At Rockford Speedway, Saturday night, not only was the weather hot and sticky, but the racing was very hot. The event featured the ARCA Midwest Tour Kar Korner All Star 100 with the Rockford NASCAR Late Model and the Roadrunner series' in support. Earlier in the day, Paul Shafer Jr. of Portage, In., set the fast time for the ARCA Midwest cars with a 12.976 second lap. In the Late Models, it was South Beloit's Ricky Bilderback with a 13.612 lap. After the Qualifying and Odd/Even Heats, the program started with the first of two Late Model 30 laps features. The racing was fast and furious with Jake Gille, Winnebago, Il., racing his way to the victory.
Immediately following Late Model #1, the Roadrunners hit the track for their first of two Features. It was another great race with 76 year old, Gene Marocco, Machesney Park, Il., going to Victory Lane. It was Gene's first win in a while!
At the conclusion of the Roadrunner Victory Lane, Jon Reynolds Jr. from Loves Park, Il., reigning Rockford National Short Track Champion and Seymour, Wi.'s, Ty Majeski, current and two time ARCA Midwest Tour Champion, squared off for a Match Race for a purse of $1,000, winner take all. The race consisted of three, 3-Lap dashes for all the cash. As Jon and Ty were preparing to get in their cars, Kar Korner doubled the purse to $2,000! Jon and Ty raced side by side with Ty edging Jon in the first dash. In the next two dashes, Jon reversed that and just edged Ty to take the cash.
After the Match Race, Jon Reynolds Jr. literally had to race back to the pits and jump in his late model for the second Late Model feature of the night. Jon's streak continued as he won the second feature. With his first and third places in both features he was the nights overall winner.
After the completion of the Late Model's second feature, it was time for the ARCA Midwest Tour Super Late Models to hit the track. During the warm up laps, #93 John Beinlich experienced a mechanical problem and started smoking badly and retired to the pits and did not start the race. It was Plainfield, Illinois' Ricky Baker taking the field to the green. There were some early cautions which kept the field bunched up. Ty Majeski worked his way up from his seventh starting position to take the lead on lap 25 and seemed to be cruising to another win, when as he entered turn three, he got together with the slower car of Chris Weinkauf #75. I don't know exactly what happened as I caught the initial action out of the corner of my eye, however both cars were unable to continue.
On the restart, it was Jeff Holtz jumping to the lead. There were several minor spins, but the worst occurred with 40 to go when Casey Johnson #5 and Trent Snyder #88 got together in turn 3, again, collecting Steve Rubeck #61 and Ricky Baker #52. Trent and Steve were not able to continue.
From that point, it was Jeff Holtz holding off all challengers and taking the win. Casey Johnson and Paul Shafer Jr. finished second and third, respectively.
The final race of the night was the second, 20 lap Roadrunner Feature. Bringing home the final checkered flag of the night was Rockford's own Chris McQualilty #4.
Here are some images from the entire day, including practice, qualifying and racing.
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