By: Eric Huenefeld
If it were the NCAA Basketball Tournament, what Rich Hinerichsen did in the Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models Saturday night would be considered an "upset" or a "Cinderella story." Hinerichsen, a driver who has raced in every Saturday night division at the Rockford Speedway, was able to capitalize on his front row starting spot and hold off defending track champion Ryan Carlson to collect his first ever Late Model feature win on the historic quarter mile.

Hinerichsen got the jump from the outside front row on Dave Edwards as the green flag flew on the 30 lap main event. As Hinerichsen sprinted to the front, Edwards was quickly under siege from the rest of the field. Contact between Edwards and Matthew Clossey would make for a breath-taking near miss for the balance of the field in turn two, and bring out the first and only yellow flag of the race. Clossey was sent to the back of the field and Edwards retired to the pit area with damage to the front of his machine.

On the restart, Hinerichsen saw Carlson and his Dodge Charger on the bumper of his Ford Fusion. It would be a sight that would become very familiar to the masses over the final 29 laps of the main event. As the laps ticked away, Carlson got into the corner better, but Hinerichsen would get off the corner better. Carlson was able to get to the drivers door but no further over the last several laps of the event.

The real action was for third through fifth, where Matt Berger, along with Jerry Gille and his nephew Jake, traded spots and paint over the last half of the race. Gille held third shortly after the restart, but was then muscled out of third by Berger. Then the two Gille's battled hard for position, with Jake getting past Jerry. Berger then felt pressure from Jake Gille for third, but just as Jake Gille got below Berger, Jerry Gille filled the gap on the high side, and made a move back into fourth. Then, with under ten laps to go, Jerry Gille returned the favor on Berger, and moved back into third spot.

As the field came to the checkered flag, Carlson would get to Hinerichsen's bumper and give him a nudge. Despite Carlson's best effort, Hinerichsen held on for the win, and in doing so became only the third driver to win a feature in the four main Saturday night divisions (Late Model, Short Tracker, Sportsman and Roadrunners), joining Brett McCoy and Berger. Behind Hinerichsen and Carlson, Jerry Gille would take third, followed by Berger and Jake Gille.

The most exciting feature of the evening may have been the Bargain Hunter Sportsman feature, where the twists and turns were a plenty over the final ten laps. When the dust settled, a former champ finally found his way back to victory lane, as Doug Bennett would rule the roost.

Pat Featherston and Butch Swinbank led the field to green, with Swinbank jumping to the top spot on the opening lap. Behind him, it was a free-for-all, with Justin Sellers making bold moves and jumping to the second spot on the third lap of the race. By lap five, Sellers was challenging Swinbank for the lead. By lap seven, Sellers had taken the race lead. Sellers appeared to be on a mission to win his first ever Rockford Speedway feature event, and behind him, it seemed that six-time champion Scott Lawver was on a mission to return to victory lane for the first time in nearly a year. Lawver made his way to the runner up spot near the race's midway point.

But then the shuffling and craziness began. Lawver was soon pursued by a bevy of racers, including Bennett and Daryl Gerke. Bennett got to the second spot with under ten laps to go, and began to set sail for the leader. Bennett's battle with Sellers would never have a chance to happen though, as with five laps to go, Sellers' Camaro fell off the pace, and his bid for checkers was done. Behind him, the most recent winner in the Sportsman division, Johnny Robinson II, made a late bid for a top three as well. But with only a couple circuits to go, Robinson's car would also fall off the pace and his bid for glory was up.

Bennett captured the win, his first this 2012 racing season, and a big boost to his points lead. Gerke would take a season best second place finish ahead of a hard-charging Brett McCoy in third. Lawver came home in fourth with three-time feature winner Darrell Garman finishing in fifth.

The weather and calendar would tell you April was a long time ago, and come to think of it, Nick Cina Jr would tell you that April was a long time ago too. Cina, who won the opening feature event of the year in the Miller Lite American Short Trackers, had been shut out since. Not only that, but Cina also was a victim of an accident in last week's 25 lap feature event, and was running his old car for the first time this year. Cina though, was very strong on this night, taking fast time on this night and winning the division's 25 lap feature.

Cina would get to the lead on lap two, working around Kyle Lapier and sailing away. As Cina paced the field, the battle was on for second on back. Points leader Joe LaMarca was on the move, and worked through the field, getting to second spot near the races midway point. LaMarca got his chance at Cina as the only yellow flag of the event would fly at lap 14.

Cina though could not be denied, getting away from the pack on the final restart and going on to his second win of the year. LaMarca came home in second spot. Lapier would take third, the best finish of the year for the former champion. Scotty Hoeft, who started the race from the front row, came home in fourth, with Zach Rodriguez took home fifth.

After a frantic three and four wide Rockstar Energy Drink Roadrunners, Anthony Lloyd would be the first car across the line in the 20 lap main event. However, after post-race tech, the win was awarded to Adam Cartwright. It was Cartwright's second trophy of the year, and second of the week, after winning his first ever Figure 8 feature on Wednesday night. Bobby Frisch was credited with second, and Gene Marocco third.

In the nightcap, 21 competitors took part in the "World Famous" Trailer Race of Destruction, with London England's Big Ben Beckum taking the win, one week after he jumped the "Flying Limo" over a swimming pool.

Racing action continues at Rockford Speedway this Wednesday night while Saturday night marks the return on open wheel racing to the sixty five year old facility as the Illini Midgets make their first visit of the season. For a complete schedule of events please visit www.rockfordspeedway.com.

NASCAR Stanley Steemer Late Models
A-Main 01 -- 1. Rich Hinerichsen, Machesney Park; 2. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 3. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 4. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 5. Jacob Gille, Machesney Park; 6. Ricky Bilderback, Roscoe; 7. Mitchell Garfield, Gilberts; 8.
Wayne Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 9. Bob Kahler, Caledonia; 10. Austin Nason (r), Roscoe; 11. Matthew Clossey, Beloit, Wis; 12. John Beinlich, Prairie View; 13. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 14. Steve McBride, South Beloit; 15. Timothy Slater, Hampshire; 16. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 17. Dave Edwards, Salem, Wis; 18. Brandon Eash,

Heat 01 -- 1. Steve McBride, South Beloit; 2. John Beinlich, Prairie View; 3. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 4. Brandon Eash, Machesney Park; 5. Austin Nason (r), Roscoe; 6. Timothy Slater, Hampshire; 7. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford.

Heat 02 -- 1. Dave Edwards, Salem, Wis; 2. Wayne Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 3. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 4. Matthew Clossey, Beloit, Wis; 5. Bob Kahler, Caledonia; 6. Rich Hinerichsen, Machesney Park.

Heat 03 -- 1. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 2. Mitchell Garfield, Gilberts; 3. Ricky Bilderback, Roscoe; 4. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 5. Jacob Gille, Machesney Park.

Time Trial -- 1. Ricky Bilderback, Roscoe; 2. Mitchell Garfield, Gilberts; 3. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 4. Brian Johnson, Jr., Machesney Park; 5. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 6. Jacob Gille, Machesney Park; 7. Matthew Clossey,
Beloit, Wis; 8. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 9. Wayne Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 10. Rich Hinerichsen, Machesney Park; 11. Dave Edwards, Salem, Wis; 12. Bob Kahler, Caledonia; 13. Brandon Eash, Machesney Park; 14. Austin Nason (r),
Roscoe; 15. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 16. Timothy Slater, Hampshire; 17. Steve McBride, South Beloit; 18. John Beinlich, Prairie View; 19. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 2. Ricky Bilderback, Roscoe; 3. Jacob Gille, Machesney Park; 4. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 5. Mitchell Garfield, Gilberts; 6. Brian Johnson, Jr., Machesney Park.

Bargain Hunter Sportsman
A-Main 01 -- 1. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 2. Daryl Gerke, Whitelaw, Wis; 3. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 4. Scott Lawver, Roscoe; 5. Darrell Garman, South Beloit; 6. Johnny Robinson, II (r), Beloit, Wis; 7. Brandon Swinbank,
Fitchburg, Wis; 8. Rob Goodman, McHenry; 9. Patrick Featherston II (r), Byron; 10. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 11. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park; 12. Jamie Schmidt, Arlington Heights; 13. Tim Jendrycki, Round Lake; 14. Warren
(Butch) Swinbank, Rockford.

Heat 01 -- 1. Jamie Schmidt, Arlington Heights; 2. Warren (Butch) Swinbank, Rockford; 3. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 4. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park; 5. Brandon Swinbank, Fitchburg, Wis; 6. Patrick Featherston II (r), Byron; 7.
Darrell Garman, South Beloit; 8. Tim Jendrycki, Round Lake.

Heat 02 -- 1. Scott Lawver, Roscoe; 2. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 3. Daryl Gerke, Whitelaw, Wis; 4. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 5. Rob Goodman, McHenry; 6. Johnny Robinson, II (r), Beloit, Wis; 7. Matt Lundberg, Rockford.

Time Trial -- 1. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 2. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 3. Daryl Gerke, Whitelaw, Wis; 4. Rob Goodman, McHenry; 5. Scott Lawver, Roscoe; 6. Johnny Robinson, II (r), Beloit, Wis; 7. Matt Lundberg, Rockford;
8. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 9. Darrell Garman, South Beloit; 10. Warren (Butch) Swinbank, Rockford; 11. Patrick Featherston II (r), Byron; 12. Jamie Schmidt, Arlington Heights; 13. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park; 14. Tim
Jendrycki, Round Lake; 15. Brandon Swinbank, Fitchburg, Wis.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 2. Johnny Robinson, II (r), Beloit, Wis; 3. Rob Goodman, McHenry; 4. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 5. Daryl Gerke, Whitelaw, Wis; 6. Scott Lawver, Roscoe.

Miller Lite American Short Trackers
A-Main 01 -- 1. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 2. Joe LaMarca, Rockford; 3. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 4. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 5. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 6. Christopher Jones, Capron; 7. Nick Worman, Woodstock; 8. Alan
Bekielewski, Roscoe; 9. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 10. Leo Bujak, III (r), Spring Grove; 11. David Russell, Jr, Rockford; 12. Tim Dix, Beloit, Wis; 13. Nick Letsinger, Rockford.

Heat 01 -- 1. Nick Worman, Woodstock; 2. Alan Bekielewski, Roscoe; 3. Tim Dix, Beloit, Wis; 4. Christopher Jones, Capron; 5. Nick Letsinger, Rockford; 6. David Russell, Jr, Rockford; 7. Jack Atchison, Stillman Valley; 8. Leo Bujak,
III (r), Spring Grove.

Heat 02 -- 1. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 2. Joe LaMarca, Rockford; 3. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 4. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 5. Rachel Sparkman, Belvidere; 6. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 7. George Sparkman, Loves Park.

Time Trial -- 1. Joe LaMarca, Rockford; 2. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 3. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 4. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 5. Rachel Sparkman, Belvidere; 6. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 7. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 8.
Christopher Jones, Capron; 9. Nick Worman, Woodstock; 10. Alan Bekielewski, Roscoe; 11. Tim Dix, Beloit, Wis; 12. Nick Letsinger, Rockford; 13. Leo Bujak, III (r), Spring Grove; 14. David Russell, Jr, Rockford; 15. Jack Atchison, Stillman Valley.

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

RockStar Energy RoadRunners
A-Main 01 -- 1. Adam Cartwright, Marengo; 2. Bobby Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 3. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 4. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 5. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 6. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 7. Dennis Smith, Jr, South
Beloit; 8. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 9. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 10. Derek Nichol, Roscoe; 11. Josh Carter, Rockford; 12. Alex Chabucos, Machesney Park; 13. Brian Mayer, Machesney Park; 14. Austin Fowler, Loves Park;
15. Kyle McQuality, Stillman Valley; 16. Chad Smith, Machesney Park; 17. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 18. Kenneth Brazee III, Rockford; 19. David Rodden, Loves Park; 20. Cory Teran, Machesney Park; 21. Shawn
Rickelman, Rockton; 22. Richard Pixler, Winnebago; 23. Anthony Lloyd, Loves Park.

Heat 01 -- 1. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 2. Austin Fowler, Loves Park; 3. Cory Teran, Machesney Park; 4. Alex Chabucos, Machesney Park; 5. Linnea Lundy, Loves Park; 6. Shawn Rickelman, Rockton; 7. Richard Pixler,
Winnebago; 8. David Rodden, Loves Park.

Heat 02 -- 1. Adam Cartwright, Marengo; 2. Kenneth Brazee III, Rockford; 3. Kyle McQuality, Stillman Valley; 4. Brian Mayer, Machesney Park; 5. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 6. Chad Smith, Machesney Park; 7. Josh Carter,
Rockford; 8. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park.

Heat 03 -- 1. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 2. Bobby Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 3. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 4. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 5. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 6. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 7. Anthony Lloyd, Loves Park.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 2. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 3. Bobby Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 4. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 5. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 6. Anthony Lloyd, Loves Park.