By: Eric Huenefeld
In one of the great late race charges in recent memory, Belvidere's Brett McCoy thrilled the fans of Rockford Speedway Saturday night as he nabbed the checkered flag in the 25 lap Bargain Hunter Sportsman feature event. McCoy, in only his second race behind the wheel of a Sportsman, advanced from sixth spot to first in the race's final ten laps to secure the victory and make a little history for himself along the way.

Wisconsin driver Kody Hubred and six-time Rockford Speedway champion Scott Lawver would lead the Sportsman field to the green duing Tractor Town Night, with Lawver finally clearing Hubred for the lead on lap three. Hubred would hang tough on the bottom side of the speedway for about half of the event, before falling out of the top five. Lawver, meanwhile, would hold the lead somewhat comfortably thru the race's first ten laps.

As the event moved towards halfway, former Rookie of the Year Justin Sellers began to close on Lawver's bumper. With this development, a game of high-speed chess began between the two drivers. Lawver would run his line, yet play defense on Sellers, while Sellers would stay inches off the bumper of the leader, looking to force him into a mistake. Behind the lead duo, a furious battles raged. Much like the week prior, Darrell Garman and Doug Bennett raced hard. However instead of battling for the first place trophy this week, the two former champions were dueling for fourth. Behind them, Hubred and his teammate Kyle Chwala along with McCoy would battle for the fifth spot.

McCoy would make his move on Hubred and Chwala with ten laps remaining and enter the top five. He would close quickly on Bennett and Garman, passing them both within a few laps and sending both drivers into a four-way battle with Hubred and Chwala for fifth. McCoy then quickly pounced on the lead three of Lawver, Sellers and Rob Goodman. As McCoy passed Goodman with three laps remaining, the action at the front got hot. Sellers and Lawver began to battle each other, as well as their respective race cars. This allowed McCoy to quickly close on the top two. McCoy made his move on Sellers with a lap and a half to go and as the white flag flew, slipped inside of Lawver. McCoy would clear Lawver on the last lap and steal his first ever Sportsman feature win.

With the win, McCoy became only the second driver ever to win a feature in a Late Model, Short Tracker, Sportsman and Roadrunner (along with Matt Berger). The win also slipped McCoy into the early season point lead. Lawver settled for second, followed by Sellars, Goodman and Chwala.

In the Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models, for the second straight week, it was good to be Jerry Gille. The two-time track champion not only set fast time again but again won the division's 30 lap feature. On this particular Saturday evening, after an early tussle for the top spot, Gille would go on to school his competition, with his closest competitor a straightaway behind him at races end.

Two young drivers, 16 year old Austin Nason and 20 year old Mitch Garfield, would lead the Late Model feature to green. Garfield would take the early advantage, with Nason falling into the clutches of the likes of Gille, Jon Reynolds Jr and Ricky Bilderback. As the group of four came out of turn two on lap two, Nason's car bobbled, and created a hazard for every car in the field except the leader Garfield. Nason would spin to the bottom of the track, avoiding contact with any other car. The rest of the field would clear disaster as well, except for Ricky Bilderback. Bilderback's car would come back across the track after spinning to avoid Nason, and would then plant itself rear end first into the outside wall. The seven-time track champion's night was done before it even started.

When the field restarted, it was Garfield leading Reynolds and Gille back to green. Reynolds would challenge Garfield from the bottom, but after a couple quick challenges, Reynolds found himself in a battle with Gille for second spot. After making quick work of Reynolds, Gille would pounce on Garfield for the lead. Gille would lead on lap four, but Garfield would hang tough on the outside line and make Gille work hard to earn the lead. By lap 10, Gille would clear Garfield and set sail from the field. Reynolds would then catch Garfield and the two would go side by side for multiple laps before Reynolds jumped to the runner up spot.

Gille breezed to victory, a straightaway ahead of Reynolds. Garfield held on for third spot, four car lengths behind Reynolds. Fourth place was hotly contested for the final 10 laps, with Wayne Freimund taking the position ahead of Matt Berger, who settled for fifth.

The excitement continued in the Rockstar Energy Drink Roadrunners, with a late race battle between two of the division's best the feature attraction. A 24-car field started the 20 lap feature event, and as the field began lap two, a spin near the front of the field delivered chaos. All cars survived with little damage and the race resumed after a yellow flag. Ricky Nielson assumed the lead from Josh Carter shortly after racing resumed and tried his best to run away from the field. However, as Nielson led, Bobby Frisch was slicing through the competiton. Frisch, who was a runner up on opening night, would find second spot before halfway and then find Nielson's back bumper by lap 10.

On lap 12, Frisch stormed to the lead and appeared to be on his way to victory. However, Anthony Lloyd was moving through the pack as well, and with five to go Lloyd caught the leader Frisch and the battle was on. With just under three laps to go, Lloyd moved under Frisch and stole the lead. Lloyd would go unchallenged from there and pick up his first win of the season. Frisch hit the line second, but his car did not pass post race inspection. That would give second place to Dennis Smith Jr, third to Arlyn Roush and fourth to Nielson.

The curtain closed on a chilly Saturday evening with red-hot action in the Figure 8. Josh Theiring held the lead for much of event, but bobbled coming out the second corner on the white flag lap. This allowed reigning Figure 8 "Iceman" Dennis Smith Jr not only a chance to catch Theiring, but to try and steal a win. As the two came out of the final corner, Theiring broke loose again, this time sending both cars spinning only 150 feet from the finish. Smith would gas up his racer and drag race to the win, leaving Theiring literally in his dust. It was a thrilling finish to the first Saturday night Figure 8 race in several years, and a fitting end to another action packed Saturday night.

Racing action resumes Saturday night May 5 with Pepsi Kid’s Night, all children ages 11 and under will be admitted free of charge and the first 500 kids through the gate get a free DOC 360 Racing poster. The NASCAR Stanley Steemer Late Models, Miller Lite American Short Trackers, RockStar Energy RoadRunners and the Sam’s Drive-In Stop ‘N Go Race are slated to begin battle at 7:07pm. Adult admission tickets are $12 with students ages 12-17 $8. For additional information visit www.rockfordspeedway.com or call the Speedway Box Office at 815-633-1500.

NASCAR Late Models
A-Main 01 -- 1. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 2. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 3. Mitchell Garfield, Gilberts; 4. Wayne Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 5. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 6. John Beinlich, Prairie View; 7. Austin Nason (r), Roscoe; 8. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 9. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 10. Steve McBride, South Beloit; 11. Nick Shutkas, Loves Park; 12. Danny Church (r), Big Bend, Wis; 13. Ricky Bilderback, Roscoe.
Heat 01 -- 1. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 2. John Beinlich, Prairie View; 3. Nick Shutkas, Loves Park; 4. Wayne Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 5. Steve McBride, South Beloit; 6. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 7. Danny Church (r), Big Bend, Wis.
Heat 02 -- 1. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 2. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 3. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 4. Ricky Bilderback, Roscoe; 5. Austin Nason (r), Roscoe; 6. Mitchell Garfield, Gilberts.
Time Trial -- 1. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 2. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 3. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 4. Ricky Bilderback, Roscoe; 5. Mitchell Garfield, Gilberts; 6. Austin Nason (r), Roscoe; 7. Wayne Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 8. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 9. John Beinlich, Prairie View; 10. Danny Church (r), Big Bend, Wis; 11. Nick Shutkas, Loves Park; 12. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 13. Steve McBride, South Beloit.
Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 2. Mitchell Garfield, Gilberts; 3. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 4. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 5. Austin Nason (r), Roscoe; 6. Ricky Bilderback, Roscoe.

NASCAR All American Sportsman
A-Main 01 -- 1. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 2. Scott Lawver, Roscoe; 3. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 4. Rob Goodman, McHenry; 5. Kyle Chwala, Johnson Creek, Wis; 6. Darrell Garman, South Beloit; 7. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 8. Kody Hubred, Cambridge, Wis; 9. Bob Moeller, McHenry; 10. Brandon Swinbank, Fitchburg, Wis; 11. Johnny Robinson, II, Beloit, Wis; 12. Patrick Featherston II (r), Byron; 13. Tim Jendrycki, Round Lake; 14. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park.
Heat 01 -- 1. Tim Jendrycki, Round Lake; 2. Scott Lawver, Roscoe; 3. Patrick Featherston II (r), Byron; 4. Bob Moeller, McHenry; 5. Kody Hubred, Cambridge, Wis; 6. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park; 7. Brandon Swinbank, Fitchburg, Wis.
Heat 02 -- 1. Darrell Garman, South Beloit; 2. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 3. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 4. Kyle Chwala, Johnson Creek, Wis; 5. Rob Goodman, McHenry; 6. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 7. Johnny Robinson, II, Beloit, Wis.
Time Trial -- 1. Kyle Chwala, Johnson Creek, Wis; 2. Johnny Robinson, II, Beloit, Wis; 3. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 4. Rob Goodman, McHenry; 5. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 6. Darrell Garman, South Beloit; 7. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 8. Bob Moeller, McHenry; 9. Scott Lawver, Roscoe; 10. Kody Hubred, Cambridge, Wis; 11. Patrick Featherston II (r), Byron; 12. Brandon Swinbank, Fitchburg, Wis; 13. Tim Jendrycki, Round Lake; 14. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park.
Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Kyle Chwala, Johnson Creek, Wis; 2. Johnny Robinson, II, Beloit, Wis; 3. Darrell Garman, South Beloit; 4. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 5. Rob Goodman, McHenry; 6. Brett McCoy, Belvidere.
NASCAR RoadRunners
A-Main 01 -- 1. Anthony Lloyd, Loves Park; 2. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 3. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 4. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 5. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 6. Brian Mayer, Machesney Park; 7. Jason Brockway, Machesney Park; 8. Jonathan Stoltz, Freeport; 9. Adam Cartwright, Marengo; 10. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 11. Sam Christofano, Rockford; 12. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park; 13. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 14. Kyle McQuality, Stillman Valley; 15. Brent Garnhart, Machesney Park; 16. Steven Dover, Rockford; 17. Josh Carter, Rockford; 18. Shawn Rickelman, Rockton; 19. Alex Chabucos, Machesney Park; 20. Dustin Radant, Machesney Park; 21. Robert Stoltz, Rockford; 22. Derek Nichol, Roscoe; 23. James Gregory, Winnebago; 24. Bobby Frisch, Beloit, Wis.
Heat 01 -- 1. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 2. Jason Brockway, Machesney Park; 3. Josh Carter, Rockford; 4. Adam Cartwright, Marengo; 5. Shawn Rickelman, Rockton; 6. Brent Garnhart, Machesney Park; 7. Steven Dover, Rockford; 8. Kyle McQuality, Stillman Valley; 9. Robert Stoltz, Rockford.
Heat 02 -- 1. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 2. Brian Mayer, Machesney Park; 3. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 4. Alex Chabucos, Machesney Park; 5. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 6. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park; 7. Dustin Radant, Machesney Park; 8. James Gregory, Winnebago.

Heat 03 -- 1. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 2. Bobby Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 3. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 4. Anthony Lloyd, Loves Park; 5. Derek Nichol, Roscoe; 6. Sam Christofano, Rockford; 7. Jonathan Stoltz, Freeport.
Challenge 01 -- 1. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park; 2. Jonathan Stoltz, Freeport; 3. Steven Dover, Rockford; 4. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 5. Brent Garnhart, Machesney Park; 6. Dustin Radant, Machesney Park; 7. Jeff Allendorf,
Belvidere; 8. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 9. Robert Stoltz, Rockford; 10. Derek Nichol, Roscoe; 11. Brian Mayer, Machesney Park; 12. Adam Cartwright, Marengo.
Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Bobby Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 2. Anthony Lloyd, Loves Park; 3. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 4. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 5. Jonathan Stoltz, Freeport.

Figure 8
A-Main 01 -- 1. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 2. Josh Thiering, South Beloit; 3. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park; 4. Jim Daugherty, Machesney Park; 5. Derek Dobbs, Rockton; 6. Brent Garnhart, Machesney Park; 7. Robert Stoltz,
Rockford; 8. Steven Dover, Rockford; 9. Josh Carter, Rockford; 10. Jonathan Stoltz, Freeport.