Wendt, Erdman, Tate, English and Balis Victorious at Jefferson Speedway
By Larry Starr
July 30, 2005; Jefferson WI — Andy Wendt of Watertown dominated the “Watertown Bowl 50” Late Model feature, leading all 50 laps on his way to the checkered flag. Starting from the pole, Wendt pulled ahead of Jerry Eckhardt on the start, and never looked back. Jason Erickson came from a 11th place start, to the 3rd spot before the only caution of the race, on lap 24, for a spin in turn 4.
On the restart Erickson moved to the inside of Eckhardt, claiming the 2nd spot by lap 26. Erickson was able to pull up behind Wendt, but could not find the opening he needed. As they roared toward the checkers John Ovadal made his way to the 3rd spot, closing with the leaders. At the stripe it was Wendt for the win with Erickson in 2nd, by inches, over Ovadal. Rounding out the top 5 were Eckhardt and Bret Schmidt.
In Sportsman action Trent Erdman of Fort Atkinson claimed top honors in the 25 lap main event. Starting outside row 3, Erdman started his drive to the front as Terry Wangsness pulled to the early lead. Erdman made his way to 2nd, by lap 6, moving under Wangsness. Wangsness fought hard for 3 laps, before surrendering the point to Erdman on the 10th circuit. As Erdman pulled ahead, Wangsness found himself battling Jason Thoma for the 2nd spot. Thoma made his way to 2nd on lap 13 closing with Erdman. They battled toward the checkered, with Erdman first at the checkers, followed by Thoma, Wangsness, Jay Kalbus and Curt Thompson.
In International action Mark English of Janesville won the 20 lap feature. Starting outside row 4, English quickly moved to 3rd, behind a pair of former track champions, Brent and Justin Nottestad. Coming off the 2nd turn, on lap 5, Justin Nottestad, moved under Brent leaving enough room on the bottom for English to start his move, clearing Brent Nottestad as they entered the back straight and Justin as they rounded turns 3 and 4. From there to the checkers it was English at the front, with Justin Nottestad looking for a way past. At the stripe it was English for the win, followed by Justin Nottestad, Chris Nelson, Chris Chenoweth and Bill Sweeney.
In Hobby Stock action Jim Tate Jr. of Watertown placed a notch in the win column, in the 20 lap main event. Starting inside row 4, Tate headed toward the front as Ryan Oldenhoff pulled tot he early lead. Caution came on the 2nd lap, for a collision in turn 2. On the restart it was Oldenhoff at the point with Tate running 5th. Tate moved quickly, claiming 3rd by lap 4 and the lead by lap 5. From there Tate built a strong lead, as he showed the way to the checkers. At the stripe it was Tate for the win, followed by Ken Au, Pete Elgas, Jim Williams and Lincoln Keeser.
In Bandit action Nick Balis of Edgerton scored the first feature win of his career, in the 18 lap main. Starting outside the 2nd row, Balis began his drive to the checkers as Nick Klettke pulled to the early lead. Balis was running 2nd by lap 4, making the winning pass on lap 5. As Balis guided the field to the checkers the battled raged behind him. At the stripe it was Balis for the win, followed by Jody Krueger, Zak Czeszynski, James Bell and Troy Yohn.
Johnny Danger of Radio Station WJJO claimed victory, in the 10 lap “Grudge Match,” over track announcer Randy Kamenick.
Next week at Jefferson Speedway hosts the “Bittner Heat & Cooling 50,” with a 50 lap Late Model feature and a full racing program in all divisions. Capping the night’s entertainment is the “Demolition Derby.”
Gates open at 2:00, Qualifying at 4:30 and racing starts at 7:00 sharp.
Jefferson Speedway is half way between Cambridge and Jefferson Wisconsin on Highway 18.
Jefferson Speedway Race Summary – 07/30/2005 Watertown Bowl 50
Late Model Division Feature Finish
1) 18 Andy Wendt 2) 94 Jason Erickson (Lake Mills)
3) 71 John Ovadal 4) 61 Jerry Eckhardt (Johnson Creek)
5) 20 Bret Schmidt (watertown) 6) 68 Ken Olson (Ft. Atkinson)
7) 6 Ken Piotrowski (Janesville) 8) 4 Chris Quam (Stoughton)
9) 52 April Reimer (Beloit) 10) 71 Tim Noble (Janesville)
11) 46 Nick Wendt 12) 16 Luke Westenberg (Watertown)
13) 33 Dylan Schuyler 14) 44 Roger Behlke
15) 23 Chris Koepke (Jefferson) 16) 71 Jason Deppe (Waterloo)
17) 00 Paul Kisow 18) 19 Chad Reimer
19) 97 Jim Jarlsberg 20) 22 Jasper Gronert (Ft. Atkinson)
Fast Qualifier: 94 Jason Erickson (Lake Mills) : 14.380 seconds
Fast Dash: 22 Jasper Gronert (Ft. Atkinson)
LastChance: 19 Chad Reimer, 16 Luke Westenberg, 46 Nick Wendt, 00 Paul Kisow
Heats: Qual1) 61 Jerry Eckhardt, Qual2) 18 Andy Wendt
International Division Feature Finish
1) 57 Mark English 2) 00 Justin Nottestad
3) 73 Chris Nelson (Cottage Grove) 4) 97 Chris Chenoweth (Watertown)
5) 42 Bill Sweeney (Janesville) 6) 2 Brandon Kozak (Whitewater)
Fast Qualifier: 73 Chris Nelson (Cottage Grove) : 16.653 seconds
Fast Dash: 57 Mark English
Heats: Qual1) 70 Brent Nottestad
Sportsman Division Feature Finish
1) 11 Trent Erdman (Fort Atkinson) 2) 42 Jason Thoma
3) 55 Terry Wangsness (Delavan) 4) 27 Jay Kalbus (Watertown)
5) 3 Curt Thompson (Fort Atkinson) 6) 4 Luke Padfield (Jeffersonm)
Fast Qualifier: 42 Jason Thoma : 15.163 seconds
Fast Dash: 27 Jay Kalbus (Watertown)
Heats: Qual1) 87 Ed Jackson
Hobby Stock Division Feature Finish
1) 27 Jim Tate Jr (Watertown) 2) 31 Ken Au (Jefferson)
3) 52 Pete Elgas (Janesville) 4) J10 Jim Williams (Milton)
5) 99 Lincoln Keeser (Whitewater) 6) 19 Dennis Schmidt (Johnson Creek)
Fast Qualifier: 2 Eaan Carson : 16.603 seconds
Fast Dash: 99 Lincoln Keeser (Whitewater)
LastChance: 7 Scott Carson, 80 Mike Meyers, 49 Buck Stults, 41 Nick Newton
Heats: Qual1) 88 William Stephenson, qual2) 96 Tim Lange
Bandit Division Feature Finish
1) 45 Nick Balis (Edgerton) 2) Z28 Jody Krueger (Edgerton)
3) 6 Zak Czeszynski (Oconomowoc) 4) 27 James Bell
5) 92 Marc W. Balis (Edgerton) 6) 24 Tyler White (Ft. Atkinson)
Fast Qualifier: 8 Shaun Scheel (Johnson Creek) : 14.978 seconds
Fast Dash: 08 Renee Collins
LastChance: X Troy Yohn, 5 Peter Shelley, 71 Tim Bristol, 32 Cody Strese
Heats: Qual1) 18 Nick Klettke, qual2) 2 David Krull