By: Eric Huenefeld
Under the “Saturday Night Lights,” the stars of Rockford Speedway shined brightest, putting on one of the most thrilling racing programs in recent memory at the famed quarter mile.

Last lap passes and door-to-door action were common place on this evening, with every feature race providing its own set of thrills.

A busy Saturday night is on tap at the Rockford Speedway this weekend. Saturday night is ‘Military Night,’ where free admission is offered to all active and retired military men and women who show their Military ID’s at the ticket gate. On track, it’s the return of the Gilley’s Cool 5 Series. This season, drivers will compete for season long points and added prize money in each of the Gilley’s events. The ‘Saturday Night Super Show’ will include the Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models, Bargain Hunter Sportsman, Miller Lite American Short Trackers and Rockstar Energy Drink Roadrunners. The American Super Cup cars will make their Saturday night return and the Sam’s Drive In 2nd Over the Line Wins race is on the schedule as well. Saturday will also feature the second ‘Dollar Beer Night’ of the season. Spectator gates open at 5pm, qualifying at 5:55pm with the first race at 7:07pm. Adult general admission tickets are $12, students ages 12-17 are $8, kids ages 6-11 are $5 with kids 5 and under admitted free.

By: Eric Huenefeld

He’s won features in many ways this 2013 racing season. But Saturday night’s triumph at Rockford Speedway was one Alex Papini won’t soon forget.

Papini, who has been to victory lane four times this season, topped a furious group of challengers and fended off veterans Mike Beyer and Steve Rubeck en route to his second straight Saturday night win.

NASCAR American Short Trackers

A-Main 01 -- 1. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 2. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 3. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 4. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 5. Nick Letsinger, Rockford; 6. Michael Coleman, Rockford; 7. Vinny Mangiaracina, Pecatonica; 8. Jason Bragg, Machesney Park; 9. Rachel Sparkman, Belvidere; 10. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 11. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 12. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 13. Leo Bujak, III, Spring Grove; 14. David Russell, Jr, Rockford.

She’s gotten lots of flowers and ate lots of Brunches in her day. This year, give Mom what she really wants…a night of high speed thrills and excitement at Rockford Speedway! It’s Loves Park Motorsports ‘Loves Their Moms’ Night! The on track action includes the Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models, Miller Lite American Short Trackers and Rockstar Energy Drink Roadrunners. Also included on the busy Saturday schedule are the Crap Scrapper Hornets. And Mom is sure to enjoy the Sam’s Drive-In Morning Make-Up Dash and the Winged Women on Wheels, racing on Saturday night for the first time in several years. We also know how much Mom loves a little wine, so she is sure to enjoy the Wine Tasting Booth we’ll have set up, with several selections to choose from. Spectator gates open at 5pm, qualifying at 5:55pm with the first race at 7:07pm. Adult general admission tickets are $12, students ages 12-17 are $8, kids ages 6-11 are $5 with kids 5 and under admitted free.

By: Eric Huenefeld

After three weeks of racing at Rockford Speedway, the field is chasing Alex Papini.

For the second time in three successive Saturday nights, and for the third time in four races this season, the Machesney Park driver again found himself the victor, topping his rivals in the divisions 30 lap main event on Tractor Town Kids Night.

As has been the case for Papini in each of his wins this season, his triumph did not come easy. Papini would start the race from the fourth spot, and battled early with Steve Rubeck for the runner up spot. As the two drivers continued to tussle, a wild accident would occur behind them, bringing the field to a halt.

NASCAR All American Sportsmen

A-Main 01 -- 1. Matt Lundberg, Rockford; 2. Johnny Robinson, II, Beloit, Wis; 3. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 4. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 5. Daryl Gerke, Whitelaw, Wis; 6. Scott Lawver, Roscoe; 7. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park; 8. Rob Goodman, McHenry; 9. Bobby Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 10. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 11. Patrick Featherston II, Byron; 12. John Dietrich, Carol Steam; 13. Deanna Chandler (r), Machesney Park; 14. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis.

Heat 01 -- 1. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 2. Rob Goodman, McHenry; 3. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park; 4. Bobby Frisch, Beloit, Wis; 5. Deanna Chandler (r), Machesney Park; 6. Patrick Featherston II, Byron; 7. John Dietrich, Carol Steam.

Heat 02 -- 1. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 2. Daryl Gerke, Whitelaw, Wis; 3. Johnny Robinson, II, Beloit, Wis; 4. Matt Lundberg, Rockford; 5. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 6. Scott Lawver, Roscoe; 7. Howie Ware, South Beloit.

Tractor Town Kid’s Night
The first ‘Kid’s Night’ of 2013 takes place this Saturday night at Rockford Speedway. All children ages 11 and under will be admitted free of charge with the first one thousand kids receiving a free Pepsi Racing Poster. Added to that, Tractor Town will be providing Tractor rides for kids throughout the evening. Then, before the evening’s feature races, all kids will be invited on track for the Nationwide Insurance Candy Scramble. This week’s racing card includes the Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models, Bargain Hunter Sportsman, Rockstar Energy Drink RoadRunners and Sam’s Drive-In Stop ‘N Go Race. And for the first time in several years, the Allison Legacy cars will be featured under the “Saturday Night Lights.” Spectator gates open at 5pm, qualifying at 5:55pm with the first race at 7:07pm. Adult general admission tickets are $12, students ages 12-17 are $8, and ages 11 and under are admitted free.

By: Eric Huenefeld

After a slow start on Opening Night seven days ago, and after missing the Fast Dash earlier in the evening, Jerry Gille was in need of pick-me-up.

The three-time Late Model track champion would end up turning a front row starting spot into gold and into an feature win Saturday night on Mobil 1 Night at the Rockford Speedway.

NASCAR American Short Trackers

A-Main 01 -- 1. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 2. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 3. Jason Bragg, Machesney Park; 4. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 5. Rachel Sparkman, Belvidere; 6. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 7. Michael Coleman, Rockford; 8. Leo Bujak, III, Spring Grove; 9. David Russell, Jr, Rockford; 10. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 11. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 12. Nick Letsinger, Rockford.