This Saturday night is one big event you don’t want to miss this summer at Rockford Speedway. After an all out, push it to the limits night of racing last Saturday, the drivers will be even hungrier this week as it is Round III of the Gilley’s Cool 5 Series. Special event pricing courtesy of Tebala Shrine will allow up to 2 adults and up to 4 students and/or children into this event for just $30. Racing action includes the NASCAR Stanley Steemer Late Models, Bargain Hunter Sportsman, Miller Lite American Short Trackers, RockStar Energy RoadRunners and the Sam’s Drive-In RoadRunner Smokey Burnouts.
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 just $12, students ages 12-17 are $8, kids 6-11 $5 with children ages 5 and under admitted free.

The Carson & Barnes Circus comes to Rockford Speedway Friday August 17 through Sunday August 19. A total of seven performances will take place under the ‘Big Top’ which will be located on the outer edge of the Speedway property. The 65th Anniversary Celebration featuring NASCAR Whelen All-American Series racing action and the open wheeled Illini Midget Series is on as originally scheduled.

Since 1937, when Carson & Barnes began its circus tradition, their family of performers and staff have traveled over a million miles to bring this one-of-a-kind show to you and your family. Nowhere can you find a better entertainment value!

This season the entire Circus Family is excited about visiting more than 250 communities across 15 states and performing over 700 shows. Every Circus Day is filled with excitement and fun for children of all ages. Don’t miss the opportunity to see the Carson & Barnes Circus when it comes to Rockford.

By Kraig McCay
After accepting the Gerber Collision & Glass Challenge, Driver X Jon Reynolds, Jr found himself at the tail end of Saturday night’s NASCAR Late Model field. A broken axle in the first practice session forced Nick Cina, Jr to watch his car be loaded on a rollback tow truck. Once repairs were made, he found himself at the tail end of Saturday night’s American Short Tracker feature at Rockford Speedway. Both drivers charged to the front and laid claim to victories during Instant Jungle Military Night. Reynolds, Jr pocketed the $1,300 bonus from Gerber for his efforts. Bobby Frisch recorded the RockStar Energy RoadRunners win while Andy Jones was victorious in Legends action and Patrick Bruns was the Illini Racing Series Midgets winner.

NASCAR American Short Trackers

A-Main 01 -- 1. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 2. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 3. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 4. Rachel Sparkman, Belvidere; 5. Christopher Jones, Capron; 6. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 7. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 8. Joe LaMarca, Rockford; 9. Alan Bekielewski, Roscoe; 10. David Russell, Jr, Rockford; 11. Leo Bujak, III (r), Spring Grove; 12. Nick Letsinger, Rockford; 13. Ron Bridges, Machesney Park; 14. Tim Dix, Beloit, Wis; 15. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 16. Jason Bragg, Machesney Park; 17. Eric Connell, Fort Atkinson, Wis.

All active and retired Military will be admitted free of charge this Saturday night at Rockford Speedway when they present their Military ID at the Box Office. Open wheeled excitement will highlight the night at the Illini Midget Series makes their second visit of 2012 and the Legends return to action. The scaled version of the coupes that made Rockford famous promise to put on a fantastic show under the lights. After a one week hiatus the Stars of Saturday Night, the NASCAR Stanley Steemer Late Models take center stage when Jerry Gille, Matt Berger and Jon Reynolds, Jr attempt to find their way back into victory lane. The Miller Lite American Short Trackers, RockStar Energy RoadRunners and the Sam’s Drive-In Double OH! Race will make for one great night of racing action.
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 just $12, students ages 12-17 are $8, kids 6-11 $5 with children ages 5 and under admitted free.

By Kraig McCay
A less than stellar qualifying performance had Alex Papini backed up against a wall on Wednesday night, but after an hour and twenty minute rain delay and brief showers during the RoadRunner Super Summer Series feature it was Papini finding victory lane over last week’s winner Robert Roush. Other winners on Rockford Industrial Welding Supply Night at the Races were Wanda Dobbs in the Winged Women on Wheels, Tim Roach and Cory Cootware in the Misfits while Tyler Dueshane catapulted his Chevy Cobalt into MacCloskey Kesler and Associates Spectacular Drags. The show was called complete as a second storm system moved into the area with intense lightning, the Bandits and Figure 8 divisions will contest double features on Wednesday Night August 1.

Fendered Misfits

A-Main 01 -- 1. Cory Cootware, Iron Mountain, Mich.; 2. Dwight Dunlap, Machesney Park.

Heat 01 -- 1. Cory Cootware, Iron Mountain, Mich.; 2. Dwight Dunlap, Machesney Park.

Time Trial -- 1. Cory Cootware, Iron Mountain, Mich.; 2. Dwight Dunlap, Machesney Park.

By Kraig McCay
The Miller Lite All-Star 100 lived up to its billing Saturday night at Rockford Speedway as Michael Bilderback scored the biggest win of his career in dominating fashion after starting eleventh on the grid. Rookie Johnny Robinson claimed Bargain Hunter Sportsman honors, Ken Jones was victorious in American Super Cup competition and Arlyn Roush recorded RockStar Energy RoadRunners career win number one.

Super Late Models

A-Main 01 -- 1. Michael Bilderback, South Beloit; 2. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 3. Steve Rubeck, Rockford; 4. Brian Johnson, Jr., Machesney Park; 5. Kelsey Bauer, West Bend, Wis; 6. Jeremy Schulz, Winthrop Harbor; 7. Jeremy Spoonmore, Somonauk; 8. John Baumeister, Jr., Lake Geneva, Wis; 9. Wayne Freimund, Elkhorn, Wis; 10. Keith Tolf, Union Grove, Wis; 11. Rich Bickle, Janesville, Wis; 12. Erik Pierce, Lake in the Hills; 13. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 14. Tim Lampman, Oak Creek, ; 15. Jeff Weinfurter, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.

By Kraig McCay
It took a while for 2010 RoadRunner Champion Robert Roush to figure out the handle on his new ride, but once he did he set sail at Rockford Speedway during Yellowbook Car Load Night. Terry Ciano, Jr was victorious in Bandit action, Wanda Dobbs bested the twelve car Winged Women on Wheels field as Vernon Brown and Cory Cootware recorded Misfit wins. Derek Dobbs ended up at the front of the field following an intense collision in the X during Figure 8 competition between early leader Dennis Smith, Jr and Jeff Watson, Jr. Both drivers were able to walk away under their own power, the same could not be said for their mangled racers.