PHOTOS

By: Kevin Ramsell
LOVES PARK, IL (Saturday, June 21, 2008) – Jerry Gille’s consistency has put him on top of the point standings in the Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Model standings. Tonight, he along with Doug Bennett, George Sparkman, and Joshua Lundy took him feature wins at Rockford Speedway.

Alex Papini was the early leader in the 30-lap feature event for the Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models. Gille, who started seventh, quickly charged his way to the front as was up to third by lap 2 and second by lap 4.

Gille had to make two attempts to get the lead over Papini. The first attempt was aborted after Tim Sargent spun in turn four. On the re-start, Gille took only a lap to size up the young second generation driver as he got to the inside of him on lap 7 and took control of the top spot on lap 8.

Gille pulled away while behind him the fans in attendance kept a close eye on the battle for second between Ryan Carlson and Ricky Bilderback.

At the checkers it was Gille, the current point leader, taking home his first feature win of the year with Carlson holding off Bilderback for second. Matt Berger was fourth with Kyle Shear rounding out the top five.

Gille’s win gave all of the fans in attendance the opportunity get half-price chicken tomorrow at the Rockford area Popeye’s.

Bennett held off a late charge to win his first Bargain Hunters Sportsman feature of the season.

Bennett got the lead at the start of the 25-lap feature event and held off an early challenge from Brock Behnke. Behnke would lose the second spot to Fred Nason with 10 laps to go and Nason became Bennett’s new view in his rear view mirror.

Nason made many attempts to get by Bennett but would not avail as Bennett would get good strong runs off the turns.

At the finish it was Bennett taking home the win while Nason held off a late charge from Chris Gantz for the second place finish. Butch Swinbank was fourth with Behnke finishing fifth.

The last name of Sparkman dominated in the Budweiser American Short Tracker division.

It was Rachel Sparkman taking the early lead in the 25-lap feature event. She led the first five laps as it was her father George, who moved from his fifth starting position to take over lead.

George Sparkman would not have an easy drive to victory as his brother BJ Sparkman moved to second in the late going and made a challenge for the lead with five laps to go.

But, as the checkers flew, it was George picking up his third feature win of the season with BJ in second. Nick Cina Jr. was third with Tim Melvin in fourth. Steve Erickson was fifth.

Thomas went wire-to-wire to capture his first Coca-Cola RoadRunner feature win of the season.

Thomas jumped to the lead at the start of the 20-lap feature event and had an easy drive to the win as went uncontested. Behind him, it was a good side-by-side battle for the remaining top five positions.

At the line it was Joshua Lundy getting past Richard Nielsen for second. Robert Roush was fourth with Gene Marocco in fifth.

Following the race, Thomas failed post race inspection was disqualified. Lundy was given the win. Robert Roush, Christopher Jones and David Lignell also failed post race inspection.

The first Wild Wednesday event of the 2008 season is this Wednesday night at the Rockford Speedway. The RoadRunner Summer Super Series, Hornets, Winged Women on Wheels, Figure 8’s, Spectator Drags, Legends, and Bandoleros will be in action. The action gets underway at 7:07 pm.

Next Saturday night, Windsor Auto Sales presents an evening of NASCAR Whelen All-American Series action with the Stanley Steemer Late Models, Bargain Hunters Sportsman, Budweiser American Short Trackers, and Coca-Cola RoadRunners in action. Plus, Windsor Auto Sales will giveaway a 2001 Saturn SL2.

For more information, please call the Speedway office at (815) 633-1500 or visit the track’s website at www.rockfordspeedway.com.

NASCAR All American Sportsmen
A-Main 01 -- 1. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 2. Fred Nason, Roscoe; 3. Chris Gantz (r), Rockford; 4. Warren (Butch) Swinbank, Rockford; 5. Brock Behnke, South Beloit; 6. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 7. Ron Young, Rockford; 8. Ron Morris, Belvidere; 9. Jerry Edge, Marengo; 10. Dave Edwards, Salem, Wis; 11. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 12. Randy Samples (r), Rockton; 13. Tom Gille, Winnebago; 14. David Lounsbury, Beloit, Wis; 15. Don Exline, Oak Lawn.

Heat 01 -- 1. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 2. Ron Young, Rockford; 3. David Lounsbury, Beloit, Wis; 4. Randy Samples (r), Rockton; 5. Ron Morris, Belvidere; 6. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 7. Jerry Edge, Marengo.

Heat 02 -- 1. Chris Gantz (r), Rockford; 2. Fred Nason, Roscoe; 3. Brock Behnke, South Beloit; 4. Don Exline, Oak Lawn; 5. Warren (Butch) Swinbank, Rockford; 6. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 7. Dave Edwards, Salem, Wis.

Time Trial -- 1. Don Exline, Oak Lawn; 2. Fred Nason, Roscoe; 3. Chris Gantz (r), Rockford; 4. Brock Behnke, South Beloit; 5. Warren (Butch) Swinbank, Rockford; 6. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 7. Dave Edwards, Salem, Wis; 8. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 9. Tom Gille, Winnebago; 10. Randy Samples (r), Rockton; 11. Ron Young, Rockford; 12. David Lounsbury, Beloit, Wis; 13. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 14. Jerry Edge, Marengo.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Chris Gantz (r), Rockford; 2. Fred Nason, Roscoe; 3. Don Exline, Oak Lawn; 4. Warren (Butch) Swinbank, Rockford; 5. Brock Behnke, South Beloit; 6. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford.

NASCAR American Short Trackers
A-Main 01 -- 1. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 2. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 3. Nick Cina, Jr, Roscoe; 4. Tim Melvin, Machesney Park; 5. Steve Erickson, Jr (r), Machesney Park; 6. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 7. Aaron Rude, Cambridge, Wis; 8. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 9. Jeffery Turnure, Rockford; 10. Jack Atchison, Stillman Valley; 11. Nick Letsinger, Rockford; 12. Tanner Atchison, Byron; 13. Glen Smith, South Beloit; 14. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 15. Victor Young (r), Genoa; 16. Rachel Sparkman, Loves Park.

Heat 01 -- 1. Jeffery Turnure, Rockford; 2. Nick Letsinger, Rockford; 3. Rachel Sparkman, Loves Park; 4. Jack Atchison, Stillman Valley; 5. Victor Young (r), Genoa; 6. Glen Smith, South Beloit; 7. Tanner Atchison, Byron; 8. Artt Higbee, Rockford.

Heat 02 -- 1. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 2. Nick Cina, Jr, Roscoe; 3. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 4. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 5. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 6. Steve Erickson, Jr (r), Machesney Park; 7. Aaron Rude, Cambridge, Wis; 8. Tim Melvin, Machesney Park.

Time Trial -- 1. Aaron Rude, Cambridge, Wis; 2. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 3. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 4. Nick Cina, Jr, Roscoe; 5. Tim Melvin, Machesney Park; 6. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 7. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 8. Jeffery Turnure, Rockford; 9. Rachel Sparkman, Loves Park; 10. Victor Young (r), Genoa; 11. Tanner Atchison, Byron; 12. Glen Smith, South Beloit; 13. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 14. Nick Letsinger, Rockford; 15. Jack Atchison, Stillman Valley.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Tim Melvin, Machesney Park; 2. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 3. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 4. Nick Cina, Jr, Roscoe; 5. Aaron Rude, Cambridge, Wis; 6. George Sparkman, Loves Park.

NASCAR Late Models
A-Main 01 -- 1. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 2. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 3. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 4. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 5. Kyle Shear, Roscoe; 6. Alex Papini (r), Machesney Park; 7. Steve Rubeck, Monroe Center; 8. Mike Beyer, Machesney Park; 9. Jacob Gille, Winnebago; 10. Noel Ramge, Helenville, Wis; 11. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 12. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 13. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Roscoe; 14. Tyler Peterson (r), Lake Geneva, Wis; 15. Joe Rusciano, Crystal Lake.

Heat 01 -- 1. Noel Ramge, Helenville, Wis; 2. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Roscoe; 3. Steve Rubeck, Monroe Center; 4. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 5. Mike Beyer, Machesney Park; 6. Jacob Gille, Winnebago; 7. Tyler Peterson (r), Lake Geneva, Wis; 8. Joe Rusciano, Crystal Lake.

Heat 02 -- 1. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 2. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 3. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 4. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 5. Alex Papini (r), Machesney Park; 6. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 7. Kyle Shear, Roscoe.

Time Trial -- 1. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 2. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 3. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 4. Kyle Shear, Roscoe; 5. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 6. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 7. Alex Papini (r), Machesney Park; 8. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 9. Noel Ramge, Helenville, Wis; 10. Steve Rubeck, Monroe Center; 11. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Roscoe; 12. Mike Beyer, Machesney Park; 13. Jacob Gille, Winnebago; 14. Joe Rusciano, Crystal Lake; 15. Tyler Peterson (r), Lake Geneva,

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 2. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 3. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 4. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 5. Kyle Shear, Roscoe; 6. Tim Sargent, South Beloit.

NASCAR Road Runners
A-Main 01 -- 1. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park; 2. Richard Nielsen, Byron; 3. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 4. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park; 5. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 6. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 7. Ronald Stoltz, Rockford; 8. Terrance Robinson, Beloit, Wis; 9. Sam Christofano, Rockford; 10. David Russell, Rockford; 11. Sabrina Castillo, Rockford; 12. Vachenzia Jester, Beloit, Wis; 13. Dan Sanders, Rockton; 14. Kyle Watts, Loves Park; 15. Brian Smith, Rockford; 16. Richard Edge, Marengo; 17. Jerry Edge, Marengo; 18. Lennard Groleau, S. Beloit; 19. Kevin Nighswonger, Rockford; 20. Linnea Lundy, Loves Park; 21. Joey Thomas, Rockford; 22. Robert Roush, Marengo; 23. Christopher Jones, Rockford; 24. David Lignell, Rockford.

Heat 01 -- 1. Lennard Groleau, S. Beloit; 2. David Russell, Rockford; 3. Dan Sanders, Rockton; 4. Sabrina Castillo, Rockford; 5. Jerry Edge, Marengo; 6. Ronald Stoltz, Rockford; 7. Linnea Lundy, Loves Park; 8. Brian Smith, Rockford; 9. Kyle Watts, Loves Park; 10. Joey Thomas, Rockford.

Heat 02 -- 1. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 2. Kevin Nighswonger, Rockford; 3. Richard Nielsen, Byron; 4. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 5. Sam Christofano, Rockford; 6. Vachenzia Jester, Beloit, Wis; 7. Richard Edge, Marengo.
Heat 03 -- 1. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park; 2. Terrance Robinson, Beloit, Wis; 3. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park; 4. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 5. Christopher Jones, Rockford; 6. Robert Roush, Marengo; 7. David Lignell, Rockford.

Challenge 01 -- 1. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 2. Lloyd Hawkins, Machesney Park; 3. Richard Edge, Marengo; 4. David Russell, Rockford; 5. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 6. Sabrina Castillo, Rockford; 7. Lennard Groleau, S. Beloit; 8. David Lignell, Rockford; 9. Joey Thomas, Rockford; 10. Robert Roush, Marengo.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 2. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 3. Terrance Robinson, Beloit, Wis; 4. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park; 5. Robert Roush, Marengo; 6. David Lignell, Rockford.