By: Kevin Ramsell
Elko, MN – The tight championship battle in the ASA Midwest Tour will be contested this Saturday night at Elko Speedway in Elko, MN with the 13th running of the Thunderstruck 93 125-lap race.
The race honors Dan Ryan, who lost his battle to ALS in 2009.
The entry list for this Saturday night is building up as a border battle between Wisconsin and Minnesota for the specially designed guitar trophy.
Gabe Sommers and Casey Johnson’s championship battle will be coming to Elko and could be a turning point heading into the season finale at Oktoberfest. Sommers holds a 16-point lead over Johnson. Sommers recently won the Jim Sauter Classic at Dells Raceway Park while Johnson has three victories so far this season.
Defending winner Justin Mondeik hopes to turn his season around by winning his second Thunderstruck, while Levon Van Der Geest hopes to turn his second place finish last year into a victory this year.
Former original “Touring Star” Donny Reuvers came back to the Midwest Tour last year and finished third. He will lead the Minnesota charge into this year’s event along with nine-time Elko Speedway champion and former NASCAR National Champion Jacob Goede.
Wayne Carter Classic winner and recent National Short track Champion Ty Fredrickson comes to Elko with a lot of late season momentum.
Jonathan Eilen, who has the most starts in the Midwest Tour and was the first ever winner, will be back driving a Toby Nuttleman prepared car.
Owin Giles, Michael Ostdiek, Billy Mohn, and Tristan Swanson all have visited Elko Speedway’s victory lane. Swanson has his wins in his Legend car and will be bringing his late model for the first time to Elko this season.
Norway 100 winner and 2017 Thunderstruck 93 winner Dalton Zehr will also be back looking for another victory. The Florida native now calls Wisconsin his home.
Kody King, who is leading the leader for Rookie of the Year, will be the lone Iowa entry this Saturday night. Could this hawkeye cyclone, oops thunder his way to the checkered flag?
Mitch Haver and Penn Sauter, two more drivers competing for Rookie of the Year in the ASAMT, will be ready to battle this Saturday night. Joseph Scholze will also be part of Team Wisconsin.
A great group of drivers hope to represent the Gopher State include: Michael Haggar, Joe Valento, Michael Beamish, former ASAMT Rookie of the Year Bryan Syer Keske, and Weston Marthaler.
About Dan Ryan, Sr.: The 125-lap race will honor Elko Speedway Hall of Famer “Thunder” Dan Ryan Sr., who passed away in 2009 after a three-year battle with ALS. Dan was a former racer who became a leader amongst the competitors in the pit area and tutored many young drivers as they worked their way through the racing ranks. The name of the event is named after Ryan’s favorite song, “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC. There will be a ten-minute break on lap 93 of the ASA Midwest Tour race to honor him.
Schedule of Events for Thunderstruck 93, Saturday, September 20, 2025: 12 p.m. Pit Gate Opens 2 p.m. Practice Begins 4:30 p.m. Spectator Gates Open 6 p.m. Qualifying Begins
Ticket Pricing:
Adults: $25
Senior and Military: $22
Kids ages 6-12: $5
Children ages 5 and under: Free
Advance discount tickets are available by clicking here.
Divisions: ASA Midwest Tour, Late Models, Thunder Cars, Power Stocks
Location: Elko Speedway is located at 26350 France Avenue in Elko, New Market, MN. For additional information, visit www.elkospeedway.com or call 952-461-7223.
Past Winners:
2009- Jacob Goede
2010- Dan Fredrickson
2011- Dan Fredrickson
2012- Dan Fredrickson
2013- Andrew Morrissey
2014- Dan Fredrickson
2015- Ty Majeski
2016- Dan Fredrickson
2017- Dalton Zehr
2018- Owin Giles
2019- Jacob Goede
2025- Justin Mondeik
