WILD ENDING SEES SCHULTZ WIN BLUE RACE WHILE MAJESKI/STENJEM EKE OUT OVERALL RED, WHITE & BLUE TITLE
BUCHANAN, Wis. (August 22, 2024) – There have been plenty memorable endings to the Red, White and Blue State Championship at Wisconsin International Raceway, but the 2024 version is one that won’t soon be forgotten.
Maxwell Schultz held off a spirited last lap charge by Jordan Thiel to win the Fox River Racing Club Schmitty’s Tickets Super Late Model 50-lap main dedicated to Rich Somers to almost capture the overall Red, White and Blue Championship. Almost.
As Thiel challenged to grab victory in the Action Auto Blue Race presented by Pierce Manufacturing, Appleton Breakfast Rotary Club, and Budweiser, he made contact with Schultz and got sideways down the front stretch. Third Place Grant Griesbach was collected in the melee. Due to this, Majeksi – who had an adventurous night of his own – moved up two spots in the final finishing order. His move from Ninth to Seventh was good enough to take the overall RWB title by just one point over Schultz.
The first half of the race was relatively uneventful with drivers soring themselves out early. Tim Springstroh grabbed the early lead until Schultz powered to the top spot on lap six. Soon after, Griesbach and Majeski moved past into Second and Third by lap 17.
A dramatic moment happened on lap 20 when Chad Butz, who trailed Majeski/Stenjem by just a few points entering the feature for the RWB title dropped out of the race with heavy smoke coming from his machine. That put Majeski in comfortable position for the title, but only for about a dozen more laps.
On lap 32 Majeski challenged Griesbach for Second. The two made contact sending Griesbach spinning. Majeski tapped out via the gentleman’s agreement and went to the tail of the field – handing the overall RWB point lead to Schultz.
After a couple of botched restarts, the field got rolling again with 14 laps to go. Schultz, Griesbach and Thiel were the main contenders. Thiel looked especially tough as he was running laps two to three-tenths faster than the rest of the pack before the yellows.
Thiel was able to grab Second from Griesbach after the restart with 14 laps to go. He then began to size up Schultz for the lead. Another caution fell for a melee when Nick Van and Taylor Vandermoss tangled racing for Fourth. The incident collected several other cars, including Majeski. However, Majeski was able to drive back to the pits and replace a flat right front tire during the clean up.
On the final restart Schultz, Thiel and Griesbach remained in contention. Thiel got to the inside of Schutlz with four laps to go, but was turned aside. He then made his final challenge on the last lap, which resulted in the incident.
After final scoring was settled behind Schultz, it was Springstroh – who ran in the top five all race long – in Second, Sawyer Effertz in Third, Andy Monday in Fourth, and Jesse Oudenhoven in Fifth.
BENNETT BOLTS TO BLUE RACE WIN, STUMP GRABS RWB CHAMPIONSHIP
Braison Bennett did all he could to steal another Fox City’s Towing Late Model Red, White and Blue title. A win in the dash and a dominating performance in the feature got him within reach, but wasn’t quite enough to overcome Alex Stumpf’s margin.
Todd Verhagen took an early advantage in the 20-lap feature with Matt Wittman providing a challenge. The first caution came on lap four which set up an eventful restart. Verhagen got crossed up, TJ Spierowski made a daring move to avoid a wreck and the field scrambled. As that happened cars at the back tangled to bring out another caution.
The next restart was less eventful with Wittman taking the lead from Verhagen. Bennett followed and eventually took the lead on lap nine. He built a comfortable margin until a caution on lap 13.
When the green fell, Bennett took off. He was followed by Wittman, Spierowski and Stumpf. They settled in until one final yellow came out on lap 14. Once again, Bennett was able to get away from the pack and cruise to his second win of the season.
Spierowski set up a perfect last lap pass to take Second at the line from Wittman, Stumpf was Fourth, and Nate Van Wychen was Fifth. Stumpfs consistent and patient run into the Top Five was all he needed to seal up the overall RWB Championship.
THOMSON IS ‘THE DUKE’ IN ¼-MILE LATE MODELS
As a fitting tribute the Pete’s Auto WIR ¼-Mile Late Models honored Jim Duchow in their final appearance of the 2024 season. Although they once again ran twin 15-lap features, an overall winner was awarded based off cumulative finishes and qualifying. Dan Thomson sealed the deal by winning the second 15-lap main.
Tim Baumann also locked up the overall season Championship.
Mike and Brandon Reichenberger battled early in the first 15-lap feature. Henry Neerdaels joined the battle, but tangled with Mike on lap six. This handed the lead to young rookie Kaden Kostichka.
After another incident, Kostichka paced the field at halfway of the first race. He was challenged by Brandon Reichenberger and Tim Baumann over the second half of the race. Kostichka proved to have learned many a lesson throughout the season as he was able to hold off the veterans to take his first win. Behind them Thomson was Fourth and Ty Fietzer Fifth.
The second feature got off to a rocky start as Fred Therrien hit the outside wall coming to the green flag. This shuffled the field to put Thomson on the outside of AJ Schmid for the start. Thomson rocketed to the lead with Brandon Reichenberger heading into Second.
The duo battled for several laps until Reichenberger appeared to lose power and stalled his machine with just a few laps remaining. Thomson was able to power away on the restart and held off Rick Spoo and Fietzer. Spoo held Second with Mike Reichenberger moving to Third, Henry Neerdaels to Fourth, and Fietzer ending up Fifth.
VANDERLOOP BACK TO SUPER STOCK VICTORY LANE, KING TAKES RWB
Cody Vanderloop got back to his winning ways in the 20-lap Novus Auto Glass Super Stock feature. Vanderloop picked his way through the field in the caution-filled event to claim his second win of the season.
Mike King Jr. had built a strong advantage in the Red, White and Blue points, and held on to claim the division title.
The first six laps saw three cautions shuffle the field. Chuck Gilbertson Jr. led at the start of the race and maintained a lead through the restarts. By the lap six restart, Vanderloop had picked his way through the field and was able to restart on the outside. Gilbertson initially held off Vanderloop, who swung to the inside to try to grab the lead entering turn three. As he slammed the door shut, Gilbertson made contact with Vanderloop, sending both spinning. Race control deemed Gilbertson responsible for the incident and returned Vanderloop to his position – now the lead.
Now just past halfway, Vanderloop was trailed to the restart by Ethan Beattie and TJ Smith. Smith quickly moved past Beattie and set up to challenge Vanderloop. One final caution on lap 12 put Smith right on Vanderloop’s bumper to contend.
Smith was able to keep pace, but Vanderloop proved to be too strong in the corners to leave room for a challenge. Behind them Beattie was Third, Adam Peterman was Fourth, and King was Fifth.
VANDERLOOPS SHINE IN SPORT TRUCKS – KASEY TAKES FEATURE, BRADY GRABS RWB CROWN
It was a big night for the Vanderloop brothers with Cody winning the Super Stock feature, Kasey winning the Wisconsin Sport Truck 20-lap feature, and Brady winning the overall Red, White and Blue Championship in the division.
Tanner Fickel led early in the Sport Truck main with Kyle Quella and Kasey Vanderloop following into the Top Three. The first yellow came out on lap four, which set up Kasey’s opportunity to take the lead.
Kasey went three wide on the restart to take the lead from Fickel and Quella. He then built a healthy advantage over the pack. Quella looked to be on his way to a Top Five until he lost power late in the race. Eventually Jason Vanhandel moved to Second and Brady cruised into Third. That was how the Top Three finished at the drop of the checkered. Logan Mahoney and Grant Gilbert rounded out the Top Five.
JUSTIN FICKEL TAKES SIZZLIN’ 4 FEATURE, OPSAHL IS RWB CHAMP
Justin Fickel cruised to an early lead and the win in the 20-lap Roundabout Bar & Grill Sizzlin’ 4 feature event. Mitch Opsahl worked his way into the Top Five and was able to seal the Red, White and Blue Championship.
Blake Vandenboom led early with Fickel and Jeremy Czarapata closing in to challenge by lap three. Both went to the outside and Fickel took the lead coming to lap four. After a caution fell, Fickel was able to get away from Czarapata and build his lead.
No one was able to catch Fickel on the way to the win. Czarapata did hold Second, Opsahl was Third, Eli Schommer raced his way to Fourth and Andy Wiese was Fifth.
GRACYALNYS CELEBRATE WIN AND RED, WHITE & BLUE CHAMPIONSHIP
Danny Gracyanly won the 13-lap Marty Nussbaum Racing Figure 8 feature while his son Jordan celebrated the overall RWB Championship.
Danny took the lead from the start and did not look back throughout the race. Jordan raced his way to Fourth and maintained his edge in the standings over a wide open field of contenders. Between them Josh Anthony was Second and Jeff Danley was Third. Ethan Beattie rounded out the Top Five.
UP NEXT…
Valley Liquor presents the finale of the Fox River Racing Club’s 50th season with fan appreciation night. Champions will be crowned in all divisions. Fans are welcome to join the fun in the pits after with the traditional free beer and corn to celebrate the season. Racing begins at 6:30pm.