Posted by Rockford Speedway on 5/9/2005, 12:08 pm
Board Administrator

Bilderback Goes Back to Back Loves Park, IL- Four time defending NASCAR Late Model Track Champion Ricky Bilderback topped Bobby Wilberg and early race leader Jerry Gille to lay claim to his second straight feature victory. Grand National action witnessed Darrell Garman hold off a determined Fred Nason while BJ Sparkman picked up his second Budweiser American Short Tracker feature of the season and Rockford's Dan Carlson emerged victorious in the Coca-Cola RoadRunner division. In honor of Mother's Day, the Winged Women on Wheels competed in double features. Shonna Frisch won by inches over Cher Bryant in the first feature, Vachenzia Jester won the second feature catapulting her to the overall win for the evening. Matt Berger and Jerry Gille led the NASCAR Late Model field to the green flag, Gille took the top spot as the duo headed down the backstretch on the opening lap. As Gille and Berger continued their battle for the lead, both Ricky Bilderback and point leader Bobby Wilberg made their way through the field with Jon Reynolds, Jr in tow. Bilderback made his way into the runner-up spot with twenty two laps remaining and would eventually work past Gille four laps later. A late race restart allowed Wilberg the opportunity to overthrow the leader but to no avail. Wilberg would settle for second on the night, Gille topped Reynolds, Jr following a spirited battle while Bill Hobson came home fifth. The first feature of the season for the Grand National division was highlighted by a tremendous lead battle between Darrell Garman, Doug Bennett, Matt Lundberg and Fred Nason. Garman overcame multiple restarts that allowed Bennett and Nason to trade paint with the leader near the midway point, Bennett would suffer mechanical woes. This allowed Nason to apply the pressure to Garman who crossed under the checkered flag a half car length ahead of Nason, hard charging Matt Lundberg improved seven positions for third, Travis Eldridge and Brock Behnke completed the top five. BJ Sparkman and Brett McCoy were the class of the Budweiser American Short Tracker field as the two front runners built a sizeable lead once the race overcame a caution marred start. This left Scott Dolliver to deal with Nick Cina, Jr as he worked the inside line for third as the field diced behind them. Sparkman and McCoy finished one and two as Sparkman claimed his second victory of the season, Dolliver finished third followed by Cina, Jr and last week's feature winner Don Russell. Twenty five Coca-Cola RoadRunners took the green flag in feature action Saturday night. Pat Smith took control of the lead on the first lap and had his mirror and hands full of Ricky Weimerskirk for the next eighteen laps. With four to go Weimerskirk made his move to the inside of Smith and would ride the lower lane as the lead duo took the white flag. As the leaders stormed down the backstretch their cars made contact sending both leaders into a wild spin, collecting many of the front running cars. When the smoke cleared it was Greg Pruitt crossing the line first followed by Dan Carlson and Gilbert Brewer. Following post race inspection Carlson was awarded the win, Brewer, Chad Lounsbury, Gene Marocco and Duane Lounsbury completed the top five positions. The Winged Women on Wheels brought the crowd to their feet as Shonna Frisch bested Cher Bryant by a matter of inches in the first of two feature events for the women on Ladies Night at the Races. 2004 Rookie of the Year outclassed the field in the second feature, allowing her the win and the overall win for the evening. NASCAR action resumes next Saturday night at Rockford Speedway as USG presents Union Night at the Races. All union members will be admitted for half price when showing their union card at the box office. In addition next Saturday marks the rescheduled date for Loves Park Night, allowing all Loves Park residents into the races for just $5 with proof of residence. The NASCAR Late Models, Budweiser American Short Trackers, Coca-Cola RoadRunners, RoadRunner Challenge, Legends and Bandoleros will all be in action. Spectator gates open at 5, Legends and Bandolero heats begin at 6:30 with NASCAR Racing at 7:07. For additional information visit www.rockfordspeedway.com or call the Speedway Box Office at 815-633-1500.