Ovadal Continues His Winning Ways at Jefferson Speedway

by Larry & Jeanne Starr

July 29, 2006; Jefferson WI – John Ovadal Jr of Watertown returned to Victory Lane, claiming top honors in the “Maui Wowi” 50 lap Late Model feature. Starting 8th Ovadal started his drive to the front at Jasper Gronert took the early lead. Caution came on lap 2, for a spin in turn 2.

Gronert led the restart with Ovadal already up to the 4th spot. Gronert showed the way for 13 laps, as Ovadal made his way to through traffic. Ovadal motored under Curt Thompson, for 3rd, on lap 7 and claimed 2nd from Luke Westenberg on lap 8. Moving under Gronert on lap 11, Ovadal made his bid for the top spot.

Gronert fought hard on the outside but, after a 3 lap battle, succumbed to Ovadals’ charge. From there it was Ovadal pulling ahead on his way to another Checkered flag. The race slowed, on lap 29, for a spin on the back stretch. At the stripe it was Ovadal, by a quarter lap over Gronert. Rounding out the top 5 were Westenberg, Thompson and Dylan Schuyler.

In Sportsman action Jay Kalbus of Watertown claimed top honors in the 30 lap feature. Starting inside row 5 Kalbus headed toward the point, as Terry Wangsness drove to the early lead. By the 10th circuit Trent Erdman was working the inside or Wangsness, making a bid for the lead, and Kalbus was up to the 3rd spot, looking for an opening.

Erdman slipped back a bit, on lap 11, with Kalbus moving under Wangsness to challenge for the top spot. Kalbus pulled ahead on lap 12, showing the field from there to the checkers. At the finish it was Kalbus for the win, followed by Dave Oswald, Scott “Chico” Riedner, Mark DePorter and Erdman.

In International action Chris Chenoweth of Watertown notched the win, in the 20 lap main event. Starting outside row 4, Chenoweth began his trek to the checkers as Dan Munns drove to the early lead. Caution came on lap 8, for a spin in turn 3, closing the field for the restart, with Chenoweth running 2nd to Munns. Moving to the inside, Chenoweth made the winning pass on lap 10, with Scotty Hoeft close behind for the 2nd spot. As the checkered flag flew it was Chenoweth for the win followed by Casey Strese, Hoeft, Joe Cross and Mark Joyner.

In Hobby Stock action Ken Au of Jefferson claimed top honors in the 20 lap main event. Starting outside row 6, Au started the long drive to the front as Jim Schmidt grabbed the early lead. Schmidt surrendered the point to Larry Moen on lap 8, with Au close behind in 3rd.

Capturing 2nd on lap 9, Au moved to the inside of Moen making his bid for the lead. Moen held on as they battled, for 9 laps, with Au coming up, just a bit, short at the line. Au led lap 18, by a fender. At the stripe it was Au for the win followed by Moen, Jimmy Robinson, Bret Carson and Kyle Stark.

In Bandit action John Remsik of Watertown won the 20 lap feature. Starting outside row 2, Remsik saw Dennis Johnson take the early lead. Johnson’s turn at the point was cut short by Andy Bauler on lap 2, only to see Remsik motor past Bauler one lap later. Competition caution was thrown, at the half way point, to reverse the field. Remsik led the restart, beating the field to the checkers. At the finish it was Remsik followed by Sean Watters, Kyle Watters, Rodney Mundt and Jeff Lefave.

Next week Jefferson Speedway hosts the “Star Packaging 50,” with a full racing program highlighted by “Star Packaging” 50 lap Late Model feature. Capping the nights, on track, action, is the Demolition Derby, paying $500 to win. Demo rules are the same as the Jefferson County Fair.

Gates open at 3:00, Qualifying at 5:00 and racing at 7:00 sharp.

Wisconsin’s Action Track is half way between Cambridge and Jefferson Wisconsin, on highway 18. Visit us on the World Wide Web at www.jeffersonspeedway.com.

Jefferson Speedway Race Summary – 07/29/2006 Maui Wowi Night

Late Model Division Feature Finish
1) 71 John Ovadal Jr (Watertown) 2) 22 Jasper Gronert (Jefferson)
3) 16 Luke Westenberg (Watertown) 4) 66 Curt Thompson
5) 33 Dylan Schuyler (Jefferson) 6) 94 Jason Erickson
7) 46 Nick Wendt 8) 18 Andy Wendt
9) 87 Kyle Jarlsberg 10) 44 Roger Behlke (Jefferson)
11) 68 Ken Olson (Fort Atkinson) 12) 52 Steve Dobbratz
13) 12 Allen Petrie Jr (Sun Prairie) 14) 61 Jerry Eckhart (Johnson Creek)
15) 17 Noel Ramge (Helenville) 16) 27 Tom Schuette (Fort Atkinson)
17) 70 Rick Kehoe (Jefferson) 18) 53 Doug Hahn (Whitewater)
Fast Qualifier: 53 Doug Hahn (Whitewater) : 14.454 seconds
Fast Dash: 71 John Ovadal Jr (Watertown)
LastChance: 68 Ken Olson, 12 Allen Petrie Jr, 61 Jerry Eckhart, 27 Tom Schuette
Heats: Qual1) 61 Jerry Eckhart, Qual2) 87 Kyle Jarlsberg, Qual3) 44 Roger Behlke

International Division Feature Finish
1) 97 Chris Chenoweth (Watertown) 2) 23 Casey Strese
3) 00 Scotty Hoeft (Watertown) 4) 67 Joe Cross (Sun Prairie)
5) 4 Mark Joyner (Elkhorn) 6) 77 Mike Winters (Sun Prairie)
Fast Qualifier: 57 Mark English (Janesville) : 16.826 seconds
Fast Dash: 77 Mike Winters (Sun Prairie)
LastChance: 90 Kyle Smith, 2 Geoffrey Jansen, 5 Shaun Magsamen R, 0 Bret Schmidt
Heats: Qual1) 05 Ashley Smith, qual2) 56 Dan Munns

Sportsman Division Feature Finish
1) 27 Jay Kalbus (Watertown) 2) 31 David Oswald (Cottage Grove)
3) 26 Scott Riedner (Waunakee) 4) 28 Mark DePorter
5) 11 Trent Erdman 6) 55 Terry Wangsness
Fast Qualifier: 31 David Oswald (Cottage Grove) : 15.325 seconds
Fast Dash: 27 Jay Kalbus (Watertown)
LastChance: 82 Mike Acheson, 19 Dan Schmidt, 20 Kody Hubred, 8 Shaun Scheel
Heats: Qual1) 72 Greg Ovadal, qual2) 27 Jay Kalbus, qual3) 28 Mark DePorter

Hobby Stock Division Feature Finish
1) 31 Ken Au (Jefferson) 2) 10 Larry Moen (Madison)
3) 33 Jim Robinson 4) 62 Bret Carson (Johnson Creek)
5) 92 Kyle Stark (Waterloo) 6) 50 Jim Schmidt (Jefferson)
Fast Qualifier: 62 Bret Carson (Johnson Creek) : 16.543 seconds
Fast Dash: 19 Dennis Schmidt
LastChance: 88 Roger Stephenson, 99 Lincoln Keeser, 56 Randy Strasburg, 80 Mike Meyers
Heats: Qual1) 29 Mike Manley, qual2) 92 Kyle Stark, qual3) 62 Bret Carson

Bandit Division Feature Finish
1) 98 John Remsik (Watertown) 2) 77 Sean Watters (Sun Prairie)
3) 7 Kyle Watters (Stoughton) 4) 21 Rodney Mundt
5) 81 Jeffery Lefave Jr (Fort Atkins 6) 4 Stephen Scheel (Lake Mills)
Fast Qualifier: 42 Bobby Selsing : 14.495 seconds
Fast Dash: 77 Sean Watters (Sun Prairie)
LastChance: 2 David Krull, 25 Darren Brown, 50 Geno Schlieve, Z28 Dan Topel
Heats: Qual1) 25 Darren Brown, qual2) 21 Rodney Mundt