July 12, 2003; Jefferson, Wis. - A near capacity crowd and 151 cars were on hand for the “Smith Motors - Mid-Season Championships,” at Jefferson Speedway. There was a picnic for the folks from Local 538, a full moon, and drivers with hopes of improving their standing in the season points. The stage was set for a nigh of great racing and, just a bit of, mayhem.
Ron Bishofberger of Fort Atkinson claimed top honors in the “Smith Motors - Mid-season Championship,” 60 lap Late Model feature. Starting from the inside of row 6, Bishofberger headed toward the point as Mike Taylor drive to the early lead. Bishofberger was up to 5th, when the first caution came, for a spin on the back stretch. Moving under Curt Thompson and Ken Olson, Bishofberger closed with Dylan Schuyler, for 2nd, by lap 18. On lap 21, Bishofberger drove under Schuyler and Taylor, claiming the point. As Bishofberger pulled ahead, Scott Nottestad made his way to 2nd, followed by Randy Breunig. The field slowed, for a final caution, on lap 38, for a spin in turn 4. Bishofberger, easily, handled the restart guiding the way to the checkered flag. At the stripe it was Bishofberger for the win, followed by Nottestad, Breunig, Schuyler and Nick Wendt. In International action, defending track champion Aaron Rude of Cambridge claimed top honors in the 30 lap feature. Starting from the outside of row 7, Rude avoided the chaos that erupted, before the field took the green, when a spinning car, at the front of the field, collected much of the field, ending the night for several drivers, including the current point leader Chris Quam. hen the field took the green, it was Steve Allman pulling to the early lead, as Rude
battled his way through traffic. Allman surrendered the point to Steve Drays, on lap 3,
with Mike Drays close behind, for the 2nd spot. Caution came, on lap 8, when three cars
tangled. Rude was up to the 6th spot for the restart. Rude made his way to 4th, by lap 11,
motoring under Derek Bettenhausen, for 3rd, on lap 12. Moving under Steve Drays, Rude
claimed 2nd, on lap 14, closing with Mike In Sportsman division action Bret Schmidt of Watertown was victorious, in the 40 lap feature. Starting from the inside of row 5, Schmidt started his trek to the front, as Mark English claimed the early lead. The opening lap, saw a spin on the back stretch, that scattered cars in every direction. It was the biggest wreck of the night that didn’t happen! Everyone kept going and there was no caution flag! aution did come, on lap 4, for a spin between turns 1 and 2. Schmidt was up to 8th for the restart. Schmidt was running 7th, on lap 10, when a wreck collected the 3rd through 6th place cars, moving him to 3rd for the restart. Moving under Noel Ramge, for 2nd, on lap 12, Schmidt closed with English. Schmidt motored past English, on lap 19, pulling ahead as he guided the field to the checkers. The race slowed for 2 more cautions, on lap 24 and 38, with Schmidt pulling ahead on each restart. At the stripe it was Schmidt for the win, followed by Dave Oswald, Trent Erdman, Brent Moe and English. As he pulled from Victory Lane, on his way to the pits, Schmidt broke an axle and had to be towed off! Guess he was glad it wasn’t a 41 lap race! In Hobby Stock action Stoughton’s Jesse Ayers turned in the winning performance, in the 30 lap feature. Starting from the inside of row 2, Ayers claimed 2nd at the start, as Russ Nicholson pulled to the early lead. Ayers worked the inside, for 8 laps, before making the winning pass, on lap 9. Ayers drive to the checkers was slowed by a single caution, on lap 24, for a single car spin. Pulling ahead at the restart, Ayers found his way to the checkered, just, ahead of Jeramy Hartwig, who had made a run all the way from the rear of the field. Rounding out the top 5 were Pete Elgas, Garrett Goth ad Eaan Carson In Bandit action Tim Petrie of Whitewater dominated the 25 lap feature, in his new car, formerly driven by Brandon Riedner. Starting from the outside of row 5, Petrie charged toward the front, as Mark Joyner claimed the early lead. Petrie made his way to Joyner by lap 6, claiming the top spot on lap 7. As he guided the field to the checkered flag, Petrie opened a quarter lap lead, over 2nd place. At the end of 25, caution free, laps it was Petrie for the win, followed by Chris Higgins, Bill Reynolds, Tim Seitz and Alan Petrie. Next week Jefferson Speedway hosts the “WFAW - Blackhawk 50," with a 50 lap Late Model feature and a full racing program in all 5 divisions. Gates open at 3:00, qualifying at 5:00 and racing at 7:00 sharp. Jefferson Speedway is on highway 18, half way between Cambridge and Jefferson Wisconsin. Jefferson Speedway - Date: July 12, 2003 - Event: Smith Motors - Mid-Season Championships Late Model Feature Finish:
Laps: 60 International Feature:
Laps: 30 Sportsman Feature:
Laps: 40 Hobby Stock Feature:
Laps: 30 |
