Ovadal Sweeps Double 50s at Jefferson Speedway

By Larry Starr

May 27, 2006; Jefferson WI – John Ovadal Jr. of Watertown continued his winning ways on “Wisconsin’s Action Track,” claiming victory in both the “Mountain Dew 50,” that was rescheduled from last week, and the “Star Packaging 50,” Late Model, feature event of the “Memorial Day Special.”

Starting the “Mountain Dew 50” outside row 7, Ovadal started his drive to the front as Jerry Eckhardt claimed the early lead. Eckhardt surrendered the point to Ken Olson, on lap 11. Ovadal made his way to the 3rd spot, before the first caution, on lap 12, for a spin on the front stretch. On the restart, Ovadal moved to the inside of Eckhardt, claiming the 2nd spot, as they exited turn 2. Moving to the inside of Olson on lap 15, Ovadal made the winning pass, before Olson spun on the back stretch, collecting Noel Ramge, to bring out the second caution. On the restart Ovadal pulled ahead, building a strong lead, as the battles raged behind him. At the stripe it was Ovadal for the win followed by Jason Thoma, Roger Behlke, Paul Kisow and Tim Noble.

Ovadal started the “Star Packaging 50” in the 14th spot, again watching Eckhardt claim the early lead. Caution came on the 2nd lap, for a wreck in turn 4, with Eckhardt leading the restart. Ovadal made his way to the 3rd spot before the 2nd caution, on lap 24, when a car hit the turn 1 wall. Claiming 2nd by lap 30, Ovadal closed with Eckhardt. Moving to the inside on lap 31, Ovadal motored to the front, showing the way to the checkered flag. At the finish it was Ovadal for the win, followed by Eckhardt, Jason Thoma, Jason Erickson and Luke Westenberg.

In Sportsman action, Mark DePorter claimed top honors in the first feature of the evening. Starting outside row 4, DePorter started his journey to the checkers, as Mike Heelein took the early lead. Heelein opened up a sizable lead, as DePorter worked his way through traffic. Moving into 2nd, on lap 14, DePorter worked to close the gap with Heelein. Heeleins’ lead vaporized, on lap 18, when a spin in turn 1 brought out the first caution. On the restart, DePorter moved to the inside of Heelein, and the pair battled side-by-side for the top spot, all the way to the white flag. On lap 29, Heelein slipped just enough for DePorter to claim the top spot. As they blazed past the checkers it was DePorter for the win, followed by Heelein, Scott “Chico” Riedner, Dave Oswald and Tom Reents.

Mike Heelein of Fort Atkinson fared, one position, better in the second Sportsman feature. Starting outside row 2, Heelein headed for the point as Dan Schmidt claimed the early lead. Heelein closed with Schmidt by lap 4, working the inside groove for 3 laps, before making the winning pass. The Red flag flew, on lap 17, as Dave Oswald took a wild ride into turn 3, going up and over, and tearing down a stretch of the catch fence. Oswald walked away, apparently, unharmed but his racing was finished for the night. There was less than an hour delay as the fence was repaired. When the race, finally, restarted Heelein pulled ahead of the field, as Jay Kalbus charged through traffic. Kalbus claimed 2nd, on lap 27, closing the gap with Heelein, but it was too little and too late as Heelein led the way to the checkered, followed by Kalbus, Trent Erdman, Schmidt and DePorter.

In International action Chris Gottschalk of Jefferson turned a 6th place start, into a feature win, in the first, of two, main events of the night. As Gottschalk started his drive to the point, Bill Sweeney claimed the early lead, following a first lap caution, for a spin in turn 1. Gottschalk drove to 2nd, by lap 2, making his way past Sweeney by lap 4. The drive to the checkers was interrupted by 2 more cautions, on lap 9 and lap 12. At the stripe it was Gottschalk for the win followed by Mark English, Mark Joyner, Mike Winters and Sweeney.

Scotty Hoeft of Watertown turned a 9th place start into a win in the final International main event. Hoeft wound his way through the field, to be first at the checkers, followed by Joe Cross, Bill Sweeney, Bill Sweeney, Mark Joyner and Chris Chenoweth.

In Hobby Stock action Steve Sauer of Waterloo claimed top honors in the first feature of the night. Starting outside the front row, Sauer took the early lead and never looked back, showing the way to the checkers. At the finish it was Sauer for the win, followed by Pete Elgas, Bret Carson, Russ Nicholson and Larry Moen.

Larry Moen of Madison claimed victory in the final Hobby Stock feature of the night. Starting inside row 5, Moen started his drive to the checkered as Kyle Stark grabbed the early lead. Stark led the way for 6 laps, before surrendering the point to Johnny Robinson. Robinson led the way, as Moen made his way to 2nd, by lap 9, launch his bid for the lead, on the 15th circuit. The pair battled door to door, for 4 laps, with Moen edging ahead as they came to the white flag. At the stripe it was Moen for the win, followed by Robinson, Ken Au, Bret Carson, and Pete Elgas.

In Bandit action, Zak Czeszynski of Oconomowoc claimed victory in the first feature. Starting from the pole, Czeszynski grabbed the early lead, guiding the way to the checkered flag, holding off a late race challenge by Kyle Watters. At the stripe it was Czeszynski for the win, followed by Watters, Jeffery Lafave, Brandon Riedner and Steve Scheel.

Steve Scheel of Lake Mills notched the win, in the final Bandit event of the night. Starting from the pole, Scheel led every lap, on his way to victory lane. John Remsik drove up to challenge for the top spot, keeping the pressure high all the way to the finish. As they flew past the checkered flag it was Scheel for the win, followed by Remsik, Sean Watters, Kyle Watters and Tom Bleecker.

Mother nature threw a monkey wrench into the, well oiled, gears early, with a rain delay after the Bandit division finished qualifying. This forced officials to create starting lineups, based on prior week qualifying averages, for all but the Bandit division.

Next week Jefferson Speedway hosts the “Goodyear Racing Tire 50,” with a 50 lap Late Model feature and a full racing program, in all divisions. As an added attraction the final event of the evening will be the “Jim Blucher Memorial Trailer Race.”

Gates open at 2:00PM, with qualifying at 4:30 and Racing at 7:00 sharp.
Jefferson Speedway is half way between Jefferson and Cambridge Wisconsin, on Highway 18.

Jefferson Speedway Race Summary
05/20/2006 Mountain Dew 50 (Feature events completed 5/27/2006)

Late Model Division Feature Finish
1) 71 John Ovadal Jr (Watertown) 2) 95 Jason Thoma (Jefferson)
3) 44 Roger Behlke (Jefferson) 4) 97 Paul Kisow (Cambridge)
5) 71 Tim Noble (Janesville) 6) 33 Dylan Schuyler (Jefferson)
7) 68 Ken Olson (Fort Atkinson) 8) 53 Doug Hahn (Whitewater)
9) 61 Jerry Eckhart (Johnson Creek) 10) 11 Timothy Petrie (Fort Atkinson)
11) 32 Don Mattrisch (Whitewater) 12) 16 Luke Westenberg (Watertown)
13) 52 April Reimer (Beloit) 14) 23 Chris Koepke (Jefferson)
15) 12 Allen Petrie Jr (Sun Prairie) 16) 27 Tyler James (Oconomowoc)
17) 17 Duane Deppe (Waterloo) 18) 17 Noel Ramge (Helenville)
Fast Qualifier: 95 Jason Thoma (Jefferson) : 14.396 seconds
Fast Dash: 71 John Ovadal Jr (Watertown)
LastChance: 17 Duane Deppe, 52 April Reimer, 16 Luke Westenberg, 12 Allen Petrie Jr
Heats: Qual1) 17 Duane Deppe, Qual2) 71 John Ovadal Jr; Qual3) 27 Tyler James,

International Division Feature Finish
1) 61 Chris Gottschalk (Jefferson) 2) 57 Mark English (Janesville)
3) 4 Mark Joyner (Elkhorn) 4) 77 Mike Winters (Sun Prairie)
5) 42 Bill Sweeney (Janesville) 6) 00 Scotty Hoeft (Watertown)
Fast Qualifier: 4 Mark Joyner (Elkhorn) : 16.507 seconds
Fast Dash: 57 Mark English (Janesville)
Heats: Qual1) 5 Mike Bingham, qual2) 67 Joe Cross

Sportsman Division Feature Finish
1) 28 Mark DePorter 2) 8 Michael Heelein (Fort Atkinson)
3) 26 Scott Riedner (Waunakee) 4) 31 David Oswald (Cottage Grove)
5) 42 Tom Reents (Janesville) 6) 2 Eaan Carson (Fort Atkinson)
Fast Qualifier: 26 Scott Riedner (Waunakee) : 15.202 seconds
Fast Dash: 28 Mark DePorter
LastChance: 6 Chris Ehrhart, 17 Bill Bush, 39 Ken Scott, 82 Mike Acheson
Heats: Qual1) 8 Michael Heelein, qual2) 31 David Oswald

Hobby Stock Division Feature Finish
1) 11 Steven Sauer (Waterloo) 2) 52 Peter Elgas (Janesville)
3) 62 Bret Carson (Johnson Creek) 4) 67 Russell Nicholson (Stoughton)
5) 10 Larry Moen (Madison) 6) 92 Kyle Stark (Waterloo)
Fast Qualifier: 31 Ken Au (Jefferson) : 16.647 seconds
Fast Dash: 62 Bret Carson (Johnson Creek)
Consi: 50 Jim Schmidt, 41 Nick Newton
LastChance: 49 Buck Stults, 99 Lincoln Keeser, 5 Jon BueIra, 75 Travis Schneeberg
Heats: Qual1) 5 Jon Bue Ira, qual2) 60 Chet Paffel, qual3) 7 Scott Carson,

Bandit Division Feature Finish
1) 6 Zak Czeszynski (Oconomowoc) 2) 7 Kyle Watters (Stoughton)
3) 81 Jeffery Lefave Jr (Fort Atkins 4) 4D Brandon Riedner (Waunakee)
5) 4 Stephen Scheel (Lake Mills) 6) 86 Ron Nelson (Utica)
Fast Qualifier: 7 Kyle Watters (Stoughton) : 14.703 seconds
Fast Dash: 4D Brandon Riedner (Waunakee)
LastChance: 29 Brad Knapp, 32 Cody Strese, 25 Darren Brown, 89 Chad Olds
Heats: Qual1) 21 Peter Shelley, qual2) 32 Cody Strese, qual3) 25 Darren Brown,

Jefferson Speedway Race Summary
05/27/2006 MD Spec. Star Packaging 50

Late Model Division Feature Finish
1) 71 John Ovadal Jr (Watertown) 2) 61 Jerry Eckhart (Johnson Creek)
3) 95 Jason Thoma (Jefferson) 4) 94 Jason Erickson
5) 16 Luke Westenberg (Watertown) 6) 53 Doug Hahn (Whitewater)
7) 11 Timothy Petrie (Fort Atkinson) 8) 68 Ken Olson (Fort Atkinson)
9) 71 Tim Noble (Janesville) 10) 17 Noel Ramge (Helenville)
11) 4 Chris Quam (Stoughton) 12) 27 Tyler James (Oconomowoc)
13) 44 Roger Behlke (Jefferson) 14) 23 Chris Koepke (Jefferson)
15) 33 Dylan Schuyler (Jefferson) 16) 32 Tony Koepke (Fort Atkinson)
17) 17 Duane Deppe (Waterloo) 18) 97 Paul Kisow (Cambridge)
Fast Dash: 71 Tim Noble (Janesville)
LastChance: 16 Luke Westenberg, 17 Duane Deppe, 23 Chris Koepke, 32 Tony Koepke
Heats: Qual1) 53 Doug Hahn, Qual2) 16 Luke Westenberg, Qual3) 11 Timothy Petrie

International Division Feature Finish
1) 00 Scotty Hoeft (Watertown) 2) 67 Joe Cross (Sun Prairie)
3) 42 Bill Sweeney (Janesville) 4) 4 Mark Joyner (Elkhorn)
5) 97 Chris Chenoweth (Watertown) 6) 77 Mike Winters (Sun Prairie)
Fast Dash: 4 Mark Joyner (Elkhorn)
Heats: Qual1) 42 Bill Sweeney, qual2) 4 Mark Joyner

Sportsman Division Feature Finish
1) 8 Michael Heelein (Fort Atkinson) 2) 27 Jay Kalbus (Watertown)
3) 11 Trent Erdman 4) 19 Dan Schmidt (Watertown)
5) 28 Mark DePorter 6) 26 Scott Riedner (Waunakee)
Fast Dash: 31 David Oswald (Cottage Grove)
LastChance: 6 Chris Ehrhart, 20 Randy Padfield, 8 Shaun Scheel, 20 Kody Hubred
Heats: Qual1) 6 Chris Ehrhart, qual2) 31 David Oswald, qual3) 19 Dan Schmidt,

Hobby Stock Division Feature Finish
1) 10 Larry Moen (Madison) 2) 99 Johnny Robinson II (Beloit)
3) 31 Ken Au (Jefferson) 4) 62 Bret Carson (Johnson Creek)
5) 52 Peter Elgas (Janesville) 6) 67 Russell Nicholson (Stoughton)
Fast Dash: 62 Bret Carson (Johnson Creek)
Consi: 41 Nick Newton, 5 Jon Bue Ira
LastChance: 125 Craig Henning, 60 Chet Paffel, 75 Travis Schneeberg, 29 Mike Manley
Heats: Qual1) 50 Jim Schmidt, qual2) 125 Craig Henning, qual3) 92 Kyle Stark, qual4) 67 Russell Nicholson,

Bandit Division Feature Finish
1) 4 Stephen Scheel (Lake Mills) 2) 98 John Remsik (Watertown)
3) 77 Sean Watters (Sun Prairie) 4) 7 Kyle Watters (Stoughton)
5) 98 Tom Bleecker (Watertown) 6) 25 Darren Brown (Jefferson)
Fast Qualifier: 86 Ron Nelson (Utica) : 14.686 seconds
Fast Dash: 42 Bobby Selsing
LastChance: 92 Marc Balis, 89 Chad Olds, 21 Peter Shelley, 6 Zak Czeszynski
Heats: Qual1) 7 Dennis Johnson Jr, qual2) 98 Tom Bleecker qual3) 4D Brandon Riedner,