Loves Park, IL- Brett Sontag is always a favorite to find victory lane at Chicagoland short tracks and as of late, Rockford Speedway can be added to the list of bull rings ‘The Jet’ has mastered. After a strong run in the 2009 running of the National Short Track Championships ended after mechanical woes sent Sontag home on the wrecker, he rebounded with a dominant performance during the 2010 edition, claiming the checkers in the 200 lap main event.

Loves Park, IL- Rockford Speedway and Buffalo Wild Wings have teamed up for a fun event benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital on Monday night October 24 at the Buffalo Wild Wings location in Machesney Park on IL 173 just west of the Speedway. Family and friends are invited to partake in the festivities from 5-8pm in which all proceeds go to benefit St. Jude.

“We are going to show some old racing videos on the many big screen TV’s they have, reflect on the season on fun we had and do some other bench racing as well.” Commented Rockford Speedway GM Gregg McKarns. “This event has a great feel to it and I am looking forward to it.”

By Kari Shear-Carlson
September 20, 2011 - Nick Panitzke’s racing career started when he was only 10 years old at a 1/2 mile dirt oval in Alexandria, MN. The Sauk Center, MN native is now 21 years old and continues to make a name for himself in the American Speed Association® Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment and GrandStay Hospitality.

The ASA Midwest Touring Star has been racing with the ASA Midwest Tour since 2009. While winless in the ASAMT up to this point, Paniztke is a top contender anywhere he goes. “Unfortunately I am still winless, but I have made good progress and have done pretty well at some tracks I have never seen before,” said Nick.

Doug Rose and the Green Mamba Jet Car with David Deery pose for the camera after thrilling 'Night of Thrills' fans.

Triple Steel Wall Crash about to unfold just before contact is made.

Hornets
A-Main 01 -- 1. Solomon Barker, South Beloit; 2. Alex Hornsby, Roscoe; 3. Nick Schneider, Rockton; 4. Jason Dull, Machesney Park; 5. Doug Eisenhoffer, Roscoe; 6. Jacob Aldrich, Rockford; 7. Jon Havrilesko, Roscoe; 8. Charles Shepard, Rockford; 9. Jason Schlesner, Roscoe; 10. Tyler Deschaine, Loves Park; 11. Gary Ballard, Beloit, Wis.

Heat 01 -- 1. Doug Eisenhoffer, Roscoe; 2. Solomon Barker, South Beloit; 3. Gary Ballard, Beloit, Wis; 4. Charles Shepard, Rockford; 5. Jason Schlesner, Roscoe; 6. Jon Havrilesko, Roscoe.

Heat 02 -- 1. Alex Hornsby, Roscoe; 2. Nick Schneider, Rockton; 3. Jacob Aldrich, Rockford; 4. Jason Dull, Machesney Park; 5. Tyler Deschaine, Loves Park.

Challenge 01 -- 1. Gary Ballard, Beloit, Wis; 2. Jacob Aldrich, Rockford; 3. Tyler Deschaine, Loves Park; 4. Jason Schlesner, Roscoe; 5. Jon Havrilesko, Roscoe; 6. Charles Shepard, Rockford; 7. Nick Schneider, Rockton.

Tickets remain for tonight's Budweiser Night of Thrills at Rockford Speedway, tickets can be purchased in person at the Speedway Box Office right now, spectator gates will open at 5pm with FREE Monster Truck Rides from 5 until 6:30.  Online and Phone sales have ended, however plenty of tickets remain, so make your plans for a fun filled evening.  The Main Grandstand is assigned seating, $18 for adults, $9 for ages 11 and under.  Southside Bleacher Seating is general admssion tonight and will cost $15 per adult adn $5 for ages 11 and under.  Thrills begin at 7:07pm.

The annual Budweiser Night of Thrills comes to Rockford Speedway this Saturday Night September 17. The Incinerator and Mechanical Mischief Monster Trucks will be in action as well as Doug Rose and his World Championship Green Mamba Jet Car Meltdown. Additional events include Auto Soccer, Law Office of Kim MacCloskey Spectacular Drags, Hornets, the Triple Steel Wall Crash, a Drifting Exhibition, the popular Hillbilly Fun with Airbags, Smokey Burnout Contest, Roll Over Contest, a Paintball Gauntlet event and much more.

Free Monster Truck Rides for those with admission tickets begin at 5pm and will continue until 6:30 on the track. Spectator Gates open at 5, thrills begin at 7:07pm. Reserved seats in the main grandstand are $18 for adults and $9 for ages 11 and under. General admission seating in the south bleachers are $15 for adults and $5 for ages 11 and under. To purchase advance tickets visit www.rockfordspeedway.com or call 815-633-1500.

By Kari Shear-Carlson
September 15, 2011 - The ASA Midwest Sunoco Sportsman Tour will join the American Speed Association® Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment and GrandStay Hospitality at Rockford Speedway on October 1st and 2nd as the Sportsman division wraps up its second season.

The 2011 season has been another exciting one for the Sunoco Sportsman Tour as they have seen four different winners in six events so far. Last year’s champion, Chris Marek is the only repeat winner.

Marek took home top honors in the season opener for the division in the Joe Shear Classic 36 and followed it up with a win in the Gandrud Chevrolet 35 lap event at Wisconsin International Raceway in Kaukauna, WI. He also won the Miller 35 at Hawkeye Downs Speedway in Cedar Rapids, IA back on Friday, August 12th.

By: Eric Huenefeld
From top to bottom, Saturday nights in the year 2011 at the Rockford Speedway will forever be remembered as nights filled with drama and excitement. Nights that produced some of the most competitive short track racing anywhere, and nights that produced season long points battles that came down to the bitter end. When the dust settled on Whelen Engineering's Night of Champions Saturday, three of the four titlists were first timers, and champions ranged from seasoned veterans to fresh-faced youngsters.

Adding his name to the Rockford Speedway history books is the youngest driver to capturing a season championship is Austin Nason, age 15 from Roscoe, Illinois. Austin competes in the NASCAR Bargain Hunters Sportsman division.

Present for opening ceremonies is the Illinois National Guard as they ready themselves for our nation National Anthem.