Ovadal, Riedner, English, Robinson and Riedner Victorious at Jefferson Opener

By Larry Starr

May 6, 2006; Jefferson WI – A large crowd and a good field of cars gathered to kick off the 2006 Racing Season at Jefferson Speedway.

In Late Model action John Ovadal Jr. of Watertown claimed top honors in the “Spring Sizzler”, 50 lap, feature event. Starting inside row 8, Ovadal headed toward the front as Tony Koepke claimed the early lead. Ovadal claimed the 5th on lap 18 and 3rd by lap 22. Caution came on lap 23 for a two car spin, in turns 1 and 2. Koepke led the restart, with Ovadal blazing from 3rd to first on the following lap. Once at the point, Ovadal guided the field to the checkers.

The trip to the checkers was interrupted by the second caution, on lap 33, when a car hit the back stretch wall, coming to a stop at the exit of turn 4. Ovadal led the field to the checkers, with Ken Olson battling his way to the 2nd spot followed by Dan Chesmore. At the stripe it was Ovadal for the win, follow by Olson, Chesmore, Jason Erickson and Noel Ramge.

In Sportsman action Scott “Chico” Riedner of Waunakee classed the field, in the 30 lap main event. Starting 13th, Riedner started his charge to the checkered flag, as Chris Ehrhart grabbed the early lead. Rick Rothwell replaced Ehrhart at the point on the second circuit. Caution came on lap 3, when Rothwell and Casey Burns crashed in turn 3. Both drivers continued, at the rear of the field, Moving James Helmer to the point for the restart. Riedner claimed 2nd on the restart, closing with Helmer.

Following a 3 lap battle, Riedner moved to the top spot, showing the way to the checkered flag. Mark DePorter motored to the second spot, on lap 7, closing with Riedner. DePorter challenged for the lead, for the remainder of the race, but Riedner was up to the challenge. Riedner was first at the checkers, followed by DePorter, Jay Kalbus, Eaan Carson and Dan Schmidt.

In International action Mark English notched the first feature win of the season, in the 20 lap main. Starting outside row 3, English claimed the top spot, from Mike Winters, on lap 16. At the stripe it was English followed by Scotty Hoeft, Winters, Mark Joyner and Chris Chenoweth.

In Hobby Stock action Johnny Robinson III of Beloit claimed the win, in the 20 lap feature. Starting 4th, Robinson headed toward the point, as Kyle Stark drove to the early lead. Robinson claimed the 2nd spot by lap 5, closing with Stark.

Stark held off the challenge, until lap 12, when Robinson edged into the top spot. As Robinson pulled ahead Stark found himself in a battle for the 2nd spot, with Pete Elgas. Elgas claimed 2nd on lap 16. At the finish it was Robinson for the win followed by Elgas, Russ Nicholson, Bret Carson and Stark.

In Bandit Action Brandon “Bud” Riedner claimed top honors in the 20 lap feature. Starting outside row 5 Riedner started his trek to the checkers, as Darren Brown claimed the early lead. Brown led the way for 8 laps as Riedner made his way through traffic. Riedner motored past Brown on lap 9, guiding the field from there to the finish. Riedner was first at the finish followed by Kyle Watters, Brown, Tom Bleecker and Ron Nelson.

The action continues next week at “Wisconsin’s Action Track” with a full Racing Program, featuring the “Mountain Dew” 50 lap Late Model feature. Also on tap is the “Best Appearing Car” contest.

Jefferson speedway is half way between Jefferson and Cambridge Wisconsin on highway 18.

Jefferson Speedway Race Summary
05/06/2006 Spring Sizzler 50
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Late Model Division Feature Finish
1) 71 John Ovadal Jr (Watertown) 2) 68 Ken Olson (Fort Atkinson)
3) 27 Dan Chesmore 4) 94 Jason Erickson
5) 17 Noel Ramge (Helenville) 6) 71 Tim Noble (Janesville)
7) 71 Jason Deppe (Waterton) 8) 97 Paul Kisow (Cambridge)
9) 23 Chris Koepke (Jefferson) 10) 44 Roger Behlke (Jefferson)
11) 33 Dylan Schuyler (Jefferson) 12) 32 Tony Koepke (Fort Atkinson)
13) 41 Mike Taylor (Stoughton) 14) 52 April Reimer (Beloit)
15) 19 Chad Reimer (Oconomowoc) 16) 21 Josh Courtney (Janesville)
17) 70 Rick Kehoe (Jefferson) 18) 17 Duane Deppe (Waterloo)
19) 16 Luke Westenberg (Watertown) 20) 53 Carl Korte
21) 27 Tom Schuette (Fort Atkinson)
Fast Qualifier: 94 Jason Erickson : 14.375 seconds
Fast Dash: 19 Chad Reimer (Oconomowoc)
Heats: Qual1) 41 Mike Taylor, Qual2) 32 Tony Koepke

International Division Feature Finish
1) 57 Mark English (Janesville) 2) 00 Scotty Hoeft (Watertown)
3) 77 Mike Winters (Sun Prairie) 4) 4 Mark Joyner (Elkhorn)
5) 97 Chris Chenoweth (Watertown) 6) 67 Joe Cross (Sun Prairie)
Fast Qualifier: 4 Mark Joyner (Elkhorn) : 16.569 seconds
Fast Dash: 77 Mike Winters (Sun Prairie)
Heats: Qual1) 77 Mike Winters

Sportsman Division Feature Finish
1) 26 Scott Riedner (Waunakee) 2) 28 Mark DePorter
3) 27 Jay Kalbus (Watertown) 4) 2 Eaan Carson (Fort Atkinson)
5) 19 Dan Schmidt (Watertown) 6) 31 David Oswald (Cottage Grove)
Fast Qualifier: 95 Jason Thoma (Jefferson) : 15.087 seconds
Fast Dash: 2 Eaan Carson (Fort Atkinson)
Heats: Qual1) 11 Trent Erdman, qual2) 28 Mark DePorter

Hobby Stock Division Feature Finish
1) 99 Johnny Robinson II (Beloit) 2) 52 Peter Elgas (Janesville)
3) 67 Russell Nicholson (Stoughton) 4) 62 Bret Carson (Johnson Creek)
5) 92 Kyle Stark (Waterloo) 6) 99 Lincoln Keeser (Whitewater)
Fast Qualifier: 5 Bart DiMattina (Milton) : 16.533 seconds
Fast Dash: 19 Dennis Schmidt
Consi: 1 Levi Cloute, 41 Nick Newton
LastChance: 60 Chet Paffel, 94.1 Mike Storkson, 50 Jim Schmidt, 7 Scott Carson
Heats: Qual1) 5 Jon Bue Ira, qual3) 60 Chet Paffel, qual2) 67 Russell Nicholson

Bandit Division Feature Finish
1) 4D Brandon Riedner (Waunakee) 2) 7 Kyle Watters (Stoughton)
3) 25 Darren Brown (Jefferson) 4) 98 Tom Bleecker (Watertown)
5) 86 Ron Nelson (Utica) 6) 21 Rodney Mundt
Fast Qualifier: 86 Ron Nelson (Utica) : 14.680 seconds
Fast Dash: 7 Kyle Watters (Stoughton)
LastChance: 32 Cody Strese, Z28 Jody Krueger, 4 Steve Fulwiler, 89 Chad Olds
Heats: Qual1) 75H Raymond Davies, qual3) 4D Brandon Riedner,
qual2) 6 Zak Czeszynski