Posted by Rockford Speedway on 4/5/2005, 1:40 am
Board Administrator

Miller and Reynolds, Jr. Score Big at Spring Classic ROCKFORD, IL -- Jeremy Miller pulled off a final lap pass to get around leader Mike Skaja and went on to win the Mid-American Stock Car Series 2005 opener at the Rockford Speedway Sunday afternoon. Jon Reynolds, Jr had a mirror full of seven time Rockford Speedway Champion Ricky Bilderback, as Reynolds claimed the victory in the 58 lap Northern Series event which concluded the 28th annual Spring Classic presented by Chicago International Truck, Bachrodt Auto Group and Yellow Book. Skaja, in a rare Mid-American appearance at the Rockford quater-mile paved oval, led the first 49 laps of the race before Miller squeezed inside for the lead as the two cars darted past the finish line. "I have to thank my fellow competitors. They gave me room on the track. Sometimes it really gets tight on the race track," Miller said. "I got into second and I really didn't know if I could catch the leader," he continued. "I really have to thank B & B Race Engines. This car really had power here today," Miller told the cheering crowd. Jeremy Spoonmore finished a strong third with Chris Cooling close behind in fourth. Two-time series champion Bill Prietzel and Indiana veteran Bill Neering completed the top six. Miller had a near perfect weekend. He was one of three cars to break the Mid-American one-lap qualifying record with quick time of 13.979 Saturday. Miller then finished a close second in his ten-lap heat race behind rookie Andrew Ruthenbeck. Jon Reynolds, Jr. worked his way past Gary Krueger and Kyle Melvin to climb into the lead of the Northern Series 58 Sunday afternoon as Bobby WIlberg, Ryan Carlson and Ricky Bilderback fought to keep the leader in their sights. Reynolds, Jr. was able to stretch his lead to nearly twenty car lengths before Bilderback disposed of Wilberg to move into the runner up position. The crowd cheered as they watched the lead dwindle over the closing eleven laps, Bilderback would pull to within inches of Reynold’s back bumper as the white flag waved, but that was as close as he would come. Wilberg followed Reynolds, Jr. and Bilderback across the line, Carlson and a hard charging Chad Stevens rounded out the top five. Racing action continues at Rockford Speedway this Saturday night as the 58th season opener presented by Coca-Cola kicks off the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series season. Fans can receive a two dollar discount on their adult admission tickets by bringing an empty 20oz bottle of any Coca-Cola product. Spectator gates open at 5 with the first big race at 7:07. Visit www.rockfordspeedway.com or call 815-633-1500 for additional information. =30= Northern Series Late Models A-Main 01 -- 1. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Roscoe; 2. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 3. Bob Wilberg, Orfordville, Wis; 4. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 5. Chad Stevens, Orfordville, Wis; 6. Mike Beyer, Machesney Park; 7. Mike Taylor, Stoughton, Wis; 8. Gary Krueger, Edgerton, Wis; 9. Bob Kahler, Belvidere; 10. Kyle Melvin, Machesney Park; 11. Dave Cox, Loves Park. Heat 01 -- 1. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 2. Bob Wilberg, Orfordville, Wis; 3. Mike Beyer, Machesney Park; 4. Chad Stevens, Orfordville, Wis; 5. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Roscoe; 6. Mike Taylor, Stoughton, Wis. Heat 02 -- 1. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 2. Bob Kahler, Belvidere; 3. Kyle Melvin, Machesney Park; 4. Gary Krueger, Edgerton, Wis; 5. Dave Cox, Loves Park. Mid Americans A-Main 01 -- 1. Jeremy Miller, Rockton; 2. Mike Skaja, New Prague, Minn.; 3. Jeremy Spoonmore, Somonauk; 4. Chris Cooling, Joliet; 5. Bill Prietzel, West Allis, Wis; 6. Bill Neering, Cedar Lake, Ind.; 7. Scott Null, Lake Mills, Wis; 8. John Senerchia, Oak Forest; 9. Lyle Nowak, Wausau, Wis; 10. John Vig, Shakopee, Minn.; 11. Dan Powell, Polo; 12. Jason Taghikhani, Franklin, Wis; 13. Bill Tuckwell;; 14. Clifford Adee, Lakeville, Minn.; 15. Andrew Ruthenbeck, Virginia, Minn.; 16. Andy Jirik, Lonsdale, Minn.. Heat 01 -- 1. Bill Neering, Cedar Lake, Ind.; 2. Dan Powell, Polo; 3. John Vig, Shakopee, Minn.; 4. John Senerchia, Oak Forest; 5. Chris Cooling, Joliet; 6. Jamie Dorsey, Rockford; 7. Bill Tuckwell;; 8. Lyle Nowak, Wausau, Wis. Heat 02 -- 1. Andrew Ruthenbeck, Virginia, Minn.; 2. Jeremy Miller, Rockton; 3. Jason Taghikhani, Franklin, Wis; 4. Mike Skaja, New Prague, Minn.; 5. Clifford Adee, Lakeville, Minn.; 6. Bill Prietzel, West Allis, Wis; 7. Scott Null, Lake Mills, Wis; 8. Jeremy Spoonmore, Somonauk. Time Trial -- 1. Jeremy Miller, Rockton; 2. John Senerchia, Oak Forest; 3. Bill Prietzel, West Allis, Wis; 4. Bill Neering, Cedar Lake, Ind.; 5. Scott Null, Lake Mills, Wis; 6. John Vig, Shakopee, Minn.; 7. Jeremy Spoonmore, Somonauk; 8. Dan Powell, Polo; 9. Mike Skaja, New Prague, Minn.; 10. Chris Cooling, Joliet; 11. Clifford Adee, Lakeville, Minn.; 12. Lyle Nowak, Wausau, Wis; 13. Jason Taghikhani, Franklin, Wis; 14. Jamie Dorsey, Rockford; 15. Andrew Ruthenbeck, Virginia, Minn.; 16. Bill Tuckwell;; 17. Andy Jirik, Lonsdale, Minn..