Grueneberg Back to Back Winner

CAMBRIDGE, WI (Saturday, June 16, 2018)          Round two of the Badgerland Challenge Series invaded Wisconsin’s Action Track on Saturday night. The series of events pits the best drivers from Jefferson Speedway and Madison International Speedway in a four night challenge to see which track can prevail. On this particular night, it was Michael Grueneberg of Wisconsin Dells flexing his muscle on his way to back to back feature wins in the Late Model division.

Kyle Smith and Jacob Nottestad paced the stout field of drivers to the green flag with Nottestad taking command down the backstretch on the opening lap. Grueneberg slipped past Smith on lap two for the runner up position. The first of three cautions slowed the pace on lap four as the leaders lined up single file for the restart. Nottestad led the pack back to green with Grueneberg in second and Luke Westenberg riding in third. Some laps ticked away before Grueneberg began to apply pressure to Nottestad at the front of the field. As they approached the halfway point of the race, Nottestad’s rear view mirror was filled with Grueneberg’s machine. Grueneberg began to peek to the inside of the leader just as the second yellow slowed the action, closing up the leaders for the last 20 laps. As racing resumed, Grueneberg once again began to size up Nottestad. On lap 37, Grueneberg got a good run on the low side, stealing the top spot away a lap later. A final caution on lap 48 set up a green-white-checker scenario to close the race. But Grueneberg stayed strong on the point, seeing the checkers first to get his second win in as many weeks. Nottestad was forced to settle for second followed by Westenberg, Stephen Scheel, and John Ovadal Jr.

Watertown’s Chris Chenoweth scored the win in the 30 lap Sportsman main event. Jim Taylor grabbed the early lead from the outside of row one with Terry Wangsness following into second. Chenoweth followed Wangsness into third as the duo closed in on Taylor at the front. On lap four, both drivers dove under Taylor as they raced into turn three. But Taylor fired back into control with Chenoweth back to second. Chenoweth again used the low groove to get alongside Taylor on lap six. A caution on lap seven slowed the field with Chenoweth scored as the leader. He led the field back to green with Taylor in second and Wangsness in third. As racing resumed, Chenoweth immediately began to stretch his lead over the field while Mark Deporter moved up to battle for the second spot with Taylor. Deporter eventually cleared for second, but Chenoweth was already enjoying a large advantage on his way to the win. Deporter finished second with Dan Harris, Jason Thoma and Tim Coley rounding out the top five.

Defending International track champion, Neil Higgins of Watertown, picked up the win in the 20 lap feature event. Noah Pankow grabbed control of the lead on lap one while Ashley Gottschalk and Dakota Smith battled for second. This allowed Pankow to slip out to a healthy advantage while Higgins moved up to challenge for the second spot as well. On lap five, Higgins and Gottschalk drew even racing for second with Higgins taking the position for himself on lap eight. Higgins began reeling in the leader, closing in each lap. On lap 15, Higgins caught Pankow, driving to the high side of the leader. A lap later, Higgins was out front. Gary Stark moved up to challenge Pankow for second, but contact between the two on lap 18 resulted in the sole caution of the race. Both restarted in the rear with Higgins and Josh Marx now leading the pack back to green. Higgins took back the lead on the restart with Marx not ready to go away easily. Marx crossed over to the low side, drawing even on the final lap. Higgins held the advantage as they raced off turn four the final time and headed towards the checkers. At the stripe, it was Higgins by inches for the win with Marx settling for second. Mike Lambert was third followed by Scott Hoeft and Keith Bell.

Waukesha’s Chester Williams picked up the win in the 25 lap Hobby Stock feature event. Korey Bengsch and Jordy Egli led the field to green as they battled side by side for control. Bengsch moved out front on lap two with Jared Vike up to challenge Egli for second. Vike cleared on lap three and set his sight on Bengsch out front. On lap four, Vike drove to the outside of the leader, stealing the position away two laps later. John Janssen pulled up behind Bengsch with Williams right behind in fourth. Williams drove under Janssen on lap ten with Brandon Angileri joining the battle. Williams the Angileri picked their way up to second and third by lap 16 as they closed in on Vike. Williams moved ahead of Angileri, moving closer to the leader each lap. With five laps to go, Williams peeked to the outside of Vike. Williams drew even with the leader until lapped traffic forced Vike to check up slightly. This allowed Williams to move into command and Jim Tate Jr also getting by for second. Williams kept Tate at by in the closing laps to secure the feature win. Tate was second followed by Philip Wuesthoff, Vike and Angileri.

Aaron Moyer of West Bend picked up the win in the 25 lap Legends feature event. Rich Oien took the lead on lap one with Matt Rhode in second. Alex Braseth and Frank Beutel moved up to challenge Oien for second on lap five. Braseth and Beutel emerged side by side with Moyer in tow in fourth. Braseth moved past Beutel for second, bringing Moyer along for third. Moyer dove under Braseth on lap ten, grabbed the second spot away as they looked to close in on Oien. But Oien spun exiting turn two, forcing a caution and handing the lead over to Moyer with Braseth now second. Moyer remained in control through another caution on lap 16 as he sailed to the checkers to get the win. Braseth was second followed by Dilon Schwanbeck, Oien and Ryan Braseth.

A caution marred 12 lap Road Warrior feature ended with Chris Gottschalk scoring the win. Rodger Stephenson and Leroy Gronert Jr led the field to green with Stephenson taking the initial lead. Jasper Gronert moved up to challenge, taking the top spot away by lap two with Bill Reynolds following into second. The first caution slowed the pace, setting up Jasper Gronert and Reynolds on the front row for the restart. Reynolds took over the top spot as racing resumed. Another caution on lap four reset the front row with Reynolds now on the inside of Gronert. Reynolds once again cleared for the lead with Gottschalk racing up to second. Gottschalk began to challenge Reynolds on lap six. But contact between the duo forced another caution, sending both to the rear on the restart. As racing resumed, Gottschalk quickly sliced his way back to the front, taking over the lead on lap nine from Mark Dewey. Gottschalk cruised to the checkers from there to get the win. Dewey was second followed by Jasper Gronert, Leroy Gronert Jr and Stephenson.

Next Saturday, June 23, is a full program sponsored by Bumper To Bumper of Edgerton. Time trials begin at 5pm with racing at 7pm. Jefferson Speedway is located halfway between Jefferson and Cambridge on Hwy 18. Please visit jeffersonspeedway.com for more information.

JEFFERSON SPEEDWAY RACE SUMMARY

LATE MODEL-

Qualifying

Qualifiers

Fast Heats

Last Chance-

50 lap Feature Results-

SPORTSMAN-

Qualifying

Heat Races

30 lap Feature Results

INTERNATIONAL-

Qualifying

Heat Races

20 lap Feature Results

HOBBY STOCK-

Qualifying

Heat Races

25 lap Feature Results

LEGENDS-

Qualifying

Heat Races

Last Chance

25 lap Feature Results

ROAD WARRIOR-

Qualifying

Heat Race

12 lap Feature Results