The Scoop
BRAISON BENNETT – ‘I’VE GOT BIG SHOES TO FILL’
Posted on: Wednesday March 31, 2021
(Ricky Bassman photo)
Braison Bennett readily admits he’s got big shoes to fill.
The third-generation racer from Neenah will be the ‘hired gun’ of sorts for Chase Motorsports during ‘Thursday Night Thunder’ program at Wisconsin International Raceway in Kaukauna in 2021. Bennett will take over the wheel of the team’s familiar 47 super late model.
The Chase Motorsports 47 car has been a consistent frontrunner for many seasons and has had some big names behind the wheel over the years – among them former WIR champion Casey Johnson of Edgerton.
“I got a call from Dennis (Chase) and he asked if I was interested in taking over that ride for weekly Thursday night racing at WIR,” Bennett explained. “They reached out to me and I had a couple of people on my behalf who put a good word in for me. I sure wasn’t going to turn down an opportunity to run up front in that good of equipment.”
It certainly didn’t hurt Bennett’s chances as he sealed up back-to-back late model crowns at WIR last September, winning the division title three out of the last five seasons. “Honestly, I had planned on moving up to super late models this year anyways,” Bennett said. “But I talked to my dad (former WIR champion Lowell Bennett) and we agreed this was an opportunity for me that was simply too good to pass up. Rides of this quality don’t come along that often. They just aren’t out there.”
Not only that but contrary to what some outsiders may think Braison Bennett has raced on his own dime for most of his career. “I work out of Dad’s shop and I’m very grateful for that,” Bennett admitted. “But he taught me early on to learn this stuff and pay for it on my own. You appreciate things more that way. I’m proud that he’s made me do it that way.”
Bennett’s entire family has been involved in racing in some capacity. His grandfather is “Mr. B” Bobby Bennett, a pioneer of northeast Wisconsin stock car racing. His grandfather was renowned engine builder Lynn Blanchard from Medina and his father-in-law is former Fox River Racing Club sportsman champion Rick Spoo.
In terms of goals driving the 47 car Bennett is realistic. “The car I won the title with last year was a used, washed up chassis so to run with top notch equipment this year will be great,” Bennett said. “I have big shoes to fill hopping in a car like that with as many times as Casey has won with it. I hope to go out there and come out swinging. It may be a learning curve though. The ultimate goal is the track championship.”
Bennett is no stranger to racing super late models. “I raced against dad at Slinger in the super lates in 2014,” Bennett said. “He was really happy with his car towards the end of the year at WIR last year and he got fast time. I’d love to be battling him for the feature win some night and we could maybe finish 1-2.”
After racing with his number 9 for several years Braison Bennett’s number will be 47 driving the Chase Motorsports entry Thursday nights at WIR in Kaukauna, WI. (Chase Motorsports photo)
Recently Bennett has been assisting the Chase Motorsports team in putting their 2021 machine together. “I started going over there the past couple of weeks and helping out,” Bennett said. “The body is on now and we hope to get some testing in soon.”
Some of Bennett’s team members will assist on Thursday nights, among them are Spoo and Dennis Sasse. “I know Valley Gasket will remain as one of the sponsors of the 47 and John J. Mayer is going to hop on board and help us out too,” Bennett said. “Outside of Thursday nights my schedule is totally open.”
Bennett has a bare Lefthander chassis sitting in shop. Bennett headed south in February to race at New Smyrna Speedway during Speedweeks but quickly realized he and Chad Butz were bringing a knife to gun fight. “We went down to run what we thought were more like limited late models in their Pro late model class,” Bennett admitted. “When we got there we quickly realized we were running against more of a full blown super late model with a crate motor. I had a three-year-old engine that was burning oil but we still got some seat time and that is always good.
“I do like to run Golden Sand Speedway in Plover and we plan on getting back up to Norway (MI) Speedway this year. We finished third up there and we plan on hitting the Stateline Challenge up there (July 2). We had fun at Norway. We might even get to the Dells a couple of times with a limited late model or even Slinger here and there. Sometimes it’s more fun when you try different tracks and don’t get caught up in the point battles.”
Chase Motorsports will also field another car for the Red, White and Blue races for Ryan Farrell of Big Bend.
WIR PRACTICE – Tuesday practice sessions will begin at WIR in Kaukauna April 6. The shakedown sessions will run from 3 p.m. until dusk. Cost is $50 per car for the ¼ oval and $100 per car for the ½ mile oval. Spectators can view the practice sessions free of charge. The TUNDRA super late model series opener will be the first race on the oval May 15. The TUNDRA racers will be joined by the ¼ mile late models, Midwest Dash Series and Wisconsin Sport Trucks that afternoon.
The “Thursday Night Thunder” opener presented by the Fox River Racing Club is set for Thursday, May 20.
THE BURG NOTEBOOK – The season opening race for The ‘Burg Speedway in Luxemburg is set for Sunday, May 16. Highlighting the season schedule at the third-mile, clay oval located at the Kewaunee County Fairgrounds will be the second annual Rick Goral Memorial night June 27, Eric Van Iten Memorial Night July 18, Hall of Fame night August 1 and the return of the Fall Classic October 2.
Also highlighting the track’s ’21 schedule is a $1,500-to-win IMCA modified race presented by Village Kitchen of Luxemburg. The race honors having IMCA sanctioned modifieds for 35 straight seasons at the track.
NORWAY SPEEDWAY NOTEBOOK – Norway (MI) Speedway recently announced NASCAR truck champion Johnny Sauter will compete in the 38th annual Stateline Challenge presented by Island Resort Casino & Aurora Liquors July 2. The defending race winner is Justin Mondeik of Gleason, Wisconsin. Mondeik captured five feature wins in as many appearances at Norway in 2020. Mondeik plans six appearances at Norway in ’21, including his Stateline Challenge title defense.
The track’s ‘Class of 2021’ for their Hall of Fame will be ushered in Friday night, June 25 with an appearance of the popular vintage modified group. Norway Speedway remains one of the few venues in the United States where fans can bring carry ins to the grandstand.
AUBY TAKE DRP – Jerry Auby has taken over the reins of Dells Raceway Park, acquiring the third-mile, paved oval from Wayne Lensing. The season kicks off at DRP with the annual Icebreaker 100 April 18.