Bishofberger, Rude, Schmidt, Ayers and Petrie Victorious at Jefferson Speedway Mid-Season Championships!

By Larry Starr

July 12, 2003; Jefferson, Wis. – A near capacity crowd and 151 cars were on hand for the “Smith Motors – Mid-Season Championships,” at Jefferson Speedway. There was a picnic for the folks from Local 538, a full moon, and drivers with hopes of improving their standing in the season points. The stage was set for a nigh of great racing and, just a bit of, mayhem.

Ron Bishofberger of Fort Atkinson claimed top honors in the “Smith Motors – Mid-season Championship,” 60 lap Late Model feature. Starting from the inside of row 6, Bishofberger headed toward the point as Mike Taylor drive to the early lead. Bishofberger was up to 5th, when the first caution came, for a spin on the back stretch.

Moving under Curt Thompson and Ken Olson, Bishofberger closed with Dylan Schuyler, for 2nd, by lap 18. On lap 21, Bishofberger drove under Schuyler and Taylor, claiming the point. As Bishofberger pulled ahead, Scott Nottestad made his way to 2nd, followed by Randy Breunig. The field slowed, for a final caution, on lap 38, for a spin in turn 4. Bishofberger, easily, handled the restart guiding the way to the checkered flag. At the stripe it was Bishofberger for the win, followed by Nottestad, Breunig, Schuyler and Nick Wendt.

In International action, defending track champion Aaron Rude of Cambridge claimed top honors in the 30 lap feature. Starting from the outside of row 7, Rude avoided the chaos that erupted, before the field took the green, when a spinning car, at the front of the field, collected much of the field, ending the night for several drivers, including the current point leader Chris Quam.

hen the field took the green, it was Steve Allman pulling to the early lead, as Rude battled his way through traffic. Allman surrendered the point to Steve Drays, on lap 3, with Mike Drays close behind, for the 2nd spot. Caution came, on lap 8, when three cars tangled. Rude was up to the 6th spot for the restart. Rude made his way to 4th, by lap 11, motoring under Derek Bettenhausen, for 3rd, on lap 12. Moving under Steve Drays, Rude claimed 2nd, on lap 14, closing with Mike
Drays to launch his bid for the lead. Moving to the inside, on lap 17, Rude motored to the front on lap 19. As they flew past the checkered flag it was Rude for the win, followed by Mike Drays, Bettenhausen, Steve Drays, and Scott Hoeft

In Sportsman division action Bret Schmidt of Watertown was victorious, in the 40 lap feature. Starting from the inside of row 5, Schmidt started his trek to the front, as Mark English claimed the early lead. The opening lap, saw a spin on the back stretch, that scattered cars in every direction. It was the biggest wreck of the night that didn’t happen! Everyone kept going and there was no caution flag!

aution did come, on lap 4, for a spin between turns 1 and 2. Schmidt was up to 8th for the restart. Schmidt was running 7th, on lap 10, when a wreck collected the 3rd through 6th place cars, moving him to 3rd for the restart. Moving under Noel Ramge, for 2nd, on lap 12, Schmidt closed with English. Schmidt motored past English, on lap 19, pulling ahead as he guided the field to the checkers. The race slowed for 2 more cautions, on lap 24 and 38, with Schmidt pulling ahead on each restart. At the stripe it was Schmidt for the win, followed by Dave Oswald, Trent Erdman, Brent Moe and English. As he pulled from Victory Lane, on his way to the pits, Schmidt broke an axle and had to be towed off! Guess he was glad it wasn’t a 41 lap race!

In Hobby Stock action Stoughton’s Jesse Ayers turned in the winning performance, in the 30 lap feature. Starting from the inside of row 2, Ayers claimed 2nd at the start, as Russ Nicholson pulled to the early lead. Ayers worked the inside, for 8 laps, before making the winning pass, on lap 9. Ayers drive to the checkers was slowed by a single caution, on lap 24, for a single car spin. Pulling ahead at the restart, Ayers found his way to the checkered, just, ahead of Jeramy Hartwig, who had made a run all the way from the rear of the field. Rounding out the top 5 were Pete Elgas, Garrett Goth ad Eaan Carson

In Bandit action Tim Petrie of Whitewater dominated the 25 lap feature, in his new car, formerly driven by Brandon Riedner. Starting from the outside of row 5, Petrie charged toward the front, as Mark Joyner claimed the early lead. Petrie made his way to Joyner by lap 6, claiming the top spot on lap 7. As he guided the field to the checkered flag, Petrie opened a quarter lap lead, over 2nd place. At the end of 25, caution free, laps it was Petrie for the win, followed by Chris Higgins, Bill Reynolds, Tim Seitz and Alan Petrie.

Next week Jefferson Speedway hosts the “WFAW – Blackhawk 50,” with a 50 lap Late Model feature and a full racing program in all 5 divisions. Gates open at 3:00, qualifying at 5:00 and racing at 7:00 sharp.

Jefferson Speedway is on highway 18, half way between Cambridge and Jefferson Wisconsin.

Jefferson Speedway – Date: July 12, 2003 – Event: Smith Motors – Mid-Season Championships

Late Model Feature Finish: Laps: 60
1. 76 Ron Bishofberger (Ft. Atkinson) 11. 11 Beau Sanden (Janesville)
2. 14 Scott Nottestad (Stoughton) 12. 82 Chad “Squirt” Stevens (Orfordville)
3. 4 Randy Breunig (Columbus) 13. 100 Curt Thompson (Ft. Atkinson)
4. 33 Dylan Schuyler (Dousman) 14. 87 Kyle Jarlsberg (Cambridge)
5. 94 Nick Wendt (Watertown) 15. 16 Luke Westenberg (Watertown)
6. 68 Ken Olson (Ft. Atkinson) 16. 11 Russ Goodwin (Beloit)
7. 22 Jasper Gronert (Jefferson) 17. 13 Ed Wolff III (Clyman)
8. 97 Jim Jarlsberg (Cambridge) 18. 71 John Ovadal Jr. (Watertown)
9. 52 Steve Dobbratz (Rio) 19. 18 Andy Wendt (Watertown)
10. 41 Mike Taylor (Stoughton) 20. 44 Roger Behlke (Jefferson)
FAST QUALIFIER : 71 John Ovadal Jr. (Watertown): 14.932 seconds
FAST DASH: 8 Lap : 18 Andy Wendt (Watertown)
LAST CHANCE: 20 Lap : 16 Luke Westenberg (Watertown), 97 Jim Jarlsberg (Cambridge),
13 Ed Wolff III (Clyman), 11 Russ Goodwin (Beloit)
Heats: 10 lap: 1) 13 Shane Radtke (Watertown) 2) 44 Roger Behlke (Jefferson) 3) 11 Beau Sanden (Janesville)

International Feature: Laps: 30
1. 9 Aaron Rude (Cambridge) 4. 84 Steve Drays (Milton)
2. 48 Mike Drays (Milton) 5. 00 Scott Hoeft (Watertown)
3. 10 Derek Bettenhausen (Cambridge) 6. 17 Mike Bingham (Jefferson)
FAST QUALIFIER : 9 Aaron Rude (Cambridge): 15.945 seconds
FAST DASH: 8 Lap : 25 Brent Nottestad (Cambridge)
Heats: 10 lap: 1) 7 Troy Olson (Janesville) 2) 16 Jimmy Pankow (Oregon)

Sportsman Feature: Laps: 40
1. 20 Brett Schmidt (Watertown) 4. 26 Brent Moe (Deforest)
2. 3 Dave Oswald (Cottage Grove) 5. 57 Mark English (Janesville)
3. 11 Trent Erdman (Ft. Atkinson) 6. 39 Ryan Goldade (Stoughton)
FAST QUALIFIER : 95 Jason Thoma (Jefferson): 15.662 seconds
FAST DASH: 8 Lap : 48 Bobby Stough Jr. (Waunakee)
LAST CHANCE: 15 Lap : 55 Carey Hensel (Stoughton), 39 Ryan Goldade (Stoughton), 9 Tod Goldade (Stoughton), 59 Judy Weir (Cottage Grove)
Heats: 10 lap: 1) 17 Noel Ramge (Hellenville) 2) 38 Brent Gergen (Jefferson) 3) 11 Trent Erdman (Ft. Atkinson) 4) 57 Mark English (Janesville)

Hobby Stock Feature: Laps: 30
1. 44 Jesse Ayers (Stoughton) 4. 89 Garrett Goth (Cottage Grove)
2. 6 Jeremy Hartwig (Cottage Grove) 5. 2 Eaan Carson (Ft. Atkinson)
3. 52 Pete Elgas (Janesville) 6. 31 Ken Au (Jefferson)
FAST QUALIFIER : 6 Jeramy Hartwig (Cottage Grove): 16.590 seconds (New Track Record)
FAST DASH: 8 Lap : 13 Eric Gardner (Marshall)
CONSI: 8 Lap : 88 Chris Purdy (Milton), 02 Dan Breilsprecher (Tomah)
LAST CHANCE: 12 Lap : 13 Eric Gardner (Marshall), 88 Chris Purdy (Milton), 70 Rick Kehoe (Jefferson), 71 Jason Deppe (Waterloo), 43 Jay Finnegan (Milton)
Heats: 8 lap: 1) 01 Justin Bowey (Sullivan) 2) 52 Pete Elgas (Janesville) 3) 8 Chris Schoonover (Janesville) 4) 44 Jesse Ayers (Edgerton)

Bandit Feature: Laps: 25
1. 4D Tim Petrie (Whitewater) 4. 57 Tim Seitz (Edgerton)
2. 4 Chris Higgins (Watertown) 5. 12 Alan Petrie
3. 38 Bill Reynolds (Watertown) 6. 42 Bill Sweeney (Janesville)
FAST QUALIFIER : 42 Bill Sweeney (Janesville): 15.160 seconds
FAST DASH: 8 Lap : 73 Chris Nelson (Cottage Grove)
CONSI: 8 Lap : 78 Mike Spors (Janesville), 77 Kyle Watters, 51 Dan Collins (Jefferson)
LAST CHANCE: 12 Lap : 9 Brian Lind (Stoughton), 8 Mike Heelein (Ft. Atkinson), 39 Jesse McKinney (Watertown), 8 Jay Williams (Janesville), 92 Kyle Stark (Waterloo)
Heats: 8 lap: 1) 77 Charlie Spry (Orfordville) 2) 1 Tade Swerig (Janesville) 3) 08 Renee Collins (Lake Mills) 4) 73 Chris Nelson (Cottage Grove)