While Van Hise paced the field for the majority of the race, Ricky Nielsen closed up on the last lap as the drivers up front began strategizing and jockeying for position heading to the start/finish line and the checkered flag. In a near photo finish, Nielsen collected victory by finishing second while Van Hise was the unlucky “winner”, crossing the line first to finish last. Brad Jones made it three-wide at the line and took home second.

Racing action returns to the Rockford Speedway this Wednesday for Equipment Depot Night. Another Wild Wednesday will feature a full slate of racing including the Mtn Dew RoadRunners Super Summer Series, Crap Scrapper Hornets, Winged Women on Wheels, National Figure 8 League, Spectacular Drags, INEX Legends, INEX Bandoleros, Allison Legends and the Yellowbook Hornet Drags. The green flag is set to wave at 7:07pm sharp with gates opening at 5pm. Qualifying will get underway at 6:10pm.

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

Rockford Speedway Results Week 12

NASCAR American Short Trackers

A-Main 01 -- 1. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 2. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 3. Jason Bragg, Rockford; 4. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 5. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 6. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 7. David Russell, Rockford; 8. Joe LaMarca, Rockford; 9. Jack Atchison, Stillman Valley; 10. Dave Lee, Rockford; 11. Christopher Jones, Rockford; 12. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis.

Heat 01 -- 1. David Russell, Rockford; 2. Christopher Jones, Rockford; 3. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 4. Jason Bragg, Rockford; 5. Dave Lee, Rockford; 6. Jack Atchison, Stillman Valley.

Heat 02 -- 1. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 2. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 3. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 4. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 5. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 6. Joe LaMarca, Rockford.

Time Trial -- 1. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 2. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 3. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 4. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 5. Joe LaMarca, Rockford; 6. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 7. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 8. Jason Bragg, Rockford; 9. Christopher Jones, Rockford; 10. David Russell, Rockford; 11. Jack Atchison, Stillman Valley; 12. Dave Lee, Rockford.

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

NASCAR Late Models

A-Main 01 -- 1. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 2. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 3. Mikie Breiner, Johnburg; 4. Eddie May, Crystal Lake; 5. Brandon Eash, Rockford; 6. Mike Lloyd, Davis; 7. Dan Lensing, Poplar Grove; 8. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 9. Steve Rubeck, Monroe Center; 10. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 11. Jacob Gille, Winnebago; 12. Wayne Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 13. David Cooter, Jr, Machesney Park; 14. Timothy Slater, Hampshire; 15. Vern Fagerberg, Bloomingdale; 16. Joe Darnell, Machesney Park; 17. Dave Edwards, Salem, Wis; 18. Tyler Peterson, Lake Geneva, Wis; 19. Kyle Shear, Roscoe; 20. Steve Erickson, Jr, Machesney Park.

Heat 01 -- 1. Eddie May, Crystal Lake; 2. David Cooter, Jr, Machesney Park; 3. Tyler Peterson, Lake Geneva, Wis; 4. Vern Fagerberg, Bloomingdale; 5. Dave Edwards, Salem, Wis; 6. Timothy Slater, Hampshire; 7. Joe Darnell,
Machesney Park.

Heat 02 -- 1. Brandon Eash, Rockford; 2. Mikie Breiner, Johnburg; 3. Wayne Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 4. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 5. Jacob Gille, Winnebago; 6. Kyle Shear, Roscoe; 7. Steve Erickson, Jr, Machesney Park.

Heat 03 -- 1. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 2. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 3. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 4. Steve Rubeck, Monroe Center; 5. Mike Lloyd, Davis; 6. Dan Lensing, Poplar Grove.

Time Trial -- 1. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 2. Dan Lensing, Poplar Grove; 3. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 4. Steve Rubeck, Monroe Center; 5. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 6. Mike Lloyd, Davis; 7. Mikie Breiner, Johnburg; 8. Brandon Eash, Rockford; 9. Jacob Gille, Winnebago; 10. Kyle Shear, Roscoe; 11. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 12. Steve Erickson, Jr, Machesney Park; 13. Wayne Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 14. Dave Edwards, Salem, Wis; 15. Timothy Slater, Hampshire; 16. Eddie May, Crystal Lake; 17. Vern Fagerberg, Bloomingdale; 18. David Cooter, Jr, Machesney Park; 19. Tyler Peterson, Lake Geneva, Wis; 20. Joe Darnell, Machesney Park.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 2. Mike Lloyd, Davis; 3. Steve Rubeck, Monroe Center; 4. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 5. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 6. Dan Lensing, Poplar Grove.

NASCAR Road Runners

A-Main 01 -- 1. Robert Roush, Marengo; 2. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 3. Richard Nielsen, Byron; 4. Jason Van Hise,
Loves Park; 5. Dave Lumsden, Jr., Rockford; 6. Anthony Vito, Crystal Lake; 7. Billy McCoy, Belvidere; 8. James Gregory, Winnebago; 9. Josh DiGiovanni, Loves Park; 10. Brad Jones, Rockton; 11. Jonathon Dean, Machesney Park; 12. Charlie Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 13. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 14. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park; 15. Dana Czach, Wauconda; 16. Marvin Butler, Rockford; 17. Brian Mayer, Machesney Park; 18. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 19. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 20. Mike Leopold, Algonquin; 21. Linnea Lundy, Loves Park; 22. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 23. Jason Brockway, Machesney Park; 24. Howie Ware, South Beloit.

Heat 01 -- 1. Dave Lumsden, Jr., Rockford; 2. Marvin Butler, Rockford; 3. Linnea Lundy, Loves Park; 4. James Gregory, Winnebago; 5. Richard Nielsen, Byron; 6. Brad Jones, Rockton; 7. Robin Merigold, Monee; 8. Josh DiGiovanni, Loves Park.

Heat 02 -- 1. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 2. Brian Mayer, Machesney Park; 3. Billy McCoy, Belvidere; 4. Mike
Leopold, Algonquin; 5. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park; 6. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 7. Anthony Vito, Crystal Lake; 8.
Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 9. Jason Brockway, Machesney Park.

Heat 03 -- 1. Dana Czach, Wauconda; 2. Robert Roush, Marengo; 3. Charlie Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 4. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 5. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 6. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 7. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 8. Brett McCoy, Belvidere.

Challenge 01 -- 1. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 2. Brad Jones, Rockton; 3. Robert Roush, Marengo; 4. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 5. Matt Belknap, Lake in the Hills; 6. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 7. Jonathon Dean, Machesney Park; 8. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 9. Brett McCoy, Belvidere.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Charlie Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 2. Robert Roush, Marengo; 3. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 4. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 5. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 6. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park.

Illini Racing Series Midgets

A-Main 01 -- 1. Tyler Trainor, Streator; 2. Derrick Gough, Roscoe; 3. Lamont Critchett, Demotte, Ind.; 4. Mike Gass;; 5. Eddie Sauer, Davis; 6. Rich Drangmeister, DeMotte, Ind.; 7. Bob Adams, St. Charles; 8. Mason Hadley, Downers Grove; 9. Jason Dull, Machesney Park; 10. Jim Canterbury, Rock Island; 11. Doug Orseske, Frankfort; 12. Allen Gillis, Westmont; 13. Charlie Holt, Lamont; 14. Dave Ohlendorf, Manhattan; 15. Kurt Mayhew, Demotte, Ind.; 16. Mike Stroehle;; 17. Scott Koerner, Joliet.

Heat 01 -- 1. Charlie Holt, Lamont; 2. Derrick Gough, Roscoe; 3. Tyler Trainor, Streator; 4. Dave Ohlendorf, Manhattan; 5. Eddie Sauer, Davis; 6. Rich Drangmeister, DeMotte, Ind.; 7. Jason Dull, Machesney Park; 8. Mike Gass;; 9. Kurt Mayhew, Demotte, Ind..

Heat 02 -- 1. Doug Orseske, Frankfort; 2. Patrick Bruns, Champaign; 3. Lamont Critchett, Demotte, Ind.; 4. Scott
Koerner, Joliet; 5. Bob Adams, St. Charles; 6. Mason Hadley, Downers Grove; 7. Mike Stroehle;; 8. Jim Canterbury, Rock Island; 9. Allen Gillis, Westmont.

Time Trial -- 1. Tyler Deschaine, Loves Park; 2. Derrick Gough, Roscoe; 3. Tyler Trainor, Streator; 4. Charlie Holt, Lamont; 5. Allen Gillis, Westmont; 6. Dave Ohlendorf, Manhattan; 7. Mike Gass;; 8. Jason Dull, Machesney Park; 9. Kurt Mayhew, Demotte, Ind.; 10. Rich Drangmeister, DeMotte, Ind.; 11. Eddie Sauer, Davis; 12. Bob Adams, St. Charles; 13. Jim Canterbury, Rock Island; 14. Mike Stroehle;; 15. Lamont Critchett, Demotte, Ind.; 16. Scott Koerner, Joliet; 17. Mason Hadley, Downers Grove; 18. Doug Orseske, Frankfort; 19. Patrick Bruns, Champaign.