Olson Dominates Backhawk 50 at Jefferson Speedway!

By Larry & Jeanne Starr

Jefferson, Wis., July 20, 2002 — Gene Olson Jr. of Jefferson, led the WFAW Blackhawk 50, flag to flag, claiming top honors in the feature event. Starting from the outside of row 1, Olson took the point at the green flag and never looked back, as he guided the field to the checkered flag. As Olson led the way Dan Chesmore, the defending track champion, made his way from 10th to 2nd.

Chesmore was able to close in on Olson, but was unable to find his way to the lead. The race slowed for a singe caution, on lap 30, for a 2 car spin, in turn 1. Restarting, with Chesmore on his back bumper, Olson held off the challenge. At the stripe it was Olson for the win, followed by Chesmore, Mike Taylor, Eric Gerlach and Nick Wendt.

Olson, who has a Monday Race show on WFAW, has been trying to win this event for 15 years.

In International action Chris Quam of Stoughton made his way to the front of the 20 lap main event. Starting from the outside of row 5, Quam began his trek to the front, as Lucas Vinje pulled to the early lead. Vinje’s turn at the point lasted one lap, before Derrick Bettenhausen claimed the position. Catching Bettenhausen, on lap 9, Quam claimed the point on lap 10, showing the way to the finish. At the stripe it was Quam for the win, followed by Mark English, Bettenhausen, Aaron Rude and Mike Bingham.

In Sportsman division action James Helmer of Fox Lake notched his first feature win, in the 30 lap main event. Starting from the pole position, Helmer pulled ahead, building a huge lead on his way to the checkered flag. As Helmer guided the way, Mark Deporter made his way, for 7th, to the second spot, followed by Jason Thoma. At the stripe it was Helmer for the win, followed by Deporter, Thoma, Dave Oswald and Scott “Chico” Riedner.

In Hobby Stock action Bill Bush of Jefferson moved from 9th to the front, claiming top honors in the 20 lap feature. Eaan Carson took the point at the green flag, guiding the way, for 9 laps, while Bush batted his way through traffic. Moving past Paul Edmundson, for 2nd, on lap 5 Bush closed with Carson. Moving to the bottom, Bush pulled alongside Carson on lap 8, and claimed the lead on lap 9. Bush was first at the checkered flag, followed by Carson, Roger Stephenson, Dennis Schmidt and Gerald Chapman.

In Bandit action Tim Seitz of Edgerton made his way to the top spot in the 15 lap feature. Starting from the outside of row 3, Seitz headed for the front, as Mark Sweitzer claimed the early lead. Closing with Sweitzer on lap 2, Seitz claimed the lead on lap 4. At the finish it was Seitz followed by Peter Shelley, Brandon Riedner, Bill Reynolds and Troy Olson.
Races, in all division except the Bandits, were lined up by point standings, due to rain delays. The bandits were the first, and only, division to complete time trials.

Rounding out the nights action was the roll over contest, won by Roy Pfeifer Jr. of Jefferson.

Next week Jefferson Speedway hosts the Stockade Restaurant Twin 35 lap Late Model features. The night will finish with a special edition of the Bubble Gauntlet, with a group of women drivers taking out the track announcer.

Gates open at 3:00, qualifying at 5:00 and racing at 7:00 sharp. Jefferson Speedway is half way between Cambridge and Jefferson Wisconsin, on Highway 18.

Jefferson Speedway – Date: July 20, 2002- WFAW Blackhawk 50 & Rollover Contest

Note: All divisions, except Bandit, lined up by points, due to weather delay.

Late Model Feature Finish:

Laps:

50

1.

37 Gene Olson Jr. (Jefferson)

11.

44 Roger Behlke (Jefferson)

2.

27 Dan Chesmore (Janesville)

12.

16 Luke Westenberg (Palmyra)

3.

41 Mike Taylor (Stoughton)

13.

68 Ken Olson (Ft. Atkinson)

4.

55 Eric Gerlach (Palmyra)

14.

18 Andy Wendt (Watertown)

5.

94 Nick Wendt (Jefferson)

15.

11 Beau Sanden (Janesville)

6.

14 Scott Nottestad (Stoughton)

16.

2 Tom Dorn (Ft. Atkinson)

7.

76 Ron Bishofberger (Ft. Atkinson)

17.

8 Jesse Saunders (New Glarus)

8.

52 Steve Dobbratz (Rio)

18.

22 Jasper Gronert (Jefferson)

9.

75 Mike Beyer (Machesney Pk IL)

19.

2 Matt Frey (Cambridge)

10.

1 Jason Erickson (Cambridge)

20.

99 Doug Hahn (Whitewater)

FAST DASH: 8 Lap : 14 Scott Nottestad (Stoughton)
CONSI: 12 Lap : 3 Joe Wendorf (Jefferson), 11 Russ Goodwin (Beloit)
LAST CHANCE: 20 Lap : 16 Luke Westenberg (Palmyra), 75 Mike Beyer (Machesney PK IL), 99 Doug Hahn (Whitewater), 8 Jesse Saunders (New Glarus), 2 Matt Frey (Cambridge), Tom Dorn (Ft. Atkinson)

Heats: 10 lap: 1) 13 Ed Wolff III (Clyman) 2) 41 Mike Taylor (Stoughton) 3) 11 Russ Goodwin (Beloit)

International Feature:

Laps:

20

1.

4 Chris Quam (Stoughton)

4.

9 Aaron Rude (Cambridge)

2.

57 Mark English (Janesville)

5.

17 Mike Bingham (Jefferson)

3.

10 Derrick Bettenhausen (Cambridge)

6.

00 Scotty Hoeft (Watertown)

FAST DASH: 6 Lap : 84 Steve Drays (Milton)
Heats: 10 lap: 1) 00 Scott Hoeft (Watertown) 2) 84 Steve Drays (Milton)

Sportsman Feature:

Laps:

30

1.

7 James Helmer (Fox Lake) (First Win)

4.

31 Dave Oswald (Cottage Grove)

2.

28 Mark Deporter (Ft. Atkinson)

5.

26 Scott “Chico” Riedner (Waunakee)

3.

95 Jason Thoma (Jefferson)

6.

27 Bobby Stough Jr. (Waunakee)

FAST DASH: 6 Lap : 95 Jason Thoma (Jefferson)
LAST CHANCE: 15 Lap : 31 Dave Oswald (Cottage Grove), 4 Luke Padfield (Jefferson), 14 Kyle Taylor (Stoughton), 82 Mike Acheson (Watertown), 1 Pete Olsen (Ft. Atkinson)
Heats: 10 lap: 1) 80 Brian Eels (Janesville) 2) 57 Jason Ayers (Stoughton) 3) 37 Nick Berge (Janesville)

Hobby Stock Feature:

Laps:

20

1.

17 Bill Bush (Jefferson)

4.

19 Dennis Schmidt (Johnson Creek)

2.

2 Eaan Carson (Whitewater)

5.

7 Gerald Chapman (Juneau)

3.

88 Roger Stephenson (Cambridge)

6.

00 Paul Edmundson (Whitewater)

FAST DASH: 6 Lap : J10 Jim Williams (Milton)
LAST CHANCE: 12 Lap : 29 Mike Manley (Ft. Atkinson), 80 Mike Meyers (Orfordville), 33 Jim Robinson (Orfordville), 27 Jim Tate (Watertown), 44 Jesse Ayers (Stoughton), 01 Justin Bowey (Sullivan)
Heats: 8 lap: 1) 29 Mike Manley (Ft. Atkinson) 2) 44 Jesse Ayers (Stoughton) 3) 33 Jim Robinson (Orfordville)

Bandit Feature:

Laps:

15

1.

57 Tim Seitz (Edgerton)

4.

38 Bill Reynolds (Watertown)

2.

5 Peter Shelly (Edgerton)

5.

11 Troy Olson (Janesville)

3.

4D Brandon Riedner (Waunakee)

6.

42 Bill Sweeney (Janesville)

FAST QUALIFIER : 42 Bill Sweeney (Janesville): 15.630 seconds
FAST DASH: 6 Lap : 12 Allen Petrie (Sun Prairie)
LAST CHANCE: 12 Lap : 41 Brian Paulson (Edgerton), 98 Tina Harold (Watertown), 7 Joe Moyers (Machesney PK IL), 67 Joe Cross (Sun Prairie)
Heats: 8 lap: 1) 20 Rikki Bishofberger (Ft. Atkinson) 2) 57 Tim Seitz (Edgerton)

Rollover Contest: Roy Pfeifer Jr. (Jefferson)