By Jordan Kuehne

LOVES PARK, Ill. (Saturday, June 18th, 2011) -- On a night of destruction, Jerry Gille admitted he had to survive an encounter with the outside wall to find his way through a narrow hole en route to the winner's circle for the Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models main event. With fans packed into the historic Rockford Speedway for the Kar Korner Original Trailer Race of Destruction, Gille wowed the crowd with his aggressive maneuvers amidst heavy traffic before the veteran tracked down Mark Hartline and made a late race pass for his second feature win of the season.

"We really started deep in the field," the two-time champion acknowledged afterwards. "I had to hit the wall at one point just to put it in the hole there and get to the front."

Matt Berger continued his bounce back with a victory in the Bargain Hunter Sportsman while Rachel Sparkman survived a last gasp move from uncle BJ to claim the checkers for the Budweiser American Short Trackers. The Mtn Dew RoadRunners headliner went to Terry Ciano Jr. while 'Caterpillar' Miller prevailed in the battle of attrition that was the Original Trailer Race of Destruction.

The Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models feature event got off to a quick start as Mark Hartline held onto the top spot as soon as the green flag waved on the 30-lap race.

‘Driver X’, Jon Reynolds Jr, started in the back of the pack and quickly worked up to sixth by lap seven as he looked to cash in an extra $800 courtesy of the Gerber Collision & Glass Challenge. The fast qualifier moved into the top five with just ten laps in the books as John Beinlich got hung out on the high side of the oval.

As Hartline eased away to a straightaway advantage, teammate Mitch Garfield tried to piece together a second consecutive strong run riding around in the bridesmaid’s position.

While Kyle Shear nosed his way past Dave Edwards for a podium spot in third, veteran Jerry Gille’s aggressive maneuver netted him fourth as points leader Ryan Carlson followed in hot pursuit.

Gille garnered second as the halfway mark flew by while Carlson worked his way through traffic and into third. Jerry Gille quickly ate away the huge gap between himself and Hartline, blowing past Hartline with eight laps remaining.

Carlson wasn’t far behind, cruising into second and setting his sights on the leader with five circuits to go. With a straightaway advantage though, no one was catching Jerry Gille on this muggy summer evening.

The longtime contender had to survive some harrowing moments just to squeeze into a hole that led him to the front, never looking back on the way to his second feature victory of the year. With the win, Gille continued to erase some of his hard-luck from the early portion of the season, slashing his deficit in points to just 53 markers as the midseason championships await next weekend.

"We old fat guys can still get it done," he joked. "It was really hard to not just move cars out of the way when you're pinned down. I had to be patient and wait for the right moment and I've been around long enough to know when to go."

Carlson's streak of two consecutive feature wins was snapped as the top gun in points settled for second. Reynolds Jr's dash for the cash landed him third while defending champion Tim Sargent found himself in fourth by the end of the night. Hartline rounded out the top five in fifth.

Rachel Sparkman rolled to a cushy lead as the 25-lap Budweiser American Short Trackers headliner went green.

Behind the leader, Steve Drays quickly drove up to second as Nick Cina Jr. and BJ Sparkman negotiated the heavy traffic to move up to third and fourth respectively.

Rachel Sparkman enjoyed an enormous edge out front when trouble struck in the form of lapped car Jack Atchison – the veteran didn’t locate Sparkman’s rapidly closing machine and the two made contact sending Atchison around and forcing a yellow flag with 17 laps left.

On the restart, a determined Nick Cina Jr. worked the low line looking for the lead but his move came up short as Sparkman slipped out and snagged a slim advantage. Drays dug in on the high side of the quarter-mile oval to commandeer second as Cina Jr. got hung out on the bottom groove of the speedway and fell to sixth.

Points leader BJ Sparkman made his move with nine laps remaining, diving to the bottom and grabbing a podium spot in third before pressuring Drays for the runner-up position. With just one mile to go, Drays slipped up and lost the spot to BJ to set up a late race dash.

BJ Sparkman closed up to the back of his niece’s bumper before making a last gasp dive to the bottom of the high banked oval. His last-lap effort came up a few feet short as Rachel Sparkman held on for her second career feature win at the historic speed plant.

BJ Sparkman's teammate, Scott Hoeft, came home third while Steve Drays' strong outing netted him fourth. George Sparkman finished off the family outing with a fifth place effort.

Brad Gerke grabbed the early advantage in the 25-lap Bargain Hunter Sportsman main event as 2010 champion Matt Berger and heat-race winner Rich Hinerichson gave chase.

Berger blasted through the field and into second by lap two and was soon challenging for the top spot, using the low line to get around Gerke with 20 laps to go. Doug Bennett and Hinerichson dueled for third before the caution fell for a solo trip through the spin cycle by Brandon Swinbank in turn one.

On the restart, the fast qualifier stepped out to a solid advantage as Bennett worked over Gerke for the bridesmaid’s position. With young points leader Austin Nason in tow, a loose Doug Bennett lost control exiting turn three with 12 circuits remaining and suddenly found himself dropping to fourth as Gerke escaped and Nason drove by for third.

Bennett quickly rebounded and began looking for third as Berger drove away from the rest of the pack out front. That large lead was erased in a moment when Swinbank spun out again in turn two with six laps left.

Nason wasted no time nabbing second when the green flag waved as Berger once again slipped out to a comfortable edge out front. Gerke and Matt Lundberg went door-to-door for a podium spot as the laps wound down.

No one had anything for Matt Berger though, as the defending champ continued his mid-season turnaround with his first feature win of the season, closing the points gap to 24 markers behind the 15-year-old young gun.

Austin Nason's great season continued as the points leader extended his advantage in the standings to nine points over fourth-place finisher Matt Lundberg with a runner-up effort. Brad Gerke placed third for his best finish of the season while Bennett rallied for a fifth place result.

A fast and furious start kicked off the 20-lap Mtn Dew RoadRunners main event as Adam Cartwright, Jason Van Hise, and Terry Ciano Jr. battled for the lead from the beginning.

Ciano Jr. emerged with the top spot on lap six as Cartwright washed up the track and slipped to second. Howie Ware worked the low side of the asphalt en route to second as ‘Mean’ Gene Marocco followed suit on his way to third.

With Ciano Jr. cruising to a comfortable margin out front, Marocco began to envision a path that would help him get around Ware’s machine. The bottom groove was points leader Alex Papini’s chosen route as he pushed past Cartwright for fourth on the way to another top five finish.

While Marocco couldn’t find the traction to take away second from Ware, Terry Ciano Jr. was never really challenged in his first trip to the winner’s circle in 2011.

With Howie Ware edging him out for second, Marocco's third place finish placed the long time vet four points behind Alex Papini, who ended up fourth. Last weekend's feature winner, Dana Czach, completed the top five with a fifth place showing.

A special edition of the Sam’s Drive-In RoadRunner Challenge greeted drivers on Kar Korner Trailer Race Night as Jeff Allendorf led the field to the line as the wheelmen had to evade buses and trucks towing trailers en route to the checkered flag.

Allendorf dodged and weaved his way through traffic on his way to the checkered flag as the eight-lap race breezed by.

Caterpillar Miller prevailed in an action-packed Kar Korner World Famous Original Trailer Race of Destruction that featured 25 different combinations of truck, van, bus, and car, all with colorful trailers in tow.

Miller survived a late-race attempt as his final rival competitor couldn’t fire up his machine after the carnage littered the racetrack with debris and the shattered dreams of truck and trailer tandems that had hoped to claim the top prize for the always entertaining event. Fans rose to their feet and roared their approval as several trailers went down in flames, literally, while a couple vehicles flipped over in the beginning stages of the race.

Wild Wednesday makes its 2011 debut this upcoming Wednesday night, June 22nd, as the Mtn Dew RoadRunner Summer Series kicks off its mad dash through the seven-week summer season. Increased purses greet the drivers of the Bandits, INEX Legends, Bandoleros, and Misfits while the Winged Women on Wheels, Figure 8, and Law Office of Kim MacCloskey Spectacular Drags make their season debuts as well.

Adult admission is just $8 while teenagers ages 12-17 get in for $6 and kids ages 6-11 get in for only $4. Children ages 5 and under are FREE with gates opening at 5:30pm and the green flag waving on all the exciting racing action at 7:07pm sharp!

For more information, including a full 2011 schedule, visit the track website at www.rockfordspeedway.com or contact the Speedway Box Office at (815)633-1500.

Rockford Speedway Results Week 7

NASCAR All American Sportsmen

A-Main 01 -- 1. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 2. Austin Nason, Roscoe; 3. Brad Gerke (r), Loves Park; 4. Matt Lundberg, Rockford; 5. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 6. Rich Hinerichsen, II, Machesney Park; 7. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 8. Rob Goodman, McHenry; 9. Robert Roush (r), Marengo; 10. Shannon Stoltz (r), Machesney Park; 11. Brandon Swinbank (r), Rockford.

Heat 01 -- 1. Robert Roush (r), Marengo; 2. Brad Gerke (r), Loves Park; 3. Rob Goodman, McHenry; 4. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 5. Brandon Swinbank (r), Rockford; 6. Shannon Stoltz (r), Machesney Park.

Heat 02 -- 1. Rich Hinerichsen, II, Machesney Park; 2. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 3. Austin Nason, Roscoe; 4. Matt
Lundberg, Rockford; 5. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis.

Time Trial -- 1. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 2. Austin Nason, Roscoe; 3. Rich Hinerichsen, II, Machesney Park; 4. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 5. Matt Lundberg, Rockford; 6. Brad Gerke (r), Loves Park; 7. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 8. Robert Roush (r), Marengo; 9. Rob Goodman, McHenry; 10. Shannon Stoltz (r), Machesney Park; 11. Brandon Swinbank (r), Rockford.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 2. Austin Nason, Roscoe; 3. Rich Hinerichsen, II, Machesney Park; 4. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 5. Matt Lundberg, Rockford; 6. Brad Gerke (r), Loves Park.

NASCAR American Short Trackers

A-Main 01 -- 1. Rachel Sparkman, Belvidere; 2. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 3. Scott Hoeft, Watertown,
Wis; 4. Steve Drays, Milton, Wis; 5. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 6. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 7. Zach Rodriguez,
Rockton; 8. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 9. Christopher Jones, Rockford; 10. Nick Letsinger, Rockford; 11. David Russell, Jr, Machesney Park; 12. Alan Bekielewski, Roscoe; 13. Dave Lee, Rockford; 14. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 15. Laura Siarkiewicz, Algonquin; 16. Brad Henrey, Rockford; 17. Jack Atchison, Stillman Valley.

Heat 01 -- 1. David Russell, Jr, Machesney Park; 2. Christopher Jones, Rockford; 3. Rachel Sparkman, Belvidere; 4. Alan Bekielewski, Roscoe; 5. Brad Henrey, Rockford; 6. Jack Atchison, Stillman Valley; 7. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 8. Dave Lee, Rockford; 9. Laura Siarkiewicz, Algonquin.

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

Time Trial -- 1. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 2. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 3. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 4. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 5. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 6. Nick Letsinger, Rockford; 7. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 8. Steve Drays, Milton, Wis; 9. Rachel Sparkman, Belvidere; 10. Christopher Jones, Rockford; 11. Alan Bekielewski, Roscoe; 12. David Russell, Jr, Machesney Park; 13. Brad Henrey, Rockford; 14. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 15. Jack Atchison, Stillman Valley; 16. Dave Lee, Rockford; 17. Laura Siarkiewicz, Algonquin.

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

NASCAR Late Models

A-Main 01 -- 1. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 2. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 3. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 4. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 5. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 6. Kyle Shear, Roscoe; 7. Mitchell Garfield (r), Gilberts; 8. Tom Gille, Winnebago; 9. Dave Edwards, Salem, Wis; 10. Wayne Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 11. John Beinlich, Prairie View; 12. Curt (Billy Bob) Tillman, Roscoe; 13. Vern Fagerberg, Bloomingdale.

Heat 01 -- 1. Curt (Billy Bob) Tillman, Roscoe; 2. John Beinlich, Prairie View; 3. Wayne Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 4. Mitchell Garfield (r), Gilberts; 5. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 6. Vern Fagerberg, Bloomingdale; 7. Dave Edwards, Salem,

Heat 02 -- 1. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 2. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 3. Tom Gille, Winnebago; 4. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 5. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 6. Kyle Shear, Roscoe.

Time Trial -- 1. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 2. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 3. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 4. Kyle Shear, Roscoe; 5. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 6. Tom Gille, Winnebago; 7. Dave Edwards, Salem, Wis; 8. Wayne Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 9. Mitchell Garfield (r), Gilberts; 10. John Beinlich, Prairie View; 11. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 12. Curt (Billy Bob)
Tillman, Roscoe; 13. Vern Fagerberg, Bloomingdale.

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

NASCAR Road Runners

A-Main 01 -- 1. Terry Ciano, Jr., Janesville, Wis; 2. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 3. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 4. Alex Papini, Machesney Park; 5. Dana Czach, Wauconda; 6. Adam Cartwright, Marengo; 7. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 8. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 9. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 10. Dan Carlson, Rockford; 11. Anthony Lloyd, Loves Park; 12. Patrick Featherstone II, Byron; 13. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 14. James Gregory, Winnebago; 15. Brian Mayer, Machesney Park; 16. Shawn Rickelman, Rockton; 17. Tammy Hawkins, Machesney Park; 18. Steven Dover,
Machesney Park; 19. Kenneth Brazee III, Rockford; 20. Steve Gregory, Machesney Park; 21. Jonathon Dean,

Heat 01 -- 1. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 2. Shawn Rickelman, Rockton; 3. Adam Cartwright, Marengo; 4. Tammy
Hawkins, Machesney Park; 5. Kenneth Brazee III, Rockford; 6. Steven Dover, Machesney Park; 7. Jonathon Dean,
Machesney Park.

Heat 02 -- 1. Patrick Featherstone II, Byron; 2. Terry Ciano, Jr., Janesville, Wis; 3. James Gregory, Winnebago; 4. Dan Carlson, Rockford; 5. Brian Mayer, Machesney Park; 6. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 7. Steve Gregory, Machesney Park.

Heat 03 -- 1. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 2. Alex Papini, Machesney Park; 3. Anthony Lloyd, Loves Park; 4. Gene
Marocco, Machesney Park; 5. Dana Czach, Wauconda; 6. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 7. Brett McCoy, Belvidere.

Challenge 01 -- 1. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 2. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 3. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park; 4. Adam Cartwright, Marengo; 5. Steven Dover, Machesney Park; 6. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 7. Dana Czach, Wauconda;
8. Kenneth Brazee III, Rockford; 9. Jonathon Dean, Machesney Park.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 2. Alex Papini, Machesney Park; 3. Anthony Lloyd, Loves Park; 4. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 5. Dana Czach, Wauconda; 6. Brian Mayer, Machesney Park.