2016 Thunderstruck93 preview

September 23, 2016 - Elko, MN

By Jason D Searcy

The Thunderstruck93 event is Saturday September 24th at Elko Speedway.  This event has a long history at Elko, it's the 9th annual race in honor of Dan Ryan and in support of "a race worth winning" a nonprofit organization set up to support families who are dealing with A.L.S.  Ryan was a long time racer and car owner, he is member of the Elko Speedway Hall of Fame.  Dan Ryan died of the disease in January of 2009.  His car was number 93 and he loved the song Thunderstruck, hence the name Thunderstuck93.

The Finale of this event is our local MN Corn Growers Super Late Models racing with the ARCA Midwest tour series.  They will race a 125 lap event with a ten minute break in the action at lap 93.

In the seven years of this race only four different drivers have won.  Danny Fredrickson #36 from Lakeville (MN) has four wins (2010, 2011, 2012, 2014).  Fredrickson was the Elko Speedway Late Model Champion in 2003 who also went on to win three Championships in the Midwest Tour.

Jacob Goede #72 from Carver (MN) won the inaugural event in 2009.  Goede is the three time defending Super Late Model Champion at Elko Speedway.  He also has won big touring series events at Iowa Speedway and Bristol Motor Speedway.

Andrew Morrissey #39 from DeForest (WI) was the Midwest tour Champion in 2011 and he won the Thunderstruck93 in 2013.

Ty Majeski #91 from Seymour (WI) won this race in 2015, he is the two time defending Champion of the ARCA Midwest tour, he was declared the Kulwicki Driver Development Champion last year and is currently in a developmental deal signed with Roush-Fenway racing in NASCAR.

Nick Murgic from Rosemount (MN) is another driver to watch, he has competed in every Thunderstruck93 event finishing third two different times and coming in second in 2010.

One of the most unique aspects of this race is the much desired electric guitar trophy presented to the winner by the Ryan family.  This guitar was named one of the best trophies in racing by Speed51. 

New Thunderstruck93 logo apparel will be available for sale on raceday at the track and thanks to a donation from Country Joe Homes the full sales amount will go to help those living with ALS.

One of the most spectacular finishes in Super Late Model history in the 51 years of racing at Elko Speedway happened during Thunderstruck93 in 2015.  Dan Fredrickson and Jacob Goede had an intense side by side battle for the lead that seemed to go on forever, but then Ty Majeski came from the back of the pack to pass both Fredrickson and Goede during the final three laps and won by just .054 seconds.  The crowd was stunned at the result and thrilled with such great racing throughout the field.

In addition to the 125 lap Midwest Tour race, the Big 8 Late Model series will race with the Elko Hiway Federal Credit Union Big 8 cars.  Elko Speedway has one of the strongest and largest fields of Big 8 cars in the nation.  In NASCAR Whelen All American Series Div II points eight Elko Speedway drivers finished in the TOP 20 in the National Standings including National Champion hopeful #18 Michael Ostdiek from Lakeville (MN) who is second in their point standings to #2 Michael Bilderback from South Beloit (IL).

Fans also saw an incredible finish to the Big 8 Championship race at Elko Speedway last weekend, #54 Dylan Moore came back from a mid-race wreck and tied #17 Jon Lemke for the Championship with Moore winning on the tie-breaker.

One of the most fan friendly parts of the Thunderstruck93 is the on-track autograph session, it will take place at 3:10pm and conclude just before action begins on the track at 4pm.  Fans can meet their favorite driver, get autographs and photos on the race track.  Spectator gates open at 3pm.

Get more information by going to ElkoSpeedway.com or follow Elko Speedway on Social Media or download the free ELKO Racing app.  Elko Speedway is a 3/8th mile progressive banked asphalt oval located in Elko (MN) 30 minutes South of Downtown Minneapolis just off of I-35 and County Road 2.