Jefferson, Wis., July 20, 2002 -- Gene Olson Jr. of Jefferson, led the WFAW Blackhawk 50, flag to flag, claiming top honors in the feature event. Starting from the outside of row 1, Olson took the point at the green flag and never looked back, as he guided the field to the checkered flag. As Olson led the way Dan Chesmore, the defending track champion, made his way from 10th to 2nd.

Photo Highlights

Gene Olson Jr. (#37) leading the way to the checkered flag, in the WFAW Blackhawk 50 Late Model feature. Olson went on to score his first win, after 15 years of trying, in this event. Chris Quam (#4) and Mark English (#57) move under Derrick Bettenhausen (#10), in the International feature. Quam and English finished 1st and 2nd in this one.. James Helmer (#7), going by Carry Hensel (#55) in the Sportsman feature. Helmer is on his way to his first career feature, in the Sportsman division. Dave Oswald (#31) on his way under a developing spin, with Tom Reents (#42) out in front and Jason Ayers (#57) bringing up the rear. Oswald went on to finish second. Bill Bush (#17) makes his way under Eaan Carson (#2) in Hobby Stock action. Bush went on to win this feature, with Carson holding on to second. Hobby Stock Last Chance action. Justin Bowey (#01) leads Jenny Vitense (#68), Jason Deppe (#71), and Casey Burns (#77), early in the race. This Can't be good! Paul Edmundson (#00) is sideways in front of Dennis Schmidt (#19) and they're about to collect Lincoln Keeser (#99). Coming up from behind is Roger Stephenson (#88). Evasive action, on wet grass, does not always work out very well! Roger Stephenson (#88) is atop the light stand barrier, with Paul Edmundson (#00), hooked in his right side door. Guess we're both going to the feature. Jesse Ayers (#33) beats Jim Williams (#J10) to the line, in the Hobby Stock Last Chance. Why are you guys all going the wrong way? Jason Deppe (#71), looks the wrong way at traffic, in the Hobby Stock last chance. Moving Past are Jesse Ayers (#44) and Johnny Robinson (#99) Here they come around 1&2 ... Er ... I mean 3&4, guess the numbers all change when they run backwards! Tim Seitz (#57) moves under Bill Reynolds (#38) in the Bandit Feature. Setiz and Reynolds finished 1st and 2nd. Roy Pfeifer Jr. (#56), doing what he does best, on his way to winning the Roll Over Contest.

Chesmore was able to close in on Olson, but was unable to find his way to the lead. The race slowed for a singe caution, on lap 30, for a 2 car spin, in turn 1. Restarting, with Chesmore on his back bumper, Olson held off the challenge. At the stripe it was Olson for the win, followed by Chesmore, Mike Taylor, Eric Gerlach and Nick Wendt.

Olson, who has a Monday Race show on WFAW, has been trying to win this event for 15 years.

In International action Chris Quam of Stoughton made his way to the front of the 20 lap main event. Starting from the outside of row 5, Quam began his trek to the front, as Lucas Vinje pulled to the early lead. Vinje's turn at the point lasted one lap, before Derrick Bettenhausen claimed the position. Catching Bettenhausen, on lap 9, Quam claimed the point on lap 10, showing the way to the finish. At the stripe it was Quam for the win, followed by Mark English, Bettenhausen, Aaron Rude and Mike Bingham.

In Sportsman division action James Helmer of Fox Lake notched his first feature win, in the 30 lap main event. Starting from the pole position, Helmer pulled ahead, building a huge lead on his way to the checkered flag. As Helmer guided the way, Mark Deporter made his way, for 7th, to the second spot, followed by Jason Thoma. At the stripe it was Helmer for the win, followed by Deporter, Thoma, Dave Oswald and Scott "Chico" Riedner.

In Hobby Stock action Bill Bush of Jefferson moved from 9th to the front, claiming top honors in the 20 lap feature. Eaan Carson took the point at the green flag, guiding the way, for 9 laps, while Bush batted his way through traffic. Moving past Paul Edmundson, for 2nd, on lap 5 Bush closed with Carson. Moving to the bottom, Bush pulled alongside Carson on lap 8, and claimed the lead on lap 9. Bush was first at the checkered flag, followed by Carson, Roger Stephenson, Dennis Schmidt and Gerald Chapman.

In Bandit action Tim Seitz of Edgerton made his way to the top spot in the 15 lap feature. Starting from the outside of row 3, Seitz headed for the front, as Mark Sweitzer claimed the early lead. Closing with Sweitzer on lap 2, Seitz claimed the lead on lap 4. At the finish it was Seitz followed by Peter Shelley, Brandon Riedner, Bill Reynolds and Troy Olson.
Races, in all division except the Bandits, were lined up by point standings, due to rain delays. The bandits were the first, and only, division to complete time trials.

Rounding out the nights action was the roll over contest, won by Roy Pfeifer Jr. of Jefferson.

Next week Jefferson Speedway hosts the Stockade Restaurant Twin 35 lap Late Model features. The night will finish with a special edition of the Bubble Gauntlet, with a group of women drivers taking out the track announcer.

Gates open at 3:00, qualifying at 5:00 and racing at 7:00 sharp. Jefferson Speedway is half way between Cambridge and Jefferson Wisconsin, on Highway 18.

Jefferson Speedway - Date: July 20, 2002- WFAW Blackhawk 50 & Rollover Contest

Note: All divisions, except Bandit, lined up by points, due to weather delay.

FAST DASH: 8 Lap :   14 Scott Nottestad (Stoughton)
CONSI: 12 Lap :   3 Joe Wendorf (Jefferson), 11 Russ Goodwin (Beloit)
LAST CHANCE: 20 Lap :   16 Luke Westenberg (Palmyra), 75 Mike Beyer (Machesney PK IL), 99 Doug Hahn (Whitewater), 8 Jesse Saunders (New Glarus), 2 Matt Frey (Cambridge), Tom Dorn (Ft. Atkinson)

Heats: 10 lap: 1)     13 Ed Wolff III (Clyman)                      2)   41 Mike Taylor (Stoughton)                        3)    11 Russ Goodwin (Beloit)                      

FAST DASH: 6 Lap :   84 Steve Drays (Milton)
Heats: 10 lap: 1)    00 Scott Hoeft (Watertown)                 2)   84 Steve Drays (Milton)

FAST DASH: 6 Lap :   95 Jason Thoma (Jefferson)
LAST CHANCE: 15 Lap :   31 Dave Oswald (Cottage Grove), 4 Luke Padfield (Jefferson), 14 Kyle Taylor (Stoughton), 82 Mike Acheson (Watertown), 1 Pete Olsen (Ft. Atkinson)
Heats: 10 lap: 1)    80 Brian Eels (Janesville)               2)   57 Jason Ayers (Stoughton)                       3)    37 Nick Berge (Janesville)                          

FAST DASH: 6 Lap : J10 Jim Williams (Milton)     
LAST CHANCE: 12 Lap :   29 Mike Manley (Ft. Atkinson), 80 Mike Meyers (Orfordville), 33 Jim Robinson (Orfordville), 27 Jim Tate (Watertown), 44 Jesse Ayers (Stoughton), 01 Justin Bowey (Sullivan)
Heats:  8 lap: 1)    29 Mike Manley (Ft. Atkinson)           2)   44 Jesse Ayers (Stoughton)        3)       33 Jim Robinson (Orfordville)                 

FAST QUALIFIER  :   42 Bill Sweeney (Janesville): 15.630 seconds
FAST DASH: 6 Lap :   12 Allen Petrie (Sun Prairie)
LAST CHANCE: 12 Lap :   41 Brian Paulson (Edgerton), 98 Tina Harold (Watertown), 7 Joe Moyers (Machesney PK IL), 67 Joe Cross (Sun Prairie)
Heats:  8 lap: 1)    20 Rikki Bishofberger (Ft. Atkinson) 2)   57 Tim Seitz (Edgerton)

Rollover Contest:  Roy  Pfeifer Jr. (Jefferson)