Jefferson, Wis., June 29, 2002 -- It was the Independence day special Kids thrilled at the opportunity to take a ride in a race car, compete in "Big Wheel Races" during intermission and numerous other activities, on this special night.
Two time defending track champion, Dan Chesmore of Janesville claimed his first feature win of the 2002 season, in the Kearns Motor Car Co. 50.

Photo Highlights

Dan Chesmore (#27) makes his first visit to Victory Lane, for 2002, following his victory, in the Kearns Motor Car Co. 50. The winning pass! Dan Chesmore (#27), moves under Beau Sanden (#11). Chesmore is on his way to the win, while Sanden finished second. The first win is sweet! Kyle Jarlsberg (#87) beats Jay Kalbus (#27) at the line, in the Sportsman division feature. This was Jarlsberg's first career feature. Close Sportsman division racing. Dan Schmidt (blue #19), Chad Reimer (Grey #19), Tony Koepke (#32), vie for positions in the Sportsman division 30 lapper. He's winning his first feature the old fashioned way, "he's earning it!" Ken Au (#31) holding off Roger Stephenson (#88) in the Hobby Stock feature. Au is on his way to scoring his first feature win! Stephenson missed it "by this much." Allen Petrie (#12) is first at the line, in the Bandit feature. Close behind are Peter Shelley (#5) and Bill Sheldon (#19). Adam Padfield (#1) and Allen Ames (#88) tangle out of turn 4, in Bandit "Last Chance" action.  Don't ya just hate it when that happens. Allen Ames (#88) is parked on his front bumper ( his rear end is atop on of the concrete cubes that protect the light fixtures. Also pictured are Rikki Bishofberger (#20) and Joe Cross (#67). No one was hurt and all returned to race later in the evening!

Starting from the inside of row 7, Chesmore started the battle to the point as Jasper Gronert claimed the early lead. Gronert surrendered the point to Beau Sanden, on lap 15. Sanden built a strong lead, as Chesmore worked his way forward from 8th. Chesmore made his way to 2nd, by lap 29, closing with Sanden.

Chesmore first claimed the point on lap 33, only to have a caution flag, for a spin, close the field and revert to the last completed lap. On the restart Chesmore went back to work on Sanden, reclaiming the lead on lap 34. At the stripe it was Chesmore, over a quarter lap, followed by Sanden, Nick Wendt, Ron Bishofberger and Steve Dobbratz.

In International action Chris Quam of Stoughton inherited the win, in the 25 lap main. Starting from the outside of row 5, Quam started his journey to the front, as Dennis Clapp claimed the early lead. Justin Nottestad, of Mooresville NC, motored under Clapp, on lap 15, guiding the way from there to the checkers, as Quam battled forward to the 2nd spot. At the stripe it was Nottestad followed by Quam, Clapp, Steve Drays, Aaron Rude, Mike Drays and Mark English.

Nottestad subsequently failed the post-race technical inspection, moving Quam to the official win column.

In Sportsman division action, Kyle Jarlsberg of Cambridge notches his first feature win, in the 30 lap main event. Starting from the pole position Jarlsberg claimed the point at the green flag, guiding the field flag-to-flag. The race slowed for a single caution, on lap 17, for fluid on the racing surface. Jarlsberg handled the restart, making his way first to the stripe, followed by Jay Kalbus, Scott "Chico" Riedner, Randy Padfield and Mark Deporter.

In Hobby Stock action, it was Fort Atkinson's Ken Au claiming his first feature win. Starting from the outside of row 1, Au led every lap, of the 25 lap feature. That's not to say it was easy going all the way! Roger "Mr. Excitement" Stephenson closed with Au, by lap 20, turning on the pressure. After 5 laps of hard racing, it was Au, edging Stephenson at the line. Rounding out the top 5 were Gerald Chapman, Chad Lurvey and Jeremy Hartwig.

In Bandit action Allen Petrie of Sun Prairie drove from the outside front row, to the checkered flag. Leading every lap on his way to claiming top honors in the, 18 lap, main event. At the stripe it was Petrie for the win, followed by Bill Sheldon, Peter Shelley, Brandon Riedner and Bill Reynolds.

Thundercat Fireworks closed the evening, thrilling the crowd with a brilliant pyrotechnic display.

The next event at Jefferson Speedway is the "Tournament of Destruction," Wednesday, July 3. This night of automotive mayhem will conclude with another Fireworks show, by Thundercat.

Next Saturday Smith Motors presents the Mid-Season Championships, featuring a 60 lap Late Model feature and extended features in all divisions.

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

Date: June 29, 2002

Event: Kearns Motor Car Co/WJJO Independence Day Special

FAST QUALIFIER  :   27 Dan Chesmore (Janesville): 14.812 seconds
FAST DASH (Papa Murphy’s Pizza): 8 Lap :   14 Scott Nottestad (Stoughton)
LAST CHANCE: 20 Lap :   41 Mike Taylor (Stoughton), 25 Mike Cusick (Ft. Atkinson), 37 Gene Olson Jr. (Jefferson), 97 Bruce Lee (Edgerton)

Heats: 10 lap: 1)     6 Ken Piotrowski (Janesville)             2)   94 Nick Wendt (Jefferson)                         3)    11 Beau Sanden (Janesville)                

FAST QUALIFIER  :   4 Chris Quam (Stoughton): 15.942 seconds
Heats: 10 lap: 1)    28 Bobby Moore (Edgerton)                 2)   16 Dennis Clapp (Madison)

FAST QUALIFIER  :   95 Jason Thoma (Jefferson): 15.784 seconds
CONSI: 10 Lap :   42 Tom Reents (Janesville), 55 Jason Gilberts (Janesville)
LAST CHANCE: 15 Lap :   106 Jody Purdy (Milton), 4 Luke Padfield (Jefferson),   99 Kevin Thompson (Palmyra), 59 Judy Weir (Cottage Grove)Heats: 10 lap: 1)    55 Carey Hensel (Stoughton)              2)   37 Jason Ayers (Stoughton)
                          3)    87 Kyle Jarlsberg (Cambridge)             4)   20 Brett Schmidt (Watertown)

FAST QUALIFIER  :   6 Jeremy Hartwig (Cottage Grove): 16.893 seconds
CONSI: 8  Lap :   01 Justin Bowey (Sullivan), 71 Jason Deppe (Waterloo)
LAST CHANCE: 12 Lap :   2 Eaan Carson (Whitewater), 70 Rick Kehoe (Jefferson),   68 Jenny Vitense (Cottage Grove), 18 Mike Cusick (Edgerton)

Heats:  8 lap: 1)    01 Justin Bowey (Sullivan)                   2)   18 Mike Cusick (Edgerton)         3)       88 Roger Stephenson (Cambridge)  

FAST QUALIFIER  :   42 Bill Sweeney (Janesville): 15.563 seconds
LAST CHANCE: 12 Lap :   1 Adam Padfield (Stoughton), 88 Allen Ames, 98 Tina Hoff (Watertown),    08 Renee Collins (Lake Mills)
Heats:  8 lap: 1)    86 Scott Shevey (Watertown)               2)   57 Tim Seitz (Edgerton)

Grudge Match:  Mark Nehl (WJJO)
Big Wheel by age: 2-3) Bryce Gerlach   4-5) Jacob Peters   Over5) Randy Vesterfield  All) Chris Paxson