Rockford Speedway nears its end as local racer Jeremy Miller wins another NSTC title

LOVES PARK — Local racer Jeremy Miller was the 58th and final National Short Track Champion over the weekend at the Rockford Speedway, and now the historic track is in its final month of existence, with just a few races left.

"There were a lot of emotions over the weekend for sure," said David Deery, the Rockford Speedway's general manager, and a member of the owning family. "I guess you could call it bittersweet, but it was mostly positive feelings. There are a lot of memories at this track, and a few more were made this weekend.

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"And we're not done yet."

Due to a number of factors, some financial and some family matters, the Deerys announced they were closing the track when this season ends. But they have four more race weekends to go.

Here is a quick look back at the final National Short Track Championships (NSTC), which is always the biggest weekend of racing in the area every year. And then we will take a look ahead, at what's still to come.

NSTC weekend is big success

Dale Nottestad led much of Sunday's NSTC finale, the Big 8 Late Model showdown, but he had engine trouble late, opening the door for Miller. The Rockford native took the lead and never relinquished it, eventually securing his second NSTC title, and his first since 2007.

"This is where I started, so to be able to go out and get this last one like this, what a feeling," Miller said. "My dad raced here in the end of the 90s, and this is where it all started for my family. It's definitely sad, but it sure feels good to go out like this."

Here are the other nine division winners over the weekend: Austin Nason (Roscoe) won the Super Late Models and the NASCAR Sportsmen; Austin Fowler (Loves Park) won the Roadrunner Rumble; Tyler Deschaine (Loves Park) won the Midwest Dash Series; Nick Schneider (Rockton) won the Short Trackers; Shawn Bowar (Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin) won the Bandits; Kevin Memoli (Belvidere) won the Road Runners; Steven Mueller (Deforest, Wisconsin) won the Original Sixers; and Tyler Leutenegger (Monroe, Wisconsin) won the Super Stox.

Now let's slam the door

The Rockford Speedway will host four more race weekends, starting this Sunday with its famous Goblin 250 Enduro, which was moved up on the slate. This 250-lap showdown has a mass start and no yellow flags.

On Oct. 13-15 the Rockford Speedway will host the Bahama Bracket Nationals, which has a big following around the country, and will stop at Rockford for the 32nd year. The Short Track bracket is the largest, and there is expected to be over 200 cars racing during this weekend.

Then, to close it out, Deery came up with a two-weekend finale, starting on Oct. 21 with the first Last Lap Finale. There will be six of the lower-tiered divisions racing on this weekend.

Then, on Oct. 28, the racetrack's other six divisions will run one more afternoon of races, led by the mainstays: the Late Models, Road Runners and even Midget Cars and Vintage Cars. Both of those last racedays will be held on Saturdays, with rain dates set for the Sundays.

"It's been just an outstanding season. The crowds have been great, the racing has been awesome, and the support has been tremendous," David Deery said. "Now, we just want to finish up with the best we can."

Jay Taft is a Rockford Register Star sports reporter. Email him at jtaft@rrstar.com and follow him on Twitter at @JayTaft. Sign up for the Rockford High School newsletter at rrstar.com. Jay has covered a wide variety of sports, from the Chicago Bears to youth sports, since the turn of the century at the Register Star, and for over 30 years all together.

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Rockford Speedway nears its end as Jeremy Miller wins NSTC title