By Andrew Schaller
JEFFERSON, WI (Saturday, September 17, 2011) Fort Atkinson’s Jason Erickson capped off a season in which he captured the Jefferson Speedway Late Model title for the fourth time by also laying claim to the 2011 Wisconsin State Championship. Erickson took over the lead at the midway point of the 100 lap main event and drove off to collect the hardware that accompanies the title of State Champion.
By virtue of winning their semi final races, Kyle Jarlsberg and John Ovadal Jr led the field of 25 stellar pilots to the drop of the green flag. After battling side by side on the opening circuit, Jarlsberg grabbed sole possession of the top spot on lap two. Erickson charged under Ovadal a lap later, entering into a fight for the second spot. Erickson took control of second on lap five as the leaders lined up single file. The leaders began to maneuver heavy lapped traffic just before the first of four cautions slowed the field on lap 43. After another quick caution a lap later, Erickson made his move. Erickson began to peek to the low side of Jarlsberg looking for an opening. On lap 48, the duo made slight contact entering turn one which allowed Erickson to draw even with Jarlsberg down the backstretch. Erickson motored into the lead on lap 49 just before caution number three appeared. Once racing resumed, Erickson moved out to a comfortable lead with Jarlsberg holding steady in second. With twenty laps remaining, Jarlsberg spun hard into the turn three wall, coating the track with fluid and forcing the final caution of the event. Erickson restarted as the leader, this time with Ovadal running in second and Zack Riddle in third. As racing got back underway, Riddle slipped past Ovadal and set his sights on Erickson at the point. But Erickson flexed his muscle over the final circuits as he cruised to the checkers to pick up the win. Riddle finished in second with Tim Sargent, Casey Johnson and Doug Hahn rounding out the top five.
