Michael Bilderback had a perfect start and a not-so-perfect finish to last
year’s Big 8 Series season.
The South Beloit driver opened the year in the late-model series with a hard-fought
victory over a 24-car field at Rockford Speedway’s Spring Classic.
He added five top-five finishes during the next six races, setting up a final-race duel with
defending series champ Jeremy Miller for the season crown.
The title seemed to be in Bilderback’s grasp in
the finale until Miller made a late-race pass to finish eighth, three spots ahead of Bilderback. That gave Miller the title
by a single point.
“I really wanted that championship,” Bilderback, 17, said. “But to lose to
Jeremy, I’ll take that. He is a heck of a driver.
“But we are going to work hard this year and hopefully
get that championship.”
They renew their battle Sunday in the series opener at Rockford.
Bilderback
quickly points out it’s not a two-man show.
“You go to the racetrack and you don’t know if you
are going to finish first or 14th,” he said. “That’s why I love this series. There is so much competition.”
Miller expects another tight battle, but he’s not sure who’ll be involved.
“Certainly,
Michael is always tough,” Miller said. “But there are so many new guys coming out, it will be hard to judge until
after the first couple of races.”
Miller had two victories and five top-five finishes in 2008, including
a third at Rockford.
“This year you are going to need to be in the top seven or so every race and win a couple
to win this championship,” said Miller, who’ll also run four ASA North Series races in addition to competing full
time in a late model at Madison (Wis.) International Speedway.
Ross Kenseth will also be in the Big 8 field Sunday.
He is the son of Daytona 500 winner Matt Kenseth and the 2008 Big 8 Series rookie of year.
The Big 8 cars compete
in a 108-lap race, while the Mid-American Stock Car run is a 50-lapper.
Reporter Doug Goodman can be reached
at 815-987-1386 or dgoodman@rrstar.com.
Bilderback waits for truck ride
Michael Bilderback is still waiting for his opportunity
to drive in the Camping World Truck Series.
Spraker Racing Enterprises announced last fall it was attempting to
find sponsorship to put the 17-year-old South Beloit driver in the series on a part-time basis. With the weak economy and
few sponsorship dollars, Spraker has been unsuccessful.
Bilderback believes he might get a chance after he turns
18 in August.
“We’ll have to wait and see what happens,” he said.
— Doug
Goodman