Rockford Speedway

BY KEITH WALTZ

Opened in 1948, Rockford Speedway in Loves Park, Illinois, has

been a leader in innovative motorsports entertainment since Hugh Deery became the track’s sole owner in 1966.

“We always try to put on the best show, and that goes all the way back to my father’s day,” said second-generation promoter David Deery. “His idea was that this is a race track, but it’s really a stage. It’s an entertainment facility, so we have to entertain the crowd.

“Back in the day, dad had chickens racing, Jell-O jumps and grocery-cart races. He did a lot of things to interact with the fans, get them involved in the event.”

Hugh Deery passed away 37 years ago, but his family has continued the tradition of providing unique novelty events alongside an action-packed slate of Saturday night NASCAR stock car racing on the high-banked, quarter-mile asphalt oval.

Rockford Speedway’s schedule runs from April through October.

COZY CONFINES

AT A QUARTER-MILE IN LENGTH AND

with 22 degrees of banking in the turns, Rockford Speedway provides fans with an up-close view of the tight racing. “Rockford is very unique in its banking and the speed that it carries,” David Deery explained about the track. “The racing is all right there in front of you, and there’s not a bad seat in the house.”

Originally built for midget racing, late models have long headlined the Rockford program.

BIG FINALE FAMILY AFFAIR

EACH YEAR SINCE 1966, ROCKFORD

Speedway has ended its season with the National Short-Track Championships, highlighted by a 200-lap race for the NASCAR late models. “For many years that was the only major event in this part of the country,” said David Deery.

The list of winners includes Mark Martin,

Dick Trickle, Joe Shear, Junior Hanley and Steve

Carlson.

Today, the three-day program showcases 12 to 14 divisions and attracts between 150 and 200 race cars.

JODY DEERY MOVED INTO THE ROLE OF

president and CEO of Rockford Speedway after her husband, Hugh, suffered a fatal heart attack in July 1984. With assistance from the couple’s eight children, Jody Deery continued to oversee the race track’s operation until last fall when she stepped away from her day-to-day duties at the age of 95.

A pioneer among female auto-racing promoters, Deery was recognized as the national Promoter of the Year in 1994.

AUTOMOTIVE LUBRICANTS WITH...

THE POWER TO PROTECT!

No. 105 Motor Assembly Grease

• The “Original” Prelube for Installed Engine Parts. • Prevents “Dry Start” During Initial Start Up. • Trusted By Top Engine Builders For Decades. Chain & Cable Fluid - Penetrating Oil

• A Superior, Non-Gumming Penetrating Oil. • For Chains, Cables, Tools and General Lubrication. • Loosens Rusty Nuts & Bolts. Also For Metalworking. Spray Lube `A´ White Lithium Grease

• Sprays Like a Fluid, Congeals To A Grease. • For Locks, Latches, Hinges, Battery Terminals and More. • Creamy White Color - Correct For Classic Show Cars. Gear Shield Extra Heavy

• Heavy-Duty, Extreme Pressure Spray Lubricant. • For Gears, Pins, Bushings and Jack Screws. • Excellent Fifth Wheel Lubricant for Trucks.

Biodegradable Penetrating Oil

• ECO-Friendly, Bio-Based, Multi-Purpose Lubricating Oil. • For Tools, Locks, Latches and General Lubrication. • Displaces Moisture and Will Deliver a “Wet Start.” SYNXTREME HD-2 Grease

• 100% Synthetic, Calcium Sulfonate Complex Formula. • NLGI GC-LB Certified Wheel Bearing & Chassis Lube.

Visit Our Online Webstore At: www.lubriplate.com

Also Available At: