By Kraig McCay
After accepting the Gerber Collision & Glass Challenge, Driver X Jon Reynolds, Jr found himself at the tail end of Saturday night’s NASCAR Late Model field. A broken axle in the first practice session forced Nick Cina, Jr to watch his car be loaded on a rollback tow truck. Once repairs were made, he found himself at the tail end of Saturday night’s American Short Tracker feature at Rockford Speedway. Both drivers charged to the front and laid claim to victories during Instant Jungle Military Night. Reynolds, Jr pocketed the $1,300 bonus from Gerber for his efforts. Bobby Frisch recorded the RockStar Energy RoadRunners win while Andy Jones was victorious in Legends action and Patrick Bruns was the Illini Racing Series Midgets winner.

The excitement started from the drop of the green flag during the NASCAR Stanley Steemer Late Model feature event. Contact between Jerry Gille and Brandon Eash ended Eash’s night early after a strong qualifying effort and forced Gille, the point leader to restart at the tail of the field. Jon Reynolds, Jr now had company at the tail after he accepted the Gerber Collision and Glass Challenge in search of a $1,300 bonus. Wayne Freimund and Jake Gille worked past pole sitter John Beinlich who hung tough on the inside. A lap three miscue sent Matthew Clossey hard into the frontstretch wall and severly mangled the front of two time feature winner Eddie May’s ride. The restart saw Freimund again charge to the front with Jake Gille, now with Matt Berger in the mix. Berger moved past Gille and set his sights on win number three, six laps into the contest. The tandem of Reynolds and Jerry Gille continued to gain positions and soon would catch the lead pack. A move to the high side
of Berger who battled with Freimund for the lead, moved Reynolds into the second spot as the field completed halfway.

The race was about to change dramatically. After a few peeks to Freimund’s inside, Reynolds pulled the trigger on lap nineteen as the leaders dashed into turn one. Heavy contact between the two about parked both of them in the turn two wall but both gathered their machines together and motored toward turn 3 with Freimund challenging on the outside. At the stripe Reynolds led but more contact sent his mount for a wild ride entering turn one allowing Freimund to duck inside as Reynolds reclaimed control of the X car. Freimund was not as fortunate as he lost the handle on his car and looped it in turn two, bringing out the final caution of the event. When the race resumed nobody had anything for Reynolds who easily cruised to victory over Berger. Mitch Garfield was able to make a late race pass to claim third over Jerry Gille who was followed by nephew Jake who finished fifth. With his win Reynolds won the Gerber Collision Challenge for the second time and remains the only
driver to win the big cash bonus.

It was a tough night to be towards the top of the Miller Lite American Short Tracker point standings. A broken axle in practice forced Nick Cina, Jr to start at the tail of the field and an opening lap incident saw both George Sparkman and top point man Joey LaMarca sustain damage to their rides. That wreck would end the evening early for Jason Bragg and Eric Connell. When racing did get underway it was Scotty Hoeft in the lead with Rachel Sparkman and Tim Dix battling for the runner-up position. After a solo spin by Nick Letsinger bunched the field on lap eight, father and daughter, George and Rachel Sparkman were now on Hoeft’s heels. With eight laps remaining Cina shot underneath Rachel and caught George Sparkman who was in a heated exchange with Hoeft. The bottom line proved to work again for Cina as he muscled beneath Sparkman with five to go and took command of the race a lap later and never looked back. Hoeft salvaged a second place showing, followed by George and
Rachel Sparkman and Chris Jones who recovered from the lap one incident to finish fifth.

The full field inverts in the RockStar Energy RoadRunners has made every feature quite interesting and Saturday night was no different. Josh DiGiovanni ran away and hid during the opening stages with Austin Fowler in pursuit. Meanwhile the point leaders went high and low working their way to the front, Jeff Allendorf jumped into the lead on lap ten when a five car wreck occurred in the first turn involving Alex Chabucos, the Gregory brothers, James and Steve, RoadRunner Challenge winner Adam Cartwright and Derek Nichol. When racing resumed Dennis Smith, Jr and Bobby Frisch became the lead duo five laps into the run. They would finish that way on the track, however post race inspection handed the win to Frisch. The top five was completed by Gene Marocco, Jason Van Hise, Ricky Nielsen and Chabucos.

Brian Dobis led the opening two circuits for the Illini Midgets until he was overtaken by Lamont Critchett. Patrick Bruns and Sean Murphy sliced and diced their ways to the leaders with Bruns being the first to shoot past Critchett using a slide job coming out of turn four as the field completed the half way mark. Murphy followed suit a lap later and chased Critchett to the checkers, unable to make a winning pass. Young Derrick Gough posted an impressive third place finish and was followed by Ben Gillis and Mike Gass at the checkered flag.

Drivers from four states embarked on Rockford Speedway when the Legends made their first Saturday night appearance in three seasons. It took just four laps for second generation Andy Jones, son of former Chicagoland great Tom Jones, to move from his fifth position on the starting grid and into the lead. He did so by going inside of early race leader, Noah Cornman, a young man from Groveland, FL. Cornman held tough in the second spot until a late race caution allowed former Rockford Speedway Legends Champion Rachel Pinkerman and Cory Tolaska to shoot past on the restart. Jones cruised to the feature win during his first visit to the quarter mile high banked oval, Pinkerman posted an impressive second followed by Tolaska, Cornman and Johnny Kringas.

Racing continues this Wednesday night during the 43rd annual Loves Park Police vs. Businessmen Grudge Race. The night is filled with racing, novelty events, a grocery getter demolition derby and fireworks display. Next Saturday night is Tebala Shrine Family night, race fans can get two adult tickets and up to four student and/or kids tickets for $30. Racing action will feature Round III of the Gilley’s Cool 5 Series with all four NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions in action. For additional information visit www.rockfordspeedway.com or call the Speedway Box Office at 815-633-1500.

NASCAR Stanley Steemer Late Models
A-Main 01 -- 1. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 2. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 3. Mitchell Garfield, Gilberts; 4. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 5. Jacob Gille, Machesney Park; 6. Mike Beyer, Machesney Park; 7. Rich Hinerichsen, Machesney Park; 8.
John Beinlich, Prairie View; 9. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 10. Steve McBride, South Beloit; 11. Wayne Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 12. Eddie May, Crystal Lake; 13. Austin Nason (r), Roscoe; 14. Matthew Clossey, Beloit, Wis; 15. Brandon Eash,
Machesney Park.
Heat 01 -- 1. Rich Hinerichsen, Machesney Park; 2. Wayne Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 3. Jacob Gille, Machesney Park; 4. John Beinlich, Prairie View; 5. Matthew Clossey, Beloit, Wis; 6. Mike Beyer, Machesney Park; 7. Mark Hartline, Gilberts;
8. Steve McBride, South Beloit.
Heat 02 -- 1. Austin Nason (r), Roscoe; 2. Eddie May, Crystal Lake; 3. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 4. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 5. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 6. Mitchell Garfield, Gilberts; 7. Brandon Eash, Machesney Park.
Time Trial -- 1. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 2. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 3. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 4. Eddie May, Crystal Lake; 5. Mitchell Garfield, Gilberts; 6. Austin Nason (r), Roscoe; 7. Brandon Eash, Machesney Park; 8. Matthew
Clossey, Beloit, Wis; 9. Jacob Gille, Machesney Park; 10. Mike Beyer, Machesney Park; 11. Wayne Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 12. John Beinlich, Prairie View; 13. Rich Hinerichsen, Machesney Park; 14. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 15. Steve McBride, South Beloit.
Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Mitchell Garfield, Gilberts; 2. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 3. Austin Nason (r), Roscoe; 4. Eddie May, Crystal Lake; 5. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 6. Matt Berger, Loves Park.

Miller Lite American Short Trackers
A-Main 01 -- 1. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 2. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 3. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 4. Rachel Sparkman, Belvidere; 5. Christopher Jones, Capron; 6. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 7. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 8. Joe LaMarca, Rockford; 9. Alan Bekielewski, Roscoe; 10. David Russell, Jr, Rockford; 11. Leo Bujak, III (r), Spring Grove; 12. Nick Letsinger, Rockford; 13. Ron Bridges, Machesney Park; 14. Tim Dix, Beloit, Wis; 15. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 16. Jason Bragg, Machesney Park; 17. Eric Connell, Fort Atkinson, Wis.
Heat 01 -- 1. Jason Bragg, Machesney Park; 2. Eric Connell, Fort Atkinson, Wis; 3. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 4. Alan Bekielewski, Roscoe; 5. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 6. Nick Letsinger, Rockford; 7. Ron Bridges, Machesney Park; 8.
Leo Bujak, III (r), Spring Grove; 9. David Russell, Jr, Rockford.
Heat 02 -- 1. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 2. Joe LaMarca, Rockford; 3. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 4. Tim Dix, Beloit, Wis; 5. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 6. Rachel Sparkman, Belvidere; 7. Christopher Jones, Capron; 8. Scott Hoeft,
Watertown, Wis.
Time Trial -- 1. Joe LaMarca, Rockford; 2. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 3. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 4. Tim Dix, Beloit, Wis; 5. Rachel Sparkman, Belvidere; 6. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 7. Christopher Jones, Capron; 8. Scott Hoeft,
Watertown, Wis; 9. Alan Bekielewski, Roscoe; 10. Jason Bragg, Machesney Park; 11. Eric Connell, Fort Atkinson, Wis; 12. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 13. David Russell, Jr, Rockford; 14. Nick Letsinger, Rockford; 15. Leo Bujak, III (r),
Spring Grove; 16. Ron Bridges, Machesney Park.
Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Joe LaMarca, Rockford; 2. Tim Dix, Beloit, Wis; 3. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 4. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 5. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 6. Rachel Sparkman, Belvidere.
RockStar Energy RoadRunners
A-Main 01 -- 1. Bobby Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 2. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 3. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 4. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 5. Alex Chabucos, Machesney Park; 6. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 7. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 8. Brian Mayer, Machesney Park; 9. Josh DiGiovanni, Machesney Park; 10. Linnea Lundy, Loves Park; 11. Derek Nichol, Roscoe; 12. James Gregory, Winnebago; 13. Steve Gregory, Machesney Park; 14. Dana Czach, Wauconda; 15. Josh Carter, Rockford; 16. Kenneth Brazee III, Rockford; 17. Adam Cartwright, Marengo; 18. Austin Fowler, Loves Park; 19. Terry Van Hise, Machesney Park; 20. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 21. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere.
Heat 01 -- 1. Dana Czach, Wauconda; 2. Kenneth Brazee III, Rockford; 3. Josh DiGiovanni, Machesney Park; 4. James Gregory, Winnebago; 5. Linnea Lundy, Loves Park; 6. Terry Van Hise, Machesney Park.
Heat 02 -- 1. Josh Carter, Rockford; 2. Alex Chabucos, Machesney Park; 3. Steve Gregory, Machesney Park; 4. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 5. Adam Cartwright, Marengo; 6. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 7. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere.
Heat 03 -- 1. Brian Mayer, Machesney Park; 2. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 3. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 4. Bobby Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 5. Derek Nichol, Roscoe; 6. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 7. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit.
Challenge 01 -- 1. Adam Cartwright, Marengo; 2. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 3. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 4. Kenneth Brazee III, Rockford; 5. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 6. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 7. Terry Van Hise, Machesney Park; 8. Dana Czach, Wauconda.
Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 2. Brian Mayer, Machesney Park; 3. Bobby Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 4.
Derek Nichol, Roscoe; 5. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 6. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit.

Illini Racing Series Midgets
A-Main 01 -- 1. Patrick Bruns; 2. Sean Murphy; 3. Derrick Gough; 4. Ben Gillis; 5. Mike Gass; 6. Mike Anderson; 7. Bob Adams; 8. Doug Orseske; 9. Loran Critchett, Jr; 10. Brian Dobis; 11. Andrew Hennig; 12. Vincent Kuelbs; 13. Lamont Critchett; 14. Jason Allen; 15. Aaron Schuck; 16. Joe Knippel; 17. Frank Reiss

Legends
A-Main 01 -- 1. Andy Jones, Gurnee; 2. Rachel Pinkerman, Barrington Hills; 3. Cory Tolaska, Campbellsport, WI; 4. Noah Cornman, Groveland, FL; 5. Johnny Kringas, Homer Glen; 6. Todd Schmitz, Verona, WI; 7. Mark Rigter, Elkhart Lake, WI; 8. Vince Bartolotta, West Allis, WI; 9. Cory Cootware, Iron Mountain, MI