Oct 22nd 2008

(10/19/08) Since early September, Josh Nelms has driven about every sort of racecar at about every track in the region. Super Late Models at Illiana, ASA North Late Models in La Crosse and Mid American Stockcars at the Rockford Speedway during the 43rd Annual National Short Track Championships. Nelms, the former Rockford Speedway Late Model Rookie of the Year, would return to the Rockford high banks Sunday and submit an entry for the Goblin 250 enduro. Nelms not only returned to merely race, but to defend his title as 2007 Goblin 250 winner. Mission: Accomplished. Nelms was patient and took the lead nearly three-quarters of the way into the event and cruised to his second consecutive Rockford enduro crown. The 250 lap, two-segment event was rapid with lots of action, yet very few dust ups on track. The field was led to green by Matt Jerry of Pingree Grove, who won the “Race Car Beauty Contest,” and along with the nice hardware, was awarded the pole for the main event. Jerry would lead the first 25 laps, but would then be overtaken for the lead near lap 50 by Jason Roth. Roth, of Hazel Green Wisconsin, was very much in command through lap 100, setting a blistering pace in his black #31j. But nearly halfway through, Roth would not only receive a Black Flag for rough driving, but also incur two flat tires, sending him to the pit area and placing him several laps down. East Dundee’s Steve Goll would assume the lead after Roth’s misfortunes and led the field to the halfway break at lap 125. Segment two would see the field switch tracks, from the Quarter-mile oval, to the unique ‘Monza Style’ course, utilizing the backstretch chicane. Goll would lead the field early, but shortly after lap 150, Goll would have tire issues and pull into the pits. This development led to Dale Markham inheriting the lead. But shortly after that lead change, Markham too would be forced pitside. This handed the lead to Nelms. Nelms would never relinquish the lead and cruised to victory. Alex Clubb finished second in his first Goblin 250 start, and Jim Klingel would take third spot. Goll would return to finish fourth, followed by Indiana driver Ryan Lagestee in fifth. The one major incident on track during the 250 lap feature was early in Segment Two, when WXRX’s own Jim Stone of “Stone and Double T” fame, was turned over while racing through the chicane. Stone’s car ended up on it roof as the red flag appeared. Stone was okay, and also has material for months to talk about on the highly-rated radio show. After the Goblin 250, the fans were treated to a demo derby on the front stretch, featuring cars which ran the earlier enduro. Fifteen cars clogged the demo ring, with DJ Sparks emerging as the ‘King of the Ring.’ Roger Markham was runner up