Hales Corners Speedway--4-26, full results

Watson Scores UMP LM
Victory at Hales Corners
By John Shea
    Franklin, Wis., Apr. 26--Jimmy Watson led flag to flag en route to 
winning the 2003 season-opening UMP late model feature on Saturday night at 
the Hales Corners Speedway.
    Other main event wins on the night went to Don Scheffler in the sportsmen 
division, Jim Zdroik in the modified class, Barry Cates in the Hales Whales 
and Aaron Stolp in the 4-cylinder Mud Puppy division.
    Watson started the 30-lap UMP late model headliner from the pole and 
immediately jumped out to a healthy lead as Chris Carlson and defending UMP 
late model track champ Bret Sievert battled for the runner-up spot.  Watson 
entered slower traffic at lap 13 and gradually increased his advantage over 
his pursuers.
    Behind Watson, Carlson was able to hold Sievert at bay as the two dueled 
amidst the backmarkers.  Russ Scheffler soon made it a three-way fight as he 
moved to fourth place with Scott Specht following in fifth.
    There was no catching Watson on this night, however, as he made it look 
easy as he romped to the victory.  Carlson finished second, with Sievert, 
Scheffler and Specht rounding out the top five.
    The 20-lap sportsmen feature was competitive throughout but a rash of 
late-race yellows slowed the event's run to a finish.  Don Scheffler held a 
narrow lead over Roger Lee throughout the final laps and survived several 
restart passing attempts to hang on for the victory.  Bob Brent placed third 
in the final order, with Jeff Tondryk fourth and defending sportsmen track 
champion Don Sorce Jr. fifth.
    After crashing his car in a heat race earlier in the night, Jim Zdroik 
bounced back to win the caution-infested 20-lap modified feature.  Jimmy Muth 
Jr., placed second, with Mike Sandholm third, Brian Crapser fourth and the 
ageless Everette Fitch fifth.
    Vetran Barry Cates rode to victory in the Hales Whales while 2002 Mud 
Puppy champion Aaron Stolp picked up where he left off with a feature event 
win. 
    On Friday night, May 2 the Badger Midget Auto Racing Association opens 
its 2003 season with a special event at the Hales Corners Speedway.  Joining 
the BMARA cars will be the MSA 360 sprint cars.  Then, on Saturday night, 
stock car racing continues at the historic third-mile oval with a full 
program of UMP late model, sportsmen, modified and Hales Whales, plus 
4-cylinders.  The night will be highlighted by the opening round of the 
popular annual Modified Triple Crown.  Time trials are at 6:15 p.m., with 
racing immediately following qualifying.  Hales Corners Speedway is located 
on Hwy. 100, one half-mile south of Forest Home Avenue in Franklin, next to 
Hiller Ford.  For more information, call (414) 778-4710 during regular 
business hours, or (414) 425-4700 on race day or at 
www.halescornersspeedway.com.
SUMMARY
UMP LATE MODEL
    30-lap Feature--1. Jimmy Watson, Big Bend; 2. Chris Carlson, South 
Milwaukee; 3. Bret Sievert, Franklin; 4. Russ Scheffler, Waukesha; 5. Scott 
Specht, Sheboygan Falls.
    10-lap Heats--First: 1. Watson; 2. Bill Rezutek, Big Bend.  Second: 1. 
Scheffler; 2. Sievert.
    6-lap Dash--Scheffler.
    Fast Qualifier--Scheffler.
SPORTSMEN
    20-lap Feature--1. Don Scheffler, Wauwatosa; 2. Roger Lee, Wind Lake; 3. 
Bob Brent, Milwaukee; 4. Jeff Tondryk, Milwaukee; 5. Don Sorce Jr., West 
Allis; 6. Dave Gorny, West Allis.
    10-lap Heats--First: 1. Mike Borchardt Jr., Greenfield; 2. Tommy Moore, 
Muskego.  Second: 1. Scheffler; 2. Tondryk.  Third: 1. Sorce Jr.; 2. Lee.
    Fast Qualifier--Sorce Jr.
MODIFIED
    20-lap Feature--1. Jim Zdroik, Big Bend; 2. Jimmy Muth Jr., Greenfield; 
3. Mike Sandholm, Milwaukee; 4. Brian Crapser, Milwaukee; 5. Everette Fitch, 
Racine; 6. Larry Walter Jr., New Berlin.
    12-lap Semi-Feature--1. Joe McGrath, Neosho; 2. Mark Brunner, West Allis; 
3. Mike Conn, Big Bend.
    10-lap Heats--First: 1. Brunner.  Second: 1. McGrath; 2. Conn.  Third: 1. 
Muth Jr.; 2. Fitch.  Fourth: 1. Jason Zdroik, Big Bend; 2. Crapser.
    Fast Qualifier--Jason Zdroik.
HALES WHALES
    20-lap Feature--1. Barry Cates, Milwaukee; 2. J. J. Weichowski, Vernon; 
3. Tony Sancinatti, West Allis; 4. Jim Reinhardt, Milwaukee; 5. Chris Hoedel, 
Greenfield.
    10-lap Heats--First: 1. Don Cates, Claflin, Kan.; 2. B. Cates.  Second: 
1. Car #2; 2. Reinhardt.
4-CYLINDERS
    Feature--1. Aaron Stolp; 2. Chris Blake, Milwaukee; 3. Al Bundy, Chicago, 
Ore.; 4. Johnny Knozville, Milwaukee; 5. Kevin Kuhnke, South Milwaukee; 6. 
Dusty Jackson, New Berlin.

Speedway and see you at the races!!!