Badgerland Challenge Invades Jefferson Speedway

JEFFERSON, WI (Saturday, August 22, 2015)           Jefferson Speedway played host to the final leg of the Badgerland Challenge on Saturday night. The three part series in conjunction with Madison International Speedway and Slinger Speedway ended with Casey Johnson of Edgerton continuing his dominating season by winning the title by a mere two points. While Johnson was busy winning the Challenge, it was Stephen Scheel of Lake Mills holding off a hard charging Johnson at the checkers to pick up the win in the Papa Murphy’s Pizza 50 lap Late Model feature.

Trent Erdman and Scheel paced the field to green with Scheel taking command on lap one. Erdman dropped back to second followed by Dylan Schuyler and Chris Quam battling for third. The first of two debris cautions waved on lap six. Scheel led the field back to green with Erdman second and Schuyler now running third. Dale Nottestad and Johnson, locked in a tight battle for the Badgerland Challenge point lead, restarted just outside the top five. Nottestad found his way to fifth followed by Johnson in sixth when the second and final caution slowed the pace on lap 18. As racing resumed, Nottestad and Johnson began their trek to the front of the field with Nottestad opening the holes and Johnson following him through. Nottestad cleared for fourth on lap 23 with Johnson in tow. On lap 27, Nottestad worked past Schuyler to claim third while Johnson stayed in his tracks for fourth.  Nottestad drew even with Erdman for second on lap 34, claiming the position two laps later with Johnson still shadowing him. On lap 37, Johnson charged under Nottestad as they raced off turn four. Johnson cleared for second on the next lap as he set his sight on Scheel out front. Johnson continued to reel Scheel in until finally catching him with four laps remaining. Johnson searched for an opening, not finding any room until the final circuit. As they raced off turn two the final time, Johnson got a good run under Scheel. They drove into turn three almost door to door, making heavy contact with each other through the corner and onto the front stretch. At the stripe, it was Scheel by a fender of Johnson to claim the win. Nottestad was third followed by Erdman and Jason Erickson. As mentioned, Casey Johnson was crowned the overall Badgerland Challenge Series winner.

Sportsman point leader, Jay Kalbus of Whitewater, extended his advantage in the standing by claiming the 30 lap feature event in his division. Tim Coley and Mike Winters led the field to green as they battled wheel to wheel for control. Coley claimed possession of the top spot on lap three with Winters falling to second and Adam Bleskan in third. Robert Hansberry got past Bleskan for third as he pulled alongside Winters looking for second. Hansberry completed the pass on lap eight while Badgerland Challenge Series point leader Jason Thoma entered the top five. While running third, Kalbus found himself on the low side of Thoma as they followed Hansberry around the track. On lap 23, Kalbus slid up alongside Hansberry as he began his charge to the front. Kalbus cleared for second on lap 24 as continued forward next to Coley on lap 25. After a brief side by side battle, Kalbus cleared for the lead on lap 27. As Coley dropped back to second, contact between himself and Thoma resulted in Coley spinning to force a yellow flag. Both drivers were sent to the rear on the restart. Kalbus led the field back to green with Hansberry in his rear view mirror. But Kalbus ran the final two circuits unchallenged to pick up the win. Hansberry was second with Tony Ciano, Jim Tate Jr and Mark Deporter rounding out the top five. With his sixth place finish, Jefferson’s Terry Wangsness secured the Badgerland Challenge Series title.

Edgerton’s Mark English got the win in the 20 lap International feature event. Keith Bell led early with Tom Pfeifer up to second. Pfeifer and Bell entered into a battle for the lead while Merek Pankow and English made their way to third and fourth respectively. After an early caution. Bell and Pfeifer led the field back to action, this time with Pfeifer taking the lead and English following into second. English quickly dove under Pfeifer on lap four, clearing for the top spot on the same lap. Mike Lambert moved up to battle Pfeifer for second with Pankow watching from fourth. Seth Reamer joined the fight on lap seven. Lambert, Pfeifer and Reamer raced three wide into turn three on lap nine, with Reamer emerging with control of second. Reamer spent the remainder of the event trying to hunt down English, but to no avail as English ran to the checkers to secure the win. Reamer was second followed by Pankow, Lambert and Pfeifer.

In Hobby Stock action, it was Dustin Ward of Waterloo picking up the clean sweep after winning fast time in qualifying, winning his heat race and capturing the 20 lap feature event as well. Jamie Tate took the early lead from outside row one. After an early caution, Tate continued to show the way while Jim Wolf began working the low side trying to pull alongside Tate. Wolf worked lap after lap to draw even, doing so more than once, but failing to make it stick. Meanwhile, Ward was slicing his way through the field and into the top five by lap ten. On lap 13, contact amongst the leaders allowed Ward to slide past into a fight for second with Wolf. Using the outside groove, Ward moved past Wolf and alongside Tate with two laps to go. Ward cleared for the lead on the final lap, crossing the stripe first for the win. Boyd Eichelkraut managed to slip into second on the final lap as well with Tate, Wolf and Jared Vike rounding out the top five.

Kenny Storkson of Indianford grabbed the lead and won the 20 lap Road Warrior feature event. Anthony Accardi and Lucas Stevenson battled on lap one from the front row while Storkson looked to join the fight. Going three wide on lap two. Storkson moved into sole possession of the top spot with Craig Henning following into second. Henning moved up to challenge Storkson on lap six, drawing even with the leader while Chris Gottschalk took over third. Lap after lap, Storkson and Henning battle for control while Gottschalk watched close by. Henning appeared to gain the advantage in the closing laps, but Storkson fought back on the outside on final time to beat Henning to the line and get the win. Henning settled for second followed by Chris Gottschalk, Bill Sweeney and Bryan Gottschalk.

Madison’s Jamie Kohn took over the lead of the 20 lap Bandit feature and drove away to secure the victory. Scott Crawford led early with Kohn quickly up to second on lap two. Kohn began to work the low groove, trying to pull alongside Crawford. On lap five, Kohn pulled even with the leader, clearing a lap later and beginning to pull away. Chad Olds and Adam Schook moved past Crawford on lap 15 with Kohn still driving away from the pack. At the checkers, it was Kohn for the win followed by Olds, Schook, Brody Chilvers and Keith Erickson.

The Legends division joined the lineup once again, this time with Aaron Moyer picking up the win in the 25 lap feature event. After an early caution, Brody Willett took control of the lead with Jeff Steenbergen up to second. Jacob Nottestad followed into third as Steenbergen began to pressure Willett for the lead. When Steenbergen couldn’t make the move stick, Nottestad pulled up next to him looking for the second spot. Moyer joined the leaders on lap five as they jockeyed for position. Nottestad cleared for second on lap seven and drove up next to Willett looking to lead. Moyer made it a three wide fight for first on lap 11 as they raced into turn one. Moyer claimed the position leaving Nottestad to battle Steenbergen for second as Willett dropped to fourth. Nottestad claimed the runner up spot in the closing laps, but it was Moyer who picked up the checkers. Steenbergen finished third followed by Willett and Kevin Korsmo.

Also joining the program were the Bandolero cars with Collin Anthony Slife picking up the 10 lap feature victory. Kaleb Winters led early with Slife up to second on lap one. Slife began to apply heavy pressure to Winters, making contact several times. On lap four, Slife used lapped traffic to slip under Winters and take over the top spot entering turn one. Slife ran unchallenged from there to the checkers to claim the win. Winters was second followed by Rock Christianson, Anna Malouf and Chase Wangsness.

Next Saturday, August 29, is a full program in all six divisions sponsored by B&M Electric as well as One on One Street Drags with both men’s and women’s divisions. Time trials begin at 5pm with racing at 7pm. Jefferson Speedway is located halfway between Jefferson and Cambridge on Hwy 18. Please visit www.jeffersonspeedway.com for more information.

JEFFERSON SPEEDWAY RACE SUMMARY

Late Model-

Feature Results- 1) Stephen Scheel, Lake Mills  2) Casey Johnson, Edgerton  3) Dale Nottestad, Cambridge  4) Trent Erdman, Fort Atkinson  5) Jason Erickson, Fort Atkinson  6) Dylan Schuyler, Jefferson  7) Shaun Scheel, Lake Mills  8) Chris Quam, Stoughton  9) Luke Westenberg, Jefferson  10) Michael Grueneberg, Madison  11) Brent Edmunds, Monticello  12) Roger Behlke, Jefferson  13) Kevin Kneuse, Waukesha  14) Brandon Pendleton, Helenville  15) Kyle Chwala, Johnson Creek  16) Bruce Lee, Cambridge  17) Jerry Eckhardt, Johnson Creek  18) Tyler Peterson, Lake Geneva  19) Kyle Taylor, Deerfield  20) Jake Vanoskey, Hartford  21) Shaun Gunsolas, Stoughton  22) Alex Papini, Machesney Park (IL)

Badgerland Challenge Series Overall Winner- Casey Johnson, Edgerton

Fast Qualifier- Casey Johnson—14.079 seconds

Dash Winners- 1) Trent Erdman  2) Chris Quam

Qualifiers- 1) Kevin Kneuse, Brent Edmunds  2) Roger Behlke, Michael Grueneberg

Last Chance- Brandon Pendleton, Tyler Peterson, Kyle Taylor

Sportsman-

Feature Results- 1) Jay Kalbus, Whitewater  2) Robert Hansberry Jr, Beloit  3) Tony Ciano, Janesville  4) Jim Tate Jr, Doylestown  5) Mark Deporter, Fort Atkinson  6) Terry Wangsness, Jefferson  7) Mike Winters, Sun Prairie  8) Mike Rahn, DePere  9) Adam Bleskan, Menomonee Falls  10) Chris Chenoweth, Watertown  11) Scott Hoeft, Watertown  12) Jason Thoma, Jefferson  13) Russ Nicholson, Stoughton  14) Tim Coley, Madison  15) Jim Taylor, Stoughton  16) Kody Hubred, Utica  17) Josh Madell, Mayville  18) Kenny Storkson, Indianford

Badgerland Challenge Overall Winner- Terry Wangsness, Jefferson

Fast Qualifier- Jason Thoma—14.897 seconds

Dash Winners- 1) Tim Coley  2) Mark Deporter

Qualifier Winner- Chris Chenoweth

International-

Feature Results- 1) Mark English, Edgerton  2) Seth Reamer, Beaver Dam  3) Merek Pankow, Jefferson  4) Mike Lambert, Fort Atkinson  5) Tom Pfeifer, Fort Atkinson  6) Neil Higgins, Watertown  7) Jason Uttech, Watertown  8) Keith Bell, Brodhead  9) Jamie Shelley, Edgerton  10) Noah Pankow, Jefferson  11) Joe Cross, Sun Prairie  12) Seth Green, Milton  13) Kyle Stark, Waterloo

Fast Qualifier- Seth Reamer—16.374 seconds

Heat Winners- 1) Merek Pankow  2) Mark English

Hobby Stock-

Feature Results- 1) Dustin Ward, Waterloo  2) Boyd Eichelkraut, Stoughton  3) Jamie Tate, Doylestown  4) Jim Wolf, Watertown  5) Jared Vike, Deforest  6) Wayne Buchs, Mazomanie  7) Cody Buchs, Mazomanie  8) Lucas Buckingham, Whitewater  9) Jeff LeFave, Fort Atkinson  10) Jon Benninger, Windsor  11) Brandon DeLacy, Fort Atkinson  12) Gary Paulick, Union Grove

Fast Qualifier- Dustin Ward—15.766 seconds

Heat Winners- 1) Gary Paulick  2) Dustin Ward

Road Warrior-

Feature Results- 1) Kenny Storkson, Indianford  2) Craig Henning, Helenville  3) Chris Gottschalk, Jefferson  4) Bill Sweeney, Aztalan  5) Bryan Gottschalk, Jefferson  6) Bill Reynolds, Watertown  7) Rodger Stephenson, Cambridge  8) Anthony Accardi, Watertown  9) Lucas Stevenson, Beloit

Fast Qualifier- Chris Gottschalk—16.548 seconds TIES TRACK RECORD

Heat Winner- Bill Reynolds

Bandit-

Feature Results- 1) Jamie Kohn, Madison  2) Chad Olds, Whitewater  3) Adam Schook, Palmyra  4) Brody Chilvers, Milton  5) Keith Erickson, Columbus  6) Scott Crawford, Janesville  7) Nick Schmidt, Watertown  8) Dustin Yanke, Fort Atkinson  9) Josh Marx, Dousman  10) Jeremy Bredeson, Deforest  11) Bill Kohn, Madison  12) Josh Rusch, Fort Atkinson  13) Jim Pfeifer, Fort Atkinson  14) DJ Hill, Watertown  15) Dylan Brown, Jefferson  16) Tyler Deporter, Fort Atkinson

Fast Qualifier- Josh Marx—17.099 seconds

Heat Winners- 1) Keith Erickson  2) Jamie Kohn

Legends-

Feature Results- 1) Aaron Moyer, Allenton  2) Jacob Nottestad, Stoughton  3) Jeff Steenbergen, Watertown  4) Brody Willett, Auburnette  5) Kevin Korsmo, Atkins (IA)  6) Vince Bartolotta, Vernon  7) Warren Ropp, Kalona (IA)  8) Kyle Vergata, New Berlin  9) Cody DeVoy, Lake Geneva  10) Tony Moyer, Allenton  11) Ross Christianson, Weston  12) Derek Mueller, Verona  13) Scott Wiegele, Milwaukee 14) Aryn Wilson, S.Beloit (IL)

Fast Qualifier- Jacob Nottestad—15.716 seconds NEW TRACK RECORD

Heat Winners- 1) Kyle Vergata  2) Aaron Moyer

Bandoleros-

Feature Results- 1) Collin Anthony Slife, Coloma  2) Kaleb Winter, Rhinelander  3) Rock Christianson, Weston  4) Anna Malouf, Rhinelander  5) Chase Wangsness, Jefferson  6) Emma Hunstiger, Helenville  7) Robbie Rucks, Deerfield