By Andrew Schaller
Johnson Creek’s Jerry Eckhardt claimed another win in his long career of local short track racing on Friday night at Columbus 151 Speedway. Starting from the inside of row two, Eckhardt quickly moved to the front of the field and held off all challengers to take the win. Delbert Desjarles and Lincoln Keeser paced the field to green with Desjarles grabbing the early lead. After clearing Keeser for second, Eckhardt charged to the outside of Desjarles, passing for the lead on lap four with Dean Schultz in tow for second. Schultz went to work trying to find a way around the new leader. Schultz tried the outside, pulling even with Eckhardt at one point but not being able to finish the pass. After several laps, Schultz slipped back into a battle with Al Weishoff for second with Eckhardt regaining sole possession of the top spot. As the laps wound down, Weishoff managed to move into second alone and make a bid of his own for the lead. On lap 28, Weishoff made a run to the outside of Eckhardt, pulling alongside with only five laps remaining. But Eckhardt once again fought off the advances of his competitors to cross the stripe first for the win. Rounding out the top five were Weishoff, Don Gaserude, Ron Bishofberger and Randy Breunig.

In Sportsman action, point leader Brandon Riedner stretched his lead in the standings by laying claim to the 30 lap feature event. Ron Nelson took the initial lead from the pole with Riedner and Bret Schmidt following into second and third respectively. A lap later, Riedner made his move around the high side of Nelson and into the lead with Schmidt in tow for second. The pair of drivers immediately began to check out from the field while Jake Wasserburger was making his way through the pack. Wasserburger cleared for third and began to run down the two leaders. Meanwhile, Schmidt was trying every trick in the book to get into the top spot. Wasserburger finally caught the leader on lap 19 and a three way battle for the top spot ensued. But Riedner held strong on top to see the checkers first for the win with Schmidt, Wasserburger, Phil Denikas and Kevin Anderson completing the top five.

Larry Moen of Madison took top honors in the 20 lap Hobby Stock feature event. Jason Deppe was the early leader on lap one, taking that spot from the pole. On lap two, Moen, who started in row two, motored to the high side of Deppe. The duo raced side by side for several laps until Moen gained the position on lap 14. Caution waved on lap 17 when Deppe spun in turns one and two, sending him to the rear for the restart. Steve Sauer lined up on Moen’s rear bumper as the green returned. Sauer had limited laps to make his move for the lead, but Moen proved too strong to be overtaken as he claimed the win. Sauer was second followed by Ben Monday, Kyle Stark and Kyle Riedner.

In Thunder Stock action, it was point leader Kale Peterman of Iron Ridge taking advantage of a late race pass for the lead on the way to winning the 20 lap feature. Billy Robinson claimed the early lead with Dale Warthan and Peterman following into second and third. On lap six, Peterman drove to the outside of Warthan for second, drawing even a lap later. Peterman completed the pass for second and powered alongside Robinson for the lead. On lap 15, Robinson slid up the track exiting turn four and allowing Warthan to make the battle for the lead a three wide affair. Peterman emerged as the new leader as they drove into turn one with Warthan maneuvering to second. Peterman cruised to the stripe for the win with Warthan, Tony Chase, Robinson and Scottie Hatton rounding out the top five.

Kameron Lee claimed his first career feature win by capturing the 18 lap Bandit main event. Starting from the pole, Lee took control of the top spot on the opening circuit with Keaton Hubred moving to second and Dave Schmidt in third. Ed Klug joined the battle for second while Lee slipped away from the pack. A furious battle for second ensued between Hubred, Schmidt and Klug as the driver’s swapped paint and positions several times. Meanwhile, Lee was stretching his advantage over the field while watching the battle for second in his mirror. As the laps wound down, Schmidt, Klug and Hubred lined up to try and run down the leader, but Lee held on for the first win of his career. Rounding out the top five were Klug, Schmidt, Hubred and Dan Birkett.

Completing the night’s event was the 8 lap Back Up feature event. Dustin Von Allmen shot into the lead as the green flag waved over the field. Ryan Oetzel moved into second after Andy Ward relinquished the position on lap three. Oetzel ran down the leader with George Wachuta in two for third. The pair caught Von Allmen on lap six and Wachuta powered past into the lead a lap later. Wachuta saw the checkers first for the win followed by Oetzel and Von Allmen.

Next Friday, July 3, is a full program of racing in all division highlighted by the Cherry Bomb 50 lap Late Model feature. There will also be a fireworks display following the racing program. Time trials begin at 6:30 with racing at 8pm. Please visit www.columbus151.com for more information.