Ty James Pulls Out First Career Feature
By Andrew Schaller
August 30, 2008; Jefferson WI –Ty James of Oconomowoc claimed his first career feature win at Jefferson Speedway by guiding the way for the entire 50 laps of the Fort Quick Cash 50 on Saturday night. The points race tightened up even more after Jason Erickson cut the gap between himself and leader Steve Dobbratz with a top five finish. James and Andy Brocker paced the field of 18 Late Models to the drop of the green with James taking control out of turn two of the opening lap. Scott Lindsay followed under Brocker to take the second spot and begin shadowing the leader. Caution waved on lap four when Tim Sargent spun in turn three.
The leaders ran nose to tail for the next 25 laps until Erickson slipped into the top five on lap 30. The caution flew again twice over the next five laps, once for Sargent again and the other for point leader Steve Dobbratz. Through it all, James maintained his advantage in front with Lindsay following his tracks around the speedway. Erickson continued to move forward into third, putting pressure on the leaders while they battled each other. With only two laps remaining, Lindsay snuck to the inside of James, pulling even as they raced to the checkers. At the stripe, James held the point by inches over Lindsay in second. Erickson, Casey Johnson and Chris Quam rounded out the top five.
Utica’s Kody Hubred claimed his first career feature by showing the way to the checkers in the 30 lap Sportsman feature. Hubred and Ron Nelson made up the front row at the start with Nelson owning the top spot at the stripe to complete lap one. Hubred fought back on the inside, taking the position for himself on lap two. Brent Gergen moved to second behind Hubred and began to pressure him for the lead. Gergen tried several times to get by Hubred, getting a run on different occasions but not being able to pull it off. Hubred managed to defend all challenges to see the checkers first for his first win. Tom Reents slipped by Gergen to take second and force Gergen to third. Fourth was Tory Bagley with Ken Scott in fifth.
In International action, Ashley Smith of Lake Mills captured the 20 lap feature even from her front row starting spot. She, along with Matt McKinney led the field to green. Smith grabbed sole possession of the lead on lap three with McKinney dropping into the pack. Rob Lange moved up to challenge the leader as Smith began to stretch her advantage. Caution on lap 15 slowed the field and erased Smith’s big lead, setting up a five lap shootout to the finish. But Smith was strong and held on to her spot as she crossed the stripe in front followed by Lange, Casey Strese, Rodney Mundt and Mark English.
Dustin Ward of Waterloo took over the top spot late in the 25 lap Hobby Stock feature as he motored to the win in the event. Mike Manley and Mike Mauer paced the field to green with Manley taking the early lead into the first turn. Caution flew on lap nine, bunching up the leaders the Alan McBride in second and Ward sitting in third. Ward flew past McBride and went right to work on the leader. Caution again on lap 18 slowed the field, setting up a seven lap run to the checkers. As the green returned, Ward shot to the inside of Manley, taking over the top spot out of turn four while they stacked up behind him for second. Ward stretched his lead before seeing the checkers first followed by Manley, Johnny Robinson, McBride and Zac Schmidt.
Dave Schmidt of Cudahy claimed victory in the 20 lap Bandit feature event. Waylin Willman took the initial lead on lap one with Scott Pauls in second. Schmidt got inside Pauls and took away the second spot on lap two with Jody Schmitt in tow for third. Caution waved on lap 12, and after the restart, Willman floated high in turns one and two, allowing Schmidt to slide past into the lead. Matt Good win followed him under Willman and began to hound the new leader. But Schmidt held off Goodwin’s advances to cross the stripe first. Goodwin, Tommy Pfeifer, Schmitt and Willman rounded out the top five.
Next Saturday, Sept. 6, is Havill Spoerl Season Championships at Jefferson Speedway highlighted by the Havill Spoerl 50 lap Late Model feature. The points battle in the Late Model division is as tight as ever with Steve Dobbratz of Rio maintaining a 25 point advantage over Jason Erickson of Fort Atkinson. Dobbratz has seen his lead shrink slightly each week over the last month with Erickson coming on strong as of late. “25 points isn’t enough the way Jason’s been running. He’s tough!” stated Dobbratz after the racing concluded with only one week to go. Every position from qualifying to feature racing is crucial when the points are this close. “You’ve just got to drive as hard as you can and pick up whatever you can,” said Erickson referring to season championship night. Both drivers know they have to race their own race and hope it’s enough to beat their closest competitor. Watertown’s John Ovadal is lurking 78 points back of Dobbratz and can’t be discounted either.
All the festivities get underway with gates opening at 2 pm and qualifying at 4 pm. A Pre-race Fan Appreciation Tailgate Picnic runs from 5:30-6:30 with discounted food and beverages. Season Championship racing begins at 7 pm sharp as the chase for the title comes to a conclusion. Jefferson Speedway is located halfway between Jefferson and Cambridge on Hwy 18. For more information, please visit www.jeffersonspeedway.com.
Jefferson Speedway Race Summary-
Late Model-
Fort Quick Cash 50 lap Feature Results- 1) 21 Ty James, Oconomowoc 2) 29 Scott Lindsay, Dousman 3) 94 Jason Erickson, Fort Atkinson 4) 5 Casey Johnson, Stoughton 5) 4 Chris Quam, Stoughton 6) 16 Luke Westenberg, Jefferson 7) 52 Steve Dobbratz, Rio 8) 99 Doug Hahn, Whitewater 9) 41 Mike Taylor, Stoughton 10) 87 Kyle Jarlsberg, Cambridge 11) 33 Dylan Schuyler, Jefferson 12) 7 Bob Kahler, Belvidere, IL 13) 71 John Ovadal, Watertown 14) 13 Andy Brocker, Jefferson 15) 44 Roger Behlke, Jefferson 16) 11 Tim Sargent, S. Beloit, IL 17) 1 Jody Krueger, Edgerton 18) 3 Chuck Duncan, Milwaukee
Fast Qualifier- 94 Jason Erickson— 14.219 seconds
Last Chance- 3 Chuck Duncan, 41 Mike Taylor, 1 Jody Krueger, 99 Doug Hahn
Heat Winners- 1) 1 Jody Krueger 2) 99 Doug Hahn 3) 71 John Ovadal
Iron Man Event Winner- 29 Scott Lindsay
Sportsman-
Feature Results- 1) 20 Kody Hubred, Utica 2) 42 Tom Reents, Janesville 3) 38 Brent Gergen, Jefferson 4) 52 Tory Bagley, McFarland 5) 39 Ken Scott, Rio 6) 55 Terry Wangsness
Fast Qualifier- 52 Tory Bagley—15.135 seconds
Last Chance- 22 Brady Lilly, 83 James Assmann, 45 Nick Balis, 82 Mike Acheson
Heat Winners- 1) 83 James Assmann 2) 42 Tom Reents 3) 7 James Helmer
Iron Man Event Winner- 52 Tory Bagley
International-
Feature Results- 1) 05 Ashley Smith, Lake Mills 2) 135 Rob Lange, Helenville 3) 23 Casey Strese, Watertown 4) 21 Rodney Mundt, Lake Mills 5) 57 Mark English, Janesville 6) 4 Steven Scheel, Lake Mills
Fast Qualifier- 57 Mark English—16.673 seconds
Last Chance- 27 James Bell, 25 Dee Brown, 07 Ken Hoff, 66 Neil Higgins
Heat Winners- 1) 66 Neil Higgins 2) 135 Rob Lange 3) 67 Joe Cross
Iron Man Event Winner- 31 Kenny Au
Hobby Stock-
Feature Results- 1) 9 Dustin Ward, Waterloo 2) 29 Mike Manley 3) 99 Johnny Robinson, Beloit 4) 62 Alan McBride, Janesville 5) 19 Zac Schmidt, Johnson Creek 6) 92 Kyle Stark, Sun Prairie
Fast Qualifier- 27 Jim Tate—16.458 seconds
Last Chance- 88 Roger Stephenson, 49 Buck Stultz, 08 Kale Peterman, 32 Craig STaude
Heat Winners- 1) 88 Roger Stephenson 2) 22 Chester Williams 3) 19 Zac Schmidt
Iron Man Event Winner- 9 Dustin Ward
