Ovadal Continues Winning Streak Paffel Scores First Feature Win at Jefferson Speedway

By Larry Starr

June 24, 2006; Jefferson WI – It looked bad, early on, with a rain delay before qualifying, but the “Smith Motors” Mid-Season Championships are now in the record books at Wisconsin’s Action Track.

John Ovadal Jr. of Watertown notched another feature win in the 50 lap Late Model main event. Starting 11th, in the field, Ovadal started his drive to the front as Chris Koepke drove to the early lead. Ovadal made his way to 4th by the 15th circuit and 3rd by lap 18. Claiming 2nd on lap 22, Ovadal closed with Koepke. Ovadal moved under Koepke, on lap 25, making the winning pass by lap 27. Caution came on lap 35, when several cars tangled coming off turn 4, ending with 2 cars in the front stretch wall and a large ball of flame. Everyone emerged unharmed but 2 drivers were finished for the night. Ovadals’ trip to Victory lane was interrupted again, on lap 43, for a spin in turn 2. As they blazed past the checkered flag it was Ovadal for the win, followed by Andy Wendt, Koepke, Dylan Schuyler and Steve Dobbratz.

In Sportsman Action Dave “The Wizard” Oswald, of Cottage Grove, won top honors, in the 35 lap feature. Starting inside row 4, Oswald headed toward the point, as Shaun Scheel claimed the early lead. Scheel surrendered the point to Brent Gergen, on lap 4. Gergen lost the point to Oswald on lap 5. Caution came, on lap 12, for oil on the track. On the restart Mike Heelein launched a bid for the top spot, edging ahead on lap 13, only to drop back to 2nd by lap 14. Heelein kept the pressure on, but Oswald was on the scent of victory and wouldn’t be denied. Caution came, on lap 26, for a crash in turn 4, due to a broken rear axle, and again on lap 31 for debris on the back stretch after a car bounced off the wall. Heelein was found to be leaking brake fluid and had to retire from the race. At the finish it was Oswald for the win, followed by Jay Kalbus, Luke Padfield, Scott Riedner and Mark DePorter.

In International action Chris Chenoweth of Watertown won the 25 lap feature. Starting inside row 3 Chenoweth moved toward the front, as Kyle Smith jumped to the early lead. Chenoweth made his way to 2nd by lap 4, claiming the point on lap 6. As Chenoweth showed the way to the checkers, Mark English made his way to 2nd, and launched his bid for the lead. Chenoweth was up to the challenge, holding off English as the laps ticked by. At the stripe it was Chenoweth for the win, followed by English, Scotty Hoeft Joe Cross and Mike Bingham.

In Hobby Stock action Chet Paffel of Newerk Township claimed his first, career, features win, in the 25 lap main event. Starting outside the front row, Paffel took the lead at the green flag and never looked back, guiding the way to the checkered flag. Over the opening laps Paffel opened a strong lead, as the battle for 2nd remained evenly matched. Caution came, on lap 19, for a spin down the backstretch, that collected several other cars. Paffel led the restart with Scott Carson close behind. Kyle Stark moved up to take the 2nd spot, on lap 22 closing with Paffel. At the finish it was Paffel for the win, followed by Stark, Pete Elgas, Ken Au and Carson.

In Bandit action Bobby Selsing of Fort Atkinson notched a win in the 25 lap feature. Starting 14th, Selsing charged to the front, at Jeffery Lefave took the early lead. Selsing overtook Lefave on lap 9, guiding the field to the checkered flag. The only caution of the race was the “competition” caution, thrown on lap 13, to reverse the field’s direction of travel for the 2nd half of the race. As the green returned, Selsing continued his charge, opening a huge lead on his way to the checkers. At the stripe it was Selsing, by nearly a half lap over Sean Watters. Rounding out the top five were Stephen Scheel, Casey Johnson and Kyle Watters.

Next week Jefferson Speedway presents the Independence Day Special, a full night of racing action capped by the “Kearns Motor Car Company” 50 lap Late Model feature. Also on tap are Stock car Rides for Kids, and our Fireworks Spectacular by Thunder Cat “Your Local Gods of Thunder”. Kids, bring your big-wheels. there will be big-wheel races during intermission.
Times are modified, to accommodate the Stock Car Rides for Kids.

Gates open at 2:00, Qualifying at 4:00, Kids rides at 5:30, and racing at 7:00 Sharp.

Don’t forget the “Tournament of Destruction” coming up next Monday Night, July 3. A full night of “men metal and mayhem” guaranteed to entertain kids, of all ages. This is your second chance, to catch the Fireworks at Jefferson Speedway, on the 4th of July weekend! Gates open at 4:00PM and the first event is at 7:00PM.

Jefferson Speedway is half way between Jefferson and Cambridge Wisconsin, on highway 18.

Jefferson Speedway Race Summary
06/24/2006 Mid/Season Championships
Late Model Division Feature Finish
1) 71 John Ovadal Jr (Watertown) 2) 18 Andy Wendt
3) 23 Chris Koepke (Jefferson) 4) 33 Dylan Schuyler (Jefferson)
5) 52 Steve Dobbratz 6) 68 Ken Olson (Fort Atkinson)
7) 32 Tony Koepke (Fort Atkinson) 8) 97 Jason Schuler
9) 17 Noel Ramge (Helenville) 10) 11 Timothy Petrie (Fort Atkinson)
11) 4 Chris Quam (Stoughton) 12) 44 Roger Behlke (Jefferson)
13) 16 Luke Westenberg (Watertown) 14) 70 Rick Kehoe (Jefferson)
15) 87 Kyle Jarlsberg 16) 52 April Reimer (Beloit)
17) 53 Doug Hahn (Whitewater) 18) 27 Tom Schuette (Fort Atkinson)
Fast Qualifier: 53 Doug Hahn (Whitewater) : 14.359 seconds
Fast Dash: 33 Dylan Schuyler (Jefferson)
LastChance: 4 Chris Quam, 97 Jason Schuler, 87 Kyle Jarlsberg, 52 Steve Dobbratz
Heats: Qual1) 27 Tom Schuette, Qual2) 22 Jasper Gronert, Qual3) 16 Luke Westenberg

International Division Feature Finish
1) 97 Chris Chenoweth (Watertown) 2) 57 Mark English (Janesville)
3) 00 Scotty Hoeft (Watertown) 4) 67 Joe Cross (Sun Prairie)
5) 0 Mike Bingham (Milton) 6) 61 Chris Gottschalk (Jefferson)
Fast Qualifier: 4 Mark Joyner (Elkhorn) : 16.663 seconds
Fast Dash: 61 Chris Gottschalk (Jefferson)
LastChance: 4D Brandon Riedner, 49 Tory Adams, 99 Keryn Hopwood, 5 Shaun Magsamen R
Heats: Qual1) 5 Shaun Magsamen R, qual2) 49 Tory Adams, qual3) 97 Chris Chenoweth

Sportsman Division Feature Finish
1) 31 David Oswald (Cottage Grove) 2) 27 Jay Kalbus (Watertown)
3) 4 Luke Padfield (Jefferwson) 4) 26 Scott Riedner (Waunakee)
5) 28 Mark DePorter 6) 8 Shaun Scheel (Lake Mills)
Fast Qualifier: 27 Jay Kalbus (Watertown) : 15.198 seconds
Fast Dash: 27 Jay Kalbus (Watertown)
Heats: Qual1) 8 Shaun Scheel, qual2) 31 David Oswald

Hobby Stock Division Feature Finish
1) 60 Chet Paffel (Newerk Township) 2) 92 Kyle Stark (Waterloo)
3) 52 Peter Elgas (Janesville) 4) 31 Ken Au (Jefferson)
5) 7 Scott Carson (Fort Atkinson) 6) 27 Jim Tate Jr (Watertown)
Fast Qualifier: 62 Bret Carson (Johnson Creek) : 16.515 seconds
Fast Dash: 99 Johnny Robinson II (Beloit)
LastChance: 29 Mike Manley, 96 Tim Lange, 39 Alex Papini, 41 Nick Newton
Heats: Qual1) 41 Nick Newton, qual2) 39 Alex Papini, qual3) 67 Russell Nicholson

Bandit Division Feature Finish
1) 42 Bobby Selsing 2) 77 Sean Watters (Sun Prairie)
3) 4 Stephen Scheel (Lake Mills) 4) 5 Casey Johnson (Stoughton)
5) 7 Kyle Watters (Stoughton) 6) 21 Rodney Mundt
Fast Qualifier: 42 Bobby Selsing : 14.508 seconds
Fast Dash: 7 Kyle Watters (Stoughton)
LastChance: 29 Ryan Oldenhoff, 32 Cody Strese, 92 Andy Bauler, Z28 Jody Krueger
Heats: Qual1) 89 Chad Olds, qual2) 5 Casey Johnson, qual3) 42 Bobby Selsing