Wendt Claims 50 Lapper At Jefferson Speedway!
By Larry & Jeanne Starr
May 17, 2003; Jefferson, Wis. — In the feature program, held over from May 10, due to rain, Watertown’s Andy Wendt came from a 4th place start to claim top honors in the “Berres Brothers Coffee Roasters” 50 lap main event.
Roger Behlke claimed the point, at the green flag, guiding the way for 4 laps before surrendering the top spot to Wendt. Once at the point Wendt opened a strong lead, guiding the way, unchallenged, to the checkered flag. As Wendt blazed the trail, Late Model rookie, Curt Thompson made his way to 2nd, holding off the challenge of Scott Nottestad. At the stripe it was Wendt for the win, followed by Thompson, Nottestad, Behlke and Randy Breunig.
In International class action Derek Bettenhausen of Milton notched his first, career, feature win, in the 20 lap main. Starting from the outside of row 2, Bettenhausen claimed the lead on lap 1, and never looked back, showing the way to the checkered flag. Jim Pankow moved up to make a late race challenge, but Bettenhausen was up to the challenge. At the stripe it was Bettenhausen followed by Pankow, Mike Drays, Aaron Rude and Troy Olson.
Sportsman division action saw Bret Schmidt of Watertown drive from 5th to 1st, in the 30 lap feature. At the green it was Tom Reents in the early lead, as Schmidt headed toward the front. Schmidt made his way to 3rd by lap 6, and claimed 2nd by lap 9. Closing with Reents, Schmidt launched his bid for the lead. On lap 18, Reents slipped just enough to leave the opening needed by Schmidt. Schmidt pulled to the point, guiding the way to the checkered. AT the finish it was Schmidt followed by Reents, Trent Erdman, Dustin Ward and Bobby Stough Jr.
In Hobby Stock action Chad Lurvey of Dousman claimed top honors in the 20 lap feature. Starting from the outside of row 3, Lurvey headed toward the front, as Paul Edmundson pulled to the early lead. Edmundson guided the way for 17 laps, as Lurvey battled his way through the field. Closing with Edmundson on lap 12, Lurvey moved to the inside on lap 17, making the winning pass. At the finish it was Lurvey for the win, followed by Jim Williams, Ken Au, Johnny Robinson and Terry Wangsness.
In Bandit action Allen Petrie of Sun Prairie claimed feature honors. Starting from the inside of row 2, Petrie claimed the top spot, from Joe Cross, on lap 2, and never looked back. As Petrie showed the way to the finish, a pack of cars batted for the 2nd spot. As they flew past the checkered flag it was Petrie for the win, followed by Peter Shelley, Bill Sweeney, Tim Seitz and Bill Reynolds.
Jefferson Speedway – Event: Berres Brothers Coffee Roasters – 50 (completed May 17)
Late Model Feature Finish:
Laps: 50
1.
18 Andy Wendt (Watertown)
10.
82 Chad “Squirt” Stevens (Beloit)
2.
100 Curt Thompson (Ft. Atkinson)
11.
71 John Ovadal Jr. (Watertown)
3.
14 Scott Nottestad (Stoughton)
12.
41 Mike Taylor (Stoughton)
4.
44 Roger Behlke (Jefferson)
13.
13 Ed Wolff III (Clyman)
5.
4 Randy Breunig (Columbus)
14.
11 Beau Sanden (Janesville)
6.
27 Dan Chesmore (Janesville)
15.
8 Aaron Wilke (Marshall)
7.
52 Steve Dobbratz (Rio)
16.
76 Ron Bishofberger (Ft. Atkinson)
8.
94 Nick Wendt (Watertown)
17.
88 Jim Gleesing (Whitewater)
9.
16 Luke Westenberg (Palmyra)
18.
33 Dylan Schuyler (Dousman)
FAST QUALIFIER : 71 John Ovadal Jr. (Watertown): 14.960 second
FAST DASH: 8 Lap (Showcase Awards) : 76 Ron Bishofberger (Ft. Atkinson)
LAST CHANCE: 20 Lap : 82 Chad “Squirt” Stevens (Beloit), 33 Dylan Schuyler (Dousman), 41 Mike Taylor (Stoughton), 13 Ed Wolff III (Clyman)
Heats: 10 lap: 1) 33 Dylan Schuyler (Dousman) 2) 18 Andy Wendt (Watertown)
3) 27 Dan Chesmore (Janesville)
International Feature:
Laps: 20
1.
10 Derek Bettenhausen (Milton)
4.
9 Aaron Rude (Cambridge)
2.
16 Jimmy Pankow (Oregon)
5.
7 Troy Olson (Janesville)
3.
48 Mike Drays (Milton)
6.
00 Scotty Hoeft (Watertown)
FAST QUALIFIER : 4 Chris Quam (Stoughton): 15.978 seconds
Heats: 10 lap: 1) 00 Scotty Hoeft (Watertown) 2) 16 Jimmy Pankow (Oregon)
Sportsman Feature:
Laps: 30
1.
20 Bret Schmidt (Watertown)
4.
9 Dustin Ward (Beaver Dam)
2.
42 Tom Reents (Janesville)
5.
48 Bobby Stough Jr. (Waunakee)
3.
11 Trent Erdman (Ft. Atkinson)
6.
32 Tony Koepke (Ft. Atkinson)
FAST QUALIFIER : 95 Jason Thoma (Jefferson): 15.517 seconds (New Track Record)
LAST CHANCE: 15 Lap : 4 Luke Padfield (Jefferson), 3 Rory Padfield (Stoughton), 17 Noel Ramge (Hellenville), 14 Kyle Taylor (Stoughton)
Heats: 10 lap: 1) 29 Tyson Grossman (Ft. Atkinson) 2) 14 Kyle Taylor (Stoughton)
3) 48 Bobby Stough Jr. (Waunakee)
Hobby Stock Feature:
Laps: 20
1.
74 Chad Lurvey (Dousman)
4.
99 Johnny Robinson (Orfordville)
2.
J10 Jim Williams (Milton)
5.
55 Terry Wangsness (Delavan)
3.
31 Ken Au (Jefferson)
6.
19 Dennis Schmidt (Johnson Creek)
FAST QUALIFIER : 6 Jeremy Hartwig (Cottage Grove): 16.901 seconds
LAST CHANCE: 12 Lap : 89 Garrett Goth (Cottage Grove), 56 Randy Strasburg (Jefferson), 99 Lincoln Keeser (Johnson Creek), 70 Rick Kehoe (Ft. Atkinson)
Heats: 8 lap: 1) 89 Garrett Goth (Cottage Grove) 2) 00 Paul Edmundson (Whitewater)
3) 99 Lincoln Keeser (Johnson Creek)
Bandit Feature:
Laps: 15
1.
12 Allen Petrie (Sun Prairie)
4.
57 Tim Seitz (Edgerton)
2.
5 Peter Shelley (Edgerton)
5.
38 Bill Reynolds (Watertown)
3.
42 Bill Sweeney (Janesville)
6.
41 Brian Paulson (Edgerton)
FAST QUALIFIER : 4D Brandon “Bud” Riedner (Waunakee): 15.127 seconds
LAST CHANCE: 10 Lap : 73 Chris Nelson (Cottage Grove), 11 Tim Petrie (Whitewater), 29 Mark Joyner (Whitewater), 39 Jason Heiman (Watertown)
Heats: 8 lap: 1) 73 Chris Nelson (Cottage Grove) 2) 12 Allen Petrie (Sun Prairie)
3) 5 Peter Shelley (Edgerton)