By: Kevin Ramsell
OREGON, WI (Sunday, May 04, 2008) – Jeremy Miller and Michael Bilderback got the large crowd on hand at Madison International Speedway on their feet as the two put on a classic short track battle in the Big 8 Series presented by Gandrud Chevrolet feature event. At the checkers, it was the defending champion holding off the young pilot.

Bilderback led most of the 38-lap event, while Miller made a hard charge at the end. “I kinda used Mikey up there. He was pinching me on the bottom and I got a better run than him and he was slowing up, so I gave him a little nudge just to move him back where he belonged. It was a racing thing,” Miller described his last lap move as the two came out of turn two.

Bilderback wasn’t to upset with the move, “We started burning off our right rear, we were getting real loose off of the corner,” Bilderback stated. “He got into me a little bit, but you know its racing.”

LOVES PARK, IL (Sunday, April 13, 2008) – 16-year-old Michael Bilderback looked like a season veteran has he would go wire-to-wire and capture his second Big 8 Series presented by Gandrud Chevrolet feature win at the 31st Annual Spring Classic presented by Yellowbook at the Rockford Speedway. Matt Byrne would come home second with defending Big 8 Series Champion, Jeremy Miller in third.

“Wow, I can’t thank my crew enough,” an exhausted Bilderback stated in victory lane. Bilderback was in Toledo, OH, the day before for a race event that was rained out. “We got home around midnight and got ready to race here today.”

Bilderback started on the pole for the 100-lap feature event. He would jump out to the lead over outside front row starter, Ed Szelagowski, Jr. “I was afraid to start on the bottom, we hung in there and got it out front and never looked behind,” Bilderback stated.

By: Kevin Ramsell

LOVES PARK, IL (Thursday, April 3, 2008) – One of the unique things about the Big 8 Series presented by Gandrud Chevrolet is the variety of drivers a fan will see at any of their 2008 events. You will see drivers with multiple track championships all the way to a young 14-year-old driver who surprised many last year at the Oktoberfest season finale.

That young driver is Ross Kenseth, the son of 2003 NASCAR Champion Matt Kenseth.

Last year, Ross made the jump from driving a Legends car to a Pathfinder Chassis Limited Late Model. He made his debut at Columbus 151 Speedway, the same racetrack where his father competed in his first race, as well at Dells Raceway Park, where he scored a career best third place finish.

GANDRUD CHEVROLET NAMED AS PRESENTING SPONSOR FOR THE BIG 8 SERIES
By: Kevin Ramsell (www.kevinramsell.com)

LOVES PARK, IL (Sunday,March 23, 2008) – Big 8 Series officials are proud to announce that Gandrud Chevrolet, located in Green Bay, WI, will be the presenting sponsor for the 2008 Big 8 Series season. The series will be titled the Big 8 Series presented by Gandrud Chevrolet.

ENTRY FORM NOW AVAILABLE FOR THE SEASON OPENER
By: Kevin Ramsell

LOVES PARK, IL (Monday, March 03, 2008) – Big 8 Series officials have released the entry form for the first event of the 2008 season. The Spring Classic 100-lap feature is scheduled for Sunday afternoon, April 13th at Rockford Speedway in Loves Park, IL.

The entry form can be found at:
http://speedthrills.big8series.com/pdfs/08ENTRY_01.pdf.

The 100-lap event will feature a 24-car field with a starting pay of $225 and $1,500 to the winner. The full payoff is also available on the entry form.

The schedule for that day is: Pit gate opens at 6:30 a.m.; mandatory driver’s meeting at 8:45 a.m.; practice from 9:30 – 11:05 a.m.; qualifying at 11:15 a.m.; and first race at 1:00 p.m.

Along with the Big 8 Series, the Mid-American Series will also be competing that afternoon in a 50-lap feature event.

The track will be open for practice on Saturday, April 5 and Saturday, April 12th for practice.