Olson Ends Long Dry Spell — Padfield & Drays First Time Winners at Jefferson!
By Larry & Jeanne Starr
Jefferson, Wis., June 15, 2002 — Jefferson’s Gene Olson Jr. claimed top honors in the Late Model feature, ending a long winless streak. Starting from the outside of row 2, Olson quickly moved to 2nd, behind Jim Gleesing of Whitewater. Gleesing held the point for 16 laps, before Olson was able to find his way to the front. As Gene Olson claimed the point, Ken Olson moved under Gleesing for 2nd, followed by Nick Wendt and Jason Erickson.
On lap 28, the huge lead that Gene Olson had build, vaporized as a pair of cars tangled on the front stretch, with one crashing into the turn 1 wall, bringing the only caution of the race. Gene Olson led the restart as Wendt and Erickson challenged Ken Olson for the 2nd spot. At the stripe it was Gene Olson Jr. for the win, followed by Ken Olson, Ron Bishofberger, Erickson and Wendt.
Olson’s victory marked his first since 1995!
In International action Steve Drays of Milton scored the first feature win, of his career, in the 20 lap feature. Starting on the outside of the front row, Drays took the early lead, and never looked back, guiding the field to the checkered flag. The race slowed, for a single caution, on lap 7, for a 2 car incident in the 2nd turn. As Drays headed for the checkers, Chris Quam made his way to second and was closing fast. At the stripe it was Steve Drays, followed by Quam, Aaron Rude, Mike Drays and Mark English.
In Sportsman division action, Randy Padfield of Stoughton scored his first feature win, in the 25 lap main event. Starting from the outside pole, Padfield jumped to the early lead, guiding every lap, on his way to victory. Jay Kalbus, the current point leader, made his way to 2nd, by lap 9, with nearly a half lap deficit. Kalbus steadily closed the gap, but came up several car lengths short at the finish. As the checkers waved it was Padfield for the win, followed by Kalbus, Scott “Chico” Riedner, Chad Reimer and Bobby Stough.
In Hobby Stock action, Milton’s Lincoln Keeser claimed victory, in the 20 lap feature. Starting from the outside of row 3, Keeser headed toward the point, as Dennis Schmidt took the early lead. Schmidt led the way for 9 laps, as Keeser battled his way toward the front. Motoring under Schmidt, on lap 9, Keeser pulled ahead on his way to the finish. At the stripe it was Keeser followed by Schmidt, Terry Wangsness, Gerald Chapman and Paul Edmundson.
Next week at Jefferson Speedway it’s WIBA Night at the races, and the Bandit division joins the lineup.
Gates open at 3:00 p.m., qualifying at 5:00 p.m. and racing at 7:00 p.m.
Jefferson Speedway is on highway 18, halfway between Cambridge and Jefferson Wisconsin.
Late Model Feature Finish:
Laps:
35
1.
37 Gene Olson Jr. (Jefferson)
10.
27 Dan Chesmore (Janesville)
2.
68 Ken Olson (Ft. Atkinson)
11.
2 Tom Dorn (Ft. Atkinson)
3.
76 Ron Bishofberger (Ft. Atkinson)
12.
88 Jim Gleesing (Whitewater)
4.
1 Jason Erickson (Cambridge)
13.
71 John Ovadal Jr. (Hellenville)
5.
94 Nick Wendt (Jefferson)
14.
66 Curt Thompson (Ft. Atkinson)
6.
55 Eric Gerlach (Palmyra)
15.
28 Justin Switlick (Wausau)
7.
14 Scott Nottestad (Stoughton)
16.
2 Matt Frey (Cambridge)
8.
11 Beau Sanden (Janesville)
17.
44 Roger Behlke (Jefferson)
9.
52 Steve Dobbratz (Rio)
18.
41 Mike Taylor (Jefferson)
FAST QUALIFIER : 27 Dan Chesmore (Janesville): 14.835 seconds
FAST DASH( B&M Electric ): 8 Lap : 14 Scott Nottestad (Stoughton)
LAST CHANCE: 20 Lap : 52 Steve Dobbratz (Rio), 2 Matt Frey (Cambridge), 66 Curt Thompson (Ft. Atkinson), 41 Mike Taylor (Stoughton)Heats: 10 lap: 1) 8 Jesse Saunders (New Glarus) 2) 11 Russ Goodwin (Beloit) 3) 1 Jason Erickson (Cambridge)
International Feature:
Laps:
20
1.
48 Steve Drays (Milton)
(First Career)
4.
48 Mike Drays (Milton)
2.
4 Chris Quam (Stoughton)
5.
57 Mark English (Janesville)
3.
9 Aaron Rude (Cambridge)
6.
17 Mike Bingham (Jefferson)
FAST QUALIFIER : 9 Aaron Rude (Cambridge): 15.782 seconds
Heats: 10 lap: 1) 17 Mike Bingham (Jefferson) 2) 28 Bobby Moore (Edgerton)
Sportsman Feature:
Laps:
25
1.
2 Randy Padfield (Stoughton)
4.
19 Chad Reimer (Oconomowoc)
2.
27 Jay Kalbus (Oconomowoc)
5.
27 Bobby Stough (Waunakee)
3.
26 Scott Riedner (Waunakee)
6.
11 Trent Erdman (Ft. Atkinson)
FAST QUALIFIER : 95 Jason Thoma (Jefferson): 15.694 seconds
LAST CHANCE: 15 Lap : 42 Tom Reents (Janesville), 81 Jeramy Hayton (Lake Geneva), 3 Rory Padfield (Stoughton), 1 Pete Olsen (Ft. Atkinson)
Heats: 10 lap: 1) 42 Tom Reents (Janesville) 2) 59 Judy Weir (Cottage Grove) 3) 27 Jay Kalbus (Oconomowoc)
Hobby Stock Feature:
Laps:
20
1.
99 Lincoln Keeser (Milton)
4.
7 Gerald Chapman (Juneau)
2.
19 Dennis Schmidt (Johnson Creek)
5.
00 Paul Edmundson (Whitewater)
3.
55 Terry Wangsness (Delavan)
6.
80 Mike Meyers (Orfordville)
FAST QUALIFIER : 74 Chad Lurvey (Dousman): 16.778 seconds
CONSI: 8 Lap : 27 Jim Tate (Watertown), 01 Justin Bowey (Sullivan)
LAST CHANCE: 12 Lap : 70 Rick Kehoe (Jefferson), 8 Rick Schoonover (Janesville), 77 Casey Burns (Edgerton), 1 Jason Thom (Ft. Atkinson)Heats: 8 lap: 1) 26 Faye Riedner (Waunakee) 2) 70 Kris Kehoe (Jefferson) 3) 99 Lincoln Keeser (Milton)
One on One Street Drags:
4 Cyl (Car & Truck Combined): B. J. Schumacher (Cambridge)
6 Cyl (Car & Truck Combined): Clint Starks (Lake Mills)
8 Cyl Car – Steven Roberts (Watertown)
8 Cyl Truck – Josh Leonhard (Janesville)