Bilderback clinches Big 8 title at Rockford Speedway

Michael Bilderback #2, of South Beloit, was the winner of the Big 8 108-lap main event of the day. Shown here, Bilderback in victory lane with the Deery Family.

By Eric Huenefeld
ROCKFORD SPEEDWAY
Saturday night at Rockford Speedway, Michael Bilderback did what he’s done more than anyone else since the beginning of the 2015 racing season; win races.
The South Beloit native bagged his 24th win in three years in a dominant effort during the 108-lap Big 8 Late Model Series event which was part of the 52nd Annual National Short Track Championships (NSTC).
Bilderback, who started the race from the eleventh position, made his was to the front on lap 27 after a brief bat-tle with polesitter Dale Nottestad. Following the pass for the lead, Bilderback was rarely challenged. Half of that fact was due to Bilderback’s sheer dominance, while the other half was due to the pace of the race. The 26-car starting field ran the 108-lap race in just 45 minutes, with only three yellow flags stopping the event. The final caution flew on lap 46, meaning the final 62 circuits of the race were run under green flag conditions.
The win, coupled with trouble for four-time Series champion Jeremy Miller, clinched an unprecedented third consecutive Big 8 Late Model Series championship for Bilderback, who also tied Miller for first place on the all-time Big 8 Series wins list with 12 feature wins.
In reference to National Short Track Championships, Bilderback is also on the cusp of not only more history, but a sizeable bonus on Sunday afternoon; if the 26-year old-driver can win the 200-lap Super Late Model National Short Track Championship race, he will

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