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.

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.

By: Eric Huenefeld
For the 66th consecutive season, the Rockford Speedway opening it's gates to racing fans and driver alike. For the second straight year, very cold temperatures greeted both. But with the cold weather in the air, there was plenty of hot racing on the track.

Bobby Frisch # 92 Beloit, Wisconsin Rockford Speedway's 2012 Rock Star RoadRunner Champion.

Rachel Sparkman # 51, Loves Park, IL posted an outstanding race as she made claim to the American Short Tracker 25 - lap feature.

Clossey, Lawver, Rachel Sparkman and Howie Ware Capture Feature Wins

By Kraig McKay

Loves Park, IL-The attention would eventually turn to the Champions on Whelen NASCAR Championship Night at Rockford Speedway on Saturday Night. First there was unfinished business for a few drivers as they set out to capture that elusive feature victory of 2012. Female competitor Rachel Sparkman was the first to reach that goal after holding off Kyle Lapier in American Short Tracker action and Matthew Clossey waited out an hour and a half rain delay to record his first career Late Model triumph. Sportsman honors went to Scott Lawver who recorded feature victory one hundred and two and Howie Ware raced his way to the front of the strong RoadRunner field for the win. Once the final checkered flag was waved, the Champions and Rookie of the Year recipients took over the Speedway in celebration. Jerry Gille became a three time Late Model titlist, a second Championship was won by Doug Bennett in the Sportsman, Bobby Frisch in the RoadRunners and Jason VanHise in the RoadRunner Challenge. A first time Champion was also crowned as Joey LaMarca bested the talented American Short Tracker field. Austin Nason was the Late Model Rookie of the Year and Johnny Robinson II capped his Rookie of the Year campaign with another strong Sportsman showing.

NASCAR All American Sportsmen
A-Main 01 -- 1. Scott Lawver, Roscoe; 2. Bob Moeller, McHenry; 3. Johnny Robinson, II (r), Beloit, Wis; 4. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 5. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 6. Matt Lundberg, Rockford; 7. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 8. Daryl Gerke, Whitelaw, Wis; 9. Darrell Garman, South Beloit; 10. Rob Goodman, McHenry; 11. Tim Jendrycki, Round Lake; 12. Patrick Featherston II (r), Byron; 13. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park.

Champions will be crowned this Saturday night September 8 during Whelen NASCAR Championship Night at Rockford Speedway. Jerry Gille, Doug Bennett, Bobby Frisch and Jason VanHise look to add to their title totals while Joey LaMarca appears to be on his way to Championship number one. All four NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions will be in action including the Stanley Steemer Late Models, Bargain Hunter Sportsman, Miller Lite American Short Trackers and RockStar Energy RoadRunners. The final Sam’s Drive-In RoadRunner Challenge of the 2012 season is the Double Spin to Win Race.

Adam Cartwright # 37 Marengo, IL barrows Jason Brockway's (left) race car to win both segments of the 50-lap Figure 8 feature.

Jeff Allendorf # 32 Belvidere, IL is all smiles in victory circle after posting his 20-lap feature win for the Rocks Star Energy Drink RoadRunners.

NASCAR All American Sportsmen

A-Main 01 -- 1. Johnny Robinson, II (r), Beloit, Wis; 2. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 3. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 4. Daryl Gerke, Whitelaw, Wis; 5. Justin Sellers, Carol Stream; 6. Matt Lundberg, Rockford; 7. Bob Moeller, McHenry; 8. Rob Goodman, McHenry; 9. Scott Lawver, Roscoe; 10. Adam Peschek, Oconomowoc, Wis; 11. Patrick Featherston II (r), Byron; 12. Darrell Garman, South Beloit; 13. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park; 14. Tim Jendrycki, Round Lake.

John Cruz, Rockford, IL, came out of the debris and chaos that was Nick’s Beatin’ ‘N Bangin’ Boat Race to win the vastly popular event for race fans.

Nick Cina, Jr. Belvidere, IL once again utilized the low line to march to the front of the American Short Tracker 25 lap main event.