By: Eric Huenefeld
From top to bottom, Saturday nights in the year 2011 at the Rockford Speedway will forever be remembered as nights filled with drama and excitement. Nights that produced some of the most competitive short track racing anywhere, and nights that produced season long points battles that came down to the bitter end. When the dust settled on Whelen Engineering's Night of Champions Saturday, three of the four titlists were first timers, and champions ranged from seasoned veterans to fresh-faced youngsters.

The most publicized of the point battles throughout the summer was that of the Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models. Loves Park's Ryan Carlson held a large point lead just past the mid-point of the season, however saw the whole thing evaporate as the racing season wound to a close. Two weeks prior, the point lead for Carlson ballooned by 32 points after misfortunes by his rivals in a feature which he would end up winning. That chain of events would make his Night of Champions a fairly smooth one.

Carlson would qualify third quickest and officially clinch the title by virtue of his heat race finish. Carlson would get clogged up in traffic early on in his division's 30 lap feature and would watch his closest point rival, two-time Track Champ Jerry Gille power to the front of the class and take the lead on lap number eight. A caution three laps later would thin out the traffic and give the whole field a fair shot at one another once again. Most thankful for the yellow was Jon Reynolds Jr, who took the 'Gerber Collision and Glass Ultimate Challenge" earlier this evening. Reynolds accepted a shotgun start on the field with a chance to win $1500 for his efforts. After the restart, Reynolds would make progress, moving up to third spot, but no farther. Jerry Gille would run away from the field and lay claim to his division leading sixth feature win of the year.

Tom Gille would finish in the runner up spot, with Reynolds following in third. Meanwhile, Carlson took the checkers in sixth spot and officially could call himself a Rockford Speedway Champion. Carlson ended the regular season with five feature wins, second only to Gille's six on the season.

The points race with the most drama by the numbers was the Bargain Hunter Sportsman division. It was there where 15 year old Austin Nason tried to make a little bit of history in becoming the youngest champion in the history of Saturday night racing at the Rockford Speedway. However, Nason trailed Matt Lundberg, the divisions leading feature winner and arguably the hottest driver in the second half of the year by a mere one point heading into the "Night of Champions."
The feature race simply became an event where the driver who finished ahead of the other would be crowned champion. Nason would sprint to the lead in the race's first five laps, with Lundberg having to work through heavy traffic to catch him. By the middle of the race, there was Lundberg, along with 2010 Sportsman champ Matt Berger, chasing down Nason. But just as Lundberg would get to third, his car suddenly began to throw sparks and lose speed. Lundberg fell to sixth and helplessly watched at Nason sped away for the win and the title.

Nason's feature win was his first since Memorial Day weekend, and the championship his first in only his second full year of driving a full-bodied stock car. In winning the title at the age of 15, Nason also made history as the youngest Saturday night Champion ever in the 64 year history of Rockford Speedway. Nason ended the season with three feature wins and joined his father Fred as a Sportsman champion at the track.

Keeping with the family theme were the Budweiser American Short Trackers. Brothers George and BJ Sparkman, who came into the night with seven titles between them, were the two main combatants for the gold in the division. A title for BJ would be his fourth, and a ring for George would be his fifth. The brothers would battle with the rest of the best in their division for the race win and the season long bragging rights. Wisconsin driver Scotty Hoeft would jump to the lead early in the event and hold off all challengers for the win, with the two Sparkmans, Nick Cina Jr and last year's champ Kyle Lapier fighting for the rest of the top five. BJ would find second, but it wouldn't be enough to make a comeback for the championship, awarding George the title.

As mentioned earlier, the title was the fifth for George Sparkman, who stated in victory lane it would be his last. George would announce in post race that he plans to retire from "points racing" and only race on a limited basis starting in 2012. The fifth championship for the veteran racer came in a year where he won but one feature.

The Mountain Dew Roadrunner championship was decided before the night began. Alex Papini's point lead was large enough coming into the night to end his divisions championship chase early. Papini would end the year as the divisions leading feature winner with four big trophies and the title was his first at the track he calls home.

The divisions 28 car, 20 lap feature took a while to kick start after an early caution, but action quickly turned furious with Brett McCoy and Howie Ware running door-to-door three and four wide through lapped traffic before Ware was able to sneak around McCoy for the lead and hold the rest of the pack for the the win. The first place finish was Ware's third of the year, second only to Papini in that column. McCoy would end up second, Papini third in the feature race.
Late Model "Showdown Match Racing" returned Saturday night, with high speed one-on-one bracketed racing between the Top 8 in final season points. Paint was traded, fenders were rumpled, and "Driver X" Jon Reynolds Jr took all the money in the event. Reynolds, the #3 seed, upended the upset-minded #8 seed John Beinlich for the Match Race Crown in a Best of Three Championship Round.

Patrick Featherston of Byron ended the night a winner, by taking the 18 car, 15 lap Roadrunner Non Winners Invite, a race for those Roadrunner drivers who had yet to find victory lane this season. Featherston's win made him the division's tenth different winner.

Action continues this Saturday Night September 17 during the Budweiser Night of Thrills which includes Monster Trucks, the Green Mamba Jet Car and much more fun, thrills begin at 7:07. Then ‘One Great Racing Weekend’ begins Friday night September 30 with the Championship Round of the Gilley’s Cool 5 Series followed by the Big 8 Late Model Series, IL Vintage Racing, Illini Midgets and ASA Sportsman Tour on Saturday October 1 and concludes with the ASA Midwest Tour 200 and Mid-American Stock Car 75 on Sunday afternoon October 2. For more information on these events and events throughout the remainder of the 2011 season please visit www.rockfordspeedway.com.

NASCAR All American Sportsmen
A-Main 01 -- 1. Austin Nason, Roscoe; 2. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 3. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 4. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 5. Josh Thiering, South Beloit; 6. Matt Lundberg, Rockford; 7. Brad Gerke (r), Loves Park; 8. Darrell Garman, South Beloit; 9. Scott Lawver, Roscoe; 10. Brandon Swinbank (r), Rockford; 11. Joshua Lundy (r), Loves Park; 12. Joey Thomas, Rockford; 13. John Dietrich, Carol Steam.

Heat 01 -- 1. Scott Lawver, Roscoe; 2. Josh Thiering, South Beloit; 3. Brandon Swinbank (r), Rockford; 4. Joshua Lundy (r), Loves Park; 5. Joey Thomas, Rockford; 6. John Dietrich, Carol Steam.

Heat 02 -- 1. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 2. Austin Nason, Roscoe; 3. Matt Lundberg, Rockford; 4. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 5. Brad Gerke (r), Loves Park; 6. Darrell Garman, South Beloit; 7. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis.

Time Trial -- 1. Austin Nason, Roscoe; 2. Matt Lundberg, Rockford; 3. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 4. Justin Sellers, Carol
Stream; 5. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 6. Brad Gerke (r), Loves Park; 7. Darrell Garman,South Beloit; 8. Josh Thiering, South Beloit; 9. Scott Lawver, Roscoe; 10. Brandon Swinbank (r), Rockford; 11. Joshua Lundy (r), Loves Park; 12. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 13. Joey Thomas, Rockford; 14. John Dietrich, Carol Steam.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 2. Austin Nason, Roscoe; 3. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 4. Matt Lundberg, Rockford; 5. Brad Gerke (r), Loves Park; 6. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis.

NASCAR American Short Trackers
A-Main 01 -- 1. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 2. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 3. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 4. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 5. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 6. Joe LaMarca, Rockford; 7. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 8. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 9. Steve Drays, Milton, Wis; 10. Nick Letsinger, Rockford; 11. Christopher Jones, Rockford; 12. Rachel Sparkman, Belvidere; 13. Mark Bielefeldt, Loves Park; 14. Nick Worman, Algonquin; 15. Brad Henrey, Rockford; 16. Bryan Ellis, Loves Park; 17. Jack Atchison, Stillman Valley; 18. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 19. Dave Lee, Rockford; 20. Alan Bekielewski (r), Roscoe.

Heat 01 -- 1. Christopher Jones, Rockford; 2. Brad Henrey, Rockford; 3. Jack Atchison, Stillman Valley; 4. Mark Bielefeldt, Loves Park; 5. Nick Worman, Algonquin; 6. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 7. Dave Lee, Rockford; 8. David Russell, Jr, Machesney Park.

Heat 02 -- 1. Steve Drays, Milton, Wis; 2. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 3. Alan Bekielewski (r), Roscoe; 4. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 5. Nick Letsinger, Rockford; 6. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 7. Bryan Ellis, Loves Park.

Heat 03 -- 1. Joe LaMarca, Rockford; 2. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 3. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 4. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 5. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 6. Rachel Sparkman, Belvidere.

Time Trial -- 1. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 2. Rachel Sparkman, Belvidere; 3. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 4. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 5. Joe LaMarca, Rockford; 6. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 7. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 8. Bryan Ellis, Loves Park; 9. Alan Bekielewski (r), Roscoe; 10. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 11. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 12. Steve Drays, Milton, Wis; 13. Nick Letsinger, Rockford; 14. Jack Atchison, Stillman Valley; 15. Nick Worman, Algonquin; 16. Mark Bielefeldt, Loves Park; 17. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 18. Brad Henrey, Rockford; 19. David Russell, Jr, Machesney Park; 20. Dave Lee, Rockford.

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

NASCAR Late Models
A-Main 01 -- 1. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 2. Tom Gille, Winnebago; 3. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 4. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 5. Jacob Gille, Machesney Park; 6. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 7. Nick Shutkas, Loves Park; 8. Chris Blawat, Palmyra, Wis; 9. John Beinlich, Prairie View; 10. Mitchell Garfield (r), Gilberts; 11. Wayne Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 12. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 13. Steve McBride (r), South Beloit; 14. Brandon Eash, Machesney Park.

Heat 01 -- 1. Mitchell Garfield (r), Gilberts; 2. Wayne Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 3. Nick Shutkas, Loves Park; 4. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 5. Steve McBride (r), South Beloit; 6. John Beinlich, Prairie View; 7. Cody Lipstreuer, Genoa City, Wis.

Heat 02 -- 1. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 2. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 3. Tom Gille, Winnebago; 4. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 5. Brandon Eash, Machesney Park; 6. Jacob Gille, Machesney Park; 7. Chris Blawat, Palmyra, Wis; 8. Matt Berger, Loves Park.

Time Trial -- 1. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 2. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 3. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 4. Brandon Eash, Machesney Park; 5. Jacob Gille, Machesney Park; 6. Tom Gille, Winnebago; 7. Chris Blawat, Palmyra, Wis; 8. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 9. Nick Shutkas, Loves Park; 10. Steve McBride (r), South Beloit; 11. Mitchell Garfield (r), Gilberts; 12. Wayne Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 13. John Beinlich, Prairie View; 14. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 15. Cody Lipstreuer, Genoa City, Wis; 16. Austin Nason, Roscoe.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 2. Brandon Eash, Machesney Park; 3. Jacob Gille, Machesney Park; 4. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 5. Tom Gille, Winnebago; 6. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park.

NASCAR Road Runners
A-Main 01 -- 1. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 2. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 3. Alex Papini, Machesney Park; 4. Anthony Lloyd, Loves Park; 5. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park; 6. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 7. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 8. Brian Mayer, Machesney Park; 9. Patrick Featherston II, Byron; 10. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 11. James Gregory, Winnebago; 12. Dave Lumsden, Jr., Rockford; 13. Joey Thomas, Rockford; 14. Kenneth Brazee III, Rockford; 15. Josh Carter, Rockford; 16. Steven Dover, Machesney Park; 17. Tammy Hawkins, Machesney Park; 18. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 19. Chandale Swartwout, Janesville, Wis; 20. Kyle McQuality, Stillman Valley; 21. Josh DiGiovanni, Machesney Park; 22. Curt Nighswonger, Rockford; 23. Terrance Robinson, Beloit, Wis; 24. Jonathon Dean, Machesney Park; 25. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 26. Larry Dickinson II, Cedarville; 27. Kris Nilson, Rockford.

B-Main 01 -- 1. Patrick Featherston II, Byron; 2. Larry Dickinson II, Cedarville; 3. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 4. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 5. James Gregory, Winnebago; 6. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 7. Brian Mayer, Machesney Park; 8. Dave Lumsden, Jr., Rockford; 9. Joey Thomas, Rockford; 10. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park; 11. Curt Nighswonger, Rockford; 12. Kyle McQuality, Stillman Valley; 13. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 14. Kenneth Brazee III, Rockford; 15. Tammy Hawkins, Machesney Park; 16. Chandale Swartwout, Janesville, Wis; 17. Steven Dover, Machesney Park; 18. Josh Carter, Rockford.

Heat 01 -- 1. Curt Nighswonger, Rockford; 2. Kenneth Brazee III, Rockford; 3. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park; 4. Jonathon Dean, Machesney Park; 5. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 6. Tammy Hawkins, Machesney Park; 7. Chandale Swartwout, Janesville, Wis; 8. Josh DiGiovanni, Machesney Park; 9. Josh Carter, Rockford; 10. Brent Garnhart, Machesney Park.

Heat 02 -- 1. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 2. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 3. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 4. Patrick Featherston II, Byron; 5. Dave Lumsden, Jr., Rockford; 6. James Gregory, Winnebago; 7. Brian Mayer, Machesney Park; 8. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 9. Steven Dover, Machesney Park; 10. Kyle McQuality, Stillman Valley.

Heat 03 -- 1. Terrance Robinson, Beloit, Wis; 2. Larry Dickinson II, Cedarville; 3. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 4. Anthony Lloyd, Loves Park; 5. Kris Nilson, Rockford; 6. Alex Papini, Machesney Park; 7. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 8. Joey Thomas, Rockford.

Challenge 01 -- 1. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 2. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 3. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 4. Kyle Watts, Machesney Park; 5. Kenneth Brazee III, Rockford; 6. Curt Nighswonger, Rockford; 7. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park; 8. Larry Dickinson II, Cedarville; 9. Dana Czach, Wauconda; 10. Robert Roush (r), Marengo; 11. Steven Dover, Machesney Park; 12. Brent Garnhart, Machesney Park; 13. Michael (Mike) Wallis, Machesney Park; 14. Chandale Swartwout, Janesville, Wis.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Alex Papini, Machesney Park; 2. Kris Nilson, Rockford; 3. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 4. Larry Dickinson II, Cedarville; 5. Anthony Lloyd, Loves Park; 6. Joey Thomas, Rockford.