PHOTOS

By: Kevin Ramsell
LOVES PARK, IL (Saturday, May 10, 2008) – The weather was cooperative, once again, for another great evening of NASCAR Whelen All-American Series action. Ricky Bilderback, Brock Behnke, Nick Cina, Jr., Gene Marocco, and John Vassh, Jr. all went home with trophies at the Rockford Speedway.

Bilderback collects his second feature win of the season in the Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Model division.

It was Billy McCoy grabbing the early lead from the outside of the front row for the 30-lap main event. Bilderback started behind McCoy and followed him to the front. It only took one lap for Bilderback to get past McCoy and take the lead.

He would build a healthy lead over Jon Reynolds, Jr. In the closing laps, Bilderback would encounter lap traffic allowing Reynolds to close in, but he would run out of laps as it was Bilderback taking the checkered flag.

Reynolds would hold on to second with Matt Berger in third. Jerry Gille was fourth with Tim Sargent rounding out the top five.

Behnke won his first feature of the year in the All-American Sportsman division.

It was Justin Sellers who grabbed the early lead in the 25-lap feature event. Behnke, who was also the fast qualifier, had to wait to get by Don Exline for third on lap 12 to get a shot at the leaders. As soon as he got by Exline, he vaulted his way past Rick Nielsen for second on lap 13.

A lap later, he would get on the inside of Sellers to take the top spot.

Behnke had a huge lead as he would pick up the checkered flag. Behind him, Fred Nason and Chris Gantz battled for second as the two touched going into turn three on the last lap. Gantz got loose and saved it from spinning, but it allowed a group of cars to get past him.

Nason would hold on to second with Nielsen in third. Sellers would finish fourth and Ron Morris would round out the top five.

Cina Jr. took home his first feature win of the season in Budweiser American Short Tracker division.

Cina, who started fourth, would grab the lead on lap 2 as he got by Nick Leisinger coming off of turn four. Cina would stretch out to a comfortable lead.

BJ Sparkman quickly made his way to the front from his tenth starting position to second by lap 5. He would catch the back bumper of Cina with ten laps to go. But Cina was to strong for Sparkman to even contest for the lead as they battled to the checkered flag.

At the stripe, it was Cina with the win with Sparkman on his back bumper for second. Fast qualifier, Kelly Evink, was third with Steve Erickson, Jr. in fourth. George Sparkman rounded out the top five.

Marocco would go wire-to-wire to take home his first feature win of the season in the Coca-Cola RoadRunner division.

Marocco, the 68-year-old veteran, jumped out to the lead at the green flag and would go uncontested throughout the 20-lap event.

Behind him, the fans in attendance watched as Vachenzia Jester held off Robert Roush for second. Sam Christofano was fourth. Jeff Allendorf came home fifth.

John Vassh, Jr. held off Lon Meagher to win the Stock Car Classics feature event.

It will be another busy two days next weekend at the Rockford Speedway. On Saturday, it’s Just Engineering Kid’s Night with the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series in action along with a School’s Almost Out Smash with a School Bus Stunt.

All kids, 11 & under, will get FREE admission with the Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models, Budweiser American Short Trackers, Coca-Cola RoadRunners, and Supercups in action. The Popeye’s Mini Grand Prix and Driver/Fan Egg Toss are also on the schedule.

On Sunday afternoon, the USAC Midget Series will make its first appearance to the Rockford Speedway since 1979 with its Midget Maynia Tour with qualifying at 2 pm and racing scheduled to start at 3 pm.

NASCAR Nationwide Series competitor, Jason Leffler, will be competing along with 16 year old USAC National Midget Point Leader, Cole Whitt. Tracy Hines, Bobby East, Jerry Coons Jr., Brad Sweet, Dave Darland, Dave Steele, Brad Kuhn and Chad Boat are also scheduled to compete.

For more information, tickets, birthday party, or more please call the track office at (815) 633-1500 or visit the track’s website at www.rockfordspeedway.com

NASCAR All American Sportsmen
A-Main 01 -- 1. Brock Behnke, South Beloit; 2. Fred Nason, Roscoe; 3. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 4. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 5. Ron Morris, Belvidere; 6. Don Exline, Oak Lawn; 7. Deanna Hurd, Rochelle; 8. Chris Gantz, Rockford; 9. Dave Edwards, Salem, Wis; 10. Beau Lawson, Machesney Park; 11. Ron Young, Rockford; 12. Randy Samples,
Heat 01 -- 1. Ron Young, Rockford; 2. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 3. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 4. Randy Samples, Rockton; 5. Deanna Hurd, Rochelle; 6. Beau Lawson, Machesney Park; 7. Dave Edwards, Salem, Wis.
Heat 02 -- 1. Fred Nason, Roscoe; 2. Brock Behnke, South Beloit; 3. Don Exline, Oak Lawn; 4. Chris Gantz, Rockford; 5. Ron Morris, Belvidere; 6. Warren (Butch) Swinbank, Rockford; 7. David Lounsbury, Beloit, Wis.
Time Trial -- 1. Brock Behnke, South Beloit; 2. Fred Nason, Roscoe; 3. Chris Gantz, Rockford; 4. Don Exline, Oak Lawn; 5. Ron Morris, Belvidere; 6. David Lounsbury, Beloit, Wis; 7. Warren (Butch) Swinbank, Rockford; 8. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 9. Beau Lawson, Machesney Park; 10. Deanna Hurd, Rochelle; 11. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 12. Dave Edwards, Salem, Wis; 13. Randy Samples, Rockton; 14. Ron Young, Rockford.
Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Fred Nason, Roscoe; 2. Brock Behnke, South Beloit; 3. Ron Morris, Belvidere; 4. Chris Gantz, Rockford; 5. David Lounsbury, Beloit, Wis; 6. Don Exline, Oak Lawn.
NASCAR American Short Trackers
A-Main 01 -- 1. Nick Cina, Jr, Roscoe; 2. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 3. Kelly Evink, Machesney Park; 4. Steve Erickson, Jr, Machesney Park; 5. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 6. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 7. Aaron Rude, Cambridge, Wis; 8. Tim Melvin, Machesney Park; 9. Steven Allman, Oconomowoc, Wis; 10. Jeffery Turnure, Rockford; 11. Jack Atchison, Stillman Valley; 12. Nick Letsinger, Rockford; 13. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 14. Victor Young, Genoa; 15. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 16. Rachel Sparkman, Loves Park; 17. Artt Higbee, Rockford.
Heat 01 -- 1. Nick Cina, Jr, Roscoe; 2. Steven Allman, Oconomowoc, Wis; 3. Jack Atchison, Stillman Valley; 4. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 5. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 6. Victor Young, Genoa; 7. Nick Letsinger, Rockford; 8. Artt Higbee, Rockford.
Heat 02 -- 1. Aaron Rude, Cambridge, Wis; 2. Jeffery Turnure, Rockford; 3. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 4. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 5. Kelly Evink, Machesney Park; 6. Tim Melvin, Machesney Park; 7. Steve Erickson, Jr, Machesney Park; 8. Brett McCoy, Belvidere.
Time Trial -- 1. Kelly Evink, Machesney Park; 2. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 3. Tim Melvin, Machesney Park; 4. Steve Erickson, Jr, Machesney Park; 5. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 6. Aaron Rude, Cambridge, Wis; 7. Jeffery Turnure, Rockford; 8. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 9. Nick Cina, Jr, Roscoe; 10. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 11. Nick Letsinger, Rockford; 12. Jack Atchison, Stillman Valley; 13. Steven Allman, Oconomowoc, Wis; 14. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 15. Artt Higbee, Rockford.
Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 2. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 3. Kelly Evink, Machesney Park; 4. Tim Melvin, Machesney Park; 5. Steve Erickson, Jr, Machesney Park; 6. Aaron Rude, Cambridge, Wis.
NASCAR Late Models
A-Main 01 -- 1. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 2. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Roscoe; 3. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 4. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 5. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 6. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 7. Steve Rubeck, Monroe Center; 8. Bill Hobson, Roscoe; 9. Noel Ramge, Helenville, Wis; 10. Alex Papini, Machesney Park; 11. Billy McCoy, Belvidere; 12. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 13. Tyler Peterson, Lake Geneva, Wis; 14. Bob Kahler, Caledonia; 15. Jacob Gille, Winnebago; 16. Dan Carlson, Rockford; 17. Jason Dull, Machesney Park; 18. Robert Nelson, Solon Mills.
Heat 01 -- 1. Alex Papini, Machesney Park; 2. Tyler Peterson, Lake Geneva, Wis; 3. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 4. Bill Hobson, Roscoe; 5. Noel Ramge, Helenville, Wis; 6. Dan Carlson, Rockford; 7. Jacob Gille, Winnebago; 8. Jason Dull, Machesney Park; 9. Robert Nelson, Solon Mills.

Heat 02 -- 1. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Roscoe; 2. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 3. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 4. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 5. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 6. Bob Kahler, Caledonia; 7. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 8. Billy McCoy, Belvidere; 9. Steve Rubeck, Monroe Center.
Time Trial -- 1. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 2. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 3. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 4. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Roscoe; 5. Bob Kahler, Caledonia; 6. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 7. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 8. Billy McCoy, Belvidere; 9. Steve Rubeck, Monroe Center; 10. Noel Ramge, Helenville, Wis; 11. Bill Hobson, Roscoe; 12. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 13. Alex Papini, Machesney Park; 14. Tyler Peterson, Lake Geneva, Wis; 15. Dan Carlson, Rockford; 16. Jacob Gille, Winnebago; 17. Jason Dull, Machesney Park; 18. Robert Nelson, Solon Mills.
Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 2. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 3. Bob Kahler, Caledonia; 4. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Roscoe; 5. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 6. Matt Berger, Loves Park.
NASCAR Road Runners
A-Main 01 -- 1. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 2. Vachenzia Jester, Beloit, Wis; 3. Robert Roush, Marengo; 4. Sam Christofano, Rockford; 5. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 6. Christopher Jones, Rockford; 7. David Russell, Rockford; 8. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park; 9. David Lignell, Rockford; 10. Richard Nielsen, Byron; 11. Terrance Robinson, Beloit, Wis; 12. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 13. Mike Leopold, Algonquin; 14. Vinny Mangiaracina, Rockford; 15. Marci Lundberg, Belvidere; 16. Kevin Nighswonger, Rockford; 17. Richard Edge, Marengo; 18. Doug Jackson, Jr, Machesney Park; 19. Jerry Edge, Marengo; 20. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 21. Steven Clark, Rockford; 22. Mike Vines, Byron; 23. Sabrina Castillo, Rockford; 24. Eric Schoffen, Crystal Lake.
Heat 01 -- 1. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 2. David Russell, Rockford; 3. Sabrina Castillo, Rockford; 4. Richard Nielsen, Byron; 5. Mike Leopold, Algonquin; 6. Vinny Mangiaracina, Rockford; 7. Eric Schoffen, Crystal Lake; 8. Mike Vines, Byron; 9. Doug Jackson, Jr, Machesney Park.
Heat 02 -- 1. Richard Edge, Marengo; 2. Vachenzia Jester, Beloit, Wis; 3. Sam Christofano, Rockford; 4. Kevin Nighswonger, Rockford; 5. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 6. Marci Lundberg, Belvidere; 7. Jerry Edge, Marengo; 8. Steven Clark, Rockford.
Heat 03 -- 1. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 2. Christopher Jones, Rockford; 3. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park; 4. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 5. Robert Roush, Marengo; 6. David Lignell, Rockford; 7. Terrance Robinson, Beloit, Wis.
Challenge 01 -- 1. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 2. Robert Roush, Marengo; 3. Richard Edge, Marengo; 4. David Lignell, Rockford; 5. Sabrina Castillo, Rockford; 6. David Russell, Rockford; 7. Mike Leopold, Algonquin; 8. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry.
Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Terrance Robinson, Beloit, Wis; 2. David Lignell, Rockford; 3. Robert Roush, Marengo; 4. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park; 5. Christopher Jones, Rockford; 6. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere.

CLASSICS
Heat – 1. Pat Heaney, Milwaukee, WI; 2. Lon Meagher, Racine, WI; 3. John Vassh, Jr., Franksville, WI; 4. Sam DuVall, Racine, WI; 5. Randy Vassh, Franksville, WI; 6. TJ McKenna, IL; 7. Juan Huerta, Racine, WI; 8. Dan DeKeyser, Franksville, WI.

Feature – 1.John Vassh, Jr, Franksville, WI; 2. Lon Meagher, Racine, WI; 3. Pat Heaney, Milwaukee, WI; 4. Juan Huerta, Racine, WI; 5. Randy Vassh, Franksville, WI; 6. Sam DuVall, Racine, WI; 7. TJ McKenna, IL.