By Jordan Kuehne

LOVES PARK, Ill. (Saturday, May 7th, 2011) -- On the night before Mother's Day, fans and drivers alike ran the emotional gamut tonight at the Rockford Speedway. And while the flagstand may have been empty, the checkered flag still waved for Tim Sargent as the Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models' defending champion made a late-race move to find his way back to victory lane and claim an emotional win on a night of healing.

Just days after the passing of long-time track starter Tom 'TP' Powell and ten days removed from the death of Sargent's father, Randy, the grieving racing community came together and found solace in the intense action on the quarter-mile oval. A late race move on a restart allowed Sargent's blazing fast machine to end up on top en route to the winner's circle.

“I had my dad with me tonight,” a reflective Sargent acknowledged in victory lane. “I was watching the ‘X’ car from the back and he was getting tighter and tighter and that was my only chance to get the lead but we had another man riding with us tonight and he helped me get it done.”

BJ Sparkman continued his early-season dominance in the Budweiser American Short Trackers, fending off his brother George to make it two wins in a row while Alex Papini's bid for two in a row was nipped in the bud by a car length. Anthony Lloyd edged out Papini for the win in the Mtn Dew RoadRunners while Tom Powell's nephew, Kodee Busekros, got to celebrate in victory lane with his family after race winner Ken Jones yielded to the 12-year-old in the American Super Cups.

‘Driver X’, Jon Reynolds Jr, exploded to the front in the Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models 30-lap headliner as Kyle Shear and Jerry Gille followed his trail, leaving Jake Gille in the dust when the green flag waved.

With Reynolds Jr. wasting no time stretching his lead out front, Jerry Gille had to make his move on Shear for second, looking for grip on the bottom of the quarter-mile oval as Brian Johnson Jr. took advantage of the action to make it a three-car fray for the bridesmaid’s position.

An aggressive maneuver by Gille allowed the two-time track champion to hang Shear out to dry on the high line as Johnson Jr. worked his way into a podium spot grabbing third.

Defending champion Tim Sargent pushed past Ryan Carlson for fourth as Shear’s slide continued. A caution bunched up the field with 13 laps remaining for fluid on the racetrack courtesy of Brandon Eash’s machine.

On the restart, Sargent surged to second before nudging Reynolds Jr. aside and sending him back to fourth. Carlson was a benefactor from the scramble, inheriting the second position as Gille settled into third.

As the fast qualifier ran away out front, the battle for second heated up as Carlson had to hold off a hard-charging Gille. He managed to do so to secure the bridesmaid's position but that's all Carlson could do on this night.

Tim Sargent navigated a familiar path to victory lane just ten days after the passing of his father Randy, a long-time Rockford driver himself. While the win assuredly asserts Sargent as a strong contender to defend last year’s title, the trip to the winner’s circle meant much more on this night.

Gille took home a hard-earned third while Brian Johnson Jr. tallied a fourth place effort. Kyle Shear rebounded from his early race struggles rallying for a top five finish in fifth.

Nabbing the early lead in the 25-lap Budweiser American Short Trackers main event was Nick Cina Jr. as Chris Jones closed quickly behind him. The 17-car field quickly worked their way into a single file line from positions one through six before opening night winner BJ Sparkman ducked out of line eyeing third with six laps completed.

Sparkman grabbed third but wasn’t satisfied, diving to the bottom of the track and maneuvering his machine to the inside of Jones for second. As brother George closed up behind him, BJ went door-to-door with Jones as Cina Jr. fell into the clutches of the field at the halfway mark.

BJ Sparkman completed the pass for second with 15 laps in the books and inherited the lead after Cina Jr. washed up the track in turn three, allowing both Sparkmans to get by. As BJ buoyed himself with a three-car cushion out front, George desperately tried to keep up in pursuit.

George managed to inch closer out of each turn and had slashed the deficit to a mere car length when the white flag waved. Despite brother George’s valiant late-race charge, BJ managed to prevail in the duel of the Sparkman clan claiming his second consecutive Budweiser American Short Trackers feature win to open the 2011 season.

“She’s working pretty good for an old dog there,” Sparkman admitted afterwards. “You really never know with my brother. Honestly, you never even want him to get that chance. We couldn’t even find this place last year so this is a great way to start the year.”

Cina Jr. held on for third while Scott Hoeft continued his strong start to the season with a fourth place offering. Fast qualifier Joe LaMarca completed the top five in fifth.

Arlen Roush grabbed the lead by a nose when the green flag waved on the 20-lap Mtn Dew RoadRunners feature. The veteran only led two laps before Anthony Lloyd drove past him on the inside, assuming command of the event as great racing dotted the speedway.

While Lloyd continued to lead at the halfway mark, opening night victor Alex Papini charged through the 23-car field. Papini worked his way from the back of the pack, blowing past three cars in the span of five laps to take over third place while Roush closed in on Lloyd out front.

With the laps clicking off at a rapid pace, Papini desperately tried to make it two in a row, surging into second as the white flag waved. His bid for a double dose of victory lane fell just short as Lloyd managed to fend him off by a mere car length to land the trophy in a nail-biting finish.

“I can’t thank enough people back in the shop,” Lloyd offered afterwards. “I’ve been waiting for this night for a long time and I lost my mom two years ago. This winter, we knew we were gonna come out tonight and dominate and this one’s for her.”

Arlen Roush settled for third while Howie Ware found his way through the field to notch a solid fourth. Dan Carlson finished off a strong night with a fifth place effort.

In the American Super Cups’ first visit to the legendary Rockford Speedway, it was Ken Jones racing out to the top spot in the 30-lap feature. Mick Ellis and Erik Gehrke gave chase in second and third as the scaled-down hot rods tamed the high banks.

After an early race caution slowed the proceedings, Gehrke used the restart to jump out front as Jones looked for the lead on the high line. The two veterans went side-by-side over the next eight laps, trading the lead as a six-car pack broke away from the rest of the field.

When the dust settled out front, Ken Jones once again emerged with the top spot as Gehrke, Ellis, and Erle Hoth followed behind him. Gehrke wasn’t done just yet however, working his way back to the lead with a daring low line pass with five laps remaining before relinquishing the top spot after getting caught behind a lapped car on the bottom of the track.

As the white flag waved, Ken Jones edged Gehrke to the line before every driver in the 14-car field outside of 12-year-old Kodee Buskeros hit the brakes. The touching gesture allowed the young gun to honor the legacy of his uncle, recently deceased Rockford Speedway starter Tom Powell, and claim the win in spirit before celebrating in victory lane with an emotional family.

The official scoring gave the victory to Ken Jones while Erik Gehrke finished second by a foot. Erle Hoth, Mick Ellis, and Jacob Van Wazer all managed to collect top fives after coming home third, fourth, and fifth respectively.

Busekros garnered an eighth place result.

Arlen Roush rushed out to the lead in the Sam’s Drive-In RoadRunner Challenge Morning Make-Up Dash as Raymond Hardesty gave chase in second. Drivers were required to put up on make-up while racing the eight-lap event and a panel of judges ultimately decided the winner based upon a few make-up parameters.

Roush emerged victorious and received a Mary Kay gift pack as a prize for his spoils. Hardesty snagged second while Jason Van Hise garnered a third place for his efforts.

Racing returns to the high banks of the Rockford Speedway in two weeks on Saturday, May 21st, for Military Night and anybody with a valid military ID receives FREE admission. A full schedule includes the opening round of the Gilley’s Cool 5 Series featuring the Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models, Bargain Hunter Sportsman, Budweiser American Short Trackers, and the Mtn Dew RoadRunners, plus the Sam’s Drive-In RoadRunner Challenge featuring RoadRunner Smokey Burnouts.

Gates open at 5pm with qualifying scheduled for 6pm and the green flag waving at 7:07pm sharp.

For more information, including visit the track’s website at www.rockfordspeedway.com or contact the Speedway Box Office at (815)633-1500.

Rockford Speedway Results

NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Week 2

NASCAR American Short Trackers

A-Main 01 -- 1. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 2. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 3. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere;
4. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 5. Joe LaMarca, Rockford; 6. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 7. Christopher Jones, Rockford; 8. Rachel Sparkman, Belvidere; 9. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 10. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 11. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 12. Bryan Ellis, Loves Park; 13. Alan Bekielewski, Roscoe; 14. David Russell, Jr., Machesney Park; 15. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 16. Nick Letsinger, Rockford; 17. Laura Siarkiewicz, Algonquin.

Heat 01 -- 1. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 2. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 3. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 4. Bryan Ellis, Loves Park; 5. Alan Bekielewski, Roscoe; 6. Nick Letsinger, Rockford; 7. David Russell, Jr., Machesney Park; 8. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 9. Laura Siarkiewicz, Algonquin.

Heat 02 -- 1. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 2. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 3. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 4. Christopher Jones, Rockford; 5. Joe LaMarca, Rockford; 6. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 7. Rachel Sparkman,
Belvidere; 8. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere.

Time Trial -- 1. Joe LaMarca, Rockford; 2. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 3. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 4. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 5. Christopher Jones, Rockford; 6. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 7. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 8. Rachel Sparkman, Belvidere; 9. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 10. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 11. Nick Letsinger, Rockford; 12. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 13. Alan Bekielewski, Roscoe; 14. Bryan Ellis, Loves Park; 15. David Russell, Jr., Machesney Park; 16. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 17. Laura Siarkiewicz, Algonquin.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 2. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 3. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 4. Joe LaMarca, Rockford; 5. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 6. Christopher Jones, Rockford.

NASCAR Late Models

A-Main 01 -- 1. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 2. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 3. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 4. Brian Johnson, Jr., Machesney Park; 5. Kyle Shear, Roscoe; 6. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 7. Wayne Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 8. Dave Edwards, Salem, Wis; 9. Curt Tillman, Roscoe; 10. Mitchell Garfield, Gilberts; 11. Jacob Gille, Machesney Park; 12. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 13. Vern Fagerberg, Bloomingdale; 14. Brad Becker, Delevan, Wis; 15. Steve McBride, South Beloit; 16. Brandon Eash, Machesney Park.

Heat 01 -- 1. Curt Tillman, Roscoe; 2. Dave Edwards, Salem, Wis; 3. Mitchell Garfield, Gilberts; 4. Brandon Eash, Machesney Park; 5. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 6. Vern Fagerberg, Bloomingdale; 7. Steve McBride, South Beloit; 8. Brad Becker, Delevan, Wis.

Heat 02 -- 1. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 2. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 3. Kyle Shear, Roscoe; 4. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 5. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 6. Brian Johnson, Jr., Machesney Park; 7. Wayne Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 8. Jacob Gille, Machesney Park.

Time Trial -- 1. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 2. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 3. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 4. Kyle Shear, Roscoe; 5. Brian Johnson, Jr., Machesney Park; 6. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 7. Jacob Gille, Machesney Park; 8. Wayne Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 9. Dave Edwards, Salem, Wis; 10. Mitchell Garfield, Gilberts; 11. Curt Tillman, Roscoe; 12. Brandon Eash, Machesney Park; 13. Vern Fagerberg, Bloomingdale; 14. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 15. Brad Becker, Delevan, Wis; 16. Steve McBride, South Beloit.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Kyle Shear, Roscoe; 2. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 3. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 4. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 5. Brian Johnson, Jr., Machesney Park; 6. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park.

NASCAR Road Runners

A-Main 01 -- 1. Anthony Lloyd, Loves Park; 2. Alex Papini, Machesney Park; 3. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 4. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 5. Dan Carlson, Rockford; 6. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 7. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 8. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 9. Terry Ciano, Jr., Janesville, Wis; 10. Billy McCoy, Belvidere; 11. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 12. James Gregory, Winnebago; 13. Steve Gregory, Machesney Park; 14. Sam Christofano, Rockford; 15. Dave Lumsden, Jr., Rockford; 16. Patrick Featherstone II, Byron; 17. Marvin Butler, Rockford; 18. Brian Mayer, Machesney Park; 19. Josh DiGiovanni, Machesney Park; 20. Shawn Rickelman, Rockton; 21. Kenneth Brazee III, Rockford; 22. Steven Dover, Machesney Park; 23. Roger Champlin, Beloit, Wis.

Heat 01 -- 1. Anthony Lloyd, Loves Park; 2. Terry Ciano, Jr., Janesville, Wis; 3. Marvin Butler, Rockford; 4. Roger Champlin, Beloit, Wis; 5. Patrick Featherstone II, Byron; 6. Steven Dover, Machesney Park; 7. Josh DiGiovanni, Machesney Park; 8. Tammy Hawkins, Machesney Park; 9. Shawn Rickelman, Rockton.

Heat 02 -- 1. James Gregory, Winnebago; 2. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 3. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 4. Adam
Cartwright, Woodstock; 5. Steve Gregory, Machesney Park; 6. Dave Lumsden, Jr., Rockford; 7. Kenneth Brazee III,
Rockford; 8. Brian Mayer, Machesney Park.

Heat 03 -- 1. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 2. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 3. Alex Papini, Machesney Park; 4. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 5. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 6. Sam Christofano, Rockford; 7. Billy McCoy, Belvidere.

Challenge 01 -- 1. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 2. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 3. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 4.
Kenneth Brazee III, Rockford; 5. Steven Dover, Machesney Park; 6. Adam Cartwright, Woodstock.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 2. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 3. Alex Papini, Machesney Park; 4. Billy McCoy, Belvidere; 5. Terry Ciano, Jr., Janesville, Wis.

American Super Cup Series

A-Main 01 -- 1. Ken Jones, Lombard; 2. Erik Gehrke, Grayslake; 3. Erle Hoth, Medinah; 4. Mick Ellis, Schaumburg; 5. Jacob VanWazer, Lombard; 6. Derrick VanDreel, Stevens Point, Wis; 7. Mike Mayer, Antioch; 8. Kodee Busekros, Rockford; 9. Andrew Forster, Lake Zurich; 10. David Cerer, Antioch; 11. Cody Erdmann, Mayville; 12. Dan Weinfurter, Libertyville; 13. Mike Baum, Mukwonago, Wis; 14. Theresa Udelle, Round Lake.

Heat 01 -- 1. Jacob VanWazer, Lombard; 2. Mike Mayer, Antioch; 3. Derrick VanDreel, Stevens Point, Wis; 4. Andrew Forster, Lake Zurich; 5. Mick Ellis, Schaumburg; 6. Kodee Busekros, Rockford; 7. Theresa Udelle, Round Lake.

Heat 02 -- 1. Erle Hoth, Medinah; 2. Ken Jones, Lombard; 3. Erik Gehrke, Grayslake; 4. David Cerer, Antioch; 5. Cody Erdmann, Mayville; 6. Mike Baum, Mukwonago, Wis; 7. Dan Weinfurter, Libertyville.

Time Trial -- 1. Erle Hoth, Medinah; 2. Derrick VanDreel, Stevens Point, Wis; 3. Mike Mayer, Antioch; 4. Erik Gehrke, Grayslake; 5. Mick Ellis, Schaumburg; 6. Ken Jones, Lombard; 7. Jacob VanWazer, Lombard; 8. David Cerer, Antioch; 9. Cody Erdmann, Mayville; 10. Andrew Forster, Lake Zurich; 11. Kodee Busekros, Rockford; 12. Mike Baum, Mukwonago, Wis; 13. Dan Weinfurter, Libertyville; 14. Theresa Udelle, Round Lake.