JOHNSON RIDES HIGH LINE TO RED RACE VICTORY
KAUKAUNA, Wis. (June 18, 2026) – Two-time Red, White and Blue and Former Fox River Racing Club Champion Casey Johnson kicked off the 55th running of the three-race series with a commanding win in the Rich Somers Memorial Red Race presented by A&W Towing and Repair and Bergstrom Chevrolet Cadillac Thursday night.
Johnson cruised the outside lane to pick his way from Forth to the lead in the first 19 laps of the 51-lap Schmitty’s Tickets Super Late Model event at Wisconsin International Raceway. He then kept defending Champion Grant Griesbach while surging away on several restarts.
At the outset of the race it was JJ Vanderloop setting the pace over Braison Bennett, Johnson and Griesbach. Johnson immediately went to work getting past Griesbach on lap two, then shooting past Bennett for Second on the outside five laps later. The leaders ran in a trio until Johnson snuck to the outside of Vanerloop and made the pas for the lead on lap 19. One lap later Griesbach did the same and kept locked in on Johnson.
The first yellow of the race fell for an incident involving Sawyer Effertz in lapped traffic with 25 laps to go. Johnson battled past Vanderloop to take the lead back, then kept Griesbach in his rear view mirror. Another yellow fell seven laps later for an incident involving Weston Marthaler, Effertz and Michael Anthony. The restart was short lived as Randy Schuler experienced issues sending him into the outside wall in turn one. He was unharmed. After a red flag, the field was set for another restart.
Once again Johnson was able to ou-duel Vanderloop for the lead. However, Vanderloop was able to get back in line in front of Griesbach and take the Second spot.
As the laps clicked off Johnson built his lead and Vanderloop maintained his runner-up positioning ahead of Griesbach. Jordan Thiel charged his way to Fourth and Bobby Kendall was Fifth.
BRADY VANDERLOOP REPEATS IN SPORT TRUCK ROB VANDERMOSS MEMORIAL
Brady Vanderloop secured an early lead and went back-to-back in the Wisconsin Sport Truck 20-lap Rob Vandermoss Memorial presented by Infinity Machine & Engineering Corporation.
Despite starting in the third row, Vanderloop took the lead before hitting the backstretch on lap two. Behind him Grant Gilbert, Tom Gee and Mason Calmes completed the top Four. On lap three an incident involving Gee and Calmes saw Calmes tap out via the gentleman’s agreement and head to the tail of the field.
On the restart Vanderloop shot away from the field and built a large advantage. Gee battled Gilbert for Second and took the spot on lap eight.
Attention then turned to Calmes who had won each feature at WIR this season and set a new track record for the division in qualifying. He was back to 5th by lap 10.
Calmes was able to keep pushing toward the front, finding himself in Second with six to go. However, Vanerloop had built such a large advantage, Calmes was a full straightaway behind. Despite the gap being closed to just a few truck lengths, it was Vanderloop who motored the checkered flag first. Calmes was Second, Gee was Third, Masyn Liedke Fourth and Grant Gilbert rounded out the Top Five.
STRELKA FINALLY ACES PRO LATES
Brent Strelka got his streak of Second Place finishes set aside in the 20-lap Fox City’s Towing Pro Late Model feature. After three straight Pro Late Model Second Place finishes, Strelka found himself in the winner’s circle after battling past Matt Wittman on lap 15.
Wayne Posselt secured an early lead but soon saw Wittman scoot pat into the top spot on lap four. At that time Strelka was challenging for Fourth with fast qualifier Jesse Oudenhoven behind him. They quickly picked their way through the Top Five and found themselves in Second and Third by halfway.
Strelka shot to the inside of Wittman on lap 15. Despite giving up the line, Wittman battled hard on the outside to try to maintain the lead. Eventually Strelka proved to be too much and he secured the top spot. Oudenhoven quickly followed into Second.
Over the final few laps Strelka grew his lead and sailed to victory over Oudenhoven and Wittman.
SPRINGSTROH GETS FIRST WIR ¼-MILE LATE WIN, THOMSON ALSO SEES CHECKERED FLAG
Dan Thomson and Sean Springstroh split wins in the 15-lap Pete’s Auto WIR ¼-mile Late Model features. Springstroh’s victory was his first in the division.
Thomson took the lead on lap five of the first feature just before an incident rattled three top contenders in Henry Neerdaels, Rick Spoo and Ty Fietzer. On the restart Thomson held off Kaden Kostichka and secured the win.
In the second feature it was Springstroh grabbing the lead at the outset and not looking back. Despite some pressure from Neerdaels and Spoo, Springstroh was able to hold on to take the checkered flag.
TONY WILZ TRUCKS TO VICTORY IN SUPER STOCKS
Tony Wilz scored his first win in his truck-bodied Novus Auto Glass Super Stock in the 20-lap main event.
Chuck Gilbertson Jr. took an early lead in front of Ed Howard and Jeff Treml. Those two would tangle on lap eight. Howard got his spot back and would battle Gilbertson on the restart.
Wilz restarted in the row behind and went on the hunt over the next two laps. After dashing past Howard, Wilz took the lead from Gilbertson on lap ten. He then cruised over the second half of the race to score the win.
KLEIN RETURNS TO SIZZLIN’ 4 VICTORY LANE
Mike Klein had come close already this season, but came through for the win in the Roundabout Bar and Grill 20-lap Sizzlin’ 4 feature.
Kaiden Volovsek led early through two yellow flags to the midway point of the race. On the lap eight restart Volovsek had turned aside Jacoby Pollei, but space was left open for Klein to begin his charge.
On lap 15 another yellow set up a single file restart with Klein directly behind Volovsek. The extra space was all Klein needed to find a lane and grab the win. Jeremy Czarapata and Justin Fickel made lade moves to round out the podium
JOSH ANTHONY SURVIVES WILD FIGURE 8 FEATURE
Just when it appeared the Marty Nussbaum Racing Figure 8s were in for a ho-hum feature, things took a wild turn in the final laps.
Willy Van Camp led most of the race until he experienced an intersection tap from Danny Gracyalny. While Van Camp continued, he surrendered the lead to Josh Anthony who was in close proximity the whole race. Anthony then led the final two laps on his way to the win.
UP NEXT…
The Fox River Racing Club honors heroes with Veteran’s Night next Thursday June 25. All active and veteran military receive free admission with ID. The Crown Vics will also return. Racing begins at 6:30pm.