Jarlsberg & Behlke Split Twin 50’s! Bishofberger overall champion in Pepsi Wisconsin State Championships!

By Jeanne & Larry Starr

September 18, 1999; Jefferson, WI. – A capacity crowd packed Jefferson Speedway for the 19th Annual, Pepsi Wisconsin State Championships. Top racers from all over the state, and some from out of state, became part of the 19 year tradition. The fans were treated to some of the finest racing action ever seen in Southern Wisconsin.

Jim Jarlsberg powered to victory in the first, of two, 50 lap features. Starting from the inside of row 6, Jarlsberg started his drive to the front, as Wayne Whitford of Janesville pulled out to the early lead. As Jarlsberg wound his way to the front, 1999 track champion Ron Bishofberger of Ft. Atkinson, made several failed attempts to take over the point. Jarlsberg pulled into the third spot by lap 10, closing with Bishofberger in the battle for 2nd.

Jarlsberg moved to the bottom on lap 12, claiming the 2nd spot on lap 13. The first caution of the race came on lap 15, as three cars tangled in turn 2. On the restart Jarlsberg powered under Whitford, taking over the top spot.

From there Jarlsberg guided the way to the checkered flag. The race slowed for one more caution, when a brake failure sent a car hard into the turn 1 wall. At the stripe it was Jarlsberg for the win, followed by Bishofberger, Andy Wendt of Watertown, Roger Behlke of Jefferson and Jason Erickson of Cambridge.

Behlke parlayed his 4th place finish, in the first 50 lapper, into a victory in the 2nd. Starting from the pole, Behlke watched Bill Leindecker of Janesville pull out to the early lead. The first caution came on lap 4, when a car spun in turn 1, collecting several cars. On the restart Behlke made his move to the inside, battling for several laps, before claiming the top spot, on lap 7.

Guiding the way to the checkered flag, Behlke was never in the clear, as Bishofberger pulled into 2nd, keeping the pressure on all the way to the finish. Behind the point were Leindecker, Jason Erickson of Cambridge and Jarlsberg, all within striking distance, as they battled for the third spot. The overall championship rested in this battle, as Jarlsberg made it around Erickson, battling with Leindecker for 3rd. At the finish a blanket could have covered the top 5, with Behlke claiming the win, followed by Bishofberger, Leindecker, Jarlsberg and Erickson.

Two second place finishes gave the overall championship to Bishofberger, placing him ahead of Jarlsberg’s 1st and 4th place finish. As Behlke pulled into victory lane for his victory, Bishofberger pulled in to claim his overall trophy. In a show of sportsmanship, Bishofberger gave Behlke a congratulatory kiss, we assume on the cheek, in victory lane.

In the International (Mini Stock) division Scott Nottestad of Cambridge claimed top honors in the 40 lap main event. Starting from the outside of row 4, Nottestad started his trip to the point, as Mike Bingham of Jefferson pulled out to the early lead. Scott Nottestad moved to the second spot, on lap 7, with his brother, and 6 time track champion, Justin Nottestad close behind in 4th.

As Scott claimed the point, on lap 8, Justin was right there in the 2nd spot, moving to the inside to make his bid. Debris on the track brought out the second caution of the race, the first for a spin on lap 1, closing up the field for the restart. Scott Nottestad continued his journey to the checkered as Justin looked for a way around. Slowed by a final caution on lap 18, the final restart saw Pete Weston of Ft. Atkinson make the move to 3rd, closing with Justin Nottestad in the battle for 2nd.

The pair race side by side, until lap 32, when Justin Nottestad slipped just enough to leave an opening for Weston. Justin Nottestad recovered trying to make his way back around Weston, but it was not to be. At the stripe it was Scott Nottestad for the win, followed by Weston, Justin Nottestad, Aaron Rude of Cambridge and Chris Quam of Stoughton.

In Sportsman Division action Dave Oswald of Cottage Grove claimed top honors in the 40 lap Main event. Starting from the outside of row 4, Oswald started his move to the front, as Randy Padfield of Stoughton pulled out to the early lead. As Padfield guided the early going, Jeff Kohlhoff or Watertown was close behind, making several failed attempts to claim the point. Oswald moved into the 3rd spot, bin lap 5, looking for an opening.

By lap 12 the race had developed into a 4 way battle for the top spot, with Padfield at the front, followed by Kohlhoff, Oswald and Bob Selsing of Ft. Atkinson. Oswald claimed 2nd on lap 15, just one lap before the first caution of the race, for a car spinning out of turn 2. On the restart Oswald moved to the inside, claiming the top spot on lap 18, as Chad “Squirt” Stevens moved around Selsing into the 4th spot. Stevens moved under Kohlhoff on lap 22, closing with Padfield for the 2nd spot.

Claiming 2nd, on lap 24, Stevens set his sights on Oswald, trying to close the gap. The final caution of the race came, on lap 38, when a lapped car collected Padfield, disabling his car. On the restart Stevens made his bid for the lead, over the two remaining laps. At the checkered flag it was Oswald for the win, followed by Stevens, Kohlhoff, Kyle Munro of Ft. Atkinson and Tony Koepke of Ft. Atkinson.

In Super-Stock action, Brady Liddle of Oregon guided the field, flag-to-flag in the 40 lap feature event. Starting from the pole, Liddle pulled ahead at the green flag and never looked back, guiding the way to the checkered. Liddle was slowed on his journey by two cautions, one on lap 5, for a collision on the back stretch and once on lap 14, for a loose wheel in turn 4. Liddle was challenged from mid-race, by Donnie Fowler of Tomahawk.

Fowler was coming on strong, for many laps, but was eventually black flagged, due to a brake fire, on lap 30. Liddle guided the rest of the race, virtually unchallenged. At the stripe it was Liddle for the win, followed by Bill Slavlik of West Bend, Jason Dunn of Sun Prairie, Scott Ascher of Sussex and Roger Schmid of Stone Bank.

In Hobby Stock action, the 1998 track champion, Jeff Kohlhoff of Watertown, brought his Hobby Stock out of moth balls, to claim top honors in the 1999 State Championships. Starting from the pole position, Kohlhoff jumped to the early lead and never looked back, as he guided the way to the checkered flag.

As Kohlhoff held the point, the second spot was hotly contested, as Dan Schmidt of Watertown, Lincoln Keeser of Milton and James Rohrbeck of Portage all battled for the spot. Slowed by a single caution, on lap 24, Kohlhoff brought the field to the checkered flag, followed by Keeser, Rohrbeck, Dennis Gaserude of Oregon and Trent Erdman of Ft. Atkinson.

This two-day racing extravaganza brings to a close the 1999 racing season at Jefferson Speedway. The management and staff at Jefferson Speedway offer a heart felt thank you to all the drivers, crews and, especially, the fans who have made 1999 one of our best seasons.

We look forward to a couple of weeks of rest and then we will all be waiting for the 2000 racing season to open. See you in the spring!

Results – 19th Annual Pepsi Wisconsin State Championships

Day One: September 17th, 1999:

Late Model Preview Feature Finish: Laps: 25
1. 22 – Jasper Gronert (Jefferson)
2. 78 – Ron Bishofberger (Ft. Atkinson)
3. 18 – Andy Wendt (Watertown)
4. 44 – Roger Behlke (Jefferson)
5. 96 – Jason Erickson (Cambridge)
6. 23 – Jay Vandergeest
7. 19 – Doug Drost
8. 97 – Jim Jarlsberg (Cambridge)
9. 7 – Bill Leindecker (Janesville)
10. 99 – Chris Green (Edgerton)

FAST QUALIFIER: #18 – Andy Wendt (Watertown): 14.595 seconds (New Track Record)
Race of Champions: 20 Laps: 32 – Lyle Nowak (Wausau)

Late Model Pre-Qualifier Transfers: Laps: 15
1. 20 – Mark Sherfinski (Merrill)
3. 52 – Steve Dobbratz (Rio)
2. 28 – Justin Switlick (Wausau)
4. 27 – J. C. Stanelle (Milton)

Late Model Qualifier (1) Transfers: Laps: 25
1. 36 – Gary Jaecks (Tomahawk)
2. 31 – Andy Tomlinson (Poynette)

Late Model Qualifier (2) Transfers: Laps: 25
1. 32 – Lyle Nowak (Wausau)
2. 1 – Charlie Mierendorf (Lake Mills)

International Preview Feature: Laps: 15
1. 15 – Justin Nottestad (Cambridge)
2. 4 – Chris Quam (Stoughton)
3. 28 – Bobby Moore (Madison)
4. 48 – Mike Drays (Milton)
5. 5 – George Sparkman (Loves PK IL)
6. 17 – Mike Bingham (Jefferson)

International Qualifier: Laps: 15
1. 53 – Pete Weston (Ft. Atkinson)
2. 71 – Charles Dixon (Waukesha)
3. 74 – Scott Uttech (Beaver Dam)
4. 41 – John Froelich (Wisconsin)
FAST QUALIFIER: #15 – Justin Nottestad (Cambridge): 15.867 seconds

Sportsman Preview Feature: Laps: 20
1. 27 – Randy Padfield (Stoughton)
2. 98 – Jeff Kohlhoff (Watertown)
3. 31 – Dave Oswald (Cottage Grove)
4. 19 – Brian Paszek (Wausau)
5. 30 – Kyle Munro (Ft. Atkinson)
6. 42 – Bob Selsing (Ft. Atkinson)

Sportsman Qualifier (1): Laps: 20
1. 53 – Rick Rothwell (Madison)
2. 33 – Dylan Schuyler (Dousman)
3. 17 – Shane Radtke (Rome)

Sportsman Qualifier(2): Laps: 20
1. 1 – Jason Elliott (Stoughton)
2. 21 – Josh Courtney (Janesville)
3. 21 – Rick Titus (Ft. Atkinson)
FAST QUALIFIER: #82 – Chad “Squirt” Stevens (Beloit): 15.610 seconds

Superstock Preview Feature: Laps: 20
1. 71 – Randy Breunig (Columbus)
2. 75 – Rick Coppernoll (Madison)
3. 18 – Brady Liddle (Oregon)
4. 6 – Ron Schmitt (Jackson)
5. 71 – Jason Dunn (Sun Prairie)
6. 26 – Scott Riedner (Waunakee)

Super-Stock Qualifier (1): Laps: 20
1. 90 – Leonard Raupp (Reedsberg)
2. 27 – Bobby Stough (Waunakee)
3. 48 – Paul Brown (Friendship)

Super-Stock Qualifier(2): Laps: 20
1. 25 – Roger Schmid (Stone Bank)
2. 98 – Ken Donais (Mauston)
3. 42 – Kevin Anderson (Madison)
FAST QUALIFIER: #26 – Scott “Chico” Riedner (Waunakee): 15.330 seconds

Hobby Stock Feature: Laps: 15
1. 33 – Kevin Knuese (Mosinee)
2. 27 – Eric Severson (Rio)
3. 18 – Dennis Gaserude (Oregon)
4. 98 – Jeff Kohlhoff (Watertown)
5. 99 – Jim Rohrbeck (Portage)

6. J10 – Jim Williams (Milton)
FAST QUALIFIER: #22 – Mike Brooks (Amherst): 16.909 seconds

Hobby Stock Qualifier (1) Transfers: Laps: 25
1. 66 – Nick Golich (Hebron)
2. 76 – Kevin Quale (Ft. Atkinson)
3. 57 – Jason Ayers (Stoughton)
4. 11 – John Shane (Waukesha)

One-on-One Street Drags:
4 Cyl : B. J. Schumacher (Cambridge)
6 Cyl: Adam Ische (Jefferson)
8Cyl Car: Chris Rowley (Cottage Grove)
8Cyl Truck: Clint Stark (Janesville)

Day One: September 18th, 1999:

Late Model Feature #1 Finish: Laps: 50
1. 97 – Jim Jarlsberg (Cambridge)
2. 76 – Ron Bishofberger (Ft. Atkinson)
3. 18 – Andy Wendt (Watertown)
4. 44 – Roger Behlke (Jefferson)
5. 96 – Jason Erickson (Cambridge)
6. 7 – Bill Leindecker (Janesville)
7. 27 – Wayne Whitford (Janesville)
8. 11 – Chris Purdy (Milton)
9. 19 – Doug Drost (Merrill)
10. 46 – Nick Wendt (Watertown)
11. 37 – Gene Olson Jr. (Jefferson)
12. 39 – Al Papini (Machesney PK IL)
13. 1 – Charlie Mierendorf (Lake Mills)
14. 23 – Jay VanDerGest (Merrill)
15. 99 – Chris Green (Edgerton)
16. 6 – Bart Reinen (Jefferson)
17. 31 – Andy Tomlinson (Poynette)
18. 22 – Jasper Gronert (Jefferson)
19. 25 – Randy Cusick (Ft. Atkinson)
20. 36 – Gary Jaecks (Tomahawk)
21. 41 – Mike Taylor (Stoughton)
22. 32 – Lyle Nowak (Wausau)
23. 11 – Russ Goodwin (Beloit)
24. 2 – Tom Dorn (Ft. Atkinson)

Late Model Feature #2 Finish: Laps: 50
1. 44 – Roger Behlke (Jefferson)
2. 76 – Ron Bishofberger (Ft. Atkinson)
3. 7 – Bill Leindecker (Janesville)
4. 97 – Jim Jarlsberg (Cambridge)
5. 96 – Jason Erickson (Cambridge)
6. 11 – Chris Purdy (Milton)
7. 18 – Andy Wendt (Watertown)
8. 37 – Gene Olson Jr. (Jefferson)
9. 32 – Lyle Nowak (Wausau)
10. 46 – Nick Wendt (Watertown)
11. 39 – Al Papini (Machesney PK. IL)
12. 19 – Doug Drost (Merrill)
13. 23 – Jay VanDerGest (Merrill)
14. 99 – Chris Green (Edgerton)
15. 31 – Andy Tomlinson (Poynette)
16. 52 – Duane Deppe (Waterloo)
17. 11 – Russ Goodwin (Beloit)
18. 1 – Charlie Mierendorf (Lake Mills)
19. 22 – Jasper Gronert (Jefferson)
20. 6 – Bart Reinen (Jefferson)
21. 27 – Wayne Whitford (Janesville)
22. 24 – Mark Miller (Columbus)
23. 25 – Randy Cusick (Ft. Atkinson)
24. 36 – Gary Jaecks (Tomahawk)

Late Model Top 10 Overall Standings: : Qualifying Breaks any Tie
1. 76 – Ron Bishofberger (Ft. Atkinson)
2. 97 – Jim Jarlsberg (Cambridge)
3. 44 – Roger Behlke (Jefferson)
4. 7 – Bill Leindecker (Janesville)
5. 18 – Andy Wendt (Watertown)
6. 96 – Jason Erickson (Cambridge)
7. 11 – Chris Purdy (Milton)
8. 37 – Gene Olson Jr. (Jefferson)
9. 46 – Nick Wendt (Watertown)
10. 19 – Doug Drost (Merrill)

Late Model Pre-Last Chance: Laps: 15
1. 11 – Beau Sanden (Janesville)
2. 70 – Bill Drefahl Jr. (Evansville)
3. 2 – Craig Olver (Deforest)
4. 12 – Butch Mierendorf (Waterloo)

Late Model Last Chance (#1): Laps: 25
1. 39 – Al Papini (Machesney PK IL)
2. 37 – Gene Olson Jr. (Jefferson)

Late Model Last Chance (#2): Laps: 25
1. 11 – Chris Purdy (Milton)
2. 11 – Russ Goodwin (Beloit)

PROMOTERS CHOICES:
41 – Mike Taylor (Stoughtn)
6 – Bart Reinen (Jefferson)
25 – Randy Cusick (Ft. Atkinson)
2 – Tom Dorn (Ft. Atkinson)

International Feature: Laps: 40
1. 25 – Scott Nottestad (Cambridge)
2. 53 – Pete Weston (Ft. Atkinson)
3. 15 – Justin Nottestad (Cambridge)
4. 9 – Aaron Rude (Cambridge)
5. 4 – Chris Quam (Stoughton)
6. 17 – Mike Bingham (Jefferson)

International Last Chance: Laps: 15
1. 53 – Pete Weston (Ft. Atkinson)
2. 28 – Mike Cusick (Edgerton)
3. 57 – Mark English (Edgerton)
4. 4 – Paul Berg (Eau Claire)
5. 11 – Dale Nottestad (Cambridge)

Sportsman Feature: Laps: 40
1. 31 – Dave Oswald (Cottage Grove)
2. 82 – Chad “Squirt” Stevens (Beloit)
3. 98 – Jeff Kohlhoff (Watertown)
4. 30 – Kyle Munro (Ft. Atkinson)
5. 32 – Tony Koepke (Ft. Atkinson)
6. 19 – Brian Paszek (Wausau)

Sportsman Pre-Last Chance: Laps: 12
1. 6 – Ben Hallock (Ft. Atkinson)
2. 23 – Roger Stanczyk (Stevens Point)
3. 06 – Andy Barklt (Wausau)
4. 86 – Roy Young (Tomahawk)

Sportsman Last Chance: Laps: 20
1. 6 – Chris Ehrhart (Deerfield)
2. 52 – Josh Weir (Cottage Grove)
3. 4 – Dale Padfield (Jefferson)

Super-Stock Feature: Laps: 40
1. 18 – Brady Liddle (Oregon)
2. 1 – Bill Slavlik (West Bend)
3. 71 – Jason Dunn (Sun Prairie)
4. 19 – Scott Ascher (Sussex)
5. 25 – Roger Schmid (Stone Bank)
6. 27 – Bobby Stough (Waunakee)

Super-Stock Pre-Last Chance: Laps: 12
1. 41 – Dale Ripp (Sun Prairie)
2. 45 – Rich Wagner (West Bend)
3. 67 – Dave Quale (Ft. Atkinson)
4. 47 – Tim Peat (Madison)

Super-Stock Last Chance: Laps: 20
1. 41 – Robert Kravik (Cambridge)
2. 42 – Lyle Messinger (Milwaukee)
3. Jeni Westergard (Columbus)

Promoters Choices:
67 – Dave Quale (Ft. Atkinson)
18 – Mike Cusick (Edgerton)
41 – Dale Ripp (Sun Prairie)

Hobby Stock Feature: Laps: 20
1. 98 – Jeff Kohlhoff (Watertown)
2. 99 – Lincoln Keeser (Milton)
3. 99 – James Rohrbeck (Portage)
4. 18 – Dennis Gaserude (Oregon)
5. 11 – Trent Erdman (Ft. Atkinson)
6. 39 – Ken Scott (Rio)