Jasper Gronert Dominates Teez T’s 50
By Andrew Schaller
July 19, 2008; Jefferson WI — Jasper Gronert of Jefferson led every lap of the Teez T’s Designs 50 lap Late Model feature on his way to victory lane to claim his trophy. Starting alongside Allen Petrie, Gronert took control as they thundered down the backstretch of the opening lap with Scott Lindsay working on Petrie for second. The first of a pair of cautions in the event flew on lap three when Petrie experienced some mechanical problems and was forced to retire for the evening.
Lindsay was handed the second spot with Casey Johnson lining up in third. On the restart, Lindsay dove to the inside of Gronert in a bid for the lead, but Gronert reclaimed sole possession of the top spot a lap later. Lap 15 saw caution number two as Jerry Eckhart and Jason Erickson made contact in turns one and two, sending both to the rear for the restart. As the green returned, Lindsay again tried the inside of Gronert, but couldn’t make it stick as he fell back to second. As the halfway point approached, a very tight battle amongst several competitors ensued from third place on back. Johnson, Doug Hahn, Roger Behlke and Bob Kahler fought hard trying to gain an advantage, with Kahler eventually gaining control of the third position. But Gronert maintained his lead throughout it all on his way to the win. Following him across the stripe were Lindsay, Kahler, Johnson and Hahn.
Watertown’s Bret Schmidt gained control of the 30 lap Sportsman feature on his way to a convincing win in the event. Nick Balis and Ron Nelson paced the field as the green flag flew. Three cautions marred the beginning of the race with a multiple car melee the cause of the first yellow. The second caution was the effect of Balis and Nelson making contact and sending both to the back of the pack. When the race finally got going, it was Dick Reents out front with Ken Scott right behind for second. Scott didn’t waste much time getting by Dick Reents for the top spot with Tory Bagley following into second and Schmidt to third. On lap four, Bagley went to work on Scott, finally clearing for the lead three laps later and bringing Schmidt with him for second. Schmidt began to size up the leader, looking for his way around. On lap 12, Schmidt got to the inside of Bagley, pulling even with the leader. Schmidt cleared for first on lap 14 and never looked back as he cruised to the win. Bagley, Tom Reents, Scott and Dick Reents rounded out the top five.
Mark English of Janesville increased his point lead in the International division by claiming the 20 lap feature event. Brandon Pendleton took the early lead from the pole with fellow front row starter Peter Shelley pulling in behind for second. Shelley started to put heavy pressure on Pendleton for the top spot while English was making his way through the field. By lap 13, English was into the top five and up to fourth on lap 17 behind Ashley Smith. With two laps remaining, Pendleton slipped up the track in turn two, allowing Shelley to get inside him down the backstretch. The duo made heavy contact entering turn three, sending both around and essentially ending their night. This handed the lead to Smith with English lurking in second. As the green flew for the two lap shootout, English immediately slipped to the inside of Smith, clearing for the lead as they saw the white flag. English motored to the win with Smith in second. Rodney Mundt, Gary Stark and Joe Cross completed the top five.
Jim Tate of Watertown led most of the 25 lap Hobby Stock feature as he cruised to the win in the event. Brett Carson and Jamie Peck led the field to the drop of the green with Peck losing control into turn one and spinning to bring out the only caution of the race. The restart saw Carson and Joe Edwards lead the pack to green with Edwards gaining the advantage and Lincoln Keeser sliding into second. Keeser went right to work on Edwards with Jim Tate watching the battle from third. Edwards and Keeser fought side by side until Tate dove to the inside of both in turn four making a three wide battle for the lead. Tate and Keeser emerged door to door with Tate finally clearing for the top position on lap eight. Tate began to stretch his lead over the final laps while the battle for second heated up between Keeser, Steve Sauer and Jimmy Robinson. But Tate ran unchallenged to the win followed by Sauer, Robinson, Keeser and Kyle Stark.
In Bandit action, Chad Olds took over the lead halfway through the event on his way to the win in the 20 lap race. Waylin Willman took the initial lead with Heather Stark close by in second. Stark went past Willman on lap two to take over the top position. Tommy Pfeifer was making his way through the field with Olds in tow and into the top five by lap five. As Pfeifer approached the leaders, they drifted high allowing Olds to slip by into second. On lap nine, Olds went to the outside of Stark for the lead, but caution slowed the field and allowed Stark to retain the top spot. After the restart, Olds got to the inside of Stark and made the winning pass on lap 12. Olds pulled away as he drove to the checkers. Terry Ciano claimed second when Stark slipped back. He was followed by Tony Ciano, Jeff LeFave and Stark in the top five.
Next Saturday, July 26 is Miller Night at Jefferson Speedway. A full program in all divisions is on the schedule highlighted by the Miller Lite 50 lap Late Model feature. A visit by the Miller girls and guys as well as other attractions is also on the schedule. Plus, prior to the night’s action there is a pre race tailgate in the pavilion to celebrate Jefferson Speedway winning the 2008 Goodyear Stateline Challenge over Rockford Speedway. Festivities get underway at 5 pm. Time trials begin at 5:00 with racing at 7 pm sharp. For more information, please visit www.jeffersonspeedway.com .
Jefferson Speedway Race Summary
Late Model-
Teez T’s Designs 50 Lap Feature- 1) 22 Jasper Gronert, Jefferson 2) 29 Scott Lindsay, Dousman 3) 7 Bob Kahler, Belvidere, IL 4) 5 Casey Johnson, Stoughton 5) 99 Doug Hahn, Whitewater 6) 52 Steve Dobbratz, Rio 7) 44 Roger Behlke, Jefferson 8) 71 John Ovadal, Watertown 9) 94 Jason Erickson, Fort Atkinson 10) 33 Dylan Schuyler, Jefferson 11) 27 Ty James, Oconomowoc 12) 4 Chris Quam, Stoughton 13) 1 Jody Krueger, Edgerton 14) 61 Jerry Eckhart, Johnson Creek 15) 01 Bobbi Bishofberger, Fort Atkinson 16) 3 Chuck Duncan, Milwaukee 17) 19 Chad Reimer, Watertown 18) 12 Allen Petrie, Sun Prairie
Fast Qualifier- 94 Jason Erickson—14.382 seconds
Last Chance- 3 Chuck Duncan, 1 Jody Krueger, 27 Ty James, 01 Bobbi Bishofberger
Heat Winners- 1) 11 Trent Erdman 2) 4 Luke Padfield 3) 99 Doug Hahn
Sportsman-
Feature Results- 1) 20 Bret Schmidt, Watertown 2) 52 Tory Bagley, McFarland 3) 42 Tom Reents, Janesville 4) 39 Ken Scott, Rio 5) 41 Dick Reents, Portage 6) 22 Brady Lilly, Milton
Fast Qualifier- 20 Bret Schmidt—15.251 seconds
Last Chance- 20 Kody Hubred, 2 Craig Olver, 22 Brady Lilly, 82 Mike Acheson
Heat Winners- 1) 2 Craig Olver 2) 41 Dick Reents
International-
Feature Results- 1) 57 Mark English, Janesville 2) 05 Ashley Smith, Lake Mills 3) 21 Rodney Mundt, Lake Mills 4) 35 Gary Stark 5) 67 Joe Cross, Sun Prairie 6) 4 Steven Scheel, Lake Mills
Fast Qualifier- 57 Mark English—15.560 seconds
Last Chance- 95 Matt McKinney, 00 Scott Hoeft, 3 Shawn Gunsolas, 0 Keith Bell
Heat Winners- 1) 0 Keith Bell 2) 5 Peter Shelley
Hobby Stock-
Feature Results- 1) 27 Jim Tate, Watertown 2) 11 Steve Sauer, Waterloo 3) 33 Jimmy Robinson, Orfordville 4) 99 Lincoln Keeser, Johnson Creek 5) 92 Kyle Stark, Lake Mills 6) 9 Dustin Ward, Waterloo
Fast Qualifier- 21 Ben Monday—16.575 seconds
Last Chance- 07 Mike Mauer, 88 Roger Stephenson, 96 Tim Lange, 41 Nick Newton
Heat Winners- 1) 96 Tim Lange 2) 85 Joe Edwards 3) 92 Kyle Stark
Bandit-
Feature Results- 1) 89 Chad Olds 2) 66 Terry Ciano 3) 86 Tony Ciano 4) 81 Jeff LeFave 5) 93 Heather Stark 6) 90 Titus Helgestad
Fast Qualifier- 57 Tommy Pfeifer—14.351 seconds
Heat Winners- 1) 18 Scott Pauls 2) 57 Tommy Pfeifer