The Scoop
BRAISON BENNETT – HEADING SOUTH FOR THE $30K BIGLEY MEMORIAL 128
Posted on: Monday November 24, 2025
Third-generation-racer Braison Bennett has headed south to compete in the $30,000-to-win Bill Bigley 128 race in Florida Thanksgiving Day wekeend. (Braison Bennett Racing)
When November rolls around, most pavement teams have their cars up on jackstands, stripped down to a bare chassis for a winter rebuild.
Braison Bennett is just the opposite. The Neenah, Wisconsin driver had his car on jackstands. However, The third-generation driver has prepping for a racing trip south.
Bennett and his dad, legendary racer Lowell Bennett, have loaded their stacker trailer and have headed south to take part in the $30,000-to-win Bill Bigley Sr. Memorial 128 race for super late models at the Freedom Factory in Brandenton, Florida.
Braison was entry No. 42 for this event, which pays $1,200-to-start and takes place this Thanksgiving Day weekend.
So far, Bennett has had himself a solid 2025 season. He’s got close to 45 nights of racing under his belt. At his hometrack Wisconsin International Raceway in Kaukauna, Bennett earned a 2nd place points finish in the late model division. Bennett also played bridesmaid in the final All-Star pro late model Challenge Series. He actually tied for the win in the final standings, but lost out on the tiebreaker which was qualifying.
Braison Bennett won the Pro late model title at Golden Sands Speedway in Plover, Wisconsin in 2025. (QC Willy photo)
Bennett’s never met a race track he didn’t like. The Neenah Ace raced at Golden Sands Speedway in Plover as well as Marshfield Motor Speedway as well this season. Bennett scored the Pro late model crown at Plover. Basically, if there is a race within a reasonable driving distance, Bennett is there.
“Dad and I talked about it doing this race for a couple of years now,” said the 30-year-old Bennett. “We went down to the Freedom Factory and watched with a few friends. We both thought it was a cool deal and seemed like a well run show. We both decided we’d like to be a part of it. This is the year that it is happening.”
Perhaps the biggest adjustment for Bennett for this special is he’ll be able to mount a four-barrel carburetor on for the Bigley race. “That’s fun to drive and it’s got more power than I’m used to,” Bennett said. “That’s fun to drive. I shook it down at Plover a couple of weeks ago. You carry more straightaway speed with that. We’ll be running different weights. We’ll be running on the American Racer tires down there. Most everything else with regards to our setups will be pretty similar to what we normally run.”
According to Bennett, he’s got no experience racing a four barrel on that track, and with as many cars that will be there attempting to crack the starting field, making the feature will be considered a victory for Bennett.
This week’s trip south will be a true family affair. Joining Braison will be Lowell, and Braison’s father-in-law and fellow racer himself Rick Spoo. “Our crew members Jack and Ty are going to help on Thanksgiving day, and Keith Kuchenbecker lives down there, and will be lending a hand, too.”
The car Bennett will field in the Bigley race is a Lefthander chassis he’s competed with in Wisconsin for a couple of seasons now. “We’re doing this on a budget compared to other teams, as we will likely have maybe one-third of the cost in our car compared to the others,” Bennett pointed out. “We put this car together with a bunch of used parts.”
Braison Bennett’s new paint scheme for his Bigley 128 ride. (No Limits Graphics and Photography)
Bennett’s also booked a plane ticket for mid-December and plans on competing in a race at Auburdale Speedway in Florida. “Flights are cheap right now, and I’m able to not miss a bunch of work along the way, too,” Bennett said. Bennett’s parents have a condo in Florida, and they’ll keep the hauler down south in between the trips south. “Logistics and cost-wise, it doesn’t take as much financially that way.”
Bennett’s team of marketing partners for this “Southern Swing” include: Carow Land Surveying and Environmental, Meton Transport, Goldin Recycling, PMF Landscape Supply, Dale Gas and Oil, John J Mayer Insurance, Coleman Racing Products & No Limits Graphics and Photography.
Other Wisconsin drivers who’ll be trying for the $30k payday include Edgerton’s Casey Johnson, Kendrick Kreyer, Neenah’s Ty Majeski, DeForest’s Johnny Sauter, Grant Griesbach, Levon Vander Geest.