Noble Wins Late Model 50 Lapper at Jefferson Speedway

By Larry Starr

August 20, 2005; Jefferson WI — Tim Noble of Janesville claimed top honors in the “Big Mike’s Home & Barn Improvement 50,” 50 lap Late Model feature. Starting inside row 5 Noble began his trek to the checkers as Mike Taylor took the early lead.

Taylor led the way for 25 laps, with Jerry Eckhardt battling from the 2nd spot. Moving to the inside, on lap 25, Eckhardt claimed the point on lap 26. The first caution came, on lap 28, when Chris Quam’s car crashed into the wall, in turns 3 and 4, erupting in flames. Quam emerged uninjured, while the flames were extinguished and fuel cleaned from the racing surface. Eckhardt led the restart opening a strong lead as Noble battled forward from 6th. Noble moved under Taylor, for 2nd, on lap 36, looking far ahead to Eckhardt.

Eckhardt’s lead evaporated on lap 39, when the battle for 3rd ended in a spin in turn 2, bringing out the final caution of the race. On the restart Noble moved to the inside in turn 1, claiming the point as he drove out of turn 2. Jason Erickson cleared Eckhardt on the next lap, closing with Noble. The pair battled all the way to the finish where Noble had the advantage, by a fender over Erickson. Rounding out the top 5 were Eckhardt, Roger Behlke and Chris Koepke.

It was an emotional win for Noble, who was running #50 on his car this week, in honor of Badger Midget driver Kevin Doty, who passed away this week due to injuries received last Sunday at Angel Park Speedway. Drivers had “passed the helmet,” earlier in the evening, collecting over $1,800, for the “Kevin Doty Memorial Fund.”

In International class Mark English of Janesville won the 15 lap feature. Starting outside row 4, English made his way to 2nd on lap 3 and claimed the lead on lap 4. At the stripe it was English for the win followed by Chris Nelson, Scotty Hoeft, Chris Gottschalk and Brandon Kozak.

In Sportsman division action Luke Padfield of Jefferson held off the, hard charging, Mark DePorter to claim victory in the 30 lap feature. Starting outside row 3, Padfield headed for the front as Cliff Rucks drove to the early lead. Rucks led the way for 11 laps, with Padfield making his way to 2nd on lap 9. Padfield motored past Rucks, on lap 12, with DePorter close behind. Caution came on lap 13, for a stalled car in turn 1. Padfield led the restart, with DePorter challenging. Jason Thoma claimed 3rd, on lap 14, closing with DePorter. Soon it was a 3 way battle for the lead, with Padfield holding the advantage. Yellow came again, on lap 20, for a spin in turn 4. DePorter looked constantly for the way to the front, but Padfield was up to the challenge. At the finish it was Padfield for the win followed by DePorter, Thoma, Dave Oswald and Curt Thompson.

In Hobby Stock action Alan Dorn of Waterloo claimed top honors in the 20 lap main event. Starting outside row 2, Dorn watched Nick Newton grab the early lead. Dorn motored past Newton, on lap 2, to claim the point, showing the way from there to the checkers. At the stripe it was Dorn for the win followed by Pete Elgas, Dennis Schmidt, Jim Williams and Jim Robinson.

In Bandit action Bobby Selsing Jr. of Ft. Atkinson was victorious in the 20 lap feature. Starting outside row 2, Selsing motored past Casey Johnson, the early leader, claiming the point on lap 2. As Selsing showed the way to the checkered flag, Jody Krueger battled from the 2nd spot. Krueger was able to pull even, many times, but was never able to complete the pass. As they flashed past the checkered flag it was Selsing for the win, followed by Krueger, Shaun Scheel, Ryan Hart and Brandon Riedner.

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
08/20/2005 Big Mikes and Q106
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Late Model Division Feature Finish
1) 50 Tim Noble (Janesville) 2) 94 Jason Erickson (Lake Mills)
3) 61 Jerry Eckhardt (Johnson Creek) 4) 44 Roger Behlke
5) 23 Chris Koepke (Jefferson) 6) 22 Jasper Gronert (Ft. Atkinson)
7) 6 George Bohn 8) 00 Paul Kisow
9) 6 Ken Piotrowski (Janesville) 10) 52 Steve Dobbratz (Rio)
11) 2 Matt Frey 12) 32 Tony Koepke (Fort Atkinson)
13) 20 Bret Schmidt (watertown) 14) 41 Mike Taylor (Stoughton)
15) 33 Dylan Schuyler 16) 11 Tim Petrie (Whitewater)
17) 12 Greg Bowers (Waterloo) 18) 16 Luke Westenberg (Watertown)
19) 0 Scott Hatton 20) 4 Chris Quam (Stoughton)
Fast Qualifier: 50 Tim Noble (Janesville) : 14.387 seconds
Fast Dash: 52 Steve Dobbratz (Rio)
Heats: Qual1) 00 Paul Kisow

International Division Feature Finish
1) 57 Mark English 2) 73 Chris Nelson (Cottage Grove)
3) 00 Scotty Hoeft (Watertown) 4) 61 Chris Gottschalk (Jefferson)
5) 2 Brandon Kozak (Whitewater) 6) 97 Chris Chenoweth (Watertown)
Fast Qualifier: 57 Mark English : 16.693 seconds
Fast Dash: 57 Mark English
Heats: Qual1) 61 Chris Gottschalk

Sportsman Division Feature Finish
1) 4 Luke Padfield (Jeffersonm) 2) 28 Mark DePorter (Fort Atkinson)
3) 42 Jason Thoma 4) 31 David Oswald (Cottage Grove)
5) 3 Curt Thompson (Fort Atkinson) 6) 27 Jay Kalbus (Watertown)
Fast Qualifier: 42 Jason Thoma : 15.217 seconds
Fast Dash: 28 Mark DePorter (Fort Atkinson)
Heats: Qual1) 87 Ed Jackson

Hobby Stock Division Feature Finish
1) 96 Alan Dorn (Waterloo) 2) 52 Pete Elgas (Janesville)
3) 19 Dennis Schmidt (Johnson Creek) 5) J10 Jim Williams (Milton)
6) 33 Jim Robinson (Orfordville) 7) 99 Lincoln Keeser (Whitewater)
Fast Qualifier: 2 Eaan Carson : 16.612 seconds
Fast Dash: 44 Jesse Ayers (Stoughton)
LastChance: 88 William Stephenson, 2 John Orr, 6 Dale Warner, 5 Jon Ira Bue
Heats: Qual1) 33 Jim Robinson, qual2) 96 Tim Lange

Bandit Division Feature Finish
1) 42 Bobby Selsing Jr (Fort Atkinso 2) Z28 Jody Krueger (Edgerton)
3) 8 Shaun Scheel (Johnson Creek) 4) 3 Ryan Hart
5) 4D Brandon Riedner (Waunakee) 6) 92 Kyle Stark (Waterloo)
Fast Qualifier: 98 Tom Bleecker (Watertown) : 14.821 seconds
Fast Dash: 98 Tom Bleecker (Watertown)
Consi: 81 Jeff LaFave, 53 Dennis Johnson
LastChance: 27 James Bell, 92 Marc W. Balis, 77 Sean Watters, 7 Kyle Watters
PreQual: 4 Steve Fulwiler, 21 Craig Knapp
Heats: Qual1) 32 Cody Strese, qual2) 42 Bobby Selsing Jr