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Jefferson Speedway Track History

Every Saturday night, from April through September, the serene Southern Wisconsin countryside thunders with the racing action at Jefferson Speedway. Nestled in the rolling farm land of Jefferson County, Wisconsin's Action Track boasts a long history of close, fast paced racing action.

Starting life as a quarter mile dirt track, in 1952, with little but cornfields for boundaries, this track has been the home of Saturday night Racers, and fans, for many years. Over the years there have been many improvements. The track was paved, as a small quarter mile, with 6 degree banking at both ends, in 1964. The walls have progressed from cornfields, to guardrails to back-filled reinforced concrete, by 1981. The 1983 season saw the appearance of the tall yellow scoring tower, which served through the 1989 season.

In 1990, turns 3 and 4 were extended, making the track a true quarter mile around the center line. The extended turns were graced with progressive 6, 9 and 12 degree banking, while turns 1 and 2 remained unchanged, at the original 6 degrees. This unique configuration added a challenging element to the track, which continues to treat fans to close racing action. This reconfiguration also had the effect of moving the Start/Finish line, making the yellow tower obsolete.

After one season of scoring from the infield, a new scoring tower was constructed, aligned with the new start/finish line, in 1991. The old yellow tower now serves as an observation area for VIP, and other groups.

During the 2000 racing season, turn 3 was adorned with a new electronic scoreboard and message board, to aid fans in tracking their favorite drivers, during the course of a race.

During the off season, this year, a new pavilion was erected, behind the turn 1 grandstands, to provide a shaded area for sponsored picnics, etc. Every Saturday night a full field of Late Model, Sportsman, International (4 cylinder) and Hobby Stocks, compete for bragging rights, season points and weekly prize money.

The new "Bandit," pure stock, front wheel drive, 4 cylinder class, was introduced, as an entry level racing division, in the 2001 season. This division, for safety reasons, does not use the sweeping turns 3 & 4, but rather use the infield cut-across, at that end of the track.

The Bandits have proved to be a great place to start, for those who feel the "Need for Speed" but don't want to commit a great deal of time and money to get started. The Bandits have been back, stronger than ever, in every season since their introduction.

Jefferson Speedway runs a number of special events each year. The 2002 schedule contains three "Tournaments of Destruction." These events provide thrills and laughs, for children of all ages, with events ranging from Auto Bowling, to 4 cylinders racing on soap suds, and ending with a Demolition Derby. These bouts of automotive mayhem are staged on non-race nights. Check our schedule for dates and times.

The Tucker family, who have operated the track since 1968, dedicate a great deal of time and energy to managing the rules, in each of the tracks' divisions. The goal is to maintaining a fair and affordable racing venue, for both race teams, and fans. Every year, during the off season, the drivers and crews have the opportunity to participate in the rules process. Changes are made, progress in technology is inevitable, but the goal is to keep the costs down and participation up.

In addition to the racing program, Jefferson Speedway, hosts the Jefferson Bargain Fair, every Sunday during the racing season. Over 100 vendors come out weekly, to peddle their wares.

Attention to detail, fairness and hard work has proved to be a winning combination at Wisconsin's Action Track.

Jefferson Speedway Records and Statistics

Speedway Quick Facts

Speed Conversion  1/4 Mile Track - Divide 900 by lap time in seconds to get average speed. ( 900 / 15.0 = 60MPH)
Surface  Asphalt - Repaved in 2004
Width  
Banking  Turn 1 & 2 Graduated 0/4.5/7.5/11 degree banking - Turns 3 & 4 Graduated 6/9/12 degree banking
Retaining Wall  Back filled concrete.
Acreage
Safety Vehicles

Track Records

Division Driver Date Time
Late Models  Jason Erickson   4/30/2005   14.105 
International Class  Chris Nelson   5/28/2005   16.504 
Sportsman  Scott Riedner   9/9/2006   15.000 
Hobby Stocks  Kyle Stark   8/25/2007   16.345 
Bandits  Gary Stark   7/28/2007   14.141 

 

Jefferson Speedway Former Champions

Year

Late Models Sportsman Internationals Hobby Stocks Bandits
2007  Doug Hahn  Scott "Chico" Riedner  Mark English  Jim Tate Jr  Gary Stark
2006  John Ovadal Jr  Scott "Chico" Riedner  Scotty Hoeft  Pete Elgas  Kyle Watters
2005  Jason Erickson  Jason Thoma  Mark English  Eaan Carson  Shaun Scheel
2004  Dan Chesmore  Mark DePorter  Scotty Hoeft  Terry Wangsness  Bill Sweeney
2003  Scott Nottestad  Trent Erdman  Chris Quam  Terry Wangsness  Bill Sweeney
2002  Ron Bishofbergher  Jay Kalbus  Aaron Rude  Roger Stephenson  Tim Seitz
2001  Dan Chesmore  Josh Courtney  Brent Nottestad  Jim Pfiefer  Tade Swerig
2000  Dan Chesmore  Dave Oswald  Brent Nottestad  Jim Pfiefer
1999  Ron Bishofberger  Dave Oswald  Justin Nottestad  Dennis Gaserude
1998  Andy Wendt  Dave Oswald  Justin Nottestad  Jeff Kohloff
1997  Al Papini  Randy Breunig  Justin Nottestad  Jim Pfeifer
1996  Al Papini
1995