The “Stars and Cars” of the ASA Midwest Tour returns to Elko Speedway for the first time since 2017 for the Thunderstruck 93 on Saturday, September 23. 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.
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. Additionally, the second twin weekly Late Model feature will be 39 laps to honor the late driver.
Jake Ryan, son of the late Dan Ryan, will be competing in the weekly Late Model division in honor of his father. The Thunderstruck 93 is also in benefit of A Race Worth Winning – ALS. More information on the non-profit can be found here.
The ASA Midwest Tour hosted 14 races at the Minnesota facility, including the series’ first-ever event on April 28, 2007, a race won by Jonathan Eilen. Two-time series champion Dan Fredrickson has four Midwest Tour wins at Elko, the only driver with more than one win.
Jacob Goede won the inaugural Thunderstruck 93 in 2009 before Fredrickson won three Thunderstruck races in a row, including the first ASA Midwest Tour-sanctioned Thunderstruck 93 in 2012. Fredrickson won two more Thunderstruck races, while Andrew Morrissey, Ty Majeski and Dalton Zehr added Thunderstruck wins in the next five years.
The Big 8 Seres took over Thunderstruck 93 sanctioning in 2018 and 2019, with Owin Giles and Goede taking wins. The race returns in 2023 after a three-year hiatus.
Gabe Sommers currently holds the ASA Midwest Tour points lead by 79 over Justin Mondeik with two races left in the 2023 season. Mathematically, Sommers could clinch the 2023 ASA Midwest Tour championship at Elko Speedway.
The ASA Midwest Tour will be joined by Late Models, Power Stocks, Thunder Cars, Legends, and Bandoleros. Gates open at 4:30pm CT with racing slated to begin at 7:00.
Tickets at the gate are $25 for adults, $22 for seniors/military, $5.00 for children 6-12, and free for kids five and under. Advanced tickets are available at a discount by clicking here.
For more information on Elko Speedway, go to www.elkospeedway.com. Information on the ASA Midwest Tour can be found at midwesttour.racing.
