BRAISON BENNETT SWEEPS PRO LATE ALL STAR 25
KAUKAUNA, Wis. (July 3, 2025) – After two weeks of fighting the weather, Mother Nature finally smiled upon Wisconsin International Raceway for Thursday’s Les Stumpf Ford 4th of July Special. The divisions of the Fox River Racing Club brought plenty of action before the fireworks capped off the night.
The Fox City’s Towing Pro Late Models were on display this week with extra dollars on the line and a 25-lap feature. Braison Bennett, running Fifth as the field came to the white flag, took victory in one of the most chaotic finishes of the year.
JJ Vanderloop and TJ Spierowski found themselves at the front of the field after making their way past early-race leader Justin Woller with six laps to go. The duo battled furiously for the lead after a single-file restart with just three laps remaining. Coming to the white flag the duo made contact causing a melee which also collected Woller and Brent Strelka.
Just two laps remained in the race and Bennett – who also set fast time and won the fast dash earlier in the night – was left to deal with Bryan Monday. Monday provided an excellent challenge on the final lap, trying to dive to the inside. However, Bennett read his move and sealed off the inside to secure the win.
BUTZ WINS SECOND SUPER LATE MAIN OF THE SEASON
Patience was the name of the game for defending Schmitty’s Tickets Super Late Model Champion Chad Butz. Butz picked through the field early, hung in behind a battle for the lead, then rode in Second before seizing his opportunity to take the lead on a restart.
Taylor Vandermoss paced the field early after holding off Tim Springstroh. On lap 8 Jordan Thiel got to the inside of Vandermoss. The two battled for the lead for the next seven laps as Butz sat back in Third. When Thiel made his move into the lead, Butz followed to Second.
As the laps clicked off Butz rode right within striking distance of Thiel. He looked to make his move as he and Thiel approached the tail of the field. Mitch Opsahl then spun just in front of the leaders bringing out the only caution of the race.
Thiel elected to use the popular outside line for the restart, but Butz was too strong to be held off. Butz secured the lead directly off the restart and cruised to a healthy win over Thiel, Riley Stenjem, Tim Springstroh, and Mike Anthony.
HAT TRICK FOR ETHAN BEATTIE IN SUPER STOCKS
Ethan Beattie scored his third Novus Auto Glass Super Stock win of the season, leading from the drop of the green flag.
Beattie went mostly unchallenged throughout the event, aside from some spirited attempts by Logan Boldt in the second half of the race. After post-race technical inspection Ed Howard was credited with Second, and fast qualifier Mike King was Third.
BRADY VANDERLOOP CHARGES BACK TO VICTORY
Brady Vanderloop didn’t even need all the laps of the Wisconsin Sport Truck feature to go from the back to the front and claim the win. Vanderloop was involved in a tangle with Tanner Fickel on lap six, went to the tail, but charged back to the win in the shortened event.
Business picked up after the lap six incident and Kasey Vanderloop took the lead. Seemingly on his way to a win, Kasey lost power on lap 9, handing the lead to Patrick Peyton. By this time, Brady Vanderloop had already moved back into the top five.
Off the restart Brady Vanderloop recaptured the lead with Kyle Quella in close pursuit. Another pair of cautions would cause the feature to go over the time limit, giving the victory to Brady Vanderloop on lap 15.
KLEIN DOMINATES SIZZLIN 4’S
Gavin Klein took advantage of an inside-second-row starting spot to claim his first Roundabout Bar & Grill Sizzlin’ 4 feature of the year.
Klein took the lead from Mason Hungerford on lap five as the rest of the field scrambled for position. Hungerford worked to hold off Justin Fickel, who eventually took Second on lap 13. By that point, Klein was a full straightaway ahead and went on to win the caution-free feature.
KRUEGER TAKES FIGURE 8S
Craig Krueger led from the drop of the green in the Marty Nussbaum Racing Figure 8 feature and held off the early advances of Mike Meyerhofer to secure the win.
NEXT WEEK…
The WIR ¼-Mile Late Models return for The Duke of WIR event honoring Jim Duchow. The Wisconsin Sport Trucks will also be highlighted with the make-up date for the Rob Vandermoss Memorial. All weekly divisions will be on the card as well. Racing begins at 6:30pm.