Wendt, Quam, Padfield and Ayers Victorious at Jefferson Speedway!
By Larry & Jeanne Starr
June 21, 2003; Jefferson, Wis. – Andy Wendt of Watertown claimed top honors in the “WJVL” 35 lapper. Starting from the outside of row 3, Wendt headed for the front as John Ovadal claimed the early lead. Ovadal led the way for 18 holding off Curt Thompson, while Wendt worked the inside of Thompson for 2nd.
Wendt made his way past Thompson, on lap 12, closing with Ovadal. Wendt moved to the inside of Ovadal, on lap 16, making the winning pass on lap 18. Once at the point Wendt pulled ahead and let the battles rage behind. Ron Bishofberger closed with Ovadal, for 2nd, on lap 23, claiming the spot by lap 26, with Chad “Squirt” Stevens close behind, for 3rd. Stevens claimed the 2nd spot, from Bishofberger, on lap 33, far behind Wendt. At the stripe it was Wendt for the win, followed by Stevens, Bishofberger, Jim Jarlsberg and Ovadal.
In International action Stoughton’s Chris Quam came from an 8th place start to claim victory in the 20 lap feature. At the green flag Tory Adams pulled to the early lead, showing the way for 2 laps before surrendering the point to Mike Bingham. Bingham guided the field until lap 17, as Quam fought his way through traffic. Motoring past Steve Drays, for 2nd, on lap 15 Quam closed with Bingham, launching his bid for the lead. Moving to the inside, on lap 16, Bingham and Quam raced side by side for 3 laps, before Quam was able to complete the pass. As they flew past the checkered flag it was Quam for the win, followed by Bingham, Aaron Rude, Steve Drays and Mike Drays.
In Sportsman division action Luke Padfield of Jefferson notched the first feature win, of his racing career, in the 30 lap main event. Starting from the outside of row 1, Padfield claimed the early lead and never looked back, guiding the field all the way to the checkered. Padfield saw the huge lead, that he had built, vaporize when fluid on the track brought a caution, on lap 24, with Dave Oswald running 2nd and Jason Thoma in the 3rd spot, for the restart. Thoma claimed the 2nd spot, with 2 to go, closing with Padfield to challenge for the lead. Padfield was up to the challenge, holding off Thoma to claim the win. Rounding out the top 5 were Oswald, James Helmer, and Trent Erdman.
In Hobby Stock action Jesse Ayers of Stoughton claimed his first feature win, in the 20 lap main event. Starting from the pole position, Ayers claimed the early lead, battling for Eaan Carson all the way to the finish. As Ayers and Carson battled side-by-side, they opened a strong lead over the rest of the field. Carson was always there, but could not make the pass. At the stripe it was Ayers for the win, followed by Carson, Lincoln Keeser, Jim Tate and Jeremy Hartwig.
Next week at Jefferson Speedway it’s the “Kearns Motor Car Company 50,” 50 lap Late Model feature, along with WJJO Night at the Races and Race Car rides for kids. Capping the nights’ activities is the Independence Day fireworks spectacular by “Thundercat Fireworks, Your Local Gods of Thunder.”
Times have been adjusted for the special program: gates open at 2:30, Qualifying at 3:30, Race Car Rides for kids’ 5:15 to 6:15, and racing at 7:00 sharp.
Jefferson Speedway is on Highway 18, half way between Cambridge and Jefferson Wisconsin.
Jefferson Speedway – Date: June 21, 2003 – Event: WJVL Night at the Races & Backup Trailer Race
Late Model Feature Finish: Laps: 35
1. 18 Andy Wendt (Watertown) 10. 94 Nick Wendt (Watertown)
2. 82 Chad Stevens (Orfordville) 11. 27 Dan Chesmore (Janesville)
3. 76 Ron Bishofberger (Ft. Atkinson) 12. 44 Roger Behlke (Jefferson)
4. 97 Jim Jarlsberg (Cambridge) 13. 87 Kyle Jarlsberg (Cambridge)
5. 71 John Ovadal Jr. (Watertown) 14. 52 Steve Dobbratz (Rio)
6. 14 Scott Nottestad (Stoughton) 15. 6 Ken Piotrowski (Janesville)
7. 100 Curt Thompson (Ft. Atkinson) 16. 13 Ed Wolff III (Clyman)
8. 22 Jasper Gronert (Jefferson) 17. 88 Jim Gleesing (Whitewater)
9. 4 Randy Breunig (Columbus) 18. 2 Matt Frey (Cambridge)
FAST QUALIFIER : 14 Scott Nottestad (Stoughton): 15.000 seconds
FAST DASH: (Bruno Independent Living Aids) 8 Lap : 97 Jim Jarlsberg (Cambridge)
CONSI: 12 Lap : 67 Jeff Steenbergen (Waupun), 27 Jay Kalbus (Oconomowoc)
LAST CHANCE: 20 Lap : 88 Jim Gleesing (Whitewater), 6 Ken Piotrowski (Janesville), 13 Ed Wolff III (Clyman), 2 Matt Frey (Cambridge), 52 Steve Dobbratz (Rio)
Heats: 10 lap: 1) 2 April Reimer (Beloit) 2) 82 Chad Stevens (Beloit) 3) 18 Andy Wendt (Watertown)
International Feature: Laps: 20
1. 4 Chris Quam (Stoughton) 4. 84 Steve Drays (Milton)
2. 17 Mike Bingham (Jefferson) 5. 48 Mike Drays (Milton)
3. 9 Aaron Rude (Cambridge) 6. 99 Scotty Hoeft (Watertown)
FAST QUALIFIER : 9 Aaron Rude (Cambridge): 15.910 seconds
Heats: 10 lap: 1) 16 Jim Pankow (Oregon) 2) 10 Derek Bettenhausen (Milton)
Sportsman Feature: Laps: 30
1. 4 Luke Padfield (Jefferson) (First Feat. Win) 4. 7 James Helmer (Fox Lake)
2. 95 Jason Thoma (Jefferson) 5. 11 Trent Erdman (Ft. Atkinson)
3. 3 Dave Oswald (Cottage Grove) 6. 19 Chad Reimer (Oconomowoc)
FAST QUALIFIER : 95 Jason Thoma (Jefferson): 15.682 seconds
FAST DASH: (Bruno Independent Living Aids) 8 Lap : 20 Bret Schmidt (Watertown)
CONSI: 10 Lap : 37 Cliff Rucks (Cottage Grove), Noel Ramge (Hellenville)
LAST CHANCE: 15 Lap : 2 Jordan McBride (Janesville), 29 Tyson Grossman (Ft. Atkinson), 39 Brent Gergen (Jefferson), Kevin Thompson (Palmyra)
Heats: 10 lap: 1) 17 Noel Ramge (Hellenville) 2) 100 Kevin Thompson (Palmyra) 3) 32 Tony Koepke (Ft. Atkinson) 4) 55 Carey Hensel (Stoughton)
Hobby Stock Feature: Laps: 20
1. 44 Jesse Ayers (Stoughton) (First Feat. Win) 4. 27 Jim Tate (Watertown)
2. 2 Eaan Carson (Ft. Atkinson) 5. 6 Jeremy Hartwig (Cottage Grove)
3. 99 Lincoln Keeser (Johnson Creek) 6. 99 Johnny Robinson (Orfordville)
FAST QUALIFIER : 6 Jeremy Hartwig (Cottage Grove): 16.790 seconds
LAST CHANCE: 12 Lap : 71 Jason Deppe (Waterloo), 52 Pete Elgas (Janesville), 33 Jimmy Robinson (Orfordville), 98 Garrett Goth (Cottage Grove)
Heats: 8 lap: 1) 77 Jim Burns (Edgerton) 2) 01 Justin Bowey (Sullivan) 3) 55 Terry Wangsness (Delavan) 4) 00 Paul Edmundson (Whitewater)