Jefferson, Wis., June 22, 2002 -- Palmyra's Eric Gerlach claimed top honors in the WIBA Night 35 lapper, in the Late Model division at Jefferson Speedway. Starting from the pole, Gerlack dropped to second, behind Beau Sanden, at the start. Gerlach trailed Sanden for 22 laps before claiming the point, on lap 23

Photo Highlights

Eric Gerlach (#55) made his first stop in victory lane, for the 2002 season, following a hard battle in the Late Model 35 lapper. Eric Gerlach (#55), moves under Beau Sanden (#11) in Late Model feature action. Gerlach is on his way to the win, with Sanden finishing a close second. Mike Bingham (#17), notched his first for 2002, in the International feature. The Margin of victory! Mike Bingham (#17), manages a half car length win, over Aaron Rude (#9) in the International feature. Jay Kalbus (#27) made it to Victory lane, in the Sportsman division. If you're only going to lead one lap, make it the last one! Jay Kalbus (#27), beats Bret Schmidt (#20) at the line, in the Sportsman feature. Jeramy Hartwig (#6) notched his career first, in the Hobby Stock feature.  Bill Reynolds (#38) moving under Rick Boyce, in Bandit action. Reynolds went on to score the win.

From there it was Gerlach, all the way to the checkers. The race slowed for 3 caution periods, one for a wreck on lap 10, one for an, apparent, blown engine on lap 25 and one for debris, on lap 30. As they flew past the checkered flag it was Gerlach for the win, followed by Sanden, Dan Chesmore, Scott Nottestad and Steve Dobbratz.

In victory lane, following the race, Gerlach conceded "I was rooting for Beau, he's been racing hard! I wouldn't have minded finishing second to him."

In International action Mike Bingham of Jefferson claimed his first feature, of the 2002 season, in the 20 lap main event. Starting from the outside of the first row, Bingham grabbed the early lead and never looked back, showing the way to the checkered flag. The battle, for 2nd back, was waged behind Bingham, between several of the divisions fastest. At the stripe it was Bingham for the win, followed by Aaron Rude, Chris Quam, Mark English and Mike Drays.

In Sportsman division action Jay Kalbus of Oconomowoc claimed a, hard fought, victory in the 30 lap feature. Starting from the inside of row 4, Kalbus headed for the point, as Nick Berge of Janesville took the early lead. Berge surrendered the point to Bret Schmidt on lap 9, as Kalbus moved into 5th place.

Claiming 2nd, on lap 16, Kalbus closed with Schmidt by lap 18. Kalbus made a failed attempt, on lap 21, dropping back to the 2nd spot and looking for another opportunity. Closing with Schmidt, on lap 28, Kalbus moved to the inside to make the winning pass on the white flag lap. At the stripe it was Kalbus for the win, followed by Schmidt, Chad Reimer, Scott Riedner and Dylan Schuyler.

In Hobby Stock Action, Jeramy Hartwig of Cottage Grove won the first feature race of his career, in the 20 lap main. Starting from the inside of row 3, Hartwig found himself in 4th place, following the first lap, multi-car, crash on the back stretch. Closing with Ken Au, the early leader, Hartwig made the winning pass on lap 6. Following Hartwig, at the finish, were Roger Stephenson, Au, Lincoln Keeser and Paul Edmundson.

In Bandit division action Bill Reynolds of Watertown claimed top honors, in the 15 lap feature. Starting from the inside of row 3, following a first lap melee that setup a complete restart, Reynolds headed to the point. Motoring past Rick Boyce, Reynolds claimed the lead on lap 6, guiding the field to the finish. At the checkered it was Reynolds for the win followed by Tim Seitz, Allen Petrie, Peter Shelley and Brandon Riedner.

Next week at Jefferson Speedway, Kearns Motor Car Company and WJJO presents the Independence Day Special. With Race Car Rides for kids, the Coin Toss, big wheel races and the "Kearns Motor Car 50," capped by a huge Fireworks show to round out the night. To make time for the Kids rides, Gates open at 2:30, Qualifying will begin at 3:30, Kids rides from 5:15-6:15 and racing at 7:00 sharp.

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

Jefferson Speedway - Date: June 22, 2002 - Event: WIBA Night at the Races

FAST QUALIFIER  :   97 Jim Jarlsberg (Cambridge): 14.930 seconds
FAST DASH: 8 Lap (Lake Country Heating & Cooling):    14 Scott Nottestad (Stoughton)
LAST CHANCE: 20 Lap :   22 Jasper Gronert (Jefferson), 2 Craig Olver (Deforest), 66 Curt Thompson (Palmyra), 8 Jesse Saunders (New Glarus)
Heats: 10 lap: 1)    0 Scottie Hatton (Waterloo)                 2)   37 Gene Olson Jr. (Jefferson)                        3)    2 Craig Olver (Deforest)                       

FAST QUALIFIER  :   9 Aaron Rude (Cambridge): 15.935 seconds
Heats: 10 lap: 1)    57 Mark English (Janesville)              2)   48 Mike Drays (Milton)

FAST QUALIFIER  :   95 Jason Thoma (Jefferson): 15.737 seconds
CONSI: 10 Lap :   87 Kyle Jarlsberg (Cambridge), 80 Brian Eels (Janesville)
LAST CHANCE: 15 Lap :   99 Kevin Thompson (Palmyra) , 42 Tom Reents (Janesville), 15 Kurt Kleven (Utica), 14 Kyle Taylor (Stoughton)

Heats: 10 lap: 1)     82 Mike Acheson (Watertown)            2)   57 Jason Ayers (Stoughton)                        3)    23 Jim Pankow (Oregon)                      

FAST QUALIFIER  :   22 Chuck Egli (Waterloo): 16.942 seconds
LAST CHANCE: 12 Lap :   77 Casey Burns (Edgerton), 63 Eugene Niedermeier (Orfordville),  2 Eaan Carson (Ft. Atkinson), 9 Bill Emmons (Jefferson)
Heats:  8 lap: 1)    2 Eaan Carson (Ft. Atkinson)               2)   Kris Schoonover (Janesville)         3)       6 Jeramy Hartwig (Cottage Grove)         

FAST QUALIFIER  :   4d Brandon Riedner (Waunakee): 15.593 seconds
Heats:  8 lap: 1)    19 Rick Boyce (Marshall)                      2)   18 David Jurczyk (Jefferson)

Double O: 8 Lap:  12 Allen Petrie Jr. (Sun Prairie)