Nick Wendt tops Havill-Spoerl 75 Championship feature! Title to Bishofberger as champs are crowned at Jefferson!

By Jeanne & Larry Starr

September 11, 1999; Jefferson, WI. – The Late Model point battle went all the way to the wire, to determine the 1999 season champion at Jefferson Speedway. Coming into the night, Ron Bishofberger of Ft. Atkinson commanded a slim, 68 point, lead over Andy Wendt of Watertown.

Nick Wendt of Watertown captured the feature win, in the 75 lap Havill-Spoerl Season Championship feature. Starting from the outside of row 3, Wendt started his drive to the front as Scott Bleeker of Jefferson drove out to the early lead. Bleeker guided the way for 15 laps as Russ Goodwin of Beloit closed in, in the second spot. Goodwin made his bid for the lead, on lap 14, battling side by side for 2 laps before Bleeker moved across Goodwin to the wall, bringing out the first caution of the race, on lap 15.

On the restart Goodwin guided the field to the green, building a healthy lead as Nick Wendt, Bishofberger and Andy Wendt battled their way through the field. Nick Wendt closed with Goodwin, by lap 36. Moving to the inside, Wendt made the winning pass on lap 37, with Bishofberger close behind for the second spot. Andy Wendt made his way to third before the second caution came, on lap 38, when a car went hard into the front stretch wall, stopping in turn 1.

On the restart, Bishofberger made the first, of may, moves to the inside of Wendt as the laps ticked away. Wendt proved up to the challenge holding off the veteran driver all the way to the checkered flag. At the stripe it was Nick Wendt for the win, followed by Bishofberger, Andy Wendt, Scott Null of Lake Mills and Gene Olson Jr. of Jefferson.

Bishofberger’s second place finish was enough to earn him the 1999 season point championship.

Andy Wendt set the fast pace in qualifying, with a 14.828 second orbit, of the quarter mile speed plant.

Nick Wendt claimed the money in the 8 lap Fast Dash, while Eric Connell of Sullivan, Ken Piotrowski of Milton, Mike Taylor of Stoughton and Duane Deppe of Waterloo each claimed victory, in 10 lap heat races.

Transferring to the Last Chance Race, from the 10 lap “Consi” were Nacho Varella of Johnson Creek, Brian Miles of Whitewater, Brent Knight of Watertown and Jeremy Switlick of Wausau.

Moving to the feature lineup, from the 20 lap Last Chance race were, Jasper Gronert of Jefferson, Gene Olson Jr. of Jefferson, Rex Weston of Lake Mills, Ken Piotrowski of Milton, John Ovadal of Johnson Creek and Duane Deppe of Waterloo.

In International class action, Justin Nottestad of Cambridge claimed top honors in the 30 lap Season Championship feature, icing his second championship, in two years. Starting from the inside of row 6, Nottestad started the drive to the front, as Tory Adams of Madison drove out to the early lead. Mike Bingham of Jefferson moved up to challenge Adams by lap 2, motoring past for the lead, by lap 2, before the first caution came, on lap 3. Nottestad was running 7th, on the restart, as Bingham lead the field back to green. Aaron Rude of Cambridge moved up to take his turn at the point on lap 13, only to surrender the spot to Nottestad by lap 15. From there it was Nottestad guiding the way to the checkered flag, where he was followed by his brother Scott Nottestad, Matt Nickel of Madison, Bingham and Rick Neerland of Ft. Atkinson.

Justin Nottestad held a commanding lead in the points, coming into the night claiming consecutive championships at Jefferson Speedway.

Justin Nottestad set the fast mark in qualifying with a 15.858 second circuit of the quarter mile.

Claiming Victory, in 10 lap heat races, were Tory Adams of Madison and Rick Neerland of Ft. Atkinson.

In Sportsman Division Action, Chad “Squirt” Stevens of Beloit claimed victory in the 35 lap Main Event. Starting from the inside of row 7, Stevens started the long drive to the front as Roger Stephenson of Cambridge grabbed the early lead. Noel Ramge of Hellenville moved up to challenge Stephenson by lap 2, claiming the top spot by lap 3. Ramge opened up a good lead, as Stevens battled through traffic.

Claiming 2nd on lap 16, Stevens set his sites on Ramge, closing in on lap 16, Stevens claimed the point on lap 18 and lever looked back guiding the field to the checkered, with Dave Oswald of Cottage grove close behind. Oswald suffered a flat tire, shortly after the 2nd caution on lap 22, forcing him to retired from the race. At the stripe it was Stevens for the win followed by Tony Koepke of Ft. Atkinson, Jeff Kohlhoff of Watertown, Ramge and Kyle Munro of Ft. Atkinson.

Despite his early retirement, from the feature event, Oswald had amassed enough points to assure the championship was his.

Stevens set the fast qualifying pace with a 15.700 second loop of the quarter mile.

Claiming victories, in 10 lap heat races, were Chris Ehrhart of Deerfield, Roger Stephenson of Cambridge, and Mark Deporter of Ft. Atkinson.

Moving to the Last Chance race, via the 10 lap “Consi” were Dave Quale of Ft. Atkinson and Rick Rothwell of Madison.

Moving to the feature lineup, from the 15 lap Last Chance races were Mark Deporter of Ft. Atkinson, Shane Radtke of Rome, Dave Quale of Ft. Atkinson and Josh Weir of Cottage Grove.

In Hobby Stock Action, Lincoln Keeser of Milton claimed top honors in the, 30 lap, feature. Starting from the inside of row 5 Keeser moved quickly to the front, as Jason Thom of Johnson Creek pulled out the early lead. Ron Coppernoll of Dane moved up to claim the top spot by lap 4, only to surrender the spot to Trent Erdman of Ft. Atkinson on lap 19. Keeser closed with the leader on lap 23, making the winning pass on lap 25. At the stripe it was Keeser for the win, followed by Dennis Gaserude of Oregon, Erdman, Coppernoll and Jason Ayers of Stoughton.

Gaserude’s second place finish was enough to guarantee him the track championship in the Hobby Stock division.

Chuck Egli of Waterloo set the fast qualifying mark with a 17.108 second loop of the quarter mile.

Claiming victories in 8 lap heat races were Jim Blucher of Madison, Kevin Quale of Ft. Atkinson and Keeser.

Moving to the feature lineup, from the 8 lap Last Chance race were Quale, Bart DiMattina of Milton, Brett Schmidt of Watertown and Scott Bush of Ft. Atkinson.

Next week Jefferson Speedway closed the 1999 racing season with the 19th annual Pepsi Wisconsin State Championships. This huge, two day, show brings in top racers from all over the state to compete for $29,000 in prize money. Friday the gates will open at 2:00, track opens at 3:00, qualifying at 5:30 and racing at 8:00.

Saturday the gates open at 3:00, track opens at 3:30 and racing at 7:00.

Camping is available at the track and two day Super Tickets are available for Adults ($20), Student (12 – 15 $12) and Kids (8-11 $6).

Jefferson Speedway is located on highway 18, between Cambridge and Jefferson.

Results – Havill-Spoerl Season Championship 75

Late Model Feature Finish: Laps: 75
1. 46 – Nick Wendt (Watertown)
2. 76 – Ron Bishofberger (Ft. Atkinson)
3. 18 – Andy Wendt (Watertown)
4. 62 – Scott Null (Lake Mills)
5. 37 – Gene Olson Jr. (Jefferson)
6. 41 – Mike Taylor (Stoughton)
7. 7 – Bill Leindecker (Janesville)
8. 6 – Bart Reinen (Jefferson)
9. 11 – Russ Goodwin (Beloit)
10. 52 – Duane Deppe (Waterloo)
11. 22 – Jasper Gronert (Jefferson)
12. 6 – Ken Piotrowski (Milton)
13. 16 – Luke Westenberg (Palmyra)
14. 44 – Roger Behlke (Jefferson)
15. 25 – Randy Cusick (Ft. Atkinson)
16. 35 – Rex Weston (Lake Mills)
17. 27 – Dan Chesmore (Janesville)
18. 28 – Dustin Switlick (Wausau)
19. 98 – Scott Bleeker (Jefferson)
20. 43 – Denny Stair (Sullivan)

FAST QUALIFIER:
#18 Andy Wendt (Watertown): 14.828 seconds

FAST DASH: 8 Lap
46 – Nick Wendt (Watertown)

LAST CHANCE: 20 Laps
1.) 22 – Jasper Gronert (Jefferson)
2.) 37 – Gene Olson Jr. (Jefferson)
3.) #35 – Rex Weston (Lake Mills)
4.) 6 -Ken Piotrowski (Milton)
5.) 71 – John Ovadal (Johnson Creek)
6.) 52 – Duane Deppe (Waterloo)

CONSOLATION: 10 laps
1.) 4 – Nacho Varella (Johnson Creek)
2.) 88 – Brian Miles (Whitewater)
3.) 7 – Brent Knight (Watertown)
4.) 40 – Jeremy Switlick (Wausau)

Heats: 10 lap:
1) – 22 – Eric Connell (Sullivan)
2) – 6 – Ken Piotrowski (Milton)
3) – 41 – Mike Taylor (Stoughton)
4) – 52 – Duane Deppe (Waterloo)

TRACK CHAMPION:
#76 Ron Bishofberger (Fort Atkinson)

International Feature: Laps: 30
1. 15 – Justin Nottestad (Cambridge)
2. 14 – Scott Nottestad (Cambridge)
3. 7 – Matt Nickel (Madison)
4. 17 – Mike Bingham (Jefferson)
5. 24 – Rick Neerland (Ft. Atkinson)
6. 48 – Mike Drays (Milton)

FAST QUALIFIER
#15 – Justin Nottestad (Cambridge): 15.858 seconds (Track Record)

Heats: 10 lap:
1) – 128 – Tory Adams (Madison)
2) – 24 – Rick Neerland (Ft. Atkinson)

TRACK CHAMPION:
#15 Justin Nottestad (Cambridge)

Sportsman Feature: Laps: 35
1. 82 – Chad “Squirt” Stevens (Beloit)
2. 32 – Tony Koepke (Ft. Atkinson)
3. 98 – Jeff Kohlhoff (Watertown)
4. 17 – Noel Ramge (Hellenville)
5. 30 – Kyle Munro (Ft. Atkinson)
6. 99 – Kevin Thompson (Palmyra)

FAST QUALIFIER:
#82 – Chad “Squirt” Stevens (Beloit): 15.700 seconds

LAST CHANCE: 15 lap
1.) 28 – Mark Deporter (Ft. Atkinson)
2.) 17 – Shane Radtke (Rome)
3.) 67 – Dave Quale (Ft. Atkinson)
4.) 52 – Josh Weir (Cottage Grove)

CONSOLATION: 10 lap
1.) 67 – Dave Quale (Ft. Atkinson)
2.) 53 – Rick Rothwell (Madison)

Heats: 10 lap:
1) – 6 – Chris Ehrhart (Deerfield)
2) – 88 – Roger Stephenson (Cambridge)
3) – 28 – Mark Deporter (Ft. Atkinson)

TRACK CHAMPION:
#31 – Dave Oswald (Cottage Grove)

Hobby Stock Feature:Laps 30
1. 99 – Lincoln Keeser (Milton)
2. 72 – Ron Coppernoll (Madison)
3. 18 – Dennis Gaserude (Oregon)
4. 57 – Jason Ayers (Stoughton)
5. 11 – Trent Erdman (Ft. Atkinson)
6. J10 – Jim Williams (Milton)

FAST QUALIFIER:
#22 – Chuck Egli (Waterloo): 17.108 seconds

LAST CHANCE: 8 laps:
1.) 76 – Kevin Quale (Ft. Atkinson)
2.) 5 – Bart DiMattina (Milton)
3.) 9 – Brett Schmidt (Watertown)
4.) 17 – Scott Bush (Ft. Atkinson)

Heats: 8 lap:
1) – 93 – Jim Blucher (Madison)
2)- 76 – Kevin Quale (Ft. Atkinson)
3)- 99 – Lincoln Keeser (Milton)

TRACK CHAMPION: Dennis Gaserude (Oregon)