30TH ANNUAL SPRING CLASSIC IS AROUND THE CORNER!

ROCKFORD, IL. (March 12, 2007) - With the temperature reaching nearly 60 degrees today, it reminded the Rockford Speedway staff that the racing season is right around the corner.  The first major event during the 60th Anniversary season at the Rockford Speedway is the 30th Annual Spring Classic on April 14-15th.

“I went outside without my coat on and said to myself, this is a perfect day to release the Spring Classic schedule,” Gregg McKarns, Rockford Speedway General Manager stated.  “All I ask for is just a few more degrees and we will have the perfect weather to go along with the great racing we will see that weekend.”

This year, the Wisconsin Challenge Series will make its second return to the quarter-mile high banked oval along with the Mid-American Series and the Big 8 Series. 

New this year will be the Hornet vs. Bandit Challenge.  See the best in 4-cylinder Midwest drivers compete in a 25-lap feature event on Saturday night.

The pits will open along with hauler parking on Friday, April 13 at 3 p.m.  The top-ten in 2006 WCS points will have reserved spots.  The track will open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. for practice for all four divisions.  There will also be free grandstand admission for any interested fans who would like to come out and watch.

The pits will open on Saturday, April 14 at 7:30 a.m. with the tech lines opening at 8:00 a.m.  Practice will begin at 11:00 a.m. for the WCS, Mid-American Series and the Hornet vs. Bandit cars.  The Big 8 Series will not have any practice time on Saturday.

Qualifying will begin at 3:30 p.m. for the WCS, Mid-American Series and Hornet vs. Bandit divisions. 

The racing action will get underway at 6:06 p.m. with Mid-American Heats, WCS Heats, Hornet vs. Bandit Challenge Qualifying Heats, Mid-American Last Chance, and Hornet vs. Bandit Last Chance races.  The evening will be capped off with a 75-lap feature for the Mid-American Series and a 25-lap Hornet vs. Bandit Challenge feature event.

The pit gates will open at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, April 15.  The Big 8 Series will have a mandatory drivers meeting at 9:30 a.m. followed by their practice session from 10:00 a.m. to 10:55 a.m. 

Fans arriving early that day may want to visit the Racing Collectibles and Model Car Expo that starts at 10:00 a.m. near the main grandstand.

Big 8 Series qualifying will start at 11:15 a.m.  Following qualifying, all fans are invited to the Budweiser Pavilion for an autograph session starting at 11:45 a.m.

The racing action will get underway at 1:00 p.m. with the WCS B-Main and the Big 8 Series Last Chance race.  Then the stars of the Wisconsin Challenge Series will try to tame the high banked quarter-mile in a 150-lap event.  After that, the Big 8 Series will have their chance in a 58-lap feature event.

Reserved tickets for Saturday are $15 for adults and $7.50 for a child.  General admission tickets are $15 for adults, $5 for ages 6-11 and free for ages 5 and under.

Reserved tickets for Sunday are $20 for adults and $10 for a child.  General admission tickets are also available for $20 for adults, $5 for ages 6-11 and free for ages 5 and under.

Tickets are on sale now at the track office by calling (815) 633-1500 or visiting the track’s website at www.rockfordspeedway.com. 

The 60th Anniversary season at the Rockford Speedway will open on April 7th with the Spring Smash-O-Rama.  The first NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Saturday night program will be on April 21st.  Make your plans now to be a part of this historic season.

Fans and drivers can keep up with the highlights of the Wisconsin Challenge Series by logging onto the series website at www.wisconsinchallenge.com