By Kraig McKay
Loves Park, IL- 2011 Rockford Speedway Champion Ryan Carlson steered his way through a four car wreck at the front of the Late Model feature and held off Jon Reynolds, Jr to collect his second win of 2012 and second win in August, during the Windsor Auto Sales 30. Nick Cina, Jr once again utilized the low line to march to the front of the American Short Tracker field, steeling the lead on the final lap from Scotty Hoeft to score his third feature triumph of the season. Brett McCoy was declared the Sportsman winner and Bobby Frisch was victorious in the RoadRunners. Much to the fans delight, John Cruz came out of the debris and chaos that was Nick’s Beatin’ ‘N Bangin’ Boat Race to win the vastly popular event. The Windsor Auto Sales Race for Hunger Team presented over $13,000 to the Rock River Valley Food Pantry that they raised in the ten weeks leading up to this event.

First year competitor Matthew Clossey held the early NASCAR Stanley Steemer Late Model advantage until a hustling Jake Gille snuck by low to secure the lead as the field completed the third circuit. The field came to a screeching halt out of turn two as Gille and Clossey made contact sending Gille’s mount into a wild spin which collected Clossey and three time feature winner Eddie May. It appeared the Matt Berger would restart at the point however contact with another car under caution caused damage to his ride, meaning that all four front runners were forced into the pit area, all would return. Once the field was regrouped, Ryan Carlson had his mirror full of Driver X Jon Reynolds, Jr and Jerry Gille as well as Wayne Freimund who chose the low line on the restart. That move worked well for the Slinger Champion as Freimund slipped ahead of Gille who had to contend with Ricky Bilderback for fourth. Meanwhile at the front of the field, Reynolds was working to the inside of Carlson and appeared to have the Champ on the ropes, but his momentum was interrupted. A solo spin by Clossey on lap ten regrouped the field and after a botched restart, Jerry Gille regained the third spot from Freimund. Reynolds took a few more shots over the final half of the event but was unable to get around Carlson and settled for second for the third straight week. Jerry Gille was glued to the leaders bumpers over the final six circuits to record third and Ricky Bilderback maneuvered into fourth at the finish moving Freimund to fifth in the final tally.

The Bargain Hunter Sportsman feature overcame two oil downs in the first turn, and it appeared that Rookie Johnny Robinson recorded his third victory after leading every lap. Brett McCoy fended off Doug Bennett for three laps in the early stages, eventually shooting beneath Rob Goodman ten laps into the run to claim second behind Robinson. A halfway effort put McCoy in position to gain the top spot but he was unable to close the deal, falling back into a battle with point leader Bennett over the final stages. The proved to be the winning move for McCoy who was declared the winner after Robinson’s machine did not conform to technical inspection. Bennett wound up second and Goodman posted a third place showing.

Nick Letsinger led the opening three laps of Miller Lite American Short Tracker action, but surrendered the top spot to Chris Jones and then second to Scotty Hoeft. Nick Cina, Jr and Joey LaMarca clawed their way towards the front, looking to gain as many points as possible over defending Champ George Sparkman who was experiencing mechanical woes throughout the evening. On lap fourteen, Jones lost the handle on his ride out of turn two allowing both Hoeft and Jason Bragg to shoot around him. Third spot became Cina’s three laps later and he set his sight first on Bragg who he got around with four to go. Slight contact between Cina and Hoeft out of the fourth turn with three laps to go got everyone’s attention, but Cina allowed Hoeft to recover. As the duo raced down the backstretch towards the white flag Cina had a slight advantage, when they crossed the stripe to begin the final lap Hoeft held the advantage. A lap later when the checkered flag waved, Cina had once again proved that patience pays as he captured win number three, once again utilizing the low line to perfection, this time besting Hoeft. Bragg edged point leader LaMarca for third and Jones collected another top five showing.

Three wide racing has become commonplace in the RockStar Energy RoadRunner division, and a three wide pass of early leader Terry VanHise put Alex Chabucos atop the leader board for two laps before surrendering the lead to Bobby Frisch. Frisch led the charge from the tail of the field, Dennis Smith, Jr and Howie Ware quickly positioned themselves in the top three with Smith, Jr applying heavy pressure until James Gregory made heavy contact with the turn one wall, setting up a five lap shootout. Before the caution it appeared that Smith had the strongest ride, but Ware disagreed and with two to go moved into the runner-up spot and quickly shot inside Frisch on the final lap, pulling even with the leader in the middle of turns three and four, coming up just short at the finish. It was Frisch’s third win of the season, Smith followed Ware for third while Adam Cartwright and Terrance Robinson completed the top five.

Labor Day Weekend brings the Hinckley Springs Championship Countdown into the spotlight on Saturday September 1. In addition to racing in all four NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions, the Figure 8’s will crisscross through the center X for fifty grueling laps in the Allout Figure 8 50. Spectator gates open at 5 with qualifying beginning at 5:55, Stateline Staffing Services Dashes Go Green at 7:07pm for the Late Models, Sportsman, American Short Trackers and RoadRunners. Fans will have a chance to compete in the Sam’s Drive-In Fan/Driver Water Balloon Toss. Saturday night is also the final Miller Lite Dollar Beer Night of 2012. Adult general admission tickets are $12, students ages 12-17 are $8, children ages 6-11 are $5 with ages 5 and under admitted free. For additional information including a 2012 Season Schedule visit www.rockfordspeedway.com or call the Speedway Box Office at 815-633-1500.

Bargain Hunter Sportsman
A-Main 01 -- 1. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 2. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 3. Rob Goodman, McHenry; 4. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 5. Patrick Featherston II (r), Byron; 6. Bob Moeller, McHenry; 7. Scott Lawver, Roscoe; 8. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park; 9. Darrell Garman, South Beloit; 10. John Dietrich, Carol Steam; 11. Warren (Butch) Swinbank, Rockford; 12. Johnny Robinson, II (r), Beloit, Wis; 13. Daryl Gerke, Whitelaw, Wis.
Heat 01 -- 1. Darrell Garman, South Beloit; 2. Scott Lawver, Roscoe; 3. Bob Moeller, McHenry; 4. Patrick Featherston II (r), Byron; 5. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park; 6. Warren (Butch) Swinbank, Rockford; 7. John Dietrich, Carol Steam.
Heat 02 -- 1. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 2. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 3. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 4. Rob Goodman, McHenry; 5. Daryl Gerke, Whitelaw, Wis; 6. Johnny Robinson, II (r), Beloit, Wis.
Time Trial -- 1. Daryl Gerke, Whitelaw, Wis; 2. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 3. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 4. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 5. Johnny Robinson, II (r), Beloit, Wis; 6. Rob Goodman, McHenry; 7. Bob Moeller, McHenry; 8. Darrell Garman, South Beloit; 9. Scott Lawver, Roscoe; 10. Patrick Featherston II (r), Byron; 11. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park; 12. Warren (Butch) Swinbank, Rockford; 13. John Dietrich, Carol Steam.
Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Daryl Gerke, Whitelaw, Wis; 2. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 3. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 4. Johnny Robinson, II (r), Beloit, Wis; 5. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 6. Rob Goodman, McHenry.
Miller Lite American Short Trackers
A-Main 01 -- 1. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 2. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 3. Jason Bragg, Machesney Park; 4. Joe LaMarca, Rockford; 5. Christopher Jones, Capron; 6. Nick Letsinger, Rockford; 7. Rachel Sparkman, Belvidere; 8. Nick Worman, Woodstock; 9. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 10. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 11. David Russell, Jr, Rockford; 12. Doug Eisenhoffer, Roscoe; 13. Alan Bekielewski, Roscoe; 14. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 15. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 16. Michael Coleman, Rockford.
Heat 01 -- 1. Nick Worman, Woodstock; 2. David Russell, Jr, Rockford; 3. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 4. Alan Bekielewski, Roscoe; 5. Christopher Jones, Capron; 6. Doug Eisenhoffer, Roscoe; 7. Michael Coleman, Rockford; 8. Nick Letsinger, Rockford.
Heat 02 -- 1. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 2. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 3. Rachel Sparkman, Belvidere; 4. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 5. Jason Bragg, Machesney Park; 6. Joe LaMarca, Rockford; 7. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 8. George Sparkman, Loves Park.
Time Trial -- 1. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 2. Joe LaMarca, Rockford; 3. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 4. Jason Bragg, Machesney Park; 5. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 6. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 7. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 8. Rachel Sparkman, Belvidere; 9. Alan Bekielewski, Roscoe; 10. Christopher Jones, Capron; 11. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 12. Nick Letsinger, Rockford; 13. Doug Eisenhoffer, Roscoe; 14. Nick Worman, Woodstock; 15. David Russell, Jr, Rockford; 16. Michael Coleman, Rockford.
Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 2. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 3. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 4. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 5. Jason Bragg, Machesney Park; 6. Joe LaMarca, Rockford.
NASCAR Stanley Steemer Late Models
A-Main 01 -- 1. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 2. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 3. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 4. Ricky Bilderback, Roscoe; 5. Wayne Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 6. Jacob Gille, Machesney Park; 7. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 8. Eddie May, Crystal Lake; 9. Mitchell Garfield, Gilberts; 10. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 11. Dave Cooter, Sr., Loves Park; 12. Austin Nason (r), Roscoe; 13. John Beinlich, Prairie View; 14. Matthew Clossey, Beloit, Wis; 15. Billy Baumeister, Janesville,
Wis.
Heat 01 -- 1. Wayne Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 2. Matthew Clossey, Beloit, Wis; 3. John Beinlich, Prairie View; 4. Eddie May, Crystal Lake; 5. Jacob Gille, Machesney Park; 6. Billy Baumeister, Janesville, Wis; 7. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 8. Dave Cooter, Sr., Loves Park.
Heat 02 -- 1. Ricky Bilderback, Roscoe; 2. Mitchell Garfield, Gilberts; 3. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 4. Austin Nason (r), Roscoe; 5. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 6. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 7. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park.

Time Trial -- 1. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 2. Austin Nason (r), Roscoe; 3. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 4. Mitchell Garfield, Gilberts; 5. Ricky Bilderback, Roscoe; 6. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 7. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 8. Eddie May, Crystal Lake; 9. Matthew Clossey, Beloit, Wis; 10. Jacob Gille, Machesney Park; 11. Wayne Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 12. Billy Baumeister, Janesville, Wis; 13. John Beinlich, Prairie View; 14. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 15. Dave Cooter, Sr., Loves Park.
Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 2. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 3. Ricky Bilderback, Roscoe; 4. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 5. Mitchell Garfield, Gilberts; 6. Austin Nason (r), Roscoe.
RockStar Energy RoadRunners
A-Main 01 -- 1. Bobby Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 2. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 3. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 4. Adam Cartwright, Marengo; 5. Terrance Robinson, Beloit, Wis; 6. Alex Chabucos, Machesney Park; 7. Brian Mayer, Machesney Park; 8. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 9. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 10. Shawn Ogden, South Beloit; 11. Derek Nichol, Roscoe; 12. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 13. Kyle McQuality, Stillman Valley; 14. Terry Van Hise, Machesney Park; 15. James Gregory, Winnebago; 16. Linnea Lundy, Loves Park; 17. Shawn Rickelman, Rockton.
Heat 01 -- 1. Shawn Rickelman, Rockton; 2. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 3. Terry Van Hise, Machesney Park; 4. Linnea Lundy, Loves Park; 5. Kyle McQuality, Stillman Valley; 6. Adam Cartwright, Marengo; 7. Alex Chabucos, Machesney Park; 8. Shawn Ogden, South Beloit; 9. James Gregory, Winnebago.
Heat 02 -- 1. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 2. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 3. Derek Nichol, Roscoe; 4. Bobby Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 5. Terrance Robinson, Beloit, Wis; 6. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 7. Brian Mayer, Machesney Park; 8. Howie Ware, South Beloit.
Challenge 01 -- 1. Adam Cartwright, Marengo; 2. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 3. Terry Van Hise, Machesney Park; 4. Kyle McQuality, Stillman Valley; 5. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry.
Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Terrance Robinson, Beloit, Wis; 2. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 3. Bobby Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 4. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 5. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 6. Brian Mayer, Machesney Park.