|
Rockford Season Opening Wins to Kahler, Behnke, Melvin and Logan, Jr.
By Matt Panure
Bob Kahler, Brock Behnke, Tim Melvin and John Logan Jr. scored wins in their
respective features as the Rockford Speedway held its 60th annual season
opener sponsored by Coca Cola Saturday night.
The Coca-Cola 30 for the Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models saw Bob Kahler of
Belvidere ride the high line to victory securing the first checkered flag of
the 2007 season. Kahler’s bid for the win, however, did not go unchallenged.
Ryan Carlson of Loves Park used to inside line to challenge Kahler until
engine failures sent Carlson to the pits midway through the race. Kahler then
had to face the challenges of Jon Reynolds Jr. who worked his way back up to
the front after an early incident involving he and Nick Shutkas of Love’s
Park. When the green flag flew for the thirteen remaining laps Reynolds Jr.
used the inside line to pull even, but Kahler was too strong on the outside.
Fast qualifier Jerry Gille of Roscoe maneuvered around Reynolds Jr. and
provided the final challenges for Kahler in the waning laps but Kahler held
strong and took the checkered. Reynolds Jr. finished third, Rockton’s Ricky
Bilderback was fourth and Belvidere’s Brett McCoy rounded ou! t the top
five.
The All-American Sportsman Coca-Cola 25 was captured by defending division
champion Brock Behnke of Poplar Grove. Behnke took advantage of his outside
second row starting spot and was leading by midway. Behnke would finish the
race unchallenged as Doug Bennett of Broadhead, WI and Fred Nason of Roscoe
were locked in a tight battle for second. With six laps to go Bennett in the
new IMCA Northern Sportmod which is allowed to compete in the division, took
the position from Nason; they would finish in that order. Rounding out the top
five were Ricky Nielson and Butch Swinback of Rockford.
Cautions marred the Coca-Cola 25 for the Budweiser American Short Trackers.
Tim Melvin of Machesney Park was running in the third spot on a lap two
restart when the leaders Kelly Evink of Machesney Park and Jason Bragg of
Rockford tangled coming to the green flag. Melvin inherited the lead and had
to fight off the advance of Loves Park’s Matt Berger. Berger’s advance
would be short lived however, as his hood flew off the car on a lap 7 restart.
Only 8 laps were completed in the race because of Time constraints and Melvin
had stayed at the front to collect the first checkered of the year. Rounding
out the top five were Aaron Rude of Cambridge, WI, Rockton’s Randy Samples,
Loves Park’s George Sparkman and Evink.
The final event of the evening was the Coca-Cola 20 for the NASCAR
Roadrunners. John Logan Jr. of Loves Park used the preferred high line to work
his way around Robert Roush of Woodstock. Logan would check out from the field
and remain unchallenged as Roush felt the pressure from Kris Nilson of
Rockford in the closing laps. Roush would hold off Nilson for second as
Vachenzia Jester of South Beloit and South Beloit’s Terrance Robinson
rounded out the top five.
Two track records were set during qualifying. In the Stanley Steemer NASCAR
Late Models Jerry Gille’s 13.683 was the quickest lap turned since the
division switched to Goodyear tires. George Sparkman’s 15.317 was the
fastest lap ever turned by a Budweiser American Short Tracker on Saturday
night. Doug Bennett was the fastest qualifier for the All American Sportsmen
with a 14.961.
Next week the Rockford Speedway continues its 60th anniversary season when Fox
39 and Budweiser present “Junior Nation Night.” Fans who wear Dale
Earnhardt Jr. gear to the Rockford Speedway will be charged only $8 for
general grandstand admission. It is also Project First Rate Union Night at the
Speedway. Any Union Member who presents their Union Card at the front gate
will be charged only $5 for general grandstand admission. Gates open at 5
P.M., time trials are at 6:10 P.M. and racing begins at 7:07 P.M. next
Saturday night, April 28th at the Rockford Speedway. Rockford Speedway is
located at the intersection of IL 173 and Forest Hills Rd. For more
information visit www.rockfordspeedway.com
or call the Speedway Box Office at 815-633-1500.
4/21/2007 - Rockford Speedway Results...
NASCAR American Short Trackers
A-Main 01 -- 1. Tim Melvin, Machesney Park; 2. Aaron Rude, Cambridge,
Wis; 3. Randy Samples, Rockton; 4. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 5. Kelly Evink,
Machesney Park; 6. Reid Nuttall, Machesney Park; 7. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton;
8. Jason Bragg, Rockford; 9. Nick Cina, Jr, Roscoe; 10. Keith Pierce,
Machesney Park; 11. Steven Allman, Oconomowoc, Wis; 12. Matt Berger, Loves
Park; 13. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 14. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 15.
Pat Lawlor, Marengo; 16. Jeffery Turnure, Rockford; 17. Jack Atchison,
Stillman Valley.
Heat 01 -- 1. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 2. Jason Bragg, Rockford; 3.
Jeffery Turnure, Rockford; 4. Steven Allman, Oconomowoc, Wis; 5. Jack
Atchison, Stillman Valley; 6. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 7. Reid Nuttall,
Machesney Park; 8. Pat Lawlor, Marengo; 9. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 10.
Tim Dix, Beloit, Wis.
Heat 02 -- 1. Nick Cina, Jr, Roscoe; 2. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 3.
Aaron Rude, Cambridge, Wis; 4. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 5. Kelly
Evink, Machesney Park; 6. Tim Melvin, Machesney Park; 7. Randy Samples,
Rockton; 8. George Sparkman, Loves Park.
Time Trial -- 1. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 2. Matt Berger, Loves
Park; 3. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman, Machesney Park; 4. Nick Cina, Jr, Roscoe; 5.
Randy Samples, Rockton; 6. Aaron Rude, Cambridge, Wis; 7. Kelly Evink,
Machesney Park; 8. Tim Melvin, Machesney Park; 9. Jason Bragg, Rockford; 10.
Larry Dickinson II, Rockford; 11. Jeffery Turnure, Rockford; 12. Jack
Atchison, Stillman Valley; 13. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 14. Keith Pierce,
Machesney Park; 15. Pat Lawlor, Marengo; 16. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 17. Reid
Nuttall, Machesney Park; 18. Steven Allman, Oconomowoc, Wis.
Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. George Sparkman, Loves Park; 2. Boyce (BJ) Sparkman,
Machesney Park; 3. Aaron Rude, Cambridge, Wis; 4. Randy Samples, Rockton; 5.
Matt Berger, Loves Park; 6. Nick Cina, Jr, Roscoe.
NASCAR All American Sportsman
A-Main 01 -- 1. Brock Behnke, Poplar Grove; 2. Doug Bennett, Brodhead,
Wis; 3. Fred Nason, Roscoe; 4. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 5. Warren (Butch)
Swinbank, Rockford; 6. Johnny Robinson II, Beloit, Wis; 7. Darrell Garman,
Machesney Park.
Heat 01 -- 1. Johnny Robinson II, Beloit, Wis; 2. Darrell Garman,
Machesney Park; 3. Jamie Marcanio, Midlothian; 4. Dan Withers, Oregon; 5.
Warren (Butch) Swinbank, Rockford.
Heat 02 -- 1. Fred Nason, Roscoe; 2. Brock Behnke, Poplar Grove; 3. Doug
Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 4. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford.
Time Trial -- 1. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 2. Fred Nason, Roscoe; 3.
Scott Lawver, Roscoe; 4. Brock Behnke, Poplar Grove; 5. Ricky Nielsen,
Rockford; 6. Warren (Butch) Swinbank, Rockford; 7. Johnny Robinson II, Beloit,
Wis; 8. Darrell Garman, Machesney Park; 9. Dan Withers, Oregon.
Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Brock Behnke, Poplar Grove; 2. Ricky Nielsen,
Rockford; 3. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 4. Fred Nason, Roscoe; 5. Warren
(Butch) Swinbank, Rockford; 6. Scott Lawver, Roscoe.
NASCAR Late Models
A-Main 01 -- 1. Bob Kahler, Belvidere; 2. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 3. Jon
Reynolds, Jr., Roscoe; 4. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 5. Brett McCoy, Belvidere;
6. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 7. Ryan Miles, Crystal Lake; 8. Nick Shutkas,
Loves Park; 9. Steve Hillary, Machesney Park; 10. John Baumeister, Jr., Lake
Geneva, Wis; 11. Bill Hobson, Roscoe; 12. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 13. Tim
Ellis, Roscoe.
Heat 01 -- 1. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 2. John Baumeister, Jr., Lake
Geneva, Wis; 3. Nick Shutkas, Loves Park; 4. Bill Hobson, Roscoe; 5. Ryan
Miles, Crystal Lake; 6. Tim Ellis, Roscoe; 7. Steve Hillary, Machesney Park.
Heat 02 -- 1. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 2. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 3. Jon
Reynolds, Jr., Roscoe; 4. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 5. Bob Kahler, Belvidere;
6. Tim Sargent, South Beloit.
Time Trial -- 1. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 2. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Roscoe; 3.
Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 4. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 5. Bob Kahler,
Belvidere; 6. Tim Sargent, South Beloit; 7. John Baumeister, Jr., Lake Geneva,
Wis; 8. Nick Shutkas, Loves Park; 9. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 10. Bill Hobson,
Roscoe; 11. Ryan Miles, Crystal Lake; 12. Tim Ellis, Roscoe; 13. Steve
Hillary, Machesney Park.
Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 2. Tim Sargent, South
Beloit; 3. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 4. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 5. Jon Reynolds,
Jr., Roscoe; 6. Bob Kahler, Belvidere.
NASCAR Road Runners
A-Main 01 -- 1. John Logan, Jr., Loves Park; 2. Robert Roush, Woodstock;
3. Kris Nilson, Rockford; 4. Vachenzia Jester, Beloit, Wis; 5. Terrance
Robinson, South Beloit; 6. Chris Gantz, Rockford; 7. Dan Carlson, Rockford; 8.
Sam Christofano, Rockford; 9. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 10. Joshua
Lundy, Loves Park; 11. Steven Clark, Rockford; 12. Bobby Carter, Machesney
Park; 13. Cara Nielsen, Byron; 14. Cory Teran, Machesney Park; 15. Steve
Gregory, Machesney Park; 16. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 17. Robert Stoltz,
Rockford; 18. Dan Sander, Rockton; 19. Marci Lundberg, Belvidere; 20. Roger
Schultz, Rockford; 21. Charlie Frisch, South Beloit; 22. Alex Papini,
Machesney Park; 23. Shannon Stoltz, Machesney Park; 24. Howie Ware, South
Beloit; 25. Curt Nighswonger, Rockford.
Last Chance "A" 01 -- 1. Shannon Stoltz, Machesney Park; 2.
Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 3. Cara Nielsen, Byron; 4. Steven Clark, Rockford;
5. Steve Gregory, Machesney Park; 6. Bobby Carter, Machesney Park; 7. Sam
Christofano, Rockford; 8. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 9. Roger Schultz,
Rockford; 10. Curt Nighswonger, Rockford; 11. Robert Stoltz, Rockford; 12.
Cory Teran, Machesney Park; 13. Marci Lundberg, Belvidere; 14. William (BJ)
Muraski, Stillman Valley; 15. Ronald Stoltz, Rockford.
Heat 01 -- 1. Kris Nilson, Rockford; 2. Robert Roush, Woodstock; 3.
Terrance Robinson, South Beloit; 4. Vachenzia Jester, Beloit, Wis; 5. Dennis
Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 6. Beau Lawson, Machesney Park; 7. Cara Nielsen,
Byron; 8. Steve Gregory, Machesney Park; 9. William (BJ) Muraski, Stillman
Valley; 10. Steven Clark, Rockford; 11. Marci Lundberg, Belvidere.
Heat 02 -- 1. Charlie Frisch, South Beloit; 2. Alex Papini, Machesney
Park; 3. Dan Sander, Rockton; 4. Harry Weimer, Algonquin; 5. Raymond Hardesty,
McHenry; 6. Bobby Carter, Machesney Park; 7. Curt Nighswonger, Rockford; 8.
Robert Stoltz, Rockford; 9. Howie Ware, South Beloit; 10. Jason Van Hise,
Loves Park.
Heat 03 -- 1. Dan Carlson, Rockford; 2. John Logan, Jr., Loves Park; 3.
Chris Gantz, Rockford; 4. Joshua Lundy, Loves Park; 5. Shannon Stoltz,
Machesney Park; 6. Ronald Stoltz, Rockford; 7. Cory Teran, Machesney Park; 8.
Sam Christofano, Rockford; 9. Jerritt Craft, South Beloit; 10. Roger Schultz,
Rockford.
Challenge 01 -- 1. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 2. Bobby Carter,
Machesney Park; 3. Chris Gantz, Rockford; 4. Thomas Barclay, Roscoe; 5.
Shannon Stoltz, Machesney Park; 6. William (BJ) Muraski, Stillman Valley; 7.
Roger Schultz, Rockford; 8. Raymond Hardesty, McHenry; 9. Jerritt Craft, South
Beloit; 10. Kelly Barclay, Roscoe; 11. Kenneth St. Cin, Machesney Park; 12.
Sherri Dillavou, Rockford.
Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 2. John Logan, Jr.,
Loves Park; 3. Beau Lawson, Machesney Park; 4. Dan Sander, Rockton; 5. Dan
Carlson, Rockford; 6. Cory Teran, Machesney Park.
|
|
|
