PHOTOS

Behnke, Melvin, Lignell, and DeKeyser also take home wins on Windsor Auto Sales Night

By: Kevin Ramsell
LOVES PARK, IL (Saturday, June 28, 2008) – Ricky Bilderback, Brock Behnke, David Lignell, and Dan DeKeyser not only beat the competition in their divisions, but also beat out Mother Nature on Windsor Auto Sales Night at Rockford Speedway. They were not the only winners as Brenton Garnhart from Belvidere, IL won a 2001 Saturn SL2.

The 30-lap NASCAR Late Model feature got off to a wild start as Tyler Peterson and Jake Gille got together as the green flag waved causing a melee that had Mark Hartline, Tim Sargent and Leonard Reimer was also involved. Sargent made heavy contact with the turn one wall; he was alright but was done for the night. Peterson, Hartline and Reimer also didn’t return.

On the re-start, it was Bilderback getting his way past Mike Beyer for the lead. He would spread out to a five-car length lead over Matt Berger by the halfway point with current point leader Jerry Gille in third.

The field would tighten up with 10-laps to go as the caution flew for Alex Papini, who appeared to have blown a motor.

After a lengthy caution and with precipitation coming, the feature was cut short to 25 laps.

At the checkers, it was Bilderback taking home another win holding off Berger and Gille. Mike Beyer was fourth with Ryan Carlson rounding out the top five.

It was another great battle for the win in the Bargain Hunter Sportsman division as Behnke held off Fred Nason for the win.

Behnke started on the outside of the front row and jumped to the lead over pole sitter Darrell Garman. Nason started on the outside of the second row and followed Behnke to the front.

It was on lap 5 that Nason made his first of many attempts to get by Behnke on the inside. But, Behnke stayed focus and ran his line throughout the final 20 laps of the race.

The fans kept their eyes on the top two as Behnke continuously ran the high line and held off Nason lap after lap.

Nason made one final attempt on the last lap but to no avail as Behnke collected his second win of the year. Chris Gantz was third with Garman in fourth. Fast qualifier Don Exline rounded out the top five.

Melvin started on the front row and took the lead from Jeff Tenure on the second lap of the 25-lap feature event for the Budweiser American Short Trackers.

Melvin was contested in the early going by Nick Cina Jr. but was able to hold him off. Behind the two, it was the Sparkman brothers battling for third position with BJ ahead of George.

In the late stages, Brett McCoy would work his way to the fifth spot. At the finish it was Melvin picking up his second feature win of the year holding off Cina by a car length. BJ Sparkman would finish third while George was fourth. McCoy did round out the top five.

Edge had an easy drive to his first feature win in the Coca-Cola RoadRunner division.

Edge took the lead at the drop of the green flag and never looked back extending to a straightaway lead over David Lignell.

The race went caution-free as the field also raced against showers heading to the track.

At the checkers it was Edge followed by Lignell. Richard Nielsen was third with Dan Sanders in fourth. Point leader Terrance Robinson was fifth.

But, Edge didn’t pass post-race inspection and was disqualified. Mike Vines also was disqualified following inspection.

Dan DeKeyser won the Stock Car Classics feature holding off Pat Heaney for the checkered flag.

Special thanks go to the drivers, crews, and fans for their help and participation in getting the racing program in tonight. As the last race ended, the rain started to come down.

Three big events are on tap for next week at Rockford Speedway. It starts with another Wild Wednesday night of action starting at 7:07 pm. The RoadRunner Super Summer Series, Crap Scrapper Hornets, Stateline Staffing Service Winged Women on Wheels, Figure 8’s, Legends, and Bandoleros are in action. Plus, the annual Fastor Pastor Race will also take place this Wednesday night.

The tradition returns on Friday, July 4th as Gilley’s Heating and Cooling sponsors an evening of NASCAR Whelen All-American Series action with the Budweiser American Short Trackers, Coca-Cola RoadRunners, SuperCups, and FIRA/Rascal Outlaw Challenge in action. Plus, the annual Flagpole Race and the Midnight Ride of Paul Revere are part of the action. The evening will end wit h a 10,000 WATT Fireworks Extravaganza. First race is at 7:07 pm.

On Saturday, its round two of the Goodyear Stateline Challenge with the Star Spangled 76 featuring the late models from Rockford Speedway and Jefferson Speedway. Plus the Bargain Hunter Sportsman, Crap Scrapper Hornets, Legends, and Bandoleros are in action starting at 7:07 pm.

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

NASCAR All American Sportsmen
A-Main 01 -- 1. Brock Behnke, South Beloit; 2. Fred Nason, Roscoe; 3. Chris Gantz (r), Rockford; 4. Darrell Garman, Machesney Park; 5. Don Exline, Oak Lawn; 6. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 7. Ron Young, Rockford; 8. Randy Samples (r), Rockton; 9. Beau Lawson (r), Machesney Park; 10. Tommy Gibbons, Bradley.

Heat 01 -- 1. Randy Samples (r), Rockton; 2. Ron Young, Rockford; 3. Beau Lawson (r), Machesney Park; 4. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 5. Tommy Gibbons, Bradley; 6. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford.

Heat 02 -- 1. Fred Nason, Roscoe; 2. Brock Behnke, South Beloit; 3. Chris Gantz (r), Rockford; 4. Don Exline, Oak Lawn; 5. Darrell Garman, Machesney Park.

Time Trial -- 1. Don Exline, Oak Lawn; 2. Fred Nason, Roscoe; 3. Chris Gantz (r), Rockford; 4. Brock Behnke, South Beloit; 5. Darrell Garman, Machesney Park; 6. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 7. Randy Samples (r), Rockton; 8. Beau Lawson (r), Machesney Park; 9. Ron Young, Rockford; 10. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 11. Tommy Gibbons, Bradley.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Brock Behnke, South Beloit; 2. Chris Gantz (r), Rockford; 3. Fred Nason, Roscoe; 4. Darrell Garman, Machesney Park; 5. Don Exline, Oak Lawn; 6. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream.

NASCAR American Short Trackers
A-Main 01 -- 1. Tim Melvin, Machesney Park; 2. Nick Cina, Jr, Roscoe; 3. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 4. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 5. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 6. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 7. Larry Dickinson II, Cedarville; 8. Rachel Sparkman, Loves Park; 9. Steve Erickson, Jr (r), Machesney Park; 10. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 11. Nick Letsinger, Rockford; 12. Jeffery Turnure, Rockford; 13. Tanner Atchison, Byron; 14. Aaron Rude, Cambridge, Wis.

Heat 01 -- 1. Rachel Sparkman, Loves Park; 2. Larry Dickinson II, Cedarville; 3. Victor Young (r), Genoa; 4. Jeffery Turnure, Rockford; 5. Nick Cina, Jr, Roscoe; 6. Tanner Atchison, Byron; 7. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 8. Nick Letsinger, Rockford.

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

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

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 2. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 3. Aaron Rude, Cambridge, Wis; 4. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 5. Steve Erickson, Jr (r), Machesney Park; 6. Brett McCoy, Belvidere.

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

Heat 01 -- 1. Jacob Gille, Winnebago; 2. Alex Papini (r), Machesney Park; 3. Noel Ramge, Helenville, Wis; 4. Tyler Peterson (r), Lake Geneva, Wis; 5. Mark Hartline, Gilberts; 6. Joe Rusciano, Crystal Lake; 7. Leonard Reimer, Beloit, Wis.

Heat 02 -- 1. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 2. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 3. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 4. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Roscoe; 5. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 6. Mike Beyer, Machesney Park; 7. Tim Sargent, South Beloit.

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

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Roscoe; 2. Mike Beyer, Machesney Park; 3. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 4. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 5. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 6. Matt Berger, Loves Park.

NASCAR Road Runners
A-Main 01 -- 1. David Lignell, Rockford; 2. Richard Nielsen, Byron; 3. Dan Sanders, Rockton; 4. Terrance Robinson, Beloit, Wis; 5. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park; 6. Christopher Jones, Rockford; 7. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 8. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 9. Sam Christofano, Rockford; 10. David Russell, Rockford; 11. Kevin Nighswonger, Rockford; 12. Sabrina Castillo, Rockford; 13. Vachenzia Jester, Beloit, Wis; 14. Kyle Watts, Loves Park; 15. Linnea Lundy, Loves Park; 16. Brian Smith, Rockford; 17. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 18. Richard Edge, Marengo; 19. Mike Vines, Byron.

Heat 01 -- 1. Dan Sanders, Rockton; 2. David Russell, Rockford; 3. Kevin Nighswonger, Rockford; 4. Sabrina Castillo, Rockford; 5. Kyle Watts, Loves Park; 6. Brian Smith, Rockford; 7. Linnea Lundy, Loves Park; 8. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 9. Richard Edge, Marengo; 10. Mike Vines, Byron.

Heat 02 -- 1. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 2. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 3. Christopher Jones, Rockford; 4. David Lignell, Rockford; 5. Terrance Robinson, Beloit, Wis; 6. Vachenzia Jester, Beloit, Wis; 7. Sam Christofano, Rockford; 8. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park; 9. Richard Nielsen, Byron.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 2. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 3. Christopher Jones, Rockford; 4. Terrance Robinson, Beloit, Wis; 5. Richard Nielsen, Byron; 6. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park.