THIEL POWERS TO FIRST FRRC WIN OF 2026

KAUKAUNA, Wis. (May 28, 2026) – Jordan Thiel has shown a ton of speed early in the 2026 season at Wisconsin International Raceway. On Thursday night he put all of the pieces together to collect his first Schmitty’s Tickets Super Late Model win of the Fox River Racing Club season.

Thiel surged past Travis Rodewald after a tight battle during the midway point of the race then built a strong enough advantage that he could not be chased down in the final circuits.

The early outset of the race looked very similar to last week as Rodewald secured the lead from fellow front-row starter Taylor Vandermoss once again.  Rodewald built his lead until an incident on lap four that saw a chain reaction cause Andy Monday and Jeff VanOudenhoven to make contact.  VanOudenhoven got the worst of the incident hitting the front stretch wall. Monday was able to continue, but made a couple of stops in the pits before the green fell again.

Rodewald again controlled the field off the restart, this time leaving Braison Bennett behind. Thiel soon joined the mix making his move past Bennett on lap nine for Second.  He then set out to chase down Rodewald as Bennett rode in Third and Vandermoss tried to hold Fourth.

Riley Stenjem made his first big move of the race when he passed Vandermoss for Fourth on lap 12.  He and Sawyer Effertz next set their sights on Bennett.

Meanwhile, Thiel was chasing down Rodewald and caught him by lap 16.  After a back-and-forth battle, Thiel secured the lead on lap 20.  Stenjem had made his move to Third and tried to catch the lead duo.

With clean air, Thiel built a lead.  Although Stenjem eventually grabbed Second, he would not have enough time to break Thiel’s healthy lead. Effertz took Third behind them and Rodewald held off Chad Butz by a nose to finish Fourth.

OUDENHOVEN BACK TO PRO LATE VICTORY LANE

Jesse Oudenhoven didn’t take long to reacclimate himself to the Fox City’s Towing Pro Late Model division. After several years in the Super Late Models, Oudenhoven rejoined the Pro Lates this season, and scored a victory in week-two action.

Oudenhoven battled fellow veteran Brent Strelka in a spirited affair for nearly 10 laps before finally securing the lead and grabbing the checkered flag.

Strelka jumped to the lead quickly at the drop of the green bringing Bryan Monday and Oudenhoven into Second and Third. Oudenhoven stole Second from Monday the next lap and set up behind Strelka until the only caution of the race fell on lap five.

On the restart Strelka elected to take the high line and Oudenhoven joined him on the front row. From that point on it was a cat-and-mouse battle that saw Strelka get ahead, Oudenhoven open the door in a repeating cycle.  Eventually Oudenhoven gained an advantage on the inside line on lap 17.

The pass for the lead began out of turn two as Oudenhoven picked up a head of steam heading down the back stretch.  On exit of four, he used the momentum to secure the top spot.  Strelka remained close, but could not challenge again. Behind them last week’s winner Alex Stumpf was closing in, but had to settle for Third.

TUYLS SCORES FIRST SUPER STOCK WIN

Despite being new to the division, JJ Tuyls looked like a cool, calm, confident seasoned veteran on the way to a win in the 20-lap Novus Auto Glass Super Stock feature.

Jake Vandenberg took an early lead and paced the field through the first five laps.  Tuyls got behind the early-race leader then waited for the right moment to pounce.  That moment came on lap five when the inside lane opened an Tuyls took the lead.

As the laps clicked off Tuyls continued to pad his advantage as Vandenberg tried to hold Second.  When the checkered fell Tuyls was well ahead, cruising to victory. Vandenberg finished Second with fast qualifier Josh Mueller just behind in Third.

CALMES STAYS PERFECT IN SPORT TRUCKS

Mason Calmes may have had to work a little harder for the 20-lap Sport Truck feature win in week two, but he left little doubt at the end.

Calmes spent most of the race in the Top Four, then made his move to secure the lead from Tom Gee Jr. on lap 18.

Gee battled his nephew Grant Gilbert at the start of the race, taking the lead on lap six.  At the same time, Brady Vanderloop and Calmes were working their way to the Top Four.

As the laps clicked off Gee held the advantage. Vanderloop eventually took Second on a three wide pass to the outside of Gilbert and Calmes.  Before he could get away, Calmes made his move to Third, then took Second from Vanderloop on lap 15.

Once in Second, Calmes closed the gap on Gee. He swung to the outside and took the top spot on lap 18.  Behind him at the checkered flag Gee held off Vanderloop and Kyle Quella made a late charge to Fourth.

FICKEL RETURNS TO SIZZLIN’ 4 VICTORY LANE

Justin Fickel took advantage of some calm waters at the front of the field to take a quick lead and sail to victory in the 20-lap Roundabout Bar & Grill Sizzlin’ 4 feature.

Fickel dashed through a couple of front-row starters to grab the lead on lap two. Mike Klein was not far behind, and eventually the two separated themselves from the field after a lap-seven restart.

Despite keeping close, Klein could not challenge Fickel. Cody Booth finished Third.

WOLLER DOUBLES IN CROWN VIC FEATURES

Justin Woller won both 12-lap Crown Vic features.  The new division – racing a limited schedule in 2026 – added cars and competition since its debut two weeks ago at the Spring Classic.

In the first feature Woller had to chase down Mason Obermeyer, who gave him a hearty challenge before Woller was able to secure the win.

In the second feature David Hoernig and Mitch Opsahl kept Woller contained until two laps remained. Woller eventually shook loose and made a pass on Opsahl as his left front tire went down.

ETHAN BEATTIE HOLDS ON FOR FIGURE 8 WIN

Ethan Beattie led the bulk of the Marty Nussbaum Racing Figure 8 13-lap feature, but had to earn the victory at the stripe.  Over the final two laps, Craig Krueger closed in and was nearly side-by-side with Beattie as the checkered flew. Beattie was able to hold him off by half a car length at the line.

NEXT WEEK…

The Fox River Racing Club celebrate school’s out night as well as L&S Electric presenting the action with high vis wear being all the rage.  All divisions are in action with the WIR ¼-Mile Late Models swapping back in for the Crown Vics. Racing begins at 6:30pm.