Rockford Regulars Strong on Reunion Night at Grundy
2025-06-28
Michael Bilderback continued his winning streak at Grundy County Speedway (Morris, IL) on Saturday night. For the 4th time in the last two seasons, Bilderback was the car to beat at the 0.333 mile track.
QUALIFYING
In time trials, Randy Sargent flexed his muscle by setting the fastest time with a 15.605 second lap. This was his third fast time with the Big 8 Series.
2. Michael Bilderback 15.637
3. Carson Phillips 15.662
4. Jon Reynolds Jr 15.683
5. Scott Gardner Jr 15.784
HEATS
Jerry Mueller showed the way in the first heat race, with Scott Gardner Jr and Carson Phillips battling behind him. Phillips would get clear of Gardner Jr a couple laps later, but immediately was under pressure from Randy Sargent. Phillips held on to 2nd at the finish just behind Mueller.
Jake Gille and Trevor Robinson battled side-by-side in the opening laps of the second heat race before Robinson slipped into the clutches of Michael Bilderback. Robinson was able to get to the inside in front of Jon Reynolds Jr to avoid losing another spot. As the top-two pulled away from the rest, Bilderback went high and began to work over Jake Gille. In the end, Gille held on to take the heat win.
FEATURE
Franc Beldowski and Joshua Lundy led the field to the green for the 38-lap feature event. Beldowski got away and paced the first four laps until the yellow flag flew for an incident on the backstretch.
Trevor Robinson got out of shape after a piece of the track was kicked up and damaged the underside of his car. Carson Phillips and Jeff Wakeman also received damage in the incident. The race was briefly red flagged as the track crew patched the racing surface.
When the race restarted, Scott Gardner Jr made a quick peak three-wide but thought better of that move. A six-car battle for the 2nd position then ensued. Michael Bilderback made his way to 3rd, and two laps later was looking on the outside of Jerry Mueller.
It took one lap for Bilderback to clear Mueller and set his sights on Beldowski. Over the next five laps, Bilderback patiently caught Beldowski and began to pressure him. With 22 to go, Beldowski pushed up in turn four allowing Bilderback inside and to the lead.
The field slowed just one lap later due to a single car spin in turn two. Jon Reynolds Jr used the cone to move to the outside and take 3rd on the restart. Randy Sargent also used the opportunity to get by Mueller for 4th.
With 10 to go Beldowski, Reynolds Jr, and Sargent battled for nearly five laps. With five to go, Beldowski went for a solo spin off turn four.
In the end, there was no match for Bilderback who pulled off his second victory of the season, sweeping the Grundy Co. Speedway races for the second season in a row.
The Big 8 Series returns to action on Friday, July 18th at Hawkeye Downs Speedway in Cedar Rapids, Iowa for the Legends.Direct 48.
