Erickson Scores Second Win of 2005 at Jefferson Speedway

By Larry Starr

August 6, 2005; Jefferson WI — Jason Erickson of Lake Mills extended his lead in the 2005 championship points chase, with his second feature win of the season, in the “Bittner Heat & Cooling 50.”

Starting inside row 7, Erickson started his drive to the front as Noel Ramge grabbed the early lead. Caution came, on lap 8, for a spin in turn 2, with Erickson up to the 9th spot. On lap 13, the caution flew again, for a spin in turn 1 that collected, nearly, the while field.

Erickson was up to the 4th spot for the restart, behind defending track champion Dan Chesmore. Erickson made his way past Chesmore by lap 21, battling with Bret Schmidt for 3rd. Erickson motored past Schmidt on lap 24, and Greg Bower on lap 26, closing with Ramge. Moving to the inside Erickson made the winning pass on lap 27. Caution flew, on final time, on lap 45, for a spin in turn 4. Erickson led the restart with Tim Noble in the 2nd spot. Noble made several attempts, to the inside, over the closing laps but came up just a little bit short. At the stripe it was Erickson for the win, followed by Noble, Dylan Schuyler, Bower and Ramge.

In International action Mark English won the 15 lap main event. Starting outside row 5 English passed Michelle Heimann, the early leader, on lap 4, guiding the way to the finish. At the checkers it was English followed by Scotty Hoeft, Chris Nelson, Chris Chenoweth and Heimann.

In Sportsman division action Jay Kalbus of Oconomowoc notched the win, in the 30 lap feature. Starting outside row 5, Kalbus headed for the front as Larry Moen drove to the early lead. Moen’s turn at the point ended with a spin in turn 2 and a caution, on the 4th circuit. On the restart it was Brent Gergen at the point with Kalbus running 2nd. Kalbus passed Gergen on lap 6, with Trent Erdman and Jason Thoma close behind. Thoma and Erdman waged a monumental battle for the 2nd spot. The caution flew, for the final time, on lap 15, for a loose tire. Kalbus led the restart, followed by Erdman and Thoma. Thoma moved to the inside of Erdman making his bid for 2nd, the pair battled side-by-side with Thoma claiming 2nd on lap 27. At the stripe it was Kalbus for the win, followed by Thoma, Erdman, Mark DePorter and Luke Padfield.

In Hobby Stock action Johnny Robinson of Beloit notched a victory in the 20 lap feature. Starting inside row 4, Robinson headed to the front as Tim Lange grabbed the early lead. Lange guided the way for 11 laps, as Robinson made his way through traffic. Moving to the inside on lap 11, Robinson claimed the top spot by lap 12, showing the way from there to the checkered. At the finish it was Robinson for the win followed by Eaan Carson, Lange, Jim Williams and Russ Nicholson.

In Bandit action Tom Bleecker of Jefferson claimed top honors in the 20 lap main. Starting inside row 7, Bleecker started his drive to the point as David Krull jumped to the early lead. The caution flew, on lap 4, for a melee in the third turn. Sean Watters led the restart with Bleecker up to the 5th spot. Bleecker make his way to 2nd, by lap 8, closing with Watters. Moving under Watters, Bleecker pulled ahead on lap 13, showing the way from there to the checkers. As the took the checkered flag it was Bleecker for the win followed by Bobby Selsing, Watters, Marc Balis and Jody Krueger.

Closing out the nights entertainment was a “Demolition Derby,” won by Mark Lawson of Johnson Creek.

Next week at Jefferson Speedway hosts the “Winner’s Circle Challenge,” a special annual race for all Late Model feature winners along with the “Good Karma Cup 50,” with a 50 lap Late Model feature and a full racing program in all divisions.

Gates open at 2:00, Qualifying at 4:30 and racing starts at 7:00 sharp.
Jefferson Speedway is half way between Cambridge and Jefferson Wisconsin on Highway 18.

Jefferson Speedway Race Summary – 08/06/2005 Bittner Heat & Cooling 50
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Late Model Division Feature Finish
1) 94 Jason Erickson (Lake Mills) 2) 71 Tim Noble (Janesville)
3) 33 Dylan Schuyler 4) 12 Greg Bowers (Waterloo)
5) 17 Noel Ramge (Helenville) 6) 32 Tony Koepke (Fort Atkinson)
7) 20 Bret Schmidt (watertown) 8) 16 Luke Westenberg (Watertown)
9) 27 Dan Chesmore 10) 2 Matt Frey
11) 7 Bill Dreyful 12) 52 April Reimer (Beloit)
13) 6 Ken Piotrowski (Janesville) 14) 22 Jasper Gronert (Ft. Atkinson)
15) 68 Ken Olson (Ft. Atkinson) 16) 87 Aaron Falbe (Beaver Dam)
17) 4 Chris Quam (Stoughton) 18) 41 Mike Taylor (Stoughton)
19) 44 Roger Behlke 20) 23 Chris Koepke (Jefferson)
Fast Qualifier: 94 Jason Erickson (Lake Mills) : 14.426 seconds
Fast Dash: 22 Jasper Gronert (Ft. Atkinson)
Heats: Qual1) 12 Greg Bowers

International Division Feature Finish
1) 57 Mark English 2) 00 Scotty Hoeft (Watertown)
3) 73 Chris Nelson (Cottage Grove) 4) 97 Chris Chenoweth (Watertown)
5) 02 Michelle Heimann (Madison) 6) 2 Brandon Kozak (Whitewater)
Fast Qualifier: 73 Chris Nelson (Cottage Grove) : 16.765 seconds
Fast Dash: 97 Chris Chenoweth (Watertown)
Heats: Qual1) 00 Scotty Hoeft

Sportsman Division Feature Finish
1) 27 Jay Kalbus (Watertown) 2) 42 Jason Thoma
3) 11 Trent Erdman (Fort Atkinson) 4) 28 Mark DePorter (Fort Atkinson)
5) 4 Luke Padfield (Jeffersonm) 6) 38 Brent Gergen (Jefferson)
Fast Qualifier: 42 Jason Thoma : 15.268 seconds
Fast Dash: 42 Jason Thoma
Heats: Qual1) 14 Kyle Taylor

Hobby Stock Division Feature Finish
1) 99 Johnny Robinson (Beloit) 2) 2 Eaan Carson
3) 96 Tim Lange (Dousman) 4) J10 Jim Williams (Milton)
5) 67 Russ Nicholson (Stoughton) 6) 7 Scott Carson
Fast Qualifier: 1 Brett Carson (Johnson Creek) : 16.604 seconds
Fast Dash: 11 Steve Sauer (Waterloo)
LastChance: 29 Mike Manley, 44 Jesse Ayers, 41 Nick Newton, 96 Alan Dorn
Heats: Qual1) 99 Johnny Robinson, qual2) 96 Tim Lange

Bandit Division Feature Finish
1) 98 Tom Bleecker (Watertown) 2) 42 Bobby Selsing Jr (Fort Atkinso
3) 77 Sean Watters (Sun Prairie) 4) 92 Marc W. Balis (Edgerton)
5) Z28 Jody Krueger (Edgerton) 6) 24 Tyler White (Ft. Atkinson)
Fast Qualifier: 98 Tom Bleecker (Watertown) : 14.815 seconds
Fast Dash: 24 Tyler White (Ft. Atkinson)
LastChance: 4D Brandon Riedner, 27 James Bell, 45 Nick Balis, 21 Rodney Mundt
Heats: Qual1) 77 Sean Watters, qual2) 27 Tom Schuette