Bishofberger Scores 4th Wisconsin State Championship, the Hard Way, at Jefferson Speedway!
By Larry & Jeanne Starr
September 13-14, 2002; Jefferson, Wis. — Fort Atkinson’s Ron Bishofberger, the 2002 Jefferson Speedway Late Model champion, scored the overall championship in the 2 day “Pepsi Wisconsin State Championships” Saturday night.
Janesville’s Dan Chesmore notched the win in the first, of 2, 65 lap late model feature. Drawing the pole position, for the first race, Chesmore led every lap, as Bishofberger battled forward, from a 19th place start. Avoiding problems, from the 6 caution periods in the race, Bishofberger made his way to the 4th spot by the finish of the 65. At the stripe it was Chesmore, followed by Nick Wendt, Luke Westenberg, Bishofberger and Steve Dobbratz of Rio.
A pair of Janesville drivers drew the front row, for the second 65 lapper, with Wayne Whitford on the pole and Beau Sanden on the outside. Sanden charged to the early lead, with Whitford dropping to the 2nd spot and Bishofberger starting forward, from mid-field.
Scott Nottestad of Stoughton claimed the 3rd spot, at the start, biding his time as he looked for an opening. Mike Beyer closed with Nottestad by lap 21, launching a bid for 3rd. Beyer made his way past Nottestad, on lap 34. Beyer’s bid for 2nd led to contact, in turn 2, on lap 36, causing Whitford to be shuffled back several spots, as Nottestad streaked past Beyer to reclaim 2nd.
As Nottestad streaked to 2nd, Bishofberger motored into the 4th spot. Hard luck struck Sanden, on lap 37, having led from the green flag and appearing to have a good shot at his first feature win, an apparent blown engine, ended his evening. As Sanden coasted from the track, Nottestad assumed the top spot, guiding the field to the checkered flag. At the stripe it was Nottestad for the win, followed by Beyer, Bishofberger, Steve Dobbratz and Randy Breunig.
Bishofberger’s 4th place finish, in the first race, coupled with 3rd, in the 2nd, moved him to the top of the standings, in the “Pepsi Wisconsin State Championship points.” With this Bishofberger became the first driver, in the history of the event, to earn a starting position from the Last Chance race, and go on to win the Championship.
In 4-Cylinder action, Brent Nottestad of Cambridge was the 5th, and final, leader in the 50 lap championship race. Starting from the inside of row 6, Nottestad headed for the front as Dennis Clapp drove to the early lead. Mark English relieved Clapp at the point, on lap 4, holding off Steve Drays until lap 7.
As Drays moved to the top spot, English found himself battling with Mike Drays, Scott Hoeft and Nottestad for the 2nd spot. Mike Drays was the early winner of that battle, closing with Steve Drays on lap 12 and claiming the lead on lap 16. As Mike Drays claimed the top spot, Nottestad rolled into 2nd, keeping the pressure on until lap 27, when Nottestad found space, on the bottom, to make the winning pass. As Nottestad moved to the point, George Sparkman of Rockford closed with Drays for 2nd. Nottestad opened a strong lead, as Drays and Sparkman waged battle. As the streaked past the checkered flag it was Nottestad for the win, Sparkman, Mike Drays, Steve Drays and Chris Quam.
In Sportsman division action, Dave Oswald of Cottage Grove led 49, of 50, laps in the Championship feature. Unfortunately, for Oswald, it was the first 49 laps, as Scott “Chico” Riedner claimed the win, coming from 3rd, off the 4th turn on the final lap. Starting from the outside front row, Oswald grabbed the early lead, as Bobby Stough and Riedner moved up through the field.
By lap 10, Stough moved in behind Chad Reimer battling for the 2nd spot, with Riedner up to 6th. Stough claimed 2nd, on lap 16, with Riedner moving to 3rd on lap 17. The battle for 2nd raged, just behind Oswald, as the laps ticked away. Coming around turns 3 & 4, on the white flag lap, Oswald’s engine coughed, moving him a bit out of shape. Oswald and Stough traded much paint, in turn 4, as Riedner dove low, to pull off the win. Stough crossed the line 2nd, with Reimer making it back to 3rd. Oswald held on for 4th followed by Tony Koepke.
In Hobby Stock action Gerald Chapman of Juneau claimed top honors in the Championship 50 lap feature. Starting from the pole Chapman dropped to 2nd at the green flag, as Tim Noble streaked by, for the early lead. Noble’s race stopped short, on lap 3, as he lost an axle, taking him from contention and handing the point to Chapman. Chapman guided the way to the finish as Roger Stephenson made his way to 2nd. At the finish it was Chapman for the win, followed by Stephenson, Jeremy Hartwig, Ken Au and Jim Williams.
The Bandit division closed out the 22nd Annual Pepsi Wisconsin State Championships, with Bill Reynolds of Watertown winning the 30 lap feature. Starting 12th, Reynolds started toward the front as the 41 of Froelich claimed the early lead. Reynolds was up to the 4th spot, at the half way point, when the yellow was thrown to reverse the field.
At the restart Brandon Riedner claimed the point, with Froelich dropping back fast. Reynolds motored past Alan Petrie for 3rd, on lap 25 as Riedner lost a wheel, and his chances for a win. As the green returned, Reynolds motored past Peter Shelly for the top spot. At the stripe it was Reynolds for the win, followed by Greg Sheldon, Troy Olson, Petrie and Bill Sweeney.
This event officially closes the 2002 racing season at Wisconsin’s Action Track. The management and staff at Jefferson Speedway would like to thank the Fans, Drivers, and Crews for making this a great racing season.
Jefferson Speedway – Date: September 13, 2002 – Event: Pepsi Wisconsin State Championships (Day 1)
Late Model Preview Feature Finish:
Laps:35
1. 27 Dan Chesmore (Janesville)
2. 14 Scott Nottestad (Stoughton)
3. 68 Ken Olson (Ft. Atkinson)
4. 4 Randy Breunig (Columbus)
5. 18 Mike Cusick (Edgerton)
6. 75 Mike Beyer (Machesney Park IL)
FAST QUALIFIER
4 Randy Breunig (Columbus): 14.836 seconds
RACE of CHAMPIONS: 15 lap
7 Chris Purdy (Milton)
CONSI: 12 Lap
6 Ken Piotrowski (Janesville)
62 Allen McBride (Milton)
Qualifiers: 25 lap:
12 Greg Bowers (Waterloo)
7 Chris Purdy (Milton)
71 John Ovadal Jr. (Johnson Creek)
56 Don Mattrisch (Whitewater)
4-Cylinder Preview Feature:
Laps:20
1. 5 George Sparkman (Rockford)
2. 25 Brent Nottestad (Cambridge)
3. 9 Aaron Rude (Cambridge)
4. 98 Kelly Evink
5. 16 Dennis Clapp (Madison)
6. 84 Steve Drays (Milton)
FAST QUALIFIER
25 Brent Nottestad (Cambridge): 15.777 seconds
Qualifiers: 15 lap
500 John Hoff (Rockford)
50 B.J. Sparkman (Rockford)
41 John Froelich (Milton)
Sportsman Preview Feature:
Laps:25
1. 27 Jay Kalbus (Oconomowoc)
2. 19 Chad Reimer (Oconomowoc)
3. 5 Bob Hacker (Rockford)
4. 3 Dave Oswald (Cottage Grove)
5. 32 Tony Koepke (Ft. Atkinson)
6. 20 Bret Schmidt (Watertown)
FAST QUALIFIER
26 Scott “Chico” Riedner (Waunakee): 15.797 seconds
CONSI: 10 Lap
94 Greg Henning (Hellenville)
88 Roger Stephenson (Cambridge)
Qualifiers: 20 lap
42 Steve Brown (Tomahawk)
87 Kyle Jarlsberg (Cambridge)
5 Derek Dobbs (Rockford IL)
19 Dan Schmidt (Watertown)
Hobby Stock Preview Feature:
Laps:20
1. 18 Dennis Gaserude (Oregon)
2. 00 Paul Edmundson (Whitewater)
3. 72 Tim Noble (Janesville)
4. 88 Roger Stephenson (Cambridge)
5. 55 Terry Wangsness (Delavan)
6. 33 Jimmy Robinson (Orfordville)
FAST QUALIFIER
6 Jeremy Hartwig (Cottage Grove): 16.783 seconds
Qualifiers: 15 lap:
70 Rick Kehoe (Jefferson)
99 Lincoln Keeser (Milton)
92 Bobby Frisch (Beloit)
08 Dennis Meyers (Orfordville)
17 Bill Bush (Jefferson)
72 Chris Matz (Watertown)
Bandit Preview Feature:
Laps:15
1. 51 Mark Schweitzer (Jefferson)
2. 75 Paula Seitz (Edgerton)
3. 12 Alan Petrie (Sun Prairie)
4. 36 Steve Seals (Milton)
5. 57 Tim Seitz (Edgerton)
6. 38 Bill Reynolds (Watertown)
FAST QUALIFIER
38 Bill Reynolds (Watertown): 15.334 (new track record)
Qualifier: 12 lap
11 Tim Petrie (Whitewater)
08 Renee Collins (Lake Mills)
67 Joe Cross (Sun Prairie)
One-on-One:
4Cyl Car: Cory Corbin Truck: B. J. Schumacher
6Cyl Car: Tommy Pfeifer
8Cyl Car: Doug Rabe Truck: Jim Taylor
Jefferson Speedway – Date: Sept. 14, 2002 – Event: 22nd Annual Pepsi Wisconsin State Championships (Finale)
Late Model Feature #1 Finish:
Laps:65
1. 27 Dan Chesmore (Janesville)
2. 94 Nick Wendt (Jefferson)
3. 16 Luke Westenberg (Palmyra)
4. 76 Ron Bishofberger (Ft. Atkinson)
5. 52 Steve Dobbratz (Rio)
6. 7 Chris Purdy (Milton)
7. 75 Mike Beyer (Machesney Park IL)
8. 4 Randy Breunig (Columbus)
9. 68 Ken Olson (Ft. Atkinson)
10. 62 Scotty Null (Lake Mills)
11. 14 Scott Nottestad (Stoughton)
12. 11 Beau Sanden (Janesville)
13. 17 Wayne Whitford (Janesville)
14. 12 Greg Bowers (Waterloo)
15. 2 Tom Dorn (Ft. Atkinson)
16. 82 Chad “Squirt” Stevens (Orfordville)
17. 97 Jim Jarlsberg (Cambridge)
18. 44 Roger Behlke (Jefferson)
19. 18 Mike Cusick (Edgerton)
20. 56 Don Mattrisch (Whitewater)
21. 71 John Ovadal Jr. (Hellenville)
22. 38 Matt Schulz (Tomahawk)
23. 28 Justin Switlick (Wausau)
24. 22 Jasper Gronert (Jefferson)
25. 37 Gene Olson Jr. (Jefferson)
26. 41 Mike Taylor (Stoughton)
Late Model Feature #2 Finish:
Laps:65
1. 14 Scott Nottestad (Stoughton)
2. 75 Mike Beyer (Machesney Park IL)
3. 76 Ron Bishofberger (Ft. Atkinson) (Overall)
4. 52 Steve Dobbratz (Rio)
5. 4 Randy Breunig (Columbus)
6. 62 Scott Null (Lake Mills)
7. 17 Wayne Whitford (Janesville)
8. 68 Ken Olson (Ft. Atkinson)
9. 7 Chris Purdy (Milton)
10. 97 Jimmy Jarlsberg (Cambridge)
11. 12 Greg Bowers (Waterloo)
12. 71 John Ovadal Jr. (Hellenville)
13. 16 Luke Westenberg (Palmyra)
14. 37 Gene Olson Jr. (Jefferson)
15. 18 Mike Cusick (Edgerton)
16. 41 Mike Taylor (Stoughton)
17. 2 Tom Dorn (Ft. Atkinson)
18. 56 Don Mattrisch (Whitewater)
19. 28 Justin Switlick (Wausau)
20. 22 Jasper Gronert (Jefferson)
21. 82 Chad “Squirt” Stevens (Orfordville)
22. 44 Roger Behlke (Jefferson)
23. 94 Nick Wendt (Jefferson)
24. 11 Beau Sanden (Janesville)
25. 38 Matt Schulz (Tomahawk)
26. 27 Dan Chesmore (Janesville)
FAST DASH: Pepsi: 8 Lap
11 Beau Sanden (Janesville)
LAST CHANCE#1 : 25 Lap
76 Ron Bishofberger (Ft. Atkinson)
22 Jasper Gronert (Jefferson)
17 Wayne Whitford (Janesville)
LAST CHANCE #2: 25 Lap
62 Scott Null (Lake Mills)
44 Roger Behlke (Jefferson)
82 Chad Stevenson (Orfordville)
International Feature:
Laps:50
1. 25 Brent Nottestad (Cambridge)
2. 5 George Sparkman (Rockford IL)
3. 48 Mike Drays (Milton)
4. 84 Steve Drays (Milton)
5. 4 Chris Quam (Stoughton)
6. 0 Scott Dolphin (Jefferson)
LAST CHANCE: 15 Lap
71 Troy Olson (Jefferson)
149 Tory Adams (Madison)
28 Lucas Vinje (Edgerton)
Sportsman Feature:
Laps:50
1. 26 Scott “Chico” Riedner (Waunakee)
2. 27 Bobby Stough Jr. (Waunakee)
3. 19 Chad Reimer (Oconomowoc)
4. 3 Dave Oswald (Cottage Grove)
5. 32 Tony Koepke (Ft. Atkinson)
6. 95 Jason Thoma (Jefferson)
LAST CHANCE #1: 20 Lap
7 James Helmer (Fox Lake)
99 Kevin Thompson (Palmyra)
36 Josh Courtney (Janesville)
LAST CHANCE #2: 20 Lap
57 Jason Ayers (Stoughton)
14 Kyle Taylor (Stoughton)
K106 Jody Purdy (Milton)
Hobby Stock Feature:
Laps:50
1. 7 Gerald Chapman (Juneau)
2. 88 Roger Stephenson (Cambridge)
3. 6 Jeremy Hartwig (Cottage Grove)
4. 31 Ken Au (Ft. Atkinson)
5. J10 Jim Williams (Milton)
6. 2 Eaan Carson (Ft. Atkinson)
LAST CHANCE: 20 Lap
56 Randy Strasburg (Jefferson)
10 Larry Moen (Columbus)
44 Jason Ayers (Stoughton)
Bandit Feature:
Laps:30
1. 38 Bill Reynolds (Watertown)
2. 19 Greg Sheldon (Crystal Lake IL)
3. 11 Troy Olson (Jefferson)
4. 12 Alan Petrie (Sun Prairie)
5. 42 Bill Sweeney (Janesville)
6. 57 Tim Seitz (Edgerton)
LAST CHANCE: 10 Lap
36 Danny Berket
19 Greg Sheldon (Crystal Lake IL)
20 Rikki Bishofberger (Ft. Atkinson)
