By: Eric Huenefeld
To many, Saturday night at Rockford Speedway was being billed as a "Wild Card Race" in the chase for Season Championships. With large car counts in each class, and with points races tightening in the Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models, Bargain Hunter Sportsman and Budweiser American Short Trackers, there was a sense of urgency and unpredictability about this Late August night. In some divisions, the point battle would tighten. However, dramatic swings in another race would give one of the points leader's a major late season lift in the season long ledger.

The Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Model ledger had certainly tighened up since Mid July. In 50 days, Ryan Carlson's near 50 point lead had shrunk to only seven markers over two-time titleist Jerry Gille. Through preliminary rounds, Gille would trim the lead to 6 points. However with the largest Late Model count of the year on hand for Round IV of the Gilley's Cool 5, drivers knew that things could change in an instant.

Carlson, Gille and third place point man Jon Reynolds Jr all started near the middle of the 21 car starting field, and as usual, the "Big Three" began to twist through the pack together. As the trio forged ahead, outside pole sitter Matt Berger would jump to the point and stretch his lead on the field to nearly a straightaway. However, when Berger's lead was at its largest, the yellow flag would fly on lap 10, as Mitch Garfield's car spun after contact with Nick Shutkas in Turn 4. The stoppage not only erased Berger's lead, but it would put Reynolds, Gille and Carlson on his bumper for the restart.

As the Green Flag flew with 20 laps to go, it was Reynolds who went to work on Berger. The two hard-nosed racers would trade paint and franticly push each other for the top spot. Gille would run third, trying to move forward with Reynolds, while also trying to keep Carlson in his mirror. With 12 laps to go however, Berger and Reynolds entered Turn 3 and stepped over the line by the smallest of margains, sending their cars spinning and collecting Gille, while sparing Carlson. Gille sustained right front fender and suspension damage, and was done for the evening. Reynolds would also fall out and Berger would be sent to the back as Carlson inherited the lead and a chance to perhaps break away in the championship points.

On the restart, the father-son combo of Tom and Jake Gille would move into second and third, and battle each other hard for the runner up spot, as Carlson sailed onto victory. Jake would top his dad in the side-by-side battle for second, with Crystal Lake driver Eddie May finishing fourth ahead of Brandon Eash. The fifth place run was Eash's best finish of 2011. Carlson's point lead over Gille would balloon to 38 points as a result of the evenings events.

In the Bargain Hunter Sportsman division, defending Track Champion Matt Berger would take the long and winding road towards a second win of the year. He, along with points contenders Austin Nason and Matt Lundberg would start near the tail of the 15 car feature field as the result of a large invert. Nason opened the night merely two markers ahead of Lundberg, with Berger in third needing to make a statement to stay alive for a second straight crown. The points talk was secondary however after the Green Flag fell, as young Brandon Swinbank and veteran Brad Gerke staged a back-and-forth tussle for the top spot in the 25 lap main event. The two would scrap and claw for the top spot for the race's first half, then see the rest of the field close in as the race approached its late stages. But before a free-for-all could occur for the lead, Berger would get sent spinning to the infield and the yellow would wave.

Berger would keep his spot in third after being sent to the dirt by another driver, and therefore be involved in the battle for the win as the field went back racing with only seven laps to go. It took Berger only a lap to take second and by the next lap, he and Swinbank went at it for the lead. Finally, as the duo would head for the backstretch with a lap and a half to go, Berger busted in the lead and would hold off Swinbank for the win. Swinbank still finished a career-best second, followed by Gerke, Lundberg and Nason. Lundberg would leave the Speedway with a scant one point lead over Nason, while Berger now sits only 19 points out of the top spot.

The "family affair" in the Budwesier American Short Trackers continued as well on this Saturday night, as brothers George and BJ Sparkman continued their quest for a championship. Both would be in the top five and battling with fellow point contenders Scotty Hoeft and Nick Cina Jr, but all four would watch Rockford's Joe LaMarca lead flag-to-flag and bag his second 25 lap Short Tracker main event of the year. Both Sparkmans would charge from starting spots in the middle of the 20 car pack to wrestle with Hoeft and Cina. Hoeft would stay in front of the action and capture second, with BJ third, George fourth and Cina fifth. BJ would cut George's point lead to 15, while Hoeft would also make a little ground and stay only 23 points back of the lead.

Ricky Nielson appeared to be a runaway winner early in the 28 car, 20 lap Mountain Dew Roadrunner feature. Nielson built a straightaway lead on a field that was battling three-wide five rows deep for the opening six circuits. Soon, Dana Czach and Terry Ciano would move to second and third after utilizing the extreme low line to advance through the gaggle of cars. It took the two only six laps to catch Nielson and two laps to work around him. Ciano would then take lead in the three car race, again using the low line, while Czach would follow in second. Ciano would appear to win his second straight feature event ahead of Czach, but after Ciano refused a Post Race Technical Inspection, the win was awarded to Czach, his second of the year. Anthony Lloyd would finish second, followed by points lead Alex Papini.

After the frantic features, it was time to "Go Sailing", as 18 entries took part in the Windsor Auto Sales "Beatin and Bangin" Boat Race. Rodney Molitor would rise above the carnage and was the "Last Boat Sailing", claiming the event and the one-of-a-kind trophy for his efforts.

Racing action will resume next Saturday night with the running of the Hinckley Springs Championship Countdown featuring the NASCAR Stanley Steemer Late Models, Bargain Hunter Sportsman, Budweiser American Short Trackers, Mtn Dew RoadRunners as well as the Sam’s Drive-In Forwards Backwards Race. A special Holiday bonus will see Spectacular Drags take to the track and fans will be treated to the final Bud Light Dollar Beer Night of 2011. Spectator Gates open at 5, qualifying begins at 5:55 with the Stateline Staffing Services Dashes Going Green at 7:07pm. Meanwhile the Championship Round of the Gilley’s Cool 5 Series will be contested on Friday night of the 46th annual National Short Track Championships, September 30. One lucky fan could walk away $1,250 richer if they correctly choose the top 4 finishers in the Weekly Warrior Late Model 46 lap main event. For more information on these events and events throughout the 2011 season, visit www.rockfordspeedway.com or contact the Speedway Box Office at 815-633-1500.

8/27/2011 - Rockford Speedway Results
NASCAR All American Sportsman
A-Main 01 -- 1. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 2. Brandon Swinbank (r), Rockford; 3. Brad Gerke (r), Loves Park; 4. Matt Lundberg, Rockford; 5. Austin Nason, Roscoe; 6. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 7. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 8. Tim Jendrycki (r), Round Lake; 9. Darrell Garman, South Beloit; 10. Josh Thiering, South Beloit; 11. Scott Lawver, Roscoe; 12. Joshua Lundy (r), Loves Park; 13. Rich Hinerichsen, II, Machesney Park.
Heat 01 -- 1. Brad Gerke (r), Loves Park; 2. Brandon Swinbank (r), Rockford; 3. Darrell Garman, South Beloit; 4. Josh Thiering, South Beloit; 5. Scott Lawver, Roscoe; 6. Joshua Lundy (r), Loves Park; 7. John Dietrich, Carol Steam.
Heat 02 -- 1. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 2. Matt Lundberg, Rockford; 3. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 4. Austin Nason, Roscoe; 5. Rich Hinerichsen, II, Machesney Park; 6. Tim Jendrycki (r), Round Lake; 7. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream.
Time Trial -- 1. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 2. Austin Nason, Roscoe; 3. Matt Lundberg, Rockford; 4. Rich Hinerichsen, II, Machesney Park; 5. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 6. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 7. Tim Jendrycki (r), Round Lake; 8. Darrell Garman, South Beloit; 9. Scott Lawver, Roscoe; 10. Brad Gerke (r), Loves Park; 11. Brandon Swinbank (r), Rockford; 12. Josh Thiering, South Beloit; 13. John Dietrich, Carol Steam; 14. Joshua Lundy (r), Loves Park; 15. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park.
Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Matt Lundberg, Rockford; 2. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 3. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 4. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 5. Rich Hinerichsen, II, Machesney Park; 6. Austin Nason, Roscoe.
NASCAR American Short Trackers
A-Main 01 -- 1. Joe LaMarca, Rockford; 2. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 3. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 4. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 5. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 6. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 7. Christopher Jones, Rockford; 8. Rachel Sparkman, Belvidere; 9. Steve Cavin, Rockford; 10. Alan Bekielewski, Roscoe; 11. Steve Drays, Milton, Wis; 12. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 13. Nick Letsinger, Rockford; 14. David Russell, Jr, Machesney Park; 15. Nick Worman, Algonquin; 16. Brad Henrey, Rockford; 17. Mark Bielefeldt, Loves Park; 18. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 19. Steve Putman, Jr., Beloit, Wis; 20. Bryan Ellis, Loves Park.
Heat 01 -- 1. Bryan Ellis, Loves Park; 2. Nick Worman, Algonquin; 3. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 4. David Russell, Jr, Machesney Park; 5. Brad Henrey, Rockford; 6. Steve Putman, Jr., Beloit, Wis; 7. Mark Bielefeldt, Loves Park.
Heat 02 -- 1. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 2. Steve Drays, Milton, Wis; 3. Steve Cavin, Rockford; 4. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 5. Christopher Jones, Rockford; 6. Nick Letsinger, Rockford; 7. Joe LaMarca, Rockford.
Heat 03 -- 1. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 2. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 3. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 4. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 5. Rachel Sparkman, Belvidere; 6. Alan Bekielewski, Roscoe.
Time Trial -- 1. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 2. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 3. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 4. Rachel Sparkman, Belvidere; 5. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 6. Alan Bekielewski, Roscoe; 7. Joe LaMarca, Rockford; 8. Christopher Jones, Rockford; 9. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 10. Steve Drays, Milton, Wis; 11. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 12. Steve Cavin, Rockford; 13. Nick Letsinger, Rockford; 14. Nick Worman, Algonquin; 15. Mark Bielefeldt, Loves Park; 16. Bryan Ellis, Loves Park; 17. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 18. Brad Henrey, Rockford; 19. David Russell, Jr, Machesney Park; 20. Steve Putman, Jr., Beloit, Wis.
Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 2. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 3. Rachel Sparkman, Belvidere; 4. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 5. Alan Bekielewski, Roscoe; 6. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere.
NASCAR Late Models
A-Main 01 -- 1. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 2. Jacob Gille, Machesney Park; 3. Tom Gille, Winnebago; 4. Eddie May, Crystal Lake; 5. Brandon Eash, Machesney Park; 6. James Swan, Lake Geneva, Wis; 7. John Beinlich, Prairie View; 8. Wayne Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 9. Joel Clossey, Beloit, Wis; 10. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 11. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 12. Steve McBride (r), South Beloit; 13. Dave Edwards, Salem, Wis; 14. Cody Lipstreuer, Genoa City, Wis; 15. Nick Shutkas, Loves Park; 16. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 17. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 18. Mike Beyer, Machesney Park; 19. Mitchell Garfield (r), Gilberts; 20. Curt (Billy Bob) Tillman, Roscoe.

Heat 01 -- 1. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 2. Steve McBride (r), South Beloit; 3. John Beinlich, Prairie View; 4. Wayne Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 5. Mitchell Garfield (r), Gilberts; 6. Cody Lipstreuer, Genoa City, Wis.
Heat 02 -- 1. Eddie May, Crystal Lake; 2. Mike Beyer, Machesney Park; 3. Curt (Billy Bob) Tillman, Roscoe; 4. Joel Clossey, Beloit, Wis; 5. Dave Edwards, Salem, Wis; 6. James Swan, Lake Geneva, Wis.
Heat 03 -- 1. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 2. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 3. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 4. Jacob Gille, Machesney Park; 5. Tom Gille, Winnebago; 6. Brandon Eash, Machesney Park; 7. Matt Berger, Loves Park.
Time Trial -- 1. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 2. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 3. Tom Gille, Winnebago; 4. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 5. Jacob Gille, Machesney Park; 6. Brandon Eash, Machesney Park; 7. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 8. Mike Beyer, Machesney Park; 9. Curt (Billy Bob) Tillman, Roscoe; 10. Eddie May, Crystal Lake; 11. Nick Shutkas, Loves Park; 12. James Swan, Lake Geneva, Wis; 13. Dave Edwards, Salem, Wis; 14. Joel Clossey, Beloit, Wis; 15. Wayne Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 16. John Beinlich, Prairie View; 17. Mitchell Garfield (r), Gilberts; 18. Steve McBride (r), South Beloit; 19. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 20. Cody Lipstreuer, Genoa City, Wis; 21. Austin Nason, Roscoe.
Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 2. Tom Gille, Winnebago; 3. Jacob Gille, Machesney Park; 4. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 5. Brandon Eash, Machesney Park; 6. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park.
NASCAR RoadRunners
A-Main 01 -- 1. Dana Czach, Wauconda; 2. Anthony Lloyd, Loves Park; 3. Alex Papini, Machesney Park; 4. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 5. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 6. Kris Nilson, Rockford; 7. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 8. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 9. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 10. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 11. James Gregory, Winnebago; 12. Patrick Featherston II, Byron; 13. Chet Paffel, Beloit, Wis; 14. Brian Mayer, Machesney Park; 15. Robert Stoltz, Rockford; 16. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park; 17. Michael (Mike) Wallis, Machesney Park; 18. Dave Lumsden, Jr., Rockford; 19. Steven Dover, Machesney Park; 20. Rick McQuality, Stillman Valley; 21. Brent Garnhart, Machesney Park; 22. Terry Van Hise, Machesney Park; 23. Kenneth Brazee III, Rockford; 24. Brad Jones, Rockton; 25. Terry Ciano, Jr., Janesville, Wis.
Heat 01 -- 1. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park; 2. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 3. Michael (Mike) Wallis, Machesney Park; 4. Chet Paffel, Beloit, Wis; 5. Robert Stoltz, Rockford; 6. Kenneth Brazee III, Rockford; 7. Terry Van Hise, Machesney Park; 8. Rick McQuality, Stillman Valley; 9. Brent Garnhart, Machesney Park.
Heat 02 -- 1. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 2. James Gregory, Winnebago; 3. Patrick Featherston II, Byron; 4. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 5. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 6. Brian Mayer, Machesney Park; 7. Brad Jones, Rockton; 8. Steven Dover, Machesney Park; 9. Dave Lumsden, Jr., Rockford.
Heat 03 -- 1. Dana Czach, Wauconda; 2. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 3. Alex Papini, Machesney Park; 4. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 5. Anthony Lloyd, Loves Park; 6. Kris Nilson, Rockford; 7. Bobby Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 8. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 9. Terry Ciano, Jr., Janesville, Wis.
Challenge 01 -- 1. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 2. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 3. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 4. Terry Van Hise, Machesney Park; 5. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park; 6. Brad Jones, Rockton; 7. Robert Stoltz, Rockford; 8.
Steven Dover, Machesney Park; 9. Anthony Lloyd, Loves Park; 10. Kenneth Brazee III, Rockford; 11. Brent Garnhart, Machesney Park; 12. Terry Ciano, Jr., Janesville, Wis.
Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Anthony Lloyd, Loves Park; 2. Dana Czach, Wauconda; 3. Bobby Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 4. Kris Nilson, Rockford; 5. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 6. Alex Papini, Machesney Park.