By: Kevin Ramsell
Elko, MN – The shortest route from Greeley, Colorado to Elko Speedway in Elko, Minnesota is 853 miles. That is how many miles the 2018 Kulwicki Driver Development Champion Brett Yackey will drive to compete in this Saturday’s “Thunderstruck 93” ASA Midwest Tour event at Elko Speedway in Elko, Minnesota.
“It fit our schedule really well and looking into the track, it fits the track I like,” Yackey recently said when he was asked about making his fourth start in the ASA Midwest Tour. “Gregg McKarns runs a fantastic series and always treats us with the utmost respect. My goal when going to races is to have fun and that is what we do when we race with the Midwest Tour.”
The McKarns/Yackey connection goes back to their respective fathers. Back in the early 90’s, Brett’s father, Bruce, competed in the ARTGO Challenge Series, who was promoted by Gregg’s father, the late John McKarns. Bruce Yackey went on to compete in the NASCAR Midwest Series, NASCAR Southwest Series and the SRL Southwest Tour events. Bruce has one start in the ASA Midwest Tour back in 2012 at Iowa Speedway.
Earlier Yackey said that it fits the track he likes because Elko Speedway is similar to the track he competes weekly at, Colorado National Speedway in Dacron, Colorado. His division has this weekend off, allowing him to travel to Elko with a special Minnesota paint scheme on his Super Late Model.
Currently, he is looking for his third championship at Colorado National, as he has four victories giving him an eight point lead heading into their final points night on September 28th. Overall he has nine championships in his career. He recently finished fourth at the recent SRL Southwest Tour event at his home track.
One championship he is proud to have his name etched on a trophy is his 2018 Kulwicki Driving Development Program title. The Kulwicki Driving Development Program has become one of the premier driver development programs in short track racing.
“Winning the KDDP was huge for my career and our team,” Yackey exclaimed. “The program taught me a lot as a person and gave me opportunities I would have had otherwise. Also, we were able to use that money to further our program in monumental ways.”
This Saturday night, Yackey will get the opportunity to compete alongside current KDDP finalists Ty Fredrickson and Levon Van Der Geest. Along with alumni members Justin Mondeik and Riley Stenjem.
When asked about competing against his fellow KDDP members, Yackey is eager for the opportunity.
“Absolutely, I know Tom Roberts (KDDP Executive Director) and the entire KDDP staff only choose great competitors and great people, so meeting them is always a good time. I’m excited to meet up with Ty Fredrickson and contribute to his support of ALS.”
Yackey will be among an elite list of short track champions competing this Saturday night.
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
***CLICK HERE FOR THE EXPECTED ASA MIDWEST TOUR ENTRY LIST***
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 21, 2024:
12pm Pit Gate Opens
2pm Practice Begins
4:30pm Spectator Gates Open
6pm 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: The ASA Midwest Tour will be joined by the NASCAR Late Models, Power Stocks, Thunder Cars, Legends and Bandoleros.
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 Thunderstruck 93
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- Owen Giles
2019- Jacob Goede
LIST OF CHAMPIONSHIPS
15 Sommers- 2023 ASA Midwest Tour
23 VanDerGeest- 2019 Midwest Truck Series
26 Cornelius- 2003 Raceway Park Late Model
32 Yackey- 2x Colorado National, 2018 KDDP, 9 Track Champioships total
36 Fredrickson- 2024 Tundra Super Late Models
41 Reuvers- 9x Elko Speedway (2000, 05-06-07-08-09-10-11-12)
44 Mondeik- 2022 Tundra Super Late, 3x State Park, 2x Golden Sands, 1x Norway
47 Stenjem- 2021 Tundra Super Late, 3x Legend State Champ
72 Goede- 10x Elko Speedway (2014-15-16-17-18-19-20-21-22-23), 2019 NASCAR Weekly National
77 Eilen- 2012 ASA Midwest Tour, 2002 Elko Speedway Thunder Car
81 Syer-Keske- Elko Speedway 2010 Legend and 2020 Modified
91 Swanson- 2021 Midwest Truck Series, Dells Raceway Park Legends
100 Marthaler- 2023 Tomah Sparta Speedway Modified
