Piotrowski Notches First Feature at Jefferson Speedway!

By Larry Starr

May 28, 2005; Jefferson, Wis. – Ken Piotrowski of Janesville has raced, for years, in the Late Model division without a feature win. That long dry spell ended tonight as Piotrowski claimed top honors in the “Star Packaging 50.” Starting from the outside of row 1, Piotrowski took the early lead, guiding the field over the entire 50 laps.

On his way to victory Piotrowski held off strong challenges by Jason Erickson and Doug Hahn. Erickson closed with Piotrowski on lap 33 moving to the inside. The pair raced side-by-side for 5 laps, with Erickson pulling even, on several occasions, but never able to make it to the front. That battle ended on lap 38, when Erickson went into to turn 1 a bit too hot, slid up the track and spun. Hahn was in the second spot for the restart, looking for a way past Piotrowski. Hahn came within inches of the lead on lap 39, but couldn’t, quite, pull ahead. Calamity struck on lap 43 when Mike Taylor and Roger Behlke made contact on the back stretch, sending Taylor up the back stretch wall. Tailor tore down about 20 yards of fence and brought out the red flag. The race stopped, for nearly an hour, as repairs were made to the fence. Fortunately Taylor emerged uninjured from the incident. Piotrowski led he final restart, making his way to victory lane. Rounding out the top 5 were Hahn, Dylan Schuyler, Steve Dobbratz and Bret Schmidt.

In Sportsman division action Jason Thoma charged, from an 11th place start to win the 30 lap main event. At the green flat it was Curt Thompson to the early lead with Larry Moen running 2nd. Thoma was running 5th when caution came, for fluid on the track, on lap 13. Luke Padfield made his way past Thompson, on lap 19, for the lead, with Trent Erdman joining the battle for 2nd and Thoma close behind in 4th. Rounding turn 2, on lap 28, Padfield and Erdman made contact, sending Padfield sideways, as Thoma flew past on the high side. Padfield recovered, losing only 1 position. At the stripe it was Thoma for the win, followed by Padfield, Erdman, Thompson and Mike Heelein.

In International action Chris Nelson of Sun Prairie notched another feature win, in the 20 lap main event. Starting 5th in the field, Nelson headed toward the front as Mike Winters took the early lead. Nelson closed with Winters on lap 6, moved to the inside on lap 7 and made the winning pass on lap 8. At the stripe it was Nelson for the win followed by Mark English, Winters, Brandon Kozak and Chris Gottschalk.

In Hobby Stock action Jesse Ayers of Stoughton won the 20 lap feature. Starting from the pole, Ayers claimed the lead on lap 1 and never looked back guiding the field all the way to the checkers. As Ayers led the way Pete Elgas made his way from 11th to the second spot. At the finish it was Ayers followed by Elgas, Dan Gosda, Jim Williams and Ken Au.
In Bandit Action Kyle Padfield of Stoughton notched the feature win. Starting from the pole, Padfield led the entire 18 laps to the checkered flag as Brandon Riedner made his way from 9th to the second spot. At the finish it was Padfield at the point followed by Riedner, Tom Schuette, Bobby Selsing and Rory Padfield.

Next week is “Bittner Heating & Cooling Night” at Jefferson Speedway, featuring the “Mountain Dew 50” at Jefferson Speedway.

Gates Open at 2:00, qualifying begins at 4:30 and racing starts at 7:00PM. Jefferson Speedway is half way between Jefferson and Cambridge

Jefferson Speedway Race Summary – 05/28/2005 Star Packaging 50

Late Model Division Feature Finish
1) 6 Ken Piotrowski (Janesville) 2) 99 Doug Hahn (Whitewater)
3) 33 Dylan Schuyler 4) 52 Steve Dobbratz (Rio)
5) 20 Bret Schmidt (watertown) 6) 2 Matt Frey
7) 4 Chris Quam (Stoughton) 8) 16 Luke Westenberg (Watertown)
9) 71 Tim Noble (Janesville) 10) 94 Jason Erickson
11) 82 Chad Stevens (Orfordville) 12) 19 Randy Breunig (Columbus)
13) 87 Kyle Jarlsberg (Cambridge) 14) 22 Jasper Gronert (Ft. Atkinson)
15) 79 Justin Schultz (Rio) 16) 68 Ken Olson (Ft. Atkinson)
17) 41 Mike Taylor (Stoughton) 18) 44 Roger Behlke
19) 71 John Ovadal 20) 71 Jason Deppe (Waterloo)
Fast Qualifier: 99 Doug Hahn (Whitewater) : 14.313 seconds
Last Chance: 20 Bret Schmidt, 41 Mike Taylor, 68 Ken Olson,
52 Steve Dobbratz
Heats: Dash) 94 Jason Erickson, Qual1) 6 Ken Piotrowski, Qual2) 22 Jasper Gronert

International Division Feature Finish
1) 73 Chris Nelson (Cottage Grove) 2) 57 Mark English
3) 12 Mike Winters (Sun Prairie) 4) 2 Brandon Kozak (Whitewater)
5) 61 Chris Gottschalk (Jefferson) 6) 02 Michelle Heimann (Madison)
Fast Qualifier: 73 Chris Nelson (Cottage Grove) : 16.504 seconds
Heats: Dash) 73 Chris Nelson, Qual1) 12 Mike Winters

Sportsman Division Feature Finish
1) 42 Jason Thoma 2) 4 Luke Padfield (Jeffersonm)
3) 11 Trent Erdman (Fort Atkinson) 4) 3 Curt Thompson (Fort Atkinson)
5) 8 Mike Heelein (Oregon) 6) 26 Scott Riedner (Waunakee)
Fast Qualifier: 42 Jason Thoma : 15.083 seconds
Heats: Dash) 26 Scott Riedner, Qual1) 3 Curt Thompson, qual2) 10 Larry Moen

Hobby Stock Division Feature Finish
1) 44 Jesse Ayers (Stoughton) 2) 52 Pete Elgas (Janesville)
3) 21 Dan Gosda 4) J10 Jim Williams (Milton)
5) 31 Ken Au (Jefferson) 6) 2 Eaan Carson
Fast Qualifier: 31 Ken Au (Jefferson) : 16.747 seconds
Last Chance: 50 Jim Schmidt, 99 Lincoln Keeser, 25 Jim Lampen, 29 Ryan Oldenhoff
Heats: Dash) 99 Johnny Robinson, Qual1) 44 Jesse Ayers, qual2) 41 Nick Newton

Bandit Division Feature Finish
1) 27 Kyle Padfield (Stoughton) 2) 4D Brandon Riedner (Waunakee)
3) 27 Tom Schuette (Fort Atkinson) 4) 42 Bobby Selsing Jr (Fort Atkinso
5) 3 Rory Padfield (Stoughton) 6) 98 Tom Bleecker (Watertown)
Fast Qualifier: 3 Rory Padfield (Stoughton : 0.000 seconds
Consi: 92 Andy Bauler, 2 David Krull
Last Chance: 24 Tyler White, 5 Peter Shelley, 22 Chris Hart, 92 Andy Bauler
Heats: Dash) 4D Brandon Riedner, Qual1) 3D Jeramy Hayton, qual2) 27 Kyle Padfield