OUDENHOVEN OUTLASTS THIEL IN THRILLER
BUCHANAN, Wis. (June 15, 2023) – Jesse Oudenhoven held off a last-ditch effort by Jordan Thiel in the 35-lap Schmitty’s Tickets Super Late Model feature presented by Al Huss Auto and Valley Gasket Thursday night at Wisconsin International Raceway.
The win snapped a string of bad luck for Oudenhoven dating back to last season. He and his team enjoyed a rowdy celebration in Victory Lane, claiming their first Fox River Racing Club victory of 2023.
Travis Rodewald grabbed the lead after a five-lap side-by-side battle with fellow front row starter Michael Anthony. Rodewald brought Oudenhoven and Thiel into the Top Three on the outside line. Oudenhoven then turned away a challenge from Thiel to hold on for Second. It would not be the last time the two battled.
On lap 10 Oudenhoven saw his opportunity and grabbed the top spot by swininging to the inside of Rodewald. Thiel followed one lap later into Second. Behind them, Jeff VanOudenhoven and Maxwell Schutltz were on the move, and took spots in the Top Five.
Thiel kept a close pace behind Oudenhoven to the halfway point, and the two had some distance between themselves and the rest of the pack. At midway VanOudenhoven and Schultz got past Rodewald, and soon began to scrap for the Third spot.
As the laps clicked away, three battles formed on the track – one for the lead between Oudenhoven and Thiel, one between VanOudenhoven and Schultz, and another between Rodewald and fast qualifier Sawyer Effertz, who had slashed through the field from his 11th Place starting spot.
Almost simultaneously, the trailing cars put the pressure on. Effertz took Fifth with nine laps remaining. Four laps later Schultz took Third from VanOudenhoven.
That left one final attacker – Thiel in Second. On several occasions in the final five laps, Thiel closed right to the bumper of Oudenhoven, but couldn’t mount a significant challenge. However, coming out of turn four on the final lap, Thiel charged to the bottom and engaged Oudenhoven in a drag race to the stripe. Oudenhoven went on to claim the win by less than half a car length. Schultz was Third, VanOudenhoven Fourth, and Effertz was Fifth.
STRELKA STILL STREAKING ON HALF-MILE
Brent Strelka picked up his second straight Fox City’s Towing Late Model 20-lap feature win by completing a late-race pass on JJ Vanderloop. It was Strelka’s third straight week with a half-mile win, including his Super Late Model win on June 1.
Bryan Monday paced the field early with Brandon Reichenberger and Justin Woller in tow. As the leaders lined up, they appeared to bunch up exiting turn four on lap three. Contact was made between Reichenberger and Woller, sending Reichenberger spinning. Both had to restart at the tail.
On the restart, JJ Vanderloop chose the outside line. He eventually grabbed the lead from Monday, bringing Strelka along into Second. The duo went on to ride and distanced themselves from the pack.
Vanderloop set a consistent pace with Strelka hanging two to three car lengths back over the next ten laps. On lap 16 Strelka closed the gap, slid to the bottom line and took the lead away. He steadily built a healthy advantage and cruised to the win.
Bryan Henry surged past Monday to take Third in the final five laps, Verhagen followed to Fourth, and Monday settled into Fifth at the checkered flag.
SCHWALBACH SECURES SUPER STOCK MAIN
Veteran racer George Schwalbach took the checkered flag in the 20-lap Novus Auto Glass Super Stock feature. He secured the lead on a restart at the halfway point and did not look back.
The lead seemed to be a cursed spot early in the race. First Chuck Gilbertson Jr. had issues and dived to the infield on lap four. That handed the lead to Jeff Treml, who was forced to retire when a plume of smoke erupted from his machine on lap seven.
This incident led to the restart with Peter Wilz and Schwalbach on the front row. Schwalbach secured the top spot, then padded his advantage over Wilz, who was left to deal with Clint Evans. Evans had just powered past Dylan Wenzel, who was riding the high line after the restart.
With two laps to go Evans made his way past Wilz. Both Trevor Howard and Cody Vanderloop followed. Wenzel did the same. By this point Schwalbach had a comfortable advantage to take the win. Evans was Second, Howard was Third, and Vanderloop clipped Wenzel by a nose to hold Fourth.
KASEY VANDERLOOP REBOUNDS FOR SECOND SPORT TRUCK WIN OF THE SEASON
After a dust up with his brother one week ago, Kasey Vanderloop found his way back to the winner’s circle in the Wisconsin Sport Truck 20-lap feature. Vanderloop secured the lead on lap five and checked out from the pack.
After a chaotic first start, the Sport Trucks came to green behind Kylee Vandermoss on a second attempt. She secured the lead with Kasey and Cody Vanderloop following. However, Cody soon retired with mechanical issues on his truck.
Kasey Vanderloop hung close to the tailgate of Vandermoss and eventually pulled off a switchback move to dive to the inside and grab the lead on lap five. A yellow halted the action two laps later, setting up another restart.
Vanderloop had no issues getting away on the restart, leaving Vandermoss to fend off Masyn Liedke in the battle for Second. Unfortunately for Liedke, he’d spin on lap 12, handing Third to Marty Sokolik.
The remainder of the race went off without incident and Vanderloop cruised to a large margin of victory. Vandermoss was Second and Sokolik crossed the line Third but later surrendered the spot due to a rules infraction. Behind him were Jason Vanhandel, Mason Calmes, and Landon Braatz.
OPSAHL DOES IT AGAIN IN SIZZLIN’ 4S
Seemingly coming out of nowhere, Mitch Opsahl darted to the lead after a lap 13 restart and took his third Roundabout Bar and Grill Sizzlin’ 4 feature of the season.
Rylin Volousek led early after battling with his brother Kaiden. On lap five it was Leon Frahm who charged to the top spot on the outside line. He brought Kaiden to Second and eventually Opsahl darted to Third.
Opsahl then made his move past Kaiden Volousek two laps later. He was followed by Justin FIckel, as well. The yellow fell three laps later on lap 13 when Jessarron Bauer stalled.
Frahm looked to hold off Opsahl on the restart, but Opsahl, FIckel and Eli Schommer stormed into the Top Three spots. Despite taking the lead, Opsahl couldn’t distance himself from Fickel and Schommer. However, neither was close enough to challenge, and Opsahl took the victory. Frahm was Fourth and Shane Schwaller was Fifth.
KRUEGER SUPREME IN FIGURE 8S
Unlike the previous Marty Nussbaum Racing Figure 8 features this season, there was little drama up front for the early race leader.
Craig Krueger secured the lead and left the field to battle for Second in the 13-lap main event. Despite a couple of close calls in the ‘X,’ Krueger held a comfortable advantage over the pack. Josh Anthony was Second, Russ Lorbiecki was Third, Jordan Gracyalny was Fourth, and Tyler Vanderbloemen was Fifth.
GRACYALNY WINS ROVALS
It was a no-doubter in the 2 Buck Bar Rovals as Jordan Gracyalny took an early lead and didn’t look back on his way to the win.
NEXT UP…
L&W Supply helps the Fox River Racing Club present the action. The Super Late Models, Late Models, Super Stocks, WIR ¼-Mile Late Models, Sizzlin’ 4s, and Figure 8s will be in action. Racing begins at 6:30.