Wendt Notches UAW Local 95 — 50 Lapper, Kehoe and Olson Notch First Career Features at Jefferson Speedway!

By Larry Starr

August 23, 2003; Jefferson, Wis. – Andy Wendt of Watertown claimed top honors in the “UAW Local 95” 50 lap Late Model feature. Starting from the inside of row 4, Wendt headed toward the point as Shane Radtke pulled to the early lead.

Caution came on lap 3, when a tangle behind the leaders, collected 6 cars, ending the night for 3 for the drivers. On the restart it was Radtke ahead of Roger Behlke, with Wendt up to the 4th spot. Wendt claimed 3rd, from Scott Null, on lap 5, closing with Behlke.

Motoring under Behlke, Wendt claimed 2nd on lap 8, setting his sites on Radtke. Moving to the inside, Wendt battled Radtke for 3 laps before claiming the point on lap 11. From there it was Wendt, opening a strong lead, as he guided the field to the checkered flag. At the stripe it was Wendt for the win, followed by Ron Bishofberger, Scott Nottestad, John Ovadal Jr. and Randy Breunig.

In International action rookie driver Troy Olson claimed his first feature win in the 20 lap main event. Starting from the outside of row 2, Olson started his journey to the checkers, as Steve Drays jumped to the early lead. Olson claimed the 2nd spot by lap 2, closing with Drays and looking for the way around. Caution came, on lap 6, for a spin and flat tire, in turn 2. On the restart Olson moved to the inside, pulling even with Drays, as Brent Nottestad moved up to 3rd. Olson battled Drays for 4 or laps, before completing the pass on lap 12.

As Olson claimed the point, Nottestad closed with Drays for 2nd. Nottestad drove into 2nd on lap 16 closing with Olson. Olson was up to the challenge, holding off Nottestad as the streaked to the checkered flag. At the stripe it was Olson followed by Nottestad, Drays, Aaron Rude and Mike Bingham.

In Sportsman division action Bret Schmidt of Watertown claimed victory in the 30 lap feature. Starting from the inside of row 3, Schmidt started his drive to the front, as Kyle Taylor claimed the early lead. Taylor pulled well ahead of the field, as the battle for 2nd raged, guiding the way for 23 laps. Schmidt was running 2nd by lap 10, with Dave Oswald coming up in 3rd. Oswald moved to the inside on lap 12, making his way to 2nd by lap 15.

Clearing Schmidt, Oswald began narrowing Taylor’s lead. Closing in on lap 21, Oswald battled Taylor until lap 23. As they headed into turn 3, Oswald made contact with Taylor turning him to the inside. This was all the opening that Schmidt needed, moving to the outside he flew past both cars, claiming the top spot. As Taylor spun to the infield, Oswald got back underway. Oswald was able to close with Schmidt, but could not find the opening he needed. At the stripe it was Schmidt for the win, followed by Oswald, Bobby Stough, Mark Deporter and Scott “Chico” Riedner.

In Hobby Stock action rookie driver Rick Kehoe of Jefferson notched his first feature win. Starting from the pole position, Kehoe claimed the lead at the green flag and never looked back, as he guided the field to the checkered. Kehoe was first at the checkered, followed by Dennis Schmidt, Lincoln Keeser, Pete Elgas and Eaan Carson.

In bandit action Chris Nelson of Cottage grove claimed his 2nd feature, in a row, in the 18 lap main event. Starting from the inside of row 4, Nelson dashed toward the point, as Mark Joyner pulled to the early lead. Nelson powered to the front, streaking past Joyner on lap 2, opening a huge lead on his way to the checkered flag. At the stripe it was Nelson, by a half lap, over Tim Seitz, Joyner, Brandon Kozak and Chris Higgins.

Rounding out the night’s action was the Bubble Gauntlet, with Randy Kamenick piloting the specially equipped (guardrail nerf bars), Suburban against a herd of 4 cylinder challengers. The challengers were unable to stop the Gauntlet car on this outing.
Next week Jefferson Speedway hosts a full racing program, in all 5 divisions, including the bandits.
Gates open at 3:00, qualifying at 4:30 and racing at 7:00 sharp.

Coming Sunday evening, August 31, is the final round of the “Tournament of Destruction.” This is a full night of automotive mayhem, capped by a Fireworks display, by the Thundercats “Your Local Gods of Thunder.”

Jefferson Speedway – Date: August 23, 2003 – Event: UAW Local 95 – 50 and the Bubble Gauntlet

Late Model Feature Finish: Laps: 50
1. 18 Andy Wendt (Watertown) 10. 6 Ken Piotrowski (Janesville)
2. 76 Ron Bishofberger (Ft. Atkinson) 11. 56 Don Mattrisch (Whitewater)
3. 14 Scott Nottestad (Stoughton) 12. 52 Steve Dobbratz (Rio)
4. 71 John Ovadal Jr. (Watertown) 13. 16 Luke Westenberg (Watertown)
5. 4 Randy Breunig (Columbus) 14. 2 Matt Frey (Cambridge)
6. 13 Shane Radtke (Watertown) 15. 94 Nick Wendt (Watertown)
7. 62 Scott Null (Lake Mills) 16. 11 Beau Sanden (Janesville)
8. 44 Roger Behlke (Jefferson) 17. 87 Kyle Jarlsberg (Cambridge)
9. 100 Curt Thompson (Ft. Atkinson) 18. 99 Doug Hahn (Whitewater)
FAST QUALIFIER : 94 Nick Wendt (Watertown): 14.839 seconds.
FAST DASH: 8 Lap (UAW Local 95): 71 John Ovadal Jr. (Watertown)
LAST CHANCE: 20 Lap : 56 Don Mattrisch (Whitewater), 99 Doug Hahn (Whitewater),
6 Ken Piotrowski (Janesville), 4 Randy Breunig (Columbus)
Heats: 10 lap: 1) 0 Scott Hatton (Waterloo) 2) 64 Jerry Parker (Palmyra) 3) 4 Randy Breunig (Columbus)

International Feature: Laps: 20
1. 7 Troy Olson (Janesville) 4. 9 Aaron Rude (Cambridge)
2. 25 Brent Nottestad (Cambridge) 5. 17 Mike Bingham (Milton)
3. 84 Steve Drays (Milton) 6. 48 Mike Drays (Milton)
FAST QUALIFIER : 4 Chris Quam (Stoughton): 15.918 seconds
Heats: 10 lap: 1) 17 Mike Bingham (Milton) 2) 7 Troy Olson (Janesville)

Sportsman Feature: Laps: 30
1. 20 Bret Schmidt (Watertown) 4. 28 Mark Deporter (Ft. Atkinson)
2. 31 Dave Oswald (Cottage Grove) 5. 26 Scott “Chico” Riedner (Waunakee)
3. 48 Bobby Stough Jr. (Waunakee) 6. 11 Trent Erdman (Ft. Atkinson)
FAST QUALIFIER : 95 Jason Thoma (Jefferson): 15.510 seconds (New Track Record)
LAST CHANCE: 15 Lap : 98 J.J. Yanke (Ft. Atkinson), 29 Tyson Grossman (Ft. Atkinson), 38 Brent Gergen (Jefferson), 23 Chris Koepke (Ft. Atkinson)
Heats: 10 lap: 1) 4 Luke Padfield (Jefferson) 2) 39 Ryan Goldade (Stoughton) 3) 2 Randy Padfield (Stoughton)

Hobby Stock Feature: Laps: 20
1. 70 Rick Kehoe (Jefferson) 4. 52 Pete Elgas (Waterloo)
2. 19 Dennis Schmidt (Johnson Creek) 5. 2 Eaan Carson (Ft. Atkinson)
3. 99 Lincoln Keeser (Johnson Creek) 6. 55 Terry Wangsness (Delavan)
FAST QUALIFIER : 6 Jeramy Hartwig (Cottage Grove): 16.637 seconds.
CONSI: 10 Lap : 29 Mike Manley (Ft Atkinson), 14 Scott Snyder (Stoughton), 26 Faye Riedner (Waunakee)
LAST CHANCE: 12 Lap : 01 Justin Bowey (Sullivan), 27 Jim Tate (Watertown), 96 Alan Dorn (Waterloo), 21 Josh Courtney (Janesville)
Heats: 8 lap: 1) 26 Faye Riedner (Waunakee) 2) 21 Josh Courtney (Janesville) 3) 19 Dennis Schmidt (Johnson Creek) 4) 88 Josh Weir (Cottage Grove)

Bandit Feature: Laps: 15
1. 73 Chris Nelson (Cottage Grove) 4. 02 Brandon Kozak (Whitewater)
2. 57 Tim Seitz (Edgerton) 5. 4 Chris Higgins (Watertown)
3. 29 Mark Joyner (Whitewater) 6. 75 Paula Seitz (Edgerton)
FAST QUALIFIER : 42 Bill Sweeney (Janesville): 14.942 seconds (New Track Record)
LAST CHANCE: 12 Lap : 92 Kyle Stark (Waterloo), 77 Sean Watters (Sun Prairie), 8 Mike Heelein (Ft. Atkinson), 36 Jesse McKinney (Watertown)
Heats: 8 lap: 1) 21 Dan Gozda (Sun Prairie) 2) 73 Chris Nelson (Cottage Grove) 3) 42 Bill Sweeney (Janesville)

Bubble Gauntlet: 10 lap: Won by the Gauntlet car.