Jason Erickson Captures Benninger Concrete Season Opener
CAMBRIDGE, WI (Saturday, May 7, 2022) The 2022 racing season got underway at Wisconsin’s Action Track on a cool Saturday evening in south central Wisconsin. Five divisions of racing action was capped off with Fort Atkinson’s Jason Erickson making his return to the Jefferson Speedway victory lane. Erickson motored to the front of the field to claim the Benninger Concrete 50 lap Late Model main event in impressive fashion.
The racing got underway with Luke Westenberg and Kyle Smith pacing the pack of 18 competitors to the drop of the green flag. The duo battled side by side for control while Dylan Schuyler watched intently from third. Smith spent the opening ten circuits trying to clear for the lead until a caution on lap 11 slowed his efforts for an incident in turn four. Westenberg and Smith once again led the field back to green. On the restart, Westenberg wiggled slightly, allowing Smith to fire into sole possession of the lead. Schuyler followed up to second with Erickson now in third. Two more cautions set up a restart with Schuyler and Smith out front. Schuyler got the advantage on lap 14, bringing Erickson along for second. Erickson wasted little time, sliding under Schuyler as they raced into turn one on lap 15. Erickson powered into the lead off turn two while Dale Nottestad moved up to challenge Schuyler for second. Another yellow flag slowed the pace on lap 18. Under the caution, Schuyler was forced to pit, handing second to Nottestad. Erickson led the field back to green with Nottestad now filling his rear view mirror. As racing resumed, Erickson quickly began to stretch his advantage. Erickson’s lead continued to increase as the laps ticked away. At the checkers, it was Erickson for the convincing victory with Nottestad coming home second. Shaun Scheel, Smith and Chris Chenoweth rounded out the top five.
In Sportsman action, it was Chris Weber of West Salem claiming the 30 lap feature event. Jason Thoma grabbed the early lead from the pole with Bobby Selsing Jr quickly up to second. Weber followed into third a couple laps later while Selsing pressured the leader, Thoma. The leaders ran nose to tail for several laps until Weber made a move to the high side of Selsing on lap 17. Two laps later, Weber was clear for second and setting his sights on Thoma. Weber closed in on the leader as the laps began to wind down. With three laps to go, Weber once again drove to the outside, drawing even with Thoma. But a caution on lap 28 paused the battle, setting up a shootout to the finish. Thoma and Weber paced the pack back to green with each driver looking to gain the advantage. Thoma initially moved ahead, but Weber returned to his outside. The duo raced wheel to wheel over the final laps, heading the checkers with nothing settled. As they crossed the stripe, it was Weber with the advantage to secure the win with Thoma settling for second. Tyler Deporter finished third followed by Selsing and Kurt Kleven.
Watertown’s Jason Uttech laid claim to the 20 lap International feature event. Caden Pankow and Timothy Higgins made up the front row at the start with Pankow taking the early lead. Weston Strese moved up to second on lap three and began to challenge Pankow for the top spot. A caution waved on lap five, pitting Pankow and Strese on the front row for the restart. As racing resumed, Strese moved his machine out front, bringing Uttech along for second. Uttech went right to work on Strese, driving to the high side and trying to draw even. Uttech continued to chip away on the outside, inching his car into he lead. By lap 14, Uttech was out front with Mark Dewey now up to second. Dewey closed in on Uttech, peeking to the low side and trying to get alongside. But Uttech held Dewey at bay through the checkers to pick up the win. Dewey was second followed by Strese, Mark English and James Bohling.
Jacob Tiegan of Marian, IA, captured the 20 lap Legends main event. Ben Massman grabbed the lead on lap one. After an early caution, Massman and Kenny Storkson led the field back to green. Massman returned to the lead with Storkson trying to hold off Tiegan for second. Tiegan got by Storkson and quickly charged up alongside Massman. Tiegan grabbed control of the lead on lap three and never relinquished the position. Quick qualifier, Danny Lehmkuhl drove up to second in the closing laps, but Tiegan was already on his way to the checkers for the win. Lehmkuhl was second with Storkson, Adam Powers and Massman rounding out the top five.
Alex Hartwig of Portage claimed the caution free 15 lap Bandolero main event. Axel Oldenhoff took the initial lead on lap one. Kaeden Wangsness fought back on the low side with Easton Riedner and Lincoln Cain right behind. Hartwig joined the leaders as Wangsness moved out front. Riedner followed up to second and drew even with Wangsness with Hartwig now up to third. Rieder moved out front on lap six, bringing Hartwig along. Hartwig quickly made his move under Riedner, pulling alongside on lap seven. A lap later, Hartwig was out front alone. Cain eventually followed into second, but it was Hartwig staying strong on the point to pick up the win. Can finished second followed by Avery Linnerud, Riedner and Collin Murphy.
Next Saturday, May 14, is a full program of racing with time trials at 4pm and racing at 6pm. Jefferson Speedway is located halfway between Cambridge and Jefferson and Hwy 18. Please jeffersonspeedway.com for more information.
JEFFERSON SPEEDWAY RACE SUMMARY
Late Model-
Qualifying
| Pos | Start Number | Competitor | Best Lap |
| 1 | 94E | Jason Erickson | 14.1 |
| 2 | 2N | Dale Nottestad | 14.297 |
| 3 | 8S | Shaun Scheel | 14.372 |
| 4 | 97C | Chris Chenoweth | 14.375 |
| 5 | 3O | Laney Osborne | 14.387 |
| 6 | 12W | Ryan Weyer | 14.394 |
| 7 | 9K | Paul Kisow | 14.412 |
| 8 | 33S | Dylan Schuyler | 14.415 |
| 9 | 97S | Kyle Smth | 14.434 |
| 10 | 16W | Luke Westenberg | 14.482 |
| 11 | 37R | Seth Reamer | 14.535 |
| 12 | 17R | Noel Ramge | 14.551 |
| 13 | 18L | Ryan Laatsch | 14.628 |
| 14 | 47M | David Malisch | 14.656 |
| 15 | 16P | Tyler Petersen | 14.66 |
| 16 | 21H | Cody Houseweart | 14.666 |
| 17 | 40P | Scott Patrick | 14.711 |
| 18 | 61E | Jerry Eckhardt | 14.785 |
| 19 | 41T | Mike Taylor | 15.091 |
| 20 | 7K | Ed Kubicz | 15.095 |
| 21 | 20W | Dale Warner | 16.109 |
| 22 | 15G | Logan Graham | 16.357 |
Heat Races
| Pos | Start Number | Competitor |
| 1 | 21H | Cody Houseweart |
| 2 | 61E | Jerry Eckhardt |
| 3 | 40P | Scott Patrick |
| 4 | 7K | Ed Kubicz |
| 5 | 41T | Mike Taylor |
| 6 | 20W | Dale Warner |
| 7 | 15G | Logan Graham |
| Pos | Start Number | Competitor |
| 1 | 16P | Tyler Petersen |
| 2 | 2N | Dale Nottestad |
| 3 | 16W | Luke Westenberg |
| 4 | 12W | Ryan Weyer |
| 5 | 97C | Chris Chenoweth |
| 6 | 33S | Dylan Schuyler |
| 7 | 18L | Ryan Laatsch |
| Pos | Start Number | Competitor |
| 1 | 97S | Kyle Smth |
| 2 | 94E | Jason Erickson |
| 3 | 8S | Shaun Scheel |
| 4 | 17R | Noel Ramge |
| 5 | 3O | Laney Osborne |
| 6 | 47M | David Malisch |
| 7 | 9K | Paul Kisow |
Last Chance
| Pos | Start Number | Competitor |
| 1 | 61E | Jerry Eckhardt |
| 2 | 40P | Scott Patrick |
| 3 | 21H | Cody Houseweart |
| 4 | 7K | Ed Kubicz |
| 5 | 41T | Mike Taylor |
| 6 | 15G | Logan Graham |
| 7 | 20W | Dale Warner |
Feature
| Pos | Start Number | Competitor |
| 1 | 94E | Jason Erickson |
| 2 | 2N | Dale Nottestad |
| 3 | 8S | Shaun Scheel |
| 4 | 97S | Kyle Smth |
| 5 | 97C | Chris Chenoweth |
| 6 | 9K | Paul Kisow |
| 7 | 16W | Luke Westenberg |
| 8 | 12W | Ryan Weyer |
| 9 | 17R | Noel Ramge |
| 10 | 33S | Dylan Schuyler |
| 11 | 61E | Jerry Eckhardt |
| 12 | 18L | Ryan Laatsch |
| 13 | 47M | David Malisch |
| 14 | 40P | Scott Patrick |
| 15 | 7K | Ed Kubicz |
| 16 | 16P | Tyler Petersen |
| 17 | 21H | Cody Houseweart |
| 18 | 3O | Laney Osborne |
Sportsman-
Qualifying
| Pos | Start Number | Competitor | Best Lap |
| 1 | 51K | Kurtis Kleven | 14.721 |
| 2 | 28D | Mark Deporter | 14.745 |
| 3 | 97W | Chris Weber | 14.77 |
| 4 | 22J | Chris Jones | 14.837 |
| 5 | 42S | Bobby Selsing | 14.852 |
| 6 | 2D | Tyler Deporter | 14.862 |
| 7 | 6T | Jason Thoma | 14.884 |
| 8 | 91C | Tim Coley | 14.9 |
| 9 | 4T | Jim Taylor | 14.971 |
| 10 | 34B | Jake Biever | 14.979 |
| 11 | 90H | Titus Helgestad | 14.979 |
| 12 | 98B | Mike Bleecker | 15.009 |
| 13 | 41L | Jordan Lamb | 15.028 |
| 14 | 43J | Christian Jansen | 15.045 |
| 15 | 94H | Craig Henning | 15.088 |
| 16 | 86C | Tony Ciano | 15.226 |
| 17 | 80H | Cris Harmon | 15.255 |
| 18 | 119 | Bradon DeLacy | 15.295 |
| 19 | 55J | Paul Johnson Jr. | 15.588 |
| 20 | 05B | Tucker Bodendorfer | 15.647 |
| 21 | 67N | Russ Nicholson | 15.882 |
Heat Races
| Pos | Start Number | Competitor |
| 1 | 119 | Bradon DeLacy |
| 2 | 80H | Cris Harmon |
| 3 | 86C | Tony Ciano |
| 4 | 94H | Craig Henning |
| 5 | 55J | Paul Johnson Jr. |
| 6 | 05B | Tucker Bodendorfer |
| Pos | Start Number | Competitor |
| 1 | 43J | Christian Jansen |
| 2 | 90H | Titus Helgestad |
| 3 | 28D | Mark Deporter |
| 4 | 2D | Tyler Deporter |
| 5 | 22J | Chris Jones |
| 6 | 98B | Mike Bleecker |
| 7 | 91C | Tim Coley |
| Pos | Start Number | Competitor |
| 1 | 34B | Jake Biever |
| 2 | 6T | Jason Thoma |
| 3 | 42S | Bobby Selsing |
| 4 | 97W | Chris Weber |
| 5 | 51K | Kurtis Kleven |
| 6 | 41L | Jordan Lamb |
| 7 | 4T | Jim Taylor |
Last Chance
| Pos | Start Number | Competitor |
| 1 | 43J | Christian Jansen |
| 2 | 86C | Tony Ciano |
| 3 | 80H | Cris Harmon |
| 4 | 119 | Bradon DeLacy |
| 5 | 94H | Craig Henning |
| 6 | 55J | Paul Johnson Jr. |
| 7 | 05B | Tucker Bodendorfer |
| 8 | 41L | Jordan Lamb |
Feature
| Pos | Start Number | Competitor |
| 1 | 97W | Chris Weber |
| 2 | 6T | Jason Thoma |
| 3 | 2D | Tyler Deporter |
| 4 | 42S | Bobby Selsing |
| 5 | 51K | Kurtis Kleven |
| 6 | 22J | Chris Jones |
| 7 | 90H | Titus Helgestad |
| 8 | 28D | Mark Deporter |
| 9 | 43J | Christian Jansen |
| 10 | 4T | Jim Taylor |
| 11 | 86C | Tony Ciano |
| 12 | 91C | Tim Coley |
| 13 | 80H | Cris Harmon |
| 14 | 34B | Jake Biever |
| 15 | 119 | Bradon DeLacy |
| 16 | 98B | Mike Bleecker |
International-
Qualifying
| Pos | Start Number | Competitor | Best Lap |
| 1 | 6D | Mark Dewey | 15.462 |
| 2 | 36U | Jason Uttech | 15.654 |
| 3 | 57E | Mark English | 15.67 |
| 4 | 11S | Weston Strese | 15.689 |
| 5 | 88M | Kyle Melton | 16.072 |
| 6 | 0B | Keith Bell | 16.1 |
| 7 | 12P | Caden Pankow | 16.165 |
| 8 | 77H | Timothy Higgins | 16.175 |
| 9 | 16B | James Bohling | 16.236 |
| 10 | 9T | Josh Tanguay | 16.297 |
| 11 | 37J | Chris Jackson | 16.5 |
| 12 | 14A | AJ Accardi | 16.749 |
| 13 | 51 | Jay Bergin | 17.048 |
| 14 | 8R | Brittany Reynolds | 17.056 |
| 15 | 22C | Myles Cowley | 17.532 |
| 16 | 21E | Tyler Edmundson | 17.697 |
Heat Races
| Pos | Start Number | Competitor |
| 1 | 16B | James Bohling |
| 2 | 9T | Josh Tanguay |
| 3 | 14A | AJ Accardi |
| 4 | 37J | Chris Jackson |
| 5 | 8R | Brittany Reynolds |
| 6 | 21E | Tyler Edmundson |
| 7 | 22C | Myles Cowley |
| 8 | 51 | Jay Bergin |
| Pos | Start Number | Competitor |
| 1 | 11S | Weston Strese |
| 2 | 6D | Mark Dewey |
| 3 | 36U | Jason Uttech |
| 4 | 57E | Mark English |
| 5 | 77H | Timothy Higgins |
| 6 | 0B | Keith Bell |
| 7 | 88M | Kyle Melton |
| 8 | 12P | Caden Pankow |
Feature
| Pos | Start Number | Competitor |
| 1 | 36U | Jason Uttech |
| 2 | 6D | Mark Dewey |
| 3 | 11S | Weston Strese |
| 4 | 57E | Mark English |
| 5 | 16B | James Bohling |
| 6 | 0B | Keith Bell |
| 7 | 12P | Caden Pankow |
| 8 | 77H | Timothy Higgins |
| 9 | 14A | AJ Accardi |
| 10 | 9T | Josh Tanguay |
| 11 | 8R | Brittany Reynolds |
| 12 | 51 | Jay Bergin |
| 13 | 88M | Kyle Melton |
| 14 | 37J | Chris Jackson |
| 15 | 22C | Myles Cowley |
Legends-
Qualifying
| Pos | Start Number | Competitor | Best Lap |
| 1 | 20L | Danny Lehmkuhl | 15.85 |
| 2 | 7T | Jacob Tiegan | 15.894 |
| 3 | 2H | Adam Hansen | 15.895 |
| 4 | 57S | Kenny Storkson | 15.987 |
| 5 | 32M | Robbie Morrison | 16.067 |
| 6 | 7M | Ben Massman | 16.068 |
| 7 | 41M | Tony Moyer | 16.346 |
| 8 | 47R | Travis Rose | 16.359 |
| 9 | 28P | Adam Powers | 16.36 |
| 10 | 93R | Bill Ryan | 16.447 |
Heat Races
| Pos | Start Number | Competitor |
| 1 | 28P | Adam Powers |
| 2 | 7M | Ben Massman |
| 3 | 93R | Bill Ryan |
| 4 | 41M | Tony Moyer |
| 5 | 47R | Travis Rose |
| Pos | Start Number | Competitor |
| 1 | 7T | Jacob Tiegan |
| 2 | 57S | Kenny Storkson |
| 3 | 32M | Robbie Morrison |
| 4 | 2H | Adam Hansen |
| 5 | 20L | Danny Lehmkuhl |
Feature
| Pos | Start Number | Competitor |
| 1 | 7T | Jacob Tiegan |
| 2 | 20L | Danny Lehmkuhl |
| 3 | 57S | Kenny Storkson |
| 4 | 28P | Adam Powers |
| 5 | 7M | Ben Massman |
| 6 | 41M | Tony Moyer |
| 7 | 32M | Robbie Morrison |
| 8 | 2H | Adam Hansen |
| 9 | 47R | Travis Rose |
| 10 | 93R | Bill Ryan |
Bandoleros-
Qualifying
| Pos | Start Number | Competitor | Best Lap |
| 1 | 52L | Avery Linnerud | 16.764 |
| 2 | 901 | Alex Hartwig | 16.807 |
| 3 | 5C | Lincoln Cain | 17.006 |
| 4 | 9M | Collin Murphy | 17.059 |
| 5 | 7R | Easton Riedner | 17.06 |
| 6 | 16L | Carli Lenz | 17.236 |
| 7 | 11W | Kaeden Wangsness | 17.298 |
| 8 | 29O | Axel Oldenhoff | 17.379 |
| 9 | 22T | Bentley Thompson | 17.443 |
| 10 | 3S | Riley Smith | 17.495 |
| 11 | 8J | Jayden Johnson | 17.565 |
| 12 | 08F | Haylee Flairty | 17.643 |
| 13 | 22G | Chase Gronert | 18.028 |
| 14 | 61E | Paegan Ellingson | 18.088 |
| 15 | 17W | Teegan Wangsness | 18.187 |
| 16 | 0 | Lincoln Johnson | 18.214 |
| 17 | 60G | Chase Gottschalk | 18.228 |
| 18 | 10B | Emily Billings | 18.326 |
| 19 | 06B | Parker Bodendorfer | 18.389 |
| 20 | 7J | Harley Johnson | 18.499 |
| 21 | 17L | Mason Lenz | 18.68 |
| 22 | 1L | Lukas Lichtenwalner | 19.038 |
| 23 | 62O | Ace Oldenhoff | 19.06 |
| 24 | 5S | Parker Searles | 19.146 |
| 25 | 11E | Ethan Jensen | 19.783 |
| 26 | 71T | McKenna Turner | 19.946 |
| 27 | 11S | Carter Stein | 20.054 |
| 28 | 17R | Ryder Robinson | 20.736 |
| 29 | 02B | Casie Brabant | 21.203 |
| 30 | 707 | Hunter Graham | 21.317 |
| 31 | 63R | Jase Riedner | 22.46 |
| 32 | 125 | Kinsleigh Weber | 23.925 |
Heat Races
| Pos | Start Number | Competitor |
| 1 | 11S | Carter Stein |
| 2 | 17R | Ryder Robinson |
| 3 | 02B | Casie Brabant |
| 4 | 71T | McKenna Turner |
| 5 | 63R | Jase Riedner |
| 6 | 707 | Hunter Graham |
| 7 | 125 | Kinsleigh Weber |
| Pos | Start Number | Competitor |
| 1 | 1L | Lukas Lichtenwalner |
| 2 | 5S | Parker Searles |
| 3 | 06B | Parker Bodendorfer |
| 4 | 62O | Ace Oldenhoff |
| 5 | 7J | Harley Johnson |
| 6 | 17L | Mason Lenz |
| 7 | 11E | Ethan Jensen |
| Pos | Start Number | Competitor |
| 1 | 17W | Teegan Wangsness |
| 2 | 22G | Chase Gronert |
| 3 | 0 | Lincoln Johnson |
| 4 | 10B | Emily Billings |
| 5 | 61E | Paegan Ellingson |
| 6 | 60G | Chase Gottschalk |
| Pos | Start Number | Competitor |
| 1 | 3S | Riley Smith |
| 2 | 29O | Axel Oldenhoff |
| 3 | 8J | Jayden Johnson |
| 4 | 22T | Bentley Thompson |
| 5 | 08F | Haylee Flairty |
| 6 | 11W | Kaeden Wangsness |
| Pos | Start Number | Competitor |
| 1 | 901 | Alex Hartwig |
| 2 | 7R | Easton Riedner |
| 3 | 5C | Lincoln Cain |
| 4 | 52L | Avery Linnerud |
| 5 | 9M | Collin Murphy |
| 6 | 16L | Carli Lenz |
Consy
| Pos | Start Number | Competitor |
| 1 | 11S | Carter Stein |
| 2 | 17R | Ryder Robinson |
| 3 | 11E | Ethan Jensen |
| 4 | 02B | Casie Brabant |
| 5 | 71T | McKenna Turner |
| 6 | 125 | Kinsleigh Weber |
| 7 | 707 | Hunter Graham |
| 8 | 63R | Jase Riedner |
Last Chance
| Pos | Start Number | Competitor |
| 1 | 5S | Parker Searles |
| 2 | 17W | Teegan Wangsness |
| 3 | 22G | Chase Gronert |
| 4 | 10B | Emily Billings |
| 5 | 7J | Harley Johnson |
| 6 | 06B | Parker Bodendorfer |
| 7 | 0 | Lincoln Johnson |
| 8 | 11S | Carter Stein |
| 9 | 62O | Ace Oldenhoff |
| 10 | 60G | Chase Gottschalk |
| 11 | 17R | Ryder Robinson |
| 12 | 17L | Mason Lenz |
| 13 | 1L | Lukas Lichtenwalner |
| 14 | 61E | Paegan Ellingson |
Feature
| Pos | Start Number | Competitor |
| 1 | 901 | Alex Hartwig |
| 2 | 5C | Lincoln Cain |
| 3 | 52L | Avery Linnerud |
| 4 | 7R | Easton Riedner |
| 5 | 9M | Collin Murphy |
| 6 | 11W | Kaeden Wangsness |
| 7 | 29O | Axel Oldenhoff |
| 8 | 3S | Riley Smith |
| 9 | 16L | Carli Lenz |
| 10 | 22T | Bentley Thompson |
| 11 | 8J | Jayden Johnson |
| 12 | 08F | Haylee Flairty |
| 13 | 17W | Teegan Wangsness |
| 14 | 22G | Chase Gronert |
| 15 | 10B | Emily Billings |
| 16 | 5S | Parker Searles |
