Elko New Market, MN- The ‘Stars and Cars’ of the ASA Midwest Tour return to Elko Speedway this Saturday Night (September 23, 2023) for the first time in six seasons. Current ASA Midwest Point Leader Gabe Sommers will lead the Midwest Tour contingent against a host of Minnesota Super Late Model standouts. Three former Thunderstruck 93 winners, all from the ‘Land of 10,000 Lakes’ have filed their entry including five-time winner Dan Fredrickson, two-time winner Jacob Goede and 2018 winner Owen Giles. Fredrickson is a two-time Tour Champion and former Elko Track Champ while Goede is the current weekly Late Model point leader and seeks his record tenth Elko Track Championship in a row.
Currently sitting second place in Tour points, Justin Mondeik chases his second career Midwest Tour triumph while the likes of Levon VanDerGeest, Wisconsin State Championship Winner Riley Stenjem, Harley Jankowski and Rookie contenders Bryan Syer-Keske, a former Modified Champion at Elko, and Texas’ Barrett Polhemus are all looking for their first Tour victory.
Also answering the bell for the Saturday night’s showdown at the 3/8 mile paved oval is 2012 Midwest Tour Champion Jonathan Eilen who recorded his first of six Tour wins at Elko as well as nine-time Elko Champion Donny Reuvers, former Raceway Park Champion Dean Cornelius and former ASA National Driver Paul Paine. Three of Minnesota’s Rising Stars will also be in action, hot off a fifth place Midwest Tour showing three weeks ago Dells is Tristian Swanson plus Ty Fredrickson and Joe Valento who will both be making their second career Tour starts.
The Touring Stars will need to bring their A-Game in order to take the Thunderstruck 93 trophy back across the Mississippi River. 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. 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.
Schedule of Events for Thunderstruck 93, Saturday September 23, 2023:
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
