Jefferson, Wis., July 6, 2002 -- It was "Smith Motors" Midseason Championships at Wisconsin's Action Track, with a 60 lap Late Model feature and extended features in all other divisions.

Photo Highlights

Dan Chesmore (#27) and Ron Bishofberger (#76) working their way under Tim Noble (#71) in the Smith Motors 60 lapper. Chesmore and Bishofberger crossed the line 1st and 2nd. Following technical inspections Bishofberger was declared the winner. Aaron Rude (#9), coming up behind Steve Drays (#84), Mike Bingham (#17) and Dennis Clapp (#16) in the International feature. Rude is on his way to Victory lane while Clapp held on for a 3rd place finish. Jason Thoma (#95), working his way under Nick Berge (#37) and James Helmer (#7), on his way to the front of the Sportsman division feature. Thoma was unchallenged at the finish! Jason Ayers (#57), on his way to winning his Sportsman heat race. With Tony Koepke (#2) and Trent Erdman (#11) working the low groove behind him. Dennis Schmidt (#19) fends off the challenge of Jim Williams (#J10), in the Hobby Stock feature. They finished as they are pictured, first and second. The water barrier wins again! Tim Seitz (#57) winds up atop the water barrier in turn 4, in Bandit heat racing. Bandit feature action, with Peter Shelly (#5), leading Troy Olsen (#11) and Brandon Riedner (#4D). Shelly is on his way to the win, while Riedner made it up to second at the finish.

Janesville's Dan Chesmore, two time defending track champion, motored from 13th place to win the, 60 lap Late Model feature. Jasper Gronert claimed the early lead, holding on for 10 laps before surrendering the point to Mike Taylor. Taylor guided the way for 14 laps as Chesmore worked his way through traffic.

The current point leader, Ron Bishofberger, was close behind Chesmore, as he wound through the field. A caution, on lap 23, closed the field, with Chesmore running 2nd. On the restart Chesmore made his move, driving under Taylor to claim the point, on lap 24. Bishofberger was close behind, for 2nd, but that is as close as he got! With a clear field ahead, Chesmore pulled ahead, lapping cars as he went and leaving Bishofberger behind. Lapping the 8th place car, Chesmore came down to the checkered flag, followed by Bishofberger, Taylor, Roger Behlke and Scott Nottestad.

Chesmore subsequently failed the post-race technical inspection, moving Bishofberger to the official win column.

In International action, Aaron Rude of Cambridge claimed top honors in the 25 lap, Midseason Championship main event. Starting from the outside of row 6, Rude headed toward the front as Bob Taylor and Dennis Clapp battled for the early lead. Clapp claimed the point on lap 2, guiding the way for 15 laps. The only caution came, for a blown engine, on lap 16, with Rude up to the 2nd spot. On the restart, Rude moved under Clapp, claiming the point on lap 18. At the stripe it was Rude for the win, followed by Brent Nottestad, Clapp, Mike Drays and Mike Bingham.

In Sportsman division action, Jason Thoma dominated the 35 lap, Midseason Championship, feature. Starting from the outside of row 4, Thoma headed for the front, as James Helmer claimed the early lead. Thoma made his way to 2nd, by lap 8, closing with Helmer. Claiming the point, on lap 11, Thoma drove away from the field, opening a half lap lead, on his way to the checkered flag. At the finish it was Thoma for the win, followed by Mark Deporter, Trent Erdman, Scott "Chico" Riedner and Jay Kalbus.

In Hobby Stock action, Dennis Schmidt of Johnson Creek claimed top honors in the 25 lap main event. Starting from the inside of row 3, Schmidt motored past Russ Nicholson, for the lead, on lap 2. Jim Williams was right behind Schmidt, for the 2nd spot, but was never able to find his way around. At the finish it was Schmidt at the point, followed by Williams, Roger Stephenson, Terry Wangsness and Jeremy Hartwig.

In the Bandit division Edgerton's Peter Shelley finished first, in an action packed 18 lap main event. Starting 11th, Shelley headed through the field, as Jim Clark claimed the early lead. Clark surrendered the point, to Brandon Riedner, on lap 6. Closing with Riedner, on lap 14, Shelly claimed the point. At the finish it was Shelley for the win, followed by Riedner, Tim Seitz, Bill Reynolds and Troy Olson.

Next Week at Jefferson Speedway it's Beaver Tree Service Night, featuring the Miller Lite 50. The One-on-One Street Drag will round out the night's racing action.

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

Date: July 6, 2002 - Event: Smith Motors - MidSeason Championships

FAST QUALIFIER  :   27 Dan Chesmore (Janesville): 14.927 seconds
FAST DASH (Smith Motors): 8 Lap :   14 Scott Nottestad (Stoughton)
LAST CHANCE: 15 Lap :   66 Curt Thompson (Ft. Atkinson),  0 Scottie Hatton (Waterloo), 75 Mike Beyer (Machesney Park IL), 9 Lyle Nowak (Mosinee)
Heats: 10 lap: 1)    66 Curt Thompson (Ft. Atkinson)      2)   41 Mike Taylor (Stoughton)                 3)    68 Ken Olson (Ft. Atkinson)                      

FAST QUALIFIER  :   9 Aaron Rude (Cambridge): 16.090 seconds
FAST DASH (Smith Motors): 6 Lap :   84 Steve Drays (Milton)
Heats: 10 lap: 1)    57 Mark English (Janesville)              2)   17 Mike Bingham (Jefferson)

FAST QUALIFIER  :   26 Scott “Chico” Riedner (Waunakee): 15.887 seconds
FAST DASH (Smith Motors): 6 Lap :   27 Bobby Stough Jr. (Waunakee)
CONSI: 10 Lap :   106 Jody Purdy (Milton), 23 Chris Koepke (Ft. Atkinson)
LAST CHANCE: 15 Lap : 57 Jason Ayers (Stoughton), 4 Luke Padfield (Jefferson), 32 Tony Koepke (Ft. Atkinson), Tom Reents (Janesville)
Heats: 10 lap: 1)     106 Jody Purdy (Milton)                       2)   4 Luke Padfield (Jefferson)
                          3)    57 Jason Ayers (Stoughton)                   4)   28 Mark Deporter (Ft. Atkinson)

FAST QUALIFIER  :   6 Jeremy Hartwig (Cottage Grove): 16.835 seconds
FAST DASH (Smith Motors): 6 Lap :   55 Terry Wangsness (Delavan)
CONSI: 8  Lap :   33 Jimmy Robinson (Orfordville), 99 Johnny Robinson (Beloit)
LAST CHANCE: 12 Lap :   22 Chuck Egli (Waterloo), 77 Casey Burns (Edgerton),  44 Jesse Ayers (Stoughton), 80 Mike Meyers (Orfordville)Heats:   8 lap: 1)    01 Justin Bowey (Sullivan)                   2)   99 Johnny Robinson (Beloit)
3)       70 Rick Kehoe (Jefferson)                   4)   19 Dennis Schmidt (Johnson Creek)

FAST QUALIFIER  :   4D Brandon Riedner (Waunakee): 15.793 seconds
FAST DASH (Smith Motors): 6 Lap :   57 Tim Seitz (Edgerton)
LAST CHANCE: 8 Lap :   11 Troy Olson (Janesville), 1 Tade Swerig (Edgerton)  98 Tina Marie Hoff (Watertown), 41 Brian Paulson (Edgerton)Heats:  8 lap: 1)     19 Rick Boyce (Marshall)                      2)   42 Bill Sweeney (Janesville)