THIEL SURVIVES WILD SUPER LATE MODEL MAIN FOR SECOND WIN OF 2026

KAUKAUNA, Wis. (August 27, 2026) – Jordan Thiel converted his fast time into a his second victory of the season after surviving a wild Schmitty’s Tickets Super Late Model 30-lap feature event presented by Pierce Manufacturing in Fox River Racing Club action at Wisconsin International Raceway Thursday Night.

Thiel cruised to the top Three early in the race, battled with Andrew Morrissey past halfway, grabbed the lead on a late restart and avoided a late melee to pick up the win.

Morrissey took the lead from Chad Butz at the drop of the green then slid away as Butz was left to battle Riley Stenjem.  Butz eventually held off Stenjem to take Second as Thiel then slipped past Stenjem for Third.

As the race neared the midway point Butz had caught Morrissey again and was challenging for the lead with Thiel very close behind.  The first plot twist of the feature came as the field entered turn three. Butz tried to sneak to the inside of Morrissey. The resulting contact ended with a Morrissey spin. Butz tapped out and Morrissey went back to the lead.

On the restart Morrissey was able to get away from Thiel, who jumped back in line in front of Stenjem.  Thiel kept close tabs on Morrissey with Stenjem initially fading, but closing back in on the leaders just as a yellow flag fell with six laps remaining.

Morrissey and Thiel jousted for two laps with Thiel eventually taking the lead away using the inside lane on lap 26.  Morrissey ducked to the inside to try to take the lead back, but made contact with Thiel and spun exiting turn two. Drivers scrambled to avoid but several sustained heavy damage including Pete Vandermolen Jr., JJ Vanderloop and Corey Manders.

When the field was set to go again it was Thiel followed by Stenjem and Andy Monday.  Thiel got away at the drop of the green on two more restarts and powered his way to the win.  Stenjem and Monday rounded out the podium behind him

BENNETT TAKES PRO LATES IN THIRD DIFFERENT CAR

Braison Bennett picked up his third win of the season in his third different Fox City’s Towing Pro Late Model.  After scoring wins in his own car and TJ Spierowski’s car a little earlier this season, Bennett put Ty Fietzer’s Pro Late Model into Victory Lane Thursday night.

Making his return to WIR’s half-mile Greg Haese took an early lead from the outside of Spierowski in the front row. Bennett soon stepped in to challenge for the Second spot.

A yellow on lap three affected two contenders in Brent Strelka and Jesse Oudenhoven. Strelka hit the inside retaining wall and was unable to continue as Oudenhoven raced on.

On the restart Haese jumped ahead again, but this time Bennett was right behind him to take Second. Bennett wasted little time going for the lead and secured it on lap six.  He then built an advantage until a yellow for Alex Stumpf on lap 11.

Bennett once again proved strong on the restart securing the lead from Spierowski.  Although he took the top spot, Bennett did not pull away from Spierowski, who was soon joined by Matt Wittman in pursuit of the leader.

Spierowski threw several challenges the way of Bennett, but he was unable to make the pass.  Wittman threw a curveball at the leaders on the final lap as he made a move to try to steal Second.  However, it was Bennett taking the win with Spierowski holding Second and Wittman behind in Third.

 REICHENBERGER AND JOHNSTON TAKE WIR ¼-MILE LATE WINS

Mike Reichenberger and Justin Johnston won the twin 15-lap Pete’s Auto WIR ¼-Mile Late Model Features.  Ty Fietzer was able to score solid finishes to claim the season Championship in the division.

Reichenberger took advantage of a couple early cautions in the first feature to restart alongside Henry Neerdaels on a lap two restart.  Reichenberger was able to take off at the drop of the green and went on to pick up a convincing win.  Neerdaels was Second and Fietzer all but locked up the title by finishing Third.

Johnston led from the drop of the green in the second feature, and felt pressure from Dan Thomson through most of the main.  However, as the laps went on Johnston started to pull away. He too went on to a convincing victory.  By virtue of his start in the second feature, Fietzer capped the Championship.

BRADY VANDERLOOP GETS FIRST SUPER STOCK WIN

Brady Vanderloop has come close to Novus Auto Glass Super Stock wins this season, but hasn’t been able to cash in.  He finally did on Thursday night taking the victory in the Greg Hauser-owned station wagon number 4.

Vanderloop outdueled Jeff Danley early in the race for the lead, then held off several late, strong challenges from Danley.

It took two laps for the leaders to sort out the top spot but after Vanderloop followed Danley on the inside lane, he was able to find a line past Danley to the lead.  The duo then broke away from the rest of the pack to settle the race.

Despite having a healthy lead for a bit, Vanderloop was pressured by Danley in the second half of the race. The best challenge came within five laps remaining when Danley got to the outside. However, he could not find enough jump to pass for the lead.

Vanderloop held steady in his lane and maintained a solid run to pick up the victory over Danley.  Larry Raygo finished Third.

MASON CALMES TAKES SEVENTH SPORT TRUCK WIN

A banner Wisconsin Sport Truck season continued for Mason Calmes as he was able to secure his seventh victory of the season.

Masyn Liedke darted to the lead in the early portions of the feature with Tom Gee, Brady Vanderloop and Mason Calmes moving through the ranks.  After a pair of yellows, the trio were right on the heels of Liedke.

Gee took the lead on lap seven with Vanderloop and Calmes working past Liedke. Liedke would spin in the pack bringing out another caution.

On the restart Gee had Vanderloop to his outside and Calmes behind. Gee secured the lead, but soon was pressured by Calmes who grabbed the lead on lap ten and set sail.  Vanderloop went to work on Gee for Second and took the spot on lap 11.  However, Calmes was able to run away and secure the win unchallenged.

DEGROOT SCORES ANOTHER SIZZLIN’ 4 WIN

Alex DeGroot picked up the fourth win of the season for himself and teammate Billy Schommer in the Roundabout Bar and Grill Sizzlin’ 4 20-lap feature.

Beth Craig took control of the feature early in the going after a wild start saw several cars get damaged and retire from the race.  Craig continued to lead until a yellow for a stalled Andy Wiese on lap five. She then maintained the lead off that restart.

It was DeGroot who was on the move when the green fell though. One lap after the restart he was up to the Second spot with his sights set on the lead. On lap ten DeGroot made his move to the outside and took the lead from Craig with Jeremy Czarapata close behind.

DeGroot went on to pull away for the victory with Czarapata securing Second late in the race.  Craig would come home Third.

VAN CAMP GETS FIGURE 8 WIN

Donny Van Camp took the lead away from Jeff Danley on a lap three restart and went on to score his second Marty Nussbaum Racing Figure 8 feature of the season.  Ethan Beattie finished closely behind in Second.

UP NEXT…

The final Fox River Racing Club event of 2026, Fan Appreciation Night, wraps up the season with Champions to be crowned. Racing begins at 6:30pm. Fans are invited to hang around after the racing for the corn roast and free beverages in the pit area.