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Rockford Speedway Celebrates Its 59th Season
By: Kevin Ramsell
Friday, January 26, 2007 (Loves Park, IL) – Rockford Speedway recently
celebrated its 59th season of racing with its annual Championship
Banquet. The event was held on Saturday, January 20, 2007 at the Forest
Hills Lodge in Loves Park, IL.
Rockford Speedway track announcer, Eric Huenefeld, served as the Master of
Ceremonies. Gregg McKarns, Rockford Speedway General Manager, presented
the trophies.
The evening started off with Rockford Speedway Promoter, Jody Deery, welcoming
the drivers, crew, staff and fans to the event. She not only thanked the
drivers for their participation, but also gave a special thank you to the
spouse’s of the drivers for their support.
Clem Droste gave the welcome from NASCAR and announced that the NASCAR Dodge
Weekly Series will be re-named to the NASCAR Whelan All-American Series in
2007
A total of 11 Rockford Speedway division championships were handed out.
The highlight of the evening was Ricky Bilderback who collected his sixth
consecutive NASCAR Late Model Championship. Bilderback also picked up
the Big 8 Series Championship belt buckle on Saturday night as well.
Along with Bilderback picking up his awards, championship plaques were also
handed out to: George Sparkman, Budweiser American Short Trackers; Brock
Behnke, Grand Nationals; Gene Marocco, Coca-Cola Roadrunners; Amy Flippo,
Winged Women on Wheels; Roger Schultz, Hornets; and Pat Smith, Roadrunner
Challenge & National Figure 8 League.
Championships were also handed out in the INEX division as well.
Champions included: Kyle LaPier, INEX Legends; Tyler Blume, INEX Bandoleros;
and Scott McGinnis, Allison Legacy.
Ryan Carlson and Mark Numbers were recipients of the Jody Deery Award of
Excellence for their fund raising efforts for the RAMP (Regional Access &
Mobilization Project). Their fundraising efforts in 2006 included
two-seater rides and even donating the feature win from one night to help
RAMP’s mission to promote an accessible society that allows and expects full
participation by people with disabilities.
Bob & Les Wagner, two long time supporters of the Rockford Speedway,
especially back when Hugh Deery created the “Rockford Late Model” rules,
was recipients of the Hugh G. Deery Memorial Award.
The first event of the 2007 season will be the Spring Smash-O-Rama on
Saturday, April 7th. The 30th Annual Spring Classic will
take place on April 14-15 featuring the Wisconsin Challenge Series, Big 8
Series and the Mid-American Series. The 60th season of weekly racing
will open on Saturday, April 21st.
The 2007 rules are now available on the track’s website at www.rockfordspeedway.com.
For more information, please call the track office at (815) 633-1500.
SPECIAL AWARDS
Lefthander Chassis Award – George Sparkman
Five Star Stock Car Body Award – Bob Kahler
Craftsman Mechanic of the Year Award – Ken Ellis
Quality Team Award – McCoy Racing
Lincoln Electric Team Player of the Year – Bill Hobson
Sportsman of the Year Award – Phil Baraski
BEST APPEARING CAR
Josh Nelms – NASCAR Late Models
Matt Berger – Budweiser American Short Trackers
Fred Nason – Grand Nationals
Dan Carlson – Coca-Cola Roadrunners
Amy Flippo – Winged Women on Wheels
Nick Lasher – Hornets
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Josh Nelms – NASCAR Late Models
Justin Scott – Budweiser American Short Trackers
Ricky Nielsen – Grand Nationals
Rock of Gibraltar Award – Chad Misslich
“Lightning McQueen” Award – Tammy Hawkins
Diamond in the Rough Award – Jake Gille
Accounting 101 Award – Bobbi Bilderback
The Sharing Award – Dave Behnke
Dukes of Hazard Award – Jon Logan Jr.
Outrageous Fortune Award – Steve Hillary
Driver Development Award – Kyle LaPier
Perseverance Award – Josh Lundy
Chicago Cubs Award – Chris Gantz
Always There Through Hell & High Water Award – Mark Bielefeldt
Kyle Petty “Not Whether You Win or Lose” Award – Andy Bristol
Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way Award – Jerry Mesch
WWOW Golden Wing Award – Linnea Weerda
Jimmy Spencer Award – Jason Van Hise
Interviewer Headache Award – Brett McCoy
Shake ‘n Bake Award – Alex Papini
IPOD Award – Tom Flippo
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