BUTZ BLITZES FIELD FOR THIRD WIN OF ‘24

BUCHANAN, Wis. (July 18, 2024) – Chad Butz continued to show his strength by scoring his third Schmitty’s Tickets Super Late Model feature win in the Fox River Racing Club’s Thursday Night Thunder program at Wisconsin International Raceway.

Butz took the lead from Nick Van after a late restart before building a commanding lead in the final circuits of the 35-lap main event presented by Kurz Industrial Solutions.

Defending Champion Sawyer Effertz paced the field early and looked to be on the way to a win after some jousting through early-race restarts with Van.  At halfway Effertz had a strong lead and Van was left to deal with Butz who patiently had advanced through the Top Five to Third.

The race took a major turn on lap 22 when a mechanical issue forced Effertz to slow and eventually stop on the race track, ending his night.  This handed the lead back to Van, who was joined by Butz on the front row for the restart.

Two wild restarts ensued with the first coming to a halt for a tangle between Corey Manders and Taylor Vandermoss. The second saw Van hold off Butz until an incident involving Maxwell Schultz and Jesse Oudenhoven.  Oudenhoven invoked the gentleman’s agreement, giving Schultz his spot back.

A single file restart with 12 to go saw Butz find his way into the lead. He waited for the right time and jumped around Van on the outside with 11 laps remaining.  Over the final laps Van was left to deal with fast qualifier Riley Stenjem. Eventually Van was able to hold him off to finish Second. Jeff VanOudenhoven made a late move to Fourth and Jordan Thiel rounded out the Top Five.

FOUR FOR STUMPF IN THE LATE MODELS

Alex Stumpf found Victory Lane for the fourth time this season in the 20-lap Fox City’s Towing Late Model feature.  Stumpf outgunned Matt Wittman after a restart with four laps to go to cruise to the win.

Wayne Posselt paced the field early, bringing the outside line along. He was soon challenged by Matt Wittman for the lead. That was paused for an incident with Tarra Springstroh on lap three.

After the restart Wittman grabbed the lead and looked to build a cushion.  Brian Henry eventually moved to Second, and Stumpf to Third. The top three then separated themselves from the pack.  As the laps clicked off Henry looked to challenge Wittman for the lead, but could not find a way past.  Stumpf slid to the outside with five laps to go. Unfortunately for Henry he got sideways in turn four and spun into the inside guardrail to bring out a caution.

On the restart Stumpf was able to maneuver his way past Wittman to take the lead.  Wittman was then left to deal with Bryan Monday and Braison Bennett in the final laps. As Stumpf went on to take the win Monday grabbed Second by a nose over Wittman at the line. Bennett was Fourth and Will Timmers Fifth.

GILSON GRABS SECOND SUPER STOCK WIN

Mike Gilson waited for the right opportunity and capitalized for his second Novus Auto Glass Super Stock feature win of the season.

The race got off to a wild start and claimed plenty of victims in the first five laps including early race leader Josh Vissers, Cody Vanderloop, Trevor Howard, and fast qualifier Josh Mueller.

Once things settled in, it was Mitch Opsahl who found himself out front with Gilson in close quarters.  Gilson patiently waited for his chance. Eventually it came on lap 15 when Opsahl slid coming out of four and Gilson was able to get the inside line.  It was all Gilson needed as he went on to the win.

Opsahl crossed the line second but did not pass post-race inspection. Following him to the finish were Chuck Gilbertson, Ethan Beattie, Jeff Treml, and Trevor Howard.

CALMES BOUNCES BACK FOR SPORT TRUCK WIN

Mason Calmes led early and he led when it mattered in the 20-lap Wisconsin Sport Truck feature.  After surrendering the lead in the opening laps, Calmes battled back to the lead and picked up his second win of the season.

Masyn Liedke took the lead away from Calmes early before a caution at halfway changed the look of the race. Calmes darted away on a restart at lap nine, but then head to deal with Kasey and Brady Vanderloop.  The brothers split Calmes on a restart and went to First and Second spots.

Calmes continued to be resilient, battling with Kasey Vanderloop for Second. Eventually Kasey Vanderloop spun on lap 16, leaving Brady and Calmes to battle for the win.  A final restart with three to go saw Brady hold off Calmes initially, but Calmes kept battling.

At the white flag Calmes had position and was ready to take the lead. Brady Vanderloop spun and the caution flag was coupled with the checkered. Calmes took the win, Kyle Quella was Second, Tanner Fickel Third, Cadyn Liedke Fourth, and Tom Gee Jr. rounded out the Top Five.

CZARAPATA SAYS SEE YA TO THE SIZZLIN’ 4 FIELD

Jeremy Czarapata dominated the 20-lap Roundabout Bar and Grill Sizzlin’ 4 Feature.  After taking the lead on lap three, Czarapata ran away to a large victory.

The race got off to a rocky start with a pair of incidents in the first two attempts.  Cody Vandenberg led early, until Czarapata stole the lead on lap three. As Czarapata stretched out his lead, fast qualifier Eli Schommer zipped through the field on the outside. He was able to make it to Second, but Czarapata was too far ahead by that point.

Vandenberg was Third, Kory Lorrigan was Fourth, and Gordan Davis finished Fifth.

ETHAN BEATTIE RULES IN FIGURE 8S

Ethan Beattie outfoxed Danny Gracyalny to take the 13-lap Marty Nussbaum Racing Figure 8 feature.

Gracyalny led the first six circuits until Beattie slid past after a restart.  Gracyalny kept close until he was sidelined with a flat tire in the final laps. Russ Lorbiecki was Second, Jordan Gracyalny Third, Jeff Danley Fourth, and Matt Bauer Fifth.

UP NEXT…

A full card of action is on tap for next week at Wisconsin International Raceway. All divisions including the WIR ¼-Mile Late Models are in action. Racing begins at 6:30pm.