By Jordan Kuehne

LOVES PARK, Ill. (Saturday, July 16th, 2011) -- Jerry Gille's at it again; the two-time Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Model champion is piecing together another customary midseason surge behind a dominant fast time, an easy dash win, and a break that at the midway point of the 30-lap main event that enabled the veteran to roll to a convincing victory tonight.

After a caution at the halfway mark allowed Gille to escape lapped traffic, he zoomed to the front on the restart and got around his brother, Tom, before cruising to his third trophy of the season. The triumph slashed Jerry Gille's deficit in the points standings as the veteran continues to apply pressure to top dog Ryan Carlson.

An exciting Budweiser American Short Trackers feature saw Brett McCoy cashing in on some karmic bonds as the former champ held off a hard charging George Sparkman for the win just days after performing the ultimate good deed. Doug Bennett's perseverance paid off on the way to his second Bargain Hunter Sportsman victory of the season while Howie Ware cruised to the winner's circle in the Mtn Dew RoadRunners headliner.

Mitch Garfield muscled to the lead in the beginning stages of the 30-lap Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models main event as Wayne Friemund found himself in second.

Points leader Ryan Carlson and fast qualifier Jerry Gille quickly made tracks through the field, working up to fourth and fifth respectively by the third lap as Tom Gille and Freimund battled for the second spot directly ahead of them.

Tom Gille broke free of the pack as Carlson weaved his way through the maze of horsepower and into a podium position. Up front, Garfield stepped out to a comfortable 15 car length gap thanks in part to the exciting racing action being waged behind him.

That lead quickly evaporated in the short span of five laps as Tom Gille closed to the bumper of Garfield and appeared ready to make his move for the top spot when a caution flew for an incident that tore the rear bumper off of Jon Reynolds Jr. and sent ‘Driver X’ spinning through turn three. Defending champion Tim Sargent was also involved in the incident and both drivers exited to the pits for repairs in addition to the limping machine of Freimund.

All three drivers returned in time for the green flag and Tom Gille wasted no time challenging for the top spot with 13 laps remaining. Tom Gille slammed the door on Garfield on the exit of turn four and squeezed the young gun for the lead but his brother, Jerry, stuck his nose in the opening created by the duel up front and emerged with the top spot soon after.

Jerry Gille built a solid cushion as the laps clicked off the scoreboard at a rapid pace and managed to hit his marks over the final few circuits en route to a strong 12 car length victory over his brother. The win was his third of the 2011 campaign and marked the continuation of the two-time champion’s traditional midseason surge into championship contention.

“I almost have to do whatever Carlson does," Gille admitted afterwards. "Tom really took off there and I chased him down. I wish I had the heat race back (for a clean sweep). It's tough to pass some of these guys out here."

Tom Gille made it a 1-2 finish for the brothers Gille while young Mitch Garfield garnered the best result of his short career with a third place result. Ryan Carlson found his way up to fourth to maintain a steady hold on the points lead while Jake Gille rounded out the top five in fifth.

Sporting no hood after a heat race incident, elder statesmen Jack Atchison paced a 21 car field to the green flag for the 25-lap Budweiser American Short Trackers main event. Former champion Brett McCoy maneuvered into the top spot as points leader BJ Sparkman navigated from his seventh place starting spot up to third by the fourth circuit.

Kyle Stark enabled the chaos to take a breather with seven laps in the books after he lost a tire entering turn one and forced a yellow flag. McCoy massaged a car length advantage over BJ Sparkman on the ensuing restart as Rachel Sparkman and Scott Hoeft jousted four a top five position in fourth. The battle came to a head when Rachel Sparkman stood her ground on lap ten and sent Hoeft around on the backstretch – both drivers were sent to the back for their role in the caution.

Fast qualifier George Sparkman sliced and diced his way up to third on the restart as McCoy tried to distance himself from the Sparkman brothers following in tow. It wasn’t long before more mayhem broke out on the high banked oval; the third caution of the night came with 12 circuits completed after Jack Atchison and Chris Jones made hard contact with each other and subsequently, the backstretch wall.

An attrition-laden event was delayed further when last week’s feature victor, Zach Rodriguez, knocked down the turn four wall after losing a tire coming to the green – Scott Hoeft couldn’t hit the brakes in time, piling into the passenger side of ‘Z-Rod’ and ending the night for both hot shoes.

When racing finally resumed, BJ Sparkman cleared his brother and set his sights on McCoy and the lead. While Sparkman continuously rode around on the low line and knocked on the door for the top spot, McCoy’s momentum off the high side gave him a slender margin as the laps wound down. BJ Sparkman’s bid for the win took a blow when he relinquished the runner-up spot to his brother George.

Devon Dixon’s wild wreck in turn two put a pause on the proceedings with six circuits remaining. McCoy slipped away by a narrow margin when the green flag waved and managed to rebuff George Sparkman’s attempt for the top spot with three to go. Sparkman dropped back and built up momentum before rallying via the low line and making a last gasp effort for the win.

His efforts fell short however as karma shone down upon Brett McCoy – the veteran driver registered his first feature win of the year in the division a mere two days after rescuing a lost two-year-old girl and successfully reuniting the toddler with her family.

George Sparkman settled for a hard fought second while BJ Sparkman made it a family affair up front with a third place effort. Nick Cina Jr. notched a fourth place result and Mark Bielefeldt busted into the top five for the first time all season to finish fifth.

Brad Gerke grabbed the early edge in the 25-lap Bargain Hunter Sportsman feature as former champ Doug Bennett quickly fell in line in second.

The cream rose to the top in rapid succession as Matt Lundberg launched to third while defending champion Matt Berger burst up to fourth on lap three. Bennett’s attempt for the lead on lap five went awry but he gathered it back up on the backstretch and challenged again. Another effort went unfulfilled when the top two made contact and Lundberg leapt to the high side eyeing the bridesmaid’s position as the race blew past the halfway point.

Gerke’s lead was saved by a caution with 12 circuits remaining after a Brandon Swinbank spin on the exit of turn four. On the restart, Gerke lost control in turn two and the field stacked up creating a chain reaction that swallowed up the machines of fast qualifier Matt Berger and Matt Lundberg, relegating the second and third place drivers in the point standings to an early exit via the hook.

Bennett wandered to the low side when the green flag waved and cleared Gerke with 11 laps to go, taking over the top spot as Rich Hinerichson and Robert Roush dueled for third. Hinerichson cleared Roush in his blacked-out ‘Batman’ hot rod and swiftly soared past Gerke’s uncooperative machine with six circuits left.

With a pair of battles taking place in his rearview mirror, Doug Bennett took advantage and drove away from the field and into victory lane for the second time in this season.

Hinerichson held on to second while Roush rolled home in third. Brad Gerke registered a fourth place effort and Justin Sellers finished off the top five in fifth.

The beginning of the Mtn Dew RoadRunners 20-lap feature got off to a wild start as Adam Cartwright corralled the early edge before perennial contender Howie Ware stole the clean air away on lap three.

Arlyn Roush rushed through the field and into the second spot while points leader Alex Papini paced himself en route to fourth. Roush came under fire from Terry Ciano Jr. shortly after grabbing the bridesmaid’s position while Papini closed up behind them.

Roush and Ciano Jr. duked it out for the spot over the course of the next ten circuits, allowing Ware to slip away to a huge edge.

While Ware disappeared out front, Papini made a move for third on the final lap but came up snake eyes. Howie Ware ended up with his first trophy of the year, cruising to a caution-free victory and applying pressure to his rival in the standings.

Roush held on for the runner-up position while Terry Ciano Jr. came home in third. Papini’s consistent season continued with a fourth place result.

Fans were feted with the Sam’s Drive-In RoadRunner Challenge featuring the Christmas Tree Race tonight in a fun event – drivers had to cross a timing line before exiting their car, racing to a decorated Christmas tree adorned with ornaments in the infield and catapulting into the crowd before utilizing a lucky spectator to unwrap the gift; after that was complete, they ran back to their waiting car and completed a lap around the quarter-mile oval.

Jason Van Hise ended up taking the win behind a strong ‘lap’ of 53.305 seconds as Arlyn Roush came home in second.

There will be no Wild Wednesday racing this week and in lieu of the summer series, the return of the 42nd annual Loves Park Police vs. Businessmen Grudge Race takes center stage Wednesday night.

Racing returns to the Rockford Speedway next Saturday night for the third round of the Gilley's Cool 5 Series. A full slate of exciting on-track action awaits including the Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models, Budweiser American Short Trackers, Bargain Hunter Sportsman, Mtn Dew RoadRunners, and American Super Cups, plus the Sam's Drive-In RoadRunner Challenge RoadRunner Drags and the Skid Cars will make an appearance.

Adult admission is just $12 while teenagers ages 12-17 get in for only $8. Kids ages 6-11 cost a mere $5 while children ages 5 and under get in for FREE! Spectator gates open at 5pm with qualifying set to get underway at 6pm and the green flag waving on racing action at 7:07pm sharp.

For more information on the Rockford Speedway, including the remaining 2011 schedule, visit www.rockfordspeedway.com or contact the Speedway Box Office at (815)633-1500.

Rockford Speedway Results

NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Week 11

NASCAR All American Sportsmen

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

Heat 01 -- 1. Robert Roush (r), Marengo; 2. Brandon Swinbank (r), Rockford; 3. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 4. Tim Jendrycki (r), Round Lake; 5. Brad Gerke (r), Loves Park; 6. Joshua Lundy (r), Loves Park.

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

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

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Rich Hinerichsen, II, Machesney Park; 2. Austin Nason, Roscoe; 3. Doug Bennett, Brodhead,
Wis; 4. Matt Lundberg, Rockford; 5. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 6. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream.

NASCAR American Short Trackers

A-Main 01 -- 1. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 2. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 3. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 4. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 5. Mark Bielefeldt, Loves Park; 6. David Russell, Jr, Machesney Park; 7. Nick Letsinger, Rockford; 8. Brad Henrey, Rockford; 9. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 10. Steve Putman, Jr., Beloit, Wis; 11. Alan Bekielewski, Roscoe; 12. Dave Lee, Rockford; 13. Steve Drays, Milton, Wis; 14. Rachel Sparkman, Belvidere; 15. Devon Dixon, Janesville, Wis; 16. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 17. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 18. Jack Atchison, Stillman Valley; 19. Christopher Jones, Rockford; 20. Bryan Ellis, Loves Park; 21. Kyle Stark, Waterloo, Wis.

Heat 01 -- 1. David Russell, Jr, Machesney Park; 2. Christopher Jones, Rockford; 3. Steve Drays, Milton, Wis; 4. Dave Lee, Rockford; 5. Nick Letsinger, Rockford; 6. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 7. Brad Henrey, Rockford; 8. Steve Putman, Jr., Beloit, Wis.

Heat 02 -- 1. Mark Bielefeldt, Loves Park; 2. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 3. Devon Dixon, Janesville, Wis; 4. Bryan Ellis, Loves Park; 5. Alan Bekielewski, Roscoe; 6. Jack Atchison, Stillman Valley; 7. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere.

Heat 03 -- 1. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 2. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 3. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 4. Kyle Stark, Waterloo, Wis; 5. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 6. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 7. Rachel Sparkman,

Time Trial -- 1. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 2. Kyle Stark, Waterloo, Wis; 3. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 4. Rachel Sparkman, Belvidere; 5. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 6. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 7. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 8. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 9. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 10. Bryan Ellis, Loves Park; 11. Devon Dixon, Janesville, Wis; 12. Jack Atchison, Stillman Valley; 13. Mark Bielefeldt, Loves Park; 14. Alan Bekielewski, Roscoe; 15. Christopher Jones, Rockford; 16. Steve Drays, Milton, Wis; 17. Nick Letsinger, Rockford; 18. David Russell, Jr, Machesney Park; 19. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 20. Steve Putman, Jr., Beloit, Wis; 21. Brad Henrey, Rockford; 22. Dave Lee, Rockford.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Kyle Stark, Waterloo, Wis; 2. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 3. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 4. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 5. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 6. Rachel Sparkman, Belvidere.

NASCAR Late Models

A-Main 01 -- 1. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 2. Tom Gille, Winnebago; 3. Mitchell Garfield (r), Gilberts; 4. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 5. Jacob Gille, Machesney Park; 6. Brandon Eash, Machesney Park; 7. Wayne Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 8. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 9. Steve McBride (r), South Beloit; 10. Tim Sargent, South Beloit.

Heat 01 -- 1. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 2. Mitchell Garfield (r), Gilberts; 3. Wayne Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 4. Brandon Eash, Machesney Park; 5. Steve McBride (r), South Beloit.

Heat 02 -- 1. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 2. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 3. Tom Gille, Winnebago; 4. Jacob Gille, Machesney Park; 5. Tim Sargent, South Beloit.

Time Trial -- 1. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 2. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 3. Tom Gille, Winnebago; 4. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 5. Jacob Gille, Machesney Park; 6. Brandon Eash, Machesney Park; 7. Wayne Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 8.
Mitchell Garfield (r), Gilberts; 9. Steve McBride (r), South Beloit; 10. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 2. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 3. Jacob Gille, Machesney Park; 4. Tom Gille, Winnebago; 5. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 6. Brandon Eash, Machesney Park.

NASCAR Road Runners

A-Main 01 -- 1. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 2. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 3. Terry Ciano, Jr., Janesville, Wis; 4. Alex Papini, Machesney Park; 5. Patrick Featherston II, Byron; 6. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 7. Adam Cartwright, Marengo; 8. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 9. Joey Thomas, Rockford; 10. Anthony Lloyd, Loves Park; 11. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 12. Brian Mayer, Machesney Park; 13. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park; 14. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 15. Josh DiGiovanni, Machesney Park; 16. Steven Dover, Machesney Park; 17. David Rodden, Loves Park; 18. Josh Carter, Rockford; 19. James Gregory, Winnebago.

Heat 01 -- 1. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 2. Josh DiGiovanni, Machesney Park; 3. James Gregory, Winnebago; 4. Adam Cartwright, Marengo; 5. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 6. Josh Carter, Rockford; 7. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 8. Steven Dover, Machesney Park; 9. David Rodden, Loves Park; 10. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park.

Heat 02 -- 1. Patrick Featherston II, Byron; 2. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 3. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 4. Terry Ciano, Jr., Janesville, Wis; 5. Alex Papini, Machesney Park; 6. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 7. Brian Mayer, Machesney Park; 8. Anthony Lloyd, Loves Park; 9. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 10. Joey Thomas, Rockford.

Challenge 01 -- 1. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 2. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 3. Kyle Watts, Machesney Park; 4. Lloyd
Hawkins, Machesney Park; 5. Derek Nichol, Roscoe; 6. Steven Dover, Machesney Park; 7. Joey Thomas, Rockford.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Alex Papini, Machesney Park; 2. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 3. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 4. Terry Ciano, Jr., Janesville, Wis; 5. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 6. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere.