By Kraig McCay
Rockford Speedway celebrated their 65th season on Saturday night and honored four of their own by inducting them into the Walk of Fame. Seven Time Late Model Champion Ricky Bilderback, Two Time Late Model Champion Jerry Gille, Matt Berger, the 2010 Sportsman Champion that has won a feature in all four NASCAR divisions as well as longtime car owner and competitor Billy McCoy who claimed the 1996 American Short Tracker crown were all enshrined prior to racing. When the engines fired, it was veteran Mike Beyer holding off a determined ‘Driver X’ Jon Reynolds, Jr to become the twelfth different Late Model winner of 2012. Scotty Hoeft was victorious in the American Short Trackers, former Champ Robert Roush found RoadRunner Victory Lane as did point leader Patrick Bruns in the Illini Racing Series Midgets. Shawn Rickelman topped the field in the Next Winners RoadRunner feature event to record his first ever feature triumph.

The combo of Wayne Freimund and Mike Beyer led the NASCAR Stanley Steemer Late Model field to the green flag and it was Beyer getting the edge on the high side to wrestle the early lead away. His first challenger was Jake Gille who returned to action after a hard wreck two weeks ago. Gille looked inside on lap three and continued the constant pressure as Matt Berger, Ricky Bilderback and Jon Reynolds, Jr engaged in a fight for third. Berger lost the handle on his mount out of turn four allowing Bilderback and Reynolds to shoot past as he fell into fifth. A solo spin on the race’s eighth circuit by Matthew Clossey brought out the only caution. On the restart Beyer was out front and Gille chose the low line to continue his pursuit but was quickly overtaken by Reynolds when racing resumed. Reynolds, the night’s fast qualifier charged to the inside of Beyer on lap eight.

For the final twenty-two laps Reynolds was able to pull alongside Beyer and contend for the win, contact as the leaders crossed the stripe with two to go gave Reynolds one last shot, but Beyer drove a near flawless race to record his first victory in nearly five years. “I’m not washed up.” Exclaimed an excited Beyer. For the second straight week Reynolds finished a close second after setting fast time, he was followed by Jake Gille at the finish. When the dust settled on the battle for fourth, it was Berger over Bilderback over Jerry Gille as the trio swapped positions throughout the final stages of the event. Austin Nason accepted the Gerber Collision and Glass Challenge which placed him shotgun on the field at the start, he would finish the race in ninth.

Zach Rodriguez peeked to the inside of Scotty Hoeft in Miller Lite American Short Tracker competition, looking for a clear shot past the leader. Former Champ Kyle Lapier reminded the crowd why he was a Champ as he shot around Rodriguez into second before making his bid for the top spot. After running to Hoeft’s inside for eleven circuits, Lapier made contact with the leader sending Hoeft around as they exited the second turn. Lapier ‘tapped out’ allowing Hoeft to retain his spot out front. Hoeft once again had to contend with Rodriguez and new to the fight was fast qualifier Nick Cina, Jr. Rodriguez and Cina made contact which set off a chain reaction down the backstretch which involved nearly half of the field. When racing resumed Hoeft fought off challenged by Jason Bragg and then a final effort from George Sparkman as they raced to the checkered flag. Hoeft, Sparkman and Bragg were joined in the top five by point leader Joey LaMarca and Lapier who fought his way back into contention.

Former RockStar Energy RoadRunner Champion Robert Roush survived a late race restart with pressure from Dennis Smith, Jr to claim his first Saturday night victory in two seasons. Shawn Rickelman, Jason VanHise and Terrance Robinson went door to door over the final laps to determine third place. The final results showed Rickelman over Robinson, fifth was garnered by point leader Bobby Frisch as VanHise fell to sixth on the final lap. In the Next Winners RoadRunner Feature it was Rickelman picking up career feature victory number one much to the delight of his crew. He had to hold off challenged from Ray Hardesty and Alex Chabucos. Chabucos recorded second with VanHise, Hardesty and Josh Carter completing the top five.

Patrick Bruns extended his point lead as he got past early leader Mike Anderson and bested Sean Murphy as the stripe. Anderson held off Lamont Critchett for third position. The Illini Racing Series Midgets will be part of the 47th annual National Short Track Championships on Saturday night September 29.

Saturday night August 25 marks Round IV of the Gilley’s Cool 5 Series when Windsor Auto Sales presents Nick’s Beatin’ ‘N Bangin’ Boat Race. The NASCAR Stanley Steemer Late Models, Bargain Hunter Sportsman, Miller Lite American Short Trackers and RockStar Energy RoadRunners will all battle for the top spot as all important points are on the line. One lucky fan could win $2,250 if they correctly pick the top four finishers in the Late Model feature. Spectator gates open at 5, qualifying begins at 5:55 with the Stateline Staffing Services Dashes Going Green at 7:07pm. Adult general admission tickets are $12, students ages 12-17 are $8, ages 6-11 are $5 with children ages 5 and under admitted free. For more information visit www.rockfordspeedway.com or call 815-633-1500.

NASCAR Stanley Steemer Late Models
A-Main 01 -- 1. Mike Beyer, Machesney Park; 2. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 3. Jacob Gille, Machesney Park; 4. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 5. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 6. Ricky Bilderback, Roscoe; 7. Wayne Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 8. Bob Kahler, Caledonia; 9. Austin Nason (r), Roscoe; 10. John Beinlich, Prairie View; 11. Matthew Clossey, Beloit, Wis; 12. Steve McBride, South Beloit; 13. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 14. Mitchell Garfield, Gilberts.
Heat 01 -- 1. Mike Beyer, Machesney Park; 2. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 3. Wayne Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 4. John Beinlich, Prairie View; 5. Bob Kahler, Caledonia; 6. Steve McBride, South Beloit; 7. Matthew Clossey, Beloit, Wis.
Heat 02 -- 1. Mitchell Garfield, Gilberts; 2. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 3. Austin Nason (r), Roscoe; 4. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 5. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 6. Jacob Gille, Machesney Park; 7. Ricky Bilderback, Roscoe.
Time Trial -- 1. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 2. Austin Nason (r), Roscoe; 3. Ricky Bilderback, Roscoe; 4. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 5. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 6. Mitchell Garfield, Gilberts; 7. Jacob Gille, Machesney Park; 8. Matthew Clossey, Beloit, Wis; 9. Mike Beyer, Machesney Park; 10. Wayne Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 11. John Beinlich, Prairie View; 12. Bob Kahler, Caledonia; 13. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 14. Steve McBride, South Beloit.
Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Mitchell Garfield, Gilberts; 2. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 3. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 4. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 5. Austin Nason (r), Roscoe; 6. Ricky Bilderback, Roscoe.
Miller Lite American Short Trackers
A-Main 01 -- 1. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 2. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 3. Jason Bragg, Machesney Park; 4. Joe LaMarca, Rockford; 5. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 6. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 7. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 8. Christopher Jones, Capron; 9. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 10. David Russell, Jr, Rockford; 11. Nick Letsinger, Rockford; 12. Alan Bekielewski, Roscoe; 13. Tim Dix, Beloit, Wis; 14. Rachel Sparkman, Belvidere; 15. Leo Bujak, III (r), Spring Grove; 16. Doug Eisenhoffer, Roscoe; 17. Michael Coleman, Rockford.
Heat 01 -- 1. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 2. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 3. Alan Bekielewski, Roscoe; 4. David Russell, Jr, Rockford; 5. Doug Eisenhoffer, Roscoe; 6. Nick Letsinger, Rockford; 7. Christopher Jones, Capron; 8. Leo Bujak, III (r), Spring Grove; 9. Michael Coleman, Rockford.
Heat 02 -- 1. Jason Bragg, Machesney Park; 2. Joe LaMarca, Rockford; 3. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 4. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 5. Tim Dix, Beloit, Wis; 6. Rachel Sparkman, Belvidere; 7. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 8. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton.
Time Trial -- 1. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 2. Joe LaMarca, Rockford; 3. Rachel Sparkman, Belvidere; 4. Jason Bragg, Machesney Park; 5. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 6. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 7. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 8. Tim Dix, Beloit, Wis; 9. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 10. Christopher Jones, Capron; 11. Doug Eisenhoffer, Roscoe; 12. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 13. Alan Bekielewski, Roscoe; 14. Leo Bujak, III (r), Spring Grove; 15. David Russell, Jr, Rockford; 16. Michael Coleman, Rockford; 17. Nick Letsinger, Rockford.
Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 2. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 3. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 4. Jason Bragg, Machesney Park; 5. Rachel Sparkman, Belvidere; 6. Joe LaMarca, Rockford.
RockStar Energy RoadRunners
A-Main 01 -- 1. Robert Roush, Marengo; 2. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 3. Shawn Rickelman, Rockton; 4. Terrance Robinson, Beloit, Wis; 5. Bobby Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 6. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 7. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 8. Alex Chabucos, Machesney Park; 9. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 10. Jonathan Stoltz, Freeport; 11. Brian Mayer, Machesney Park; 12. Josh Carter, Rockford; 13. James Gregory, Winnebago; 14. Linnea Lundy, Loves Park; 15. Adam Cartwright, Marengo; 16. Kyle McQuality, Stillman Valley; 17. Richard Pixler, Winnebago; 18. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 19. Curt Nighswonger, Rockford; 20. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 21. Terry Van Hise, Machesney Park; 22. Gene Marocco,
Machesney Park.
Next Winner Feature -- 1. Shawn Rickelman, Rockton; 2. Alex Chabucos, Machesney Park; 3. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 4. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 5. Josh Carter, Rockford; 6. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 7. Terry Van Hise, Machesney Park; 8. Brian Mayer, Machesney Park; 9. James Gregory, Winnebago; 10. Linnea Lundy, Loves Park; 11. Richard Pixler, Winnebago; 12. Curt Nighswonger, Rockford; 13. Jonathan Stoltz, Freeport.
Heat 01 -- 1. Robert Roush, Marengo; 2. Terry Van Hise, Machesney Park; 3. Shawn Rickelman, Rockton; 4. Jonathan Stoltz, Freeport; 5. Curt Nighswonger, Rockford; 6. James Gregory, Winnebago; 7. Linnea Lundy, Loves Park; 8. Richard Pixler, Winnebago.
Heat 02 -- 1. Kyle McQuality, Stillman Valley; 2. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 3. Alex Chabucos, Machesney Park; 4. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 5. Adam Cartwright, Marengo; 6. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 7. Josh Carter, Rockford.
Heat 03 -- 1. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 2. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 3. Brian Mayer, Machesney Park; 4. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 5. Bobby Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 6. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 7. Terrance Robinson, Beloit, Wis.
Challenge 01 -- 1. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 2. Jonathan Stoltz, Freeport; 3. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 4. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 5. Curt Nighswonger, Rockford; 6. Kenneth Brazee III, Rockford; 7. Terry Van Hise, Machesney Park; 8. Chandale Swartwout, Janesville, Wis.
Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 2. Bobby Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 3. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 4. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 5. Terrance Robinson, Beloit, Wis; 6. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park.