Nottestad Nails Down Big Weekend

by Andrew Schaller
JEFFERSON, WI (Saturday, September 15, 2012) If there was a trophy waiting in victory lane following a Big 8 Series Late Model race during the two day Wisconsin State Championships at Jefferson Speedway, the safe bet was that Dale Nottestad would be taking it home. The Cambridge pilot claimed four trophies during the program including the one naming him the 2012 overall champion of the 32nd annual event. That was just part of the great racing action over the past weekend at the speedway which also included the return of the Mid American Stock Car Series for the first time since 1995.

The first of twin 75 lap Late Model features started and ended with Nottestad at the front of the field. Along with Shaun Scheel, Nottestad brought the 24 car field to green to begin the action. Scheel held the advantage on lap one with Nottestad still flanking his inside. Nottestad drew back to even on lap three as they raced wheel to wheel for the top spot. On lap eight, Nottestad surged into the lead, clearing completely a lap later as Scheel fell back to second and 2012 track champion Casey Johnson running in third. The top three began to separate themselves from the rest of the pack as Chris Quam moved into fourth. The leaders began to spread apart from one another as they raced through heavy lapped traffic. The caution free racing ended on lap 51 for debris, closing the leaders back together for the final 24 circuits. The top five remained the same through the next 17 laps when Kyle Jarlsberg and Steve Dobbratz slid through turn three and into the outside wall collecting Alex Papini, Jesse Bernhagen and Ryan Carlson in the process. After racing resumed, Nottestad continued to show the way as the leaders ran nose to tail through on more caution until the checkers flew. At the stripe to complete the first 75 lapper, it was Nottestad with the win followed by Scheel, Johnson, Quam and Kyle Shear.

The second 75 lap Late Model feature started with Dylan Schuyler and Doug Hahn on the front row following the inversion of the first main event. Schuyler grabbed control right away with Hahn back to second. An early caution on lap four appeared following a melee on the back stretch with Chris Quam getting the worst of the wreckage to end his evening. As racing resumed, it was Schuyler out front followed by Hahn in second, Zack Riddle in third and Jason Erickson in fourth while Casey Johnson and Dale Nottestad battled for fifth. Nottestad claimed the position on lap 21, putting him in position to claim the overall title. Schuyler’s lead continued to grow while Riddle began to pressure Hahn for second. Riddle claimed the runner up position just before the final caution of the race waved on lap 46 for a stalled Jerry Eckhardt in turn one. Riddle began to apply heavy pressure to Schuyler as the racing got back underway with Hahn and Erickson battling for third. Lap after lap, Riddle got a good run to the inside of the leader as they raced into turn one. But Schuyler kept Riddle at bay each time to hold the slight advantage at the stripe. Erickson made his way past Hahn for third with Nottestad following into fourth, all while the battle raged at the front of the field for the lead. With two laps remaining, Riddle and Schuyler made slight contact as they flew down the backstretch resulting in Riddle sliding to the grass. Schuyler powered off the get the win while Riddle recovered to stay in the top five. Erickson finished in second with Nottestad, Hahn and Riddle rounding out the top five. With combined finishes of first and third, Nottestad claimed the crown as 2012 Wisconsin State Champion. Nottestad also picked up wins on Friday night in the preview feature as well as the race of champions.

The Mid American Stock Car Series made it’s return to Jefferson Speedway with only one starter in the field as a previous competitor in the division the last time it visited Wisconsin’s Action Track. Rick Tackman and Jack Stern led the field to green with Stern grabbing the early lead. On lap two, Tackman fired back to the inside of Stern with Frank Slabenek joining the fight for the lead. Slabenek emerged with the top spot on lap two just before the first of five cautions waved over the event. As racing resumed, five time champion James Swan powered to the outside of Stern to move into third. Swan picked up one more spot on lap 12 as he passed Tackman for second before the third caution on lap 13. Once the green waved again, Slabenek and Swan pulled away from the rest of the field as Swan began to size up the leader. Swan continued to apply heavy pressure on Slabenek, finally getting a run to the inside of the leader on lap 27. The two drivers battle side by side until another caution on lap 29. Swan was scored the leader allowing him to restart on the point for the final 21 laps. Swan was never seriously challenged over the final circuits as he cruised to the checkers for the win. Slabanek was second followed by Jacob Finney, Ryan Gutknecht and Lyle Nowak.

In Sportsman action, it was Jason Thoma of Jefferson claiming the overall title with Tory Bagley and Mike Heelein getting wins in each of the twin 35 lap features. In feature number one, Bagley took the early lead from fellow front row starter on lap two. Randy Breunig followed into second as he began to challenge Bagley for the top spot. Breunig drove to the low side of Bagley on lap three, drawing even a lap later as they raced side by side with Thoma watching from third. Breunig continued to inch forward, finally claiming sole possession of the lead on lap 13. Breunig immediately began to pull away while Bagley tried to hold off Thoma for second. The caution free event saw Breunig cross under the checkers first, but following post race inspection, the win was awarded to Bagley with Thoma, Mark Deporter and Jim Tate Jr completing the top five.

In the second 35 lapper, Mike Heelein and Kurt Kleven paced the field to kick things off. After a side by side battle, Heelein took the initial lead on lap two with Kyle Chwala driving into second. Chwala quickly moved under Heelein for the lead on lap eight as Heelein fought to hang on. A caution on lap 14 slowed the field, and as racing resumed, it was Chwala and Heelein beginning to separate from the rest of the field while Steven Sauer and Seth Lootans battled for third. On lap 25, Heelein got a great run entering turn one as he powered alongside Chwala for the lead. A lap later, Heelein was back out front as Chwala tried to fight back. Heelein moved out in complete command of the race as Chwala settled into second. At the checkers, it was Heelein for the win followed by Chwala, Sauer, Jim Tate Jr and Jason Thoma. Thoma combined finishes of second and fifth to claim the overall championship.

Kyle Stark of Waterloo picked up the win in the 40 lap International feature event. Seth Reamer took the early lead from the pole on lap one with Matt McKinney trying to follow into second. McKinney grabbed second and pulled up to challenge Reamer for the lead with Chris Chenoweth running in third. Gary Stark joined Chenoweth as they duo watched the fight for the lead. Stark decided to make it a three way battle for first as he dropped to the inside. Stark emerged with the lead on lap 12 with McKinney in second. Casey Strese moved into second on lap 16 as Kyle Stark entered the top five. Stark was up to third by lap 19 as he slid past Strese for second and set his sights on his brother, Gary, on the point. Kyle Stark ran down Gary, moving to his outside on lap 26. Kyle cleared for the top spot on lap 28 as he drove out to a healthy advantage. At the checkers, it was Kyle Stark for the win with Gary Stark finishing second. Rounding out the top five were Strese, Chenoweth and Reamer.

Bobbly Selsing Jr of Edgerton charged to the front of the 30 lap Hobby Stock feature and drove off the get the win. Brett Carson led lap one with Jason Deppe right behind in second. Deppe quickly motored to the inside of Carson to take away the top spot on lap three with Wayne Buchs in tow for second. Jimmy Robinson followed into third while James Helmer and Selsing battled for fourth. The sole caution of the race appeared on lap 12. Under the yellow, it was determined the Robinson was leaking fluid forcing him to retire from the event. Deppe brought the pack back to green with Buchs in second and Selsing up to third. Selsing moved around the outside of Buchs for second on the restart as he set his sights on Deppe out front. Selsing charged into the outside groove as he pulled alongside Deppe. Selsing cleared for the lead on lap 18 as he began to pull away from the rest of the field. Helmer and Tony Ciano followed past Deppe as they opened a battle for second. But Selsing was already well on his way to picking up the win. Ciano nipped Helmer at the line for second. Deppe finished fourth with Jim Tate Jr coming home in fifth.

Edgerton’s Bill Sweeney got to the front of the 25 lap Road Warrior feature and never looked back on his way to the win. Matt McKinney led lap one Chad Olds and Chester Williams fighting for second. Travis Schneeberg joined the battle for the runner up spot on lap four as he moved past into second. Schneeberg continued to march forward as he drove past McKinney into the lead on lap six. Sweeney followed through every hole the Schneeberg opened up as he pulled up behind the new leader on lap eight. A lap later, Sweeney got by Schneeberg and immediately began to stretch his advantage. Schneeberg tried to stay close, but Sweeney was never seriously challenged. At the checkers, it was Sweeney for the win followed by Schneeberg, Tim Ellis, Bill Reynolds and Williams.

Waterloo’s Kyle Stark became the first driver to claim Wisconsin State Championships in more than one division in the same season with his overall title in the Bandit division combined with his International title. Track champion Phil Wuesthoff picked up the win in the first of twin 20 lap features for the Bandits. Keith Erickson took the early lead on lap one with Josh Lenz running in second. After two quick cautions, Wuesthoff moved around Lenz for second with Stark moving into the top five. Erickson continued to show the way until the caution waved on lap 15. Under the yellow, Erickson experienced a flat right rear tire forcing him to the pit area and handing the lead over to Wuesthoff with Stark right behind in second. Wuesthoff held off Stark’s advances over the final five laps to get the win. Lenz finished third followed by Tom Schuette and Taylor Schmude.

In feature number two, Scott Dixon took the early lead with Dave Schmidt falling to second. Gary Stark joined the two leaders as the top three opened up a large lead over the pack. After back to back cautions on laps eight and nine, Dixon and Schmidt opened a battle for the top spot as the two drivers traded paint several time. Schmidt made the final pass to cross the stripe first with Dixon close behind. Following post race inspection, Schmidt was forced to vacate his position handing the win to Dixon. Rounding out the top five were Gary Stark, Josh Marx, Cody Weisensel and Kyle Stark. As mentioned, Kyle Stark claimed the overall championship with finishes of second and fifth.

This concludes the 2012 racing season at Wisconsin’s Action Track. The track owners, staff and race teams would like to thanks all the sponsors and fans for another great season of racing. We look forward to seeing you all again in 2013. Please visit www.jeffersonspeedway.com for all the information regarding the speedway.

32nd Annual Wisconsin State Championships Race Summary

Big 8 Series Late Models-

Overall — 1. Dale Nottestad, Cambridge, Wis; 2. Shaun Scheel, Lake Mills, Wis; 3. Jason Erickson, Fort Atkinson, Wis; 4. Zack Riddle, Cottage Grove, Wis; 5. Casey Johnson, Stoughton, Wis; 6. Dylan Schuyler, Jefferson, Wis; 7. Doug Hahn, Whitewater, Wis; 8. Kyle Shear, Roscoe; 9. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 10. Trent Erdmann;; 11. Jeremy Miller, Rockton; 12. Chris Quam, Stoughton, Wis; 13. Danny Church (r), Big Bend, Wis; 14. Brady Liddle, Oregon, Wis; 15. Mike Ehde, Prairie du Chien, Wis; 16. Jerry Eckhardt, Johnson Creek, Wis; 17. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 18. Jesse Bernhagen (r), Markesan, Wis; 19. Jacob Vanoskey, Hartford, Wis; 20. Alex Papini, Machesney Park; 21. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 22. Steve Dobbratz, Rio, Wis; 23. Kyle Jarlsberg, Jefferson, Wis; 24.Don Gaserude, Fort Atkinson, Wis.

Feature #1 — 1. Dale Nottestad, Cambridge, Wis; 2. Shaun Scheel, Lake Mills, Wis; 3. Casey Johnson, Stoughton, Wis; 4. Chris Quam, Stoughton, Wis; 5. Kyle Shear, Roscoe; 6. Zack Riddle, Cottage Grove, Wis; 7. Jason Erickson, Fort Atkinson, Wis; 8. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 9. Doug Hahn, Whitewater, Wis; 10. Dylan Schuyler, Jefferson, Wis; 11. Jerry Eckhardt, Johnson Creek, Wis; 12. Trent Erdmann;; 13. Mike Ehde, Prairie du Chien, Wis; 14. Jacob Vanoskey, Hartford, Wis; 15. Brady Liddle, Oregon, Wis; 16. Jeremy Miller, Rockton; 17. Danny Church (r), Big Bend, Wis; 18. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 19. Alex Papini, Machesney Park; 20. Steve Dobbratz, Rio, Wis; 21. Kyle Jarlsberg, Jefferson, Wis; 22. Jesse Bernhagen (r), Markesan, Wis; 23. Don Gaserude, Fort Atkinson, Wis; 24. Matt Berger, Loves Park

Feature #2 — 1. Dylan Schuyler, Jefferson, Wis; 2. Jason Erickson, Fort Atkinson, Wis; 3. Dale Nottestad, Cambridge, Wis; 4. Doug Hahn, Whitewater, Wis; 5. Zack Riddle, Cottage Grove, Wis; 6. Shaun Scheel, Lake Mills, Wis; 7. Jeremy Miller, Rockton; 8. Casey Johnson, Stoughton, Wis; 9. Trent Erdmann;; 10. Kyle Shear, Roscoe; 11. Brady Liddle, Oregon, Wis; 12. Jesse Bernhagen (r), Markesan, Wis; 13. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 14. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 15. Mike Ehde, Prairie du Chien, Wis; 16. Danny Church (r), Big Bend, Wis; 17. Matt Berger, Loves Park; 18. Jerry Eckhardt, Johnson Creek, Wis; 19. Alex Papini, Machesney Park; 20. Chris Quam, Stoughton, Wis; 21. Jacob Vanoskey, Hartford, Wis; 22. Don Gaserude, Fort Atkinson, Wis

Last Chance #1 — 1. Don Gaserude, Fort Atkinson, Wis; 2. Dylan Schuyler, Jefferson, Wis; 3. Stephen Scheel, Lake Mills, Wis; 4. Bruce Lee, Cambridge, Wis; 5. Tim Lange (r), Dousman, Wis; 6. Russell Grossen, Brooklyn, Wis; 7. Andy Brinkman;; 8. Gary Krueger, Edgerton, Wis; 9. Rich Hinerichsen, Machesney Park; 10. Lincoln Keeser, Johnson Creek, Wis; 11. Rob Summers, Lake Geneva, Wis; 12. Scott Lindsay, Dousman, Wis; 13. Ryan Carlson,

Last Chance #2 — 1. Doug Hahn, Whitewater, Wis; 2. Danny Church (r), Big Bend, Wis; 3. Jerry Eckhardt, Johnson Creek, Wis; 4. Craig Phillips;; 5. Jacob Gille, Machesney Park; 6. Kyle Smith, Lake Mills, Wis; 7. Nick Wendt, Watertwon, Wis; 8. Casey Strese, Johnson Creek, Wis; 9. Jody Krueger, Edgerton, Wis; 10. Mike Taylor, Stoughton, Wis; 11. Troy Yohn, Waterloo, Wis; 12. Dave Edwards, Salem, Wis; 13. Eric Connell, Fort Atkinson

Mid American Stock Car Series-

Feature Results- 1) James Swan 2) Frank Slabenek 3) Jacob Finney 4) Ryan Gutknecht 5) Lyle Nowak 6) Jeremy Spoonmore 7) Brad Keith 8) Rick Tackman 9) Travis Rodewald 10) Tom McClintock 11) Scott Null 12) Ryan Farrell 13) Denny Norton 14) Jeremy Tess 15) Rick Corso 16) Jack Stern 17) Brian Holtz 18) Butch Mierendorf

Sportsman-

Overall- 1) Jason Thoma, Jefferson 2) Jim Tate Jr, Deforest 3) Steven Sauer, Waterloo 4) Mark Deporter, Fort Atkinson 5) Tory Bagley, Stoughton

Feature #1- 1) Tory Bagley, Stoughton 2) Jason Thoma, Jefferson 3) Mark Deporter, Fort Atkinson 4) Jim Tate Jr, Deforest 5) Steven Sauer, Waterloo 6) Jeff Schultz, Elkhorn 7) Will Rece, Stoughton 8) Brady Lilly, Milton 9) Seth Lootans, Kenosha 10) Kyle Chwala, Lake Mills 11) Johnny Robinson, Beloit 12) Mike Heelein, Evansville 13) Kurt Kleven, Cambridge 14) Doug Bennett, Brodhead 15) Kody Hubred, Cambridge 16) Jeff Nowak, Wausau 17) Mike Winters, Sun Prairie 18) Terry Wangsness, Jefferson 19) Tommy Wutke, Stoughton 20) Joe DeCubellis, Twin Lakes 21) Ken Scott, Rio 22) Randy Breunig, Columbus

Feature #2- 1) Mike Heelein, Evansville 2) Kyle Chwala, Lake Mills 3) Steven Sauer, Waterloo 4) Jim Tate Jr, Deforest 5) Jason Thoma, Jefferson 6) Mark Deporter, Fort Atkinson 7) Seth Lootans, Kenosha 8) Brady Lilly, Milton 9) Tory Bagley, Stoughton 10) Kurt Kleven, Cambridge 11) Kody Hubred, Cambridge 12) Will Rece, Stoughton 13) Jeff Schultz, Elkhorn 14) Johnny Robinson, Beloit 15) Jeff Nowak, Wausau 16) Terry Wangsness, Jefferson 17) Mike Winters, Sun Prairie 18) Joe DeCubellis, Twin Lakes 19) Doug Bennett, Brodhead 20) Tommy Wutke, Stoughton 21) Ken Scott, Rio 22) Randy Breunig, Columbus

Last Chance- Kurt Kleven, Mike Heelein, Tommy Wutke, Terry Wangsness, Joe DeCubellis, Ken Scott

International-

Feature- 1) Kyle Stark, Waterloo 2) Gary Stark, Sun Prairie 3) Casey Strese, Jefferson 4) Chris Chenoweth, Watertown 5) Seth Reamer, Marshall 6) James Bell, Janesville 7) Mark English, Edgerton 8) John Handeland, Belleville 9) Mike Lambert, Madison 10) Matt McKinney, Fort Atkinson 11) Bryan Ellis, Loves Park (IL) 12) Neil Higgins, Watertown 13) Joe Cross, Sun Prairie 14) Tim Bristol, Sun Prairie 15) Michael Heimann, Waunakee 16) Peter Shelley, Edgerton 17) Dylan Buckingham, Whitewater 18) Devon Dixon, Janesville 19) Mike Storkson, Evansville

Hobby Stock-

Feature- 1) Bobby Selsing Jr, Edgerton 2) Tony Ciano, Janesville 3) James Helmer, Beaver Dam 4) Jason Deppe, Waterloo 5) Jim Tate Jr, Deforest 6) Dustin Ward, Waterloo 7) Wayne Buchs, Mazomanie 8) Kenny Au, Jefferson 9) Jeff LeFave, Fort Atkinson 10) Jim Wolf, Watertown 11) Brett Carson, Fort Atkinson 12) Dale Werner, Jefferson 13) Chris Matz, Jefferson 15) Jimmy Robinson, Orfordville 16) Jared Vike, Columbus

Road Warrior-

Feature- 1) Bill Sweeney, Edgerton 2) Travis Schneeberg, Cottage Grove 3) Tim Ellis, S.Beloit (IL) 4) Bill Reynolds, Watertown 5) Chester Williams, Waukesha 6) Rodger Stephenson, Cambridge 7) Chad Olds, Whitewater 8) Dan Birkett, Jefferson 9) Keith Erickson, Columbus 10) Jordan Lamb, Fort Atkinson 11) David Segen, 12) Matt McKinney, Fort Atkinson

Bandit-

Feature #1- 1) Phil Wuesthoff, Beaver Dam 2) Kyle Stark, Waterloo 3) Josh Lenz, Lake Mills 4) Tom Schuette, Fort Atkinson 5) Taylor Schmude, Cambridge 6) Robby Robinson, Orfordville 7) Josh Marx, Jefferson 8) Mike Raskovic, New Glarus 9) Michelle Kriigel, Sun Prairie 10) Cody Weisensel, Sun Prairie 11) Gary Stark, Sun Prairie 12) Brandon DeLacy, Fort Atkinson 13) Scott Dixon, Janesville 14) Brian Stark, Waterloo 15) Nick Schmidt, Oak Creek 16) Chase Munns, Jefferson 17) Jeremy Monday, Columbus 18) Tiffany Desjarlais, Columbus 19) Merek Pankow, Jefferson 20) Keith Erickson, Columbus 21) Cory Jansen, Lake Geneva 22) Dave Schmidt, Cudahy

Feature #2- 1) Scott Dixon, Janesville 2) Gary Stark, Sun Prairie 3) Josh Marx, Jefferson 4) Cody Weisensel, Sun Prairie 5) Kyle Stark, Waterloo 6) Robby Robinson, Orfordville 7) Nick Schmidt, Oak Creek 8) Phil Wuesthoff, Beaver Dam 9) Tom Schuette, Fort Atkinson 10) Mike Raskovic, New Glarus 11) Merek Pankow, Jefferson 12) Chase Munns, Jefferson 13) Brandon DeLacy, Fort Atkinson 14) Tiffany Desjarlais, Columbus 15) Michelle Kriigel, Sun Prairie 16) Jeremy Monday, Columbus 17) Brian Stark, Waterloo 18) Josh Lenz, Lake Mills 19) Taylor Schmude, Cambridge 20) Dave Schmidt, Cudahy