Rockford Speedway - 39th Annual Spring Classic

4/17/2016

This was a great weekend for racing. Today was the 39th annual Spring Classic at the Rockford Speedway. The folks at Rockford, led by Mrs. Jody Deery, played host to the Big 8 Late Model Series, the Mid-American Stock Car Series and the American Ethanol Super Truck Series. The morning was a rotating practice for all three series.

After practice it was onto qualifications with Michael Bilderback being the fastest qualifier in the Big Eight series with a lap of 14.65.

After a roll of the dice, he would start fifth in race. After qualifications Mrs. Deery led the opening ceremonies.

After Opening Ceremonies the Big 8 and the Mid American Series held series of heats and dashes. The following were the winners:
Big 8

Showdown One - John Reynolds Jr.
Showdown Two - Kyle Chwala
Fast Dash One - Dale Nottestad
Fast Dash Two - Mitchell Garfield
Last Chance Qualifier - Mike Lloyd

Mid-American

Heat One - Cody Clubb
Heat Two - Scott Dunning

During the heat races the American Ethanol Super Truck Series ran two 20 lap features. The first was won by Ken Calhoun and the second by Chester Ace. By virtue of Chester Ace having a first and a second place in the two features, he won the day.

While the trucks put on a good show, there were only three running today. In talking with some fellow Wisconsin photographers, I learned the original promoters of the truck series have split. We will have to wait to see the results of this separation.

At the conclusion of the Truck race, the Mid American Stock Car Series hit the track for their 50 lap feature. The race was led to the green by Jeremy Bloomberg #18. Jeremy was pressured early and throughout by several drivers like Bill Prietzel #5 and Ken Calhoun #88. In fact Bill Prietzel was running second when he spun and fell to the back of the pack. Bill charged back through the pack to finish second to Jeremy Bloomberg, who had held off everyone to take the checkered flag. Ken Calhoun finished third completing a very good day where he also had won a Truck Feature.

Next up was the final race of the day, the Big 8 eighty-eight lap feature. While Michael Bilderback was the fastest qualifier, because of the dice roll, he started 5th. Dale Nottestad #51 led them to the green. Michael slowly worked himself from fifth to the lead with 34 laps remaining. He then survived four yellow flag restarts to handily take the win. Once he got out front there was no stopping him. Dale Nottestad #51 finished second with Rick Schumann Jr. completing the top three.