Loves Park, IL (November 11, 2009)- Just two weeks after the conclusion of a successful 2009 season at Rockford Speedway, preparations are already underway for next year. Speedway crews have been replacing many sections of wall that were impacted during racing action this past season, while the Rockford Best Seal & Stripe crew has been filling various seems around the historic quarter-mile high banked paved oval.

“We have replaced three large sections of our concrete barrier which experienced their share of abuse last year.” Stated Director of Operations David Deery. “Filling the seems will help our track battle another harsh winter, so it is ready to go this Spring.” Speedway crews also refurbished much of the billboard structure which surrounds the track, nearly a dozen racecars made contact with these boards during the exciting season that concluded with over 130 machines taking the track during the October 25 Goblin 250 Enduro.

By Jordan Kuehne
LOVES PARK, Ill. (Sunday, October 25th, 2009) -- Scott Dixon should race more often, as the father of three regulars at the Rockford Speedway outlasted a massive field of 130 cars to collect the final event of the year at the historic facility, the Goblin 250 enduro. Dixon hadn't raced in six years before entering the event, seeking permission from his wife to get back on the track and in his return, the Wisconsin driver made it seem like he had never taken time off. Dixon assumed control with 25 laps remaining, passing Corey Marshall for the top spot, and held Marshall off for the victory. Carolyn Johnson won the Fair Demo Derbies while Greg Elser and Rick Dobbles also collected feature wins.

By Jordan Kuehne
LOVES PARK, Ill. (Sunday, October 18th, 2009) -- John Paul Odegaard logged a lot of mileage traveling to the Rockford Speedway for this weekend's 18th annual Bahama Bracket Nationals, and for the second consecutive year, the Minnesota driver made it time well spent, finding victory lane in the 50-lap 'A' Bracket main event and collecting a TIKI Torch trophy to commemorate his win. Odegaard started in eighth and quickly worked his way through the field, pushing past Matt Berger as the event approached the halfway point and holding on from there, collecting another October victory at the high-banked quarter mile. In the 'AA' Bracket, Scott Lawver rallied back from a late-race spin to come out on top, fending off Brad Carson for the win.

By Jordan Kuehne
LOVES PARK, Ill. (Saturday, October 17th, 2009) -- James Swan took flight tonight at the Rockford Speedway, pacing a field of almost 200 cars in setting fast time and collecting the Short Track News Fast Qualifier Award at the 18th annual Bahama Bracket Nationals. On a chilly October day, Swan was blazing fast, laying down a blistering lap of 14.333 seconds to top a field of 150 bracket cars. In addition to that, 44 Hornets took to the track as Brad Chandler set the mark to beat with a quick time of 17.135 seconds. 30 races were conducted as most of the field was set for tomorrow's Bahama Bracket 50-lap feature events.

Loves Park, IL- When drivers make their way into Victory Lane this weekend at Rockford Speedway during the 18th annual Bahama Bracket Nationals, they will be rewarded with a TIKI brand torch for their efforts. This unique trophy fits nicely with this unique event which groups cars in racing brackets based on their qualifying speed rather than by a set division. Racing action will take place following qualifying on Saturday with a posted 6pm start time while the green flag will wave on Sunday October 18 at noon which will be capped with fifty lap feature events in all brackets.

TIKI, the brand trusted by millions, helps create a paradise in every backyard and now pit area. Offering a variety of outdoor products that deliver ambiance and proven mosquito repellency, TIKI products can be found at most major retailers or check out lamplight.com for news and information on exciting products by TIKI.

For more information on the Bahama Bracket Nationals including entry forms, schedule of events and rules please call the Rockford Speedway Box Office at 815-633-1500 or visit www.rockfordspeedway.com.

By Jordan Kuehne
LOVES PARK, Ill. (Sunday, October 4th, 2009) -- Josh Nelms was down and out with 100 laps to go in the Budweiser 200, but with a few great adjustments and a lot of determination, the Chicagoland driver found himself wearing the wreath today at the 44th annual National Short Track Championships at the Rockford Speedway. Nelms etched his name in the history books with a late race pass, using the low line to push past the venerable Jeff Kendall with 21 laps remaining and hitting his marks the rest of the way to lay claim to the title of 2009 National Short Track Champion. Kendall, a six-time Dells Raceway Park track champion, led the opening 179 laps of the event before Nelms' daring maneuver, and had to hold off a hard-charging 'Fast' Eddie Hoffman for the bridesmaid's position. Lowell Bennett had a solid run to take home fourth while Jon Reynolds Jr. battled through adversity to collect a top five, finishing fifth. In the Mid-American Stock Car Series, Jeremy Spoonmore made it back-to-back at the National Short Track Championships, proving last year's victory was no fluke with a dominating title defense in the Mtn Dew 75. In the RoadRunners, veteran racer Sonny Schoffen went wire-to-wire to claim the O'Reilly Auto Parts 44, holding off Ricky Nielsen for the victory.

By Jordan Kuehne

Love’s Park, Ill. (October 4, 2009) – It’s safe to say Jeremy Spoonmore has been enjoying his 2009 Mid-American Stock Car Series campaign. The Somonauk, Ill. veteran won his second consecutive National Short Track Championships feature event at Rockford Speedway Sunday afternoon by capturing the MTN Dew 75. Spoonmore has yet to finish outside of the top five and has notched two wins in a handful of appearances this season.

“I would have never guessed. After the first one, I thought that would be great. But this one was even better,” Spoonmore said.

In the 2008 event, Spoonmore swiped the lead in the 75-lap feature by utilizing the inside lane on lap nine. One year later, the lead belonged to Spoonmore by lap ten after three laps of side-by-side action with pole-sitter Mike Beyer.

Lyle Nowak moved from his 19th starting spot to finish second, Bill Prietzel finished third, Mark Pluer was fourth and Justin Neisius rounded out the top five.

“The car stuck on the bottom and it just got better and better,” Spoonmore said. “I knew I was going to have to go [there] quick like last year.”

FORT ATKINSON, Wis. (October 1, 2009) – The stakes couldn’t be higher with only two races remaining in the Mid-American Stock Car Series’ 17th season. Heading into this Sunday’s running of the National Short Track Championships 75-lap feature event at Rockford Speedway only 30 points separate first-place Paul Neisius from second-place Bill Prietzel.

The degree of separation concerning experience at Rockford Speedway, however, is much greater. Prietzel has turned many laps at the historic venue while Paul Neisius has extremely limited experience.

Neisius’ first experience of Rockford came in April when he and his cousin Justin practiced for the Spring Opener, which was rained out the following day, and again a week later. Prietzel has attended the venue at least once in each of the past 15 years and has set fast time several times in the past four seasons. He also has a win in a modified at Rockford in 2009.

Loves Park, IL- The fiercest rivalry in the Midwest short track racing scene will be on display October 3 and 4 during the 44th annual National Short Track Championship at Rockford Speedway. Chicagoland Champions Brett Sontag and Eddie Hoffman have both filed entries for the Super Late Model portion of ‘One Great Racing Weekend’.

Sontag and Hoffman have been involved in hotly contested battles this summer at Grundy County Speedway, bringing the Morris, IL faithful to their feet numerous times amidst a sea of cheers and boos. Now the rivalry travels north to Rockford Speedway for an event both drivers were in contention to win last season. Sontag impressed all in attendance as he charged on the inside twice to pressure the lead pack before mechanical woes sent him out of the race. Hoffman, a three time NSTC Champion was involved in an opening lap incident and battled through the field to finish in the runner-up position to Minnesota’s Josh Vadnais.