Citizens Bank 50 Goes to Quam
By Andrew Schaller
August 9, 2008; Jefferson WI — Stoughton’s Chris Quam won his second feature of the season and his career on Saturday night at Jefferson Speedway when he claimed the Citizens Bank 50 lap Late Model feature event. Jasper Gronert and Luke Padfield made up the front row at the drop of the green with Padfield on top of the leader board as they crossed the stripe to complete lap one. But Gronert wouldn’t go away that easily as he battled back alongside Padfield looking to take the lead for himself. The two competitors battled side by side until lap six when Gronert got loose exiting turn two and spun to bring out the caution.
Everyone got by safely and Padfield restarted the race at the point with Jerry Eckhart in second and Quam lurking in third. After the green waved over the field again, Eckhart tried to make his move to the inside of Padfield for the lead, but he couldn’t hold his position and Quam slipped by on the outside to take over second. Quam began to size up the leader, and on lap 11, took to the inside of Padfield looking to pass. Quam made several attempts, finally making it stick on lap 15 and charging by for the top spot. Three laps later, Padfield got very loose down the backstretch allowing Casey Johnson and Steve Dobbratz to get by into second and third. Johnson spent a few laps watching the leader, then on lap 27, Johnson started looking to the low side of Quam. Johnson got alongside the leader several times, but could never quite stay with him. Dobbratz went to the outside of Johnson while John Ovadal and Roger Behlke battled close by for fourth. The top five ran under a blanket over the final 20 laps while Johnson worked the low groove trying to get by Quam. But Quam had just enough to hold them off and he saw the checkered flag first followed by Johnson, Dobbratz, Behlke and Ovadal.
In Sportsman action, Dave Oswald of Cottage Grove took over the lead late in the 30 lap feature on his way to victory lane with the win. Craig Olver and Dan Schmidt battled side by side from the front row at the start with Schmidt gaining the advantage on lap two. The first of two cautions waved on lap three when Chris Ehrhart took his mount around in turn two resulting in a multi car melee. After the restart, Schmidt continued to lead while Olver held second and Brady Lilly was claiming third. Caution flew again on lap 17 when Olver lost control and spun around in turn three, handing the second spot to Lilly. As the green returned, Lilly went to work on Schmidt, pulling even with him on lap 20 while John Handeland and Oswald lined up side by side behind them. Lilly began to some smoke from the rear of his machine, and was forced to retire for the evening on lap 23. Schmidt regained sole possession of the lead, but Oswald used the opening to charge alongside the leader and take the spot for himself a lap later. Oswald began to pull away while Schmidt and Handeland fought for second. As the checkers flew, it was Oswald out front followed by Handeland, Schmidt, Shaun Scheel and Terry Wangsness.
Janesville’s Mark English laid claim to yet another feature win as he topped the 20 International feature event. Neil Higgins grabbed the early lead from the front row with Kyle Smith shooting into second. Higgins lead the majority of the opening laps while English was making his way through the field and into the top five by lap 10. The only caution of the race flew on lap 13, lining up the field single file for the restart with English sitting in fourth. After the restart, English quickly worked through the top five and into second by lap 16. English wasted little time as he began putting heavy pressure on Higgins for the lead. English pulled even with the leader on lap 17, and a lap later, was out front of the field as he drove off to the win. Rounding out the top five were Higgins, Stephen Scheel, Joe Cross and Gary Stark.
Jimmy Robinson of Orfordville took over the lead midway through the 25 lap Hobby Stock feature on his way to the win in the event. Brett Carson was the early leader with his nephew Eaan close behind. Robinson was into the top five by lap five and making his way through the field. Robinson sliced his way through the top five and into second by lap 9 as he began to hunt the leader. On lap 10, Robinson got to the inside of Carson for the top spot. A wheel to wheel battle ensued with Robinson finally gaining the advantage on lap 13. Robinson stated to pull away while Kyle Stark was charging to the front as well. By the time Stark got up to second, Robinson was already well ahead of the field as he cruised to the checkers for the win. Stark was second followed by Zac Schmidt, Brett Carson and Lincoln Keeser.
Tommy Pfeifer increased his point lead even more by winning the 20 lap Bandit feature race. Scott Pauls took the initial lead front fellow front row starter Travis Schneeberg. After an early caution on lap two, Matt Goodwin rode in second hounding the leader. Meanwhile, Pfeifer was carving through the pack into fifth on lap 12. Pfeifer then drove to the outside, picking off cars and moving forward to second by lap 16. Pfeifer pulled up alongside the leader, Pauls, and took the top spot away on lap 18. Pfeifer motored through the final two laps to cross the stripe out front for the win. Pauls, Goodwin, Tytus Helgestad and Tony Ciano rounded out the top five.
Next Saturday, August 16 is a full program in all divisions highlighted by the Rivers Edge Farm Market 50 lap Late Model feature. Time trials begin at 5:00 with racing at 7 pm sharp. 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-
Citizens Bank 50 Feature Results- 1) 4 Chris Quam, Stoughton 2) 5 Casey Johnson, Stoughton 3) 52 Steve Dobbratz, Rio 4) 44 Roger Behlke, Jefferson 5) 71 John Ovadal, Watertown 6) 16 Luke Westenberg, Jefferson 7) 7 Bob Kahler, Belvidere, IL 8) 94 Jason Erickson, Fort Atkinson 9) 87 Kyle Jarlsberg, Cambridge 10) 29 Scott Lindsay, Dousman 11) 61 Jerry Eckhart, Johnson Creek 12) 99 Doug Hahn, Whitewater 13) 13 Andy Brocker, Jefferson 14) 4 Luke Padfield, Jefferson 15) 21 Ryan Zielske, Oconomowoc 16) 22 Jasper Gronert, Jefferson 17) 33 Dylan Schuyler, Jefferson 18) 71 Jason Deppe, Waterloo
Fast Qualifier- 94 Jason Erickson—14.232 seconds
Last Chance- 13 Andy Brocker, 99 Doug Hahn, 29 Scott Lindsay, 21 Ryan Zielske
Heat Winners- 1) 71 Chris Sackman 2) 29 Scott Lindsay 3) 52 Steve Dobbratz
Sportsman-
Feature Results- 1) 31 Dave Oswald, Cottage Grove 2) 19 John Handeland, Jefferson 3) 19 Dan Schmidt, Farmington 4) 8 Shaun Scheel, Lake Mills 5) 55 Terry Wangsness, Jefferson 6) 52 Tory Bagley, McFarland
Fast Qualifier- 7 James Helmer—15.243 seconds
Last Chance- 36 RC Van Ramsel, 82 Mike Acheson, 5 Seth Lootans, 7 Kyle Watters
Heat Winners- 1) 82 Mike Acheson 2) 19 Dan Schmidt 3) 52 Tory Bagley
International-
Feature Results- 1) 57 Mark English, Janesville 2) 66 Neil Higgins, Watertown 3) 4 Stephen Scheel, Lake Mills 4) 67 Joe Cross 5) 35 Gary Stark, Sun Prairie 6) 90 Kyle Smith, Lake Mills
Fast Qualifier- 57 Mark English—16.495 seconds
Last Chance- 3 Shawn Gunsolas, 5 Peter Shelley, 05 Ashley Smith, 194 Tommy Pfeifer
Heat Winners- 1) 05 Ashley Smith 2) 90 Kyle Smith 3) 4 Stephen Scheel
Hobby Stock-
Feature Results- 1) 33 Jimmy Robinson, Orfordville 2) 92 Kyle Stark, Lake Mills 3) 19 Zac Schmidt 4) 1 Brett Carson, Jefferson 5) 99 Lincoln Keeser, Johnson Creek 6) 2 Eaan Carson, Jefferson
Fast Qualifier- 9 Dustin Ward—16.628 seconds
Last Chance- 07 Mike Mauer, 71 Jamie Dunn, 43 Scott Bush, 54 Geno Schlieve
Heat Winners- 1) Mike Mauer 2) 92 Kyle Stark 3) 33 Jimmy Robinson
Bandit-
Feature Results- 1) 57 Tommy Pfeifer 2) 18 Scott Pauls 3) 45 Matt Goodwin 4) 90 Tytus Helgestad 5) 86 Tony Ciano 6) 26 Mike Lambert
Fast Qualifier- 57 Tommy Pfeifer—14.382 seconds
Last Chance- 93 Heather Stark, 29 Waylin Willman, 10 Dave Schmidt, 76 Al Stillman
Heat Winners- 1) 93 Heather Stark 2) 90 Tytus Helgestad
