Category: Featured

By: Kip Ripley

For the third time in history, the Big 8 Late Model Series is set to trek to eastern Iowa.

‘The Best Weekly Warriors in the Country’ return to Hawkeye Downs this Friday night June 2 for the ‘Clash at the Downs III’ presented by McGrathAuto.com. The event is the first for the Big 8 Late Model Series since its season opening ‘Spring Classic’ at Rockford Speedway back on April 23. On that day, two-time and defending Big 8 Late Model Series Champion Michael Bilderback was triumphant, leading most of the 88 lap feature en route his second straight win in the season-opening event.

Bilderback comes into Friday night’s ‘Clash at the Downs’ as a favorite once again, looking to get back to victory lane for a second straight year at Hawkeye Downs. Last June, it was Bilderback getting the best of Inaugural ‘Clash at the Downs’ winner Caleb Adrian in a wild last-lap exchange, which saw Adrian end his evening against the turn one wall. Still stinging from that loss one year later, Adrian is locked and loaded to get back in the winners circle Friday night and has already tasted victory twice at Hawkeye Downs in 2017.

Another driver who has found success early in 2017 is Brody Willett. The teenager from Alburnett Iowa has pocketed a Friday night feature win at Hawkeye Downs already this season and was also a Top 10 finisher at Rockford Speedway during Spring Classic. Willett comes into ‘Clash at the Downs’ with momentum and is primed to pick up his first career Big 8 Series win, will that landmark win come at his hometrack?

A talented group of local favorites await the Big 8’s best this weekend in Iowa, including Former Hawkeye Downs track champions Brian Gibson and Brad Osborn, as well as Cedar Rapids native and Late Model ace Griffin McGrath. Ready to challenge the home team are the likes of four-time Big 8 Late Model Series champion Jeremy Miller, former Rockford Speedway track champion Tim Sargent and former Slinger Speedway champion Wayne Freimund. They’ll be joined by names like 2016 Madison International Speedway Rookie of the Year Matt Lundberg, Wisconsin’s Jake Vanoskey, veteran Illinois racer Mike Lloyd and Michigan resident Cody Kippenhan plus young up-and-comers like Jake Zellmer, Tyler Hromadka, Tyler Kingery, Jared Duda and Tyler Brown.

‘Clash at the Downs III’ presented by McGrathAuto.com
Expected Entries (24)
As of May 31

OO Brody Willett Alburnett, IA
O3 Cody Kippenhan Ypsilanti, MI
2 Michael Bilderback South Beloit, IL
3 Tyler Hromadka Brookfield, WI
5 Jeremy Miller Rockford, IL
15 Michael Clapper Dane, WI
17 Brian Gibson Walford, IA
20 Tyler Brown Carol Stream, IL
21 Mike Lloyd Davis, IL
26 Tim Sargent South Beloit, IL
29 Caleb Adrian Walcott, IA
43 Scott Siems Cedar Rapids, IA
49 Jerry Mueller Richfield, WI
53 Jared Duda St Michael, MN
58 Tyler Kingery Prior Lake, MN
64 Griffin McGrath Cedar Rapids, IA
71 Mark Greb Coralville, IA
72 Brad Osborn Janesville, IA
75 Joe Neisius Rosemount, MN
76 Chad Siems Shellsburg, IA
78 Matt Lundberg Rockton, IL
84 Jake Vanoskey Hartford, WI
95 Wayne Freimund West Allis, WI
99 Jake Zellmer New Berlin, WI

EVENT DETAILS:

What: “Clash at the Downs III” presented by McGrathAuto.com
Where: Hawkeye Downs (4400 6th St SW Cedar Rapids, IA 52404)
When: Friday June 2
Schedule and Information:
3 PM- Pits Open
4:30 PM- Big 8 Series Practice Begins
5:30 PM- Grandstands Open
6 PM- Big 8 Series Qualifying
7:30 PM- Racing Begins

Divisions Competing:
Big 8 Late Model Series (complete show highlighted by a 48 lap feature)
Mountain Dew Sportsman
Dublin City Pub Legends
Anderson Automotive Hobby Stocks
Miller Time Hornets

Admission Prices:
Adults (18+) and Seniors (62 +) $12
Students (ages 9-17): $7
Kids 8 & under FREE

REMAINING 2017 BIG 8 LATE MODEL SERIES SCHEDULE:
Fri June 2- ‘Clash at the Downs III” presented by McGrathAuto.com (Hawkeye Downs, Cedar Rapids, IA)
Fri June 30- Salute to America (Madison International Speedway, Oregon WI)
Fri July 28- Larry Detjens Memorial Race (State Park Speedway, Wausau WI)
Tues Aug 1- Dixieland Delight (Wisconsin Int’l Raceway, Kaukauna WI)
Sat Sept 23- 9th Annual ‘Thunderstruck 93’ (Elko Speedway, Elko New Market, MN)
Sat Sept 30- 52nd Annual National Short Track Championships (Rockford Speedway)
Sat Oct 7- 48th Oktoberfest Race Weekend (La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway, West Salem, WI)

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Please visit www.big8series.com

By: Eric Huenefeld

The opening event of any season brings optimism, excitement and intrigue.

This Sunday’s 40th Anniversary Spring Classic at Rockford Speedway most certainly fits the above description.

Going into the first race of the 2017 Big 8 Late Model Series season, there are certainly many different directions to look when searching for story lines.

Everything starts with Michael Bilderback. The two-time Big 8 Late Model Series champion and reigning Rockford Speedway champion comes into Sunday afternoon as the favorite to begin the season in victory lane. A win Sunday would be the second straight Spring Classic triumph for Bilderback and a third overall. Only Steve Carlson (6), Joe Shear (4) and Dick Trickle (4) have won more Spring Classics all-time. Bilderback, along with Mike Beyer, are the only Big 8 Series drivers to win multiple Spring Classics (2 each).

Right next to Bilderback on the list of favorites this weekend has to be Casey Johnson. The two-time Big 8 Late Model Series champion is looking to join Bilderback and Beyer as multi-time winners of the Big 8 Spring Classic. Rockford Speedway was kind to Johnson last fall, as the Edgerton Wisconsin resident became just the second driver in history to win both the Super Late Model and Big 8/Rockford Rules features in the same weekend at National Short Track Championships, a feat only matched by the aforementioned Joe Shear in 1987. A victory this weekend would be Johnson’s fourth Big 8 Series conquest at Rockford all-time.

Four-time Big 8 Late Model Series champion Jeremy Miller has done just about everything in a Big 8 car, except win Spring Classic. Miller, who has 11 Series wins in his career (tied for most all-time) has been notably close before at Spring Classic, finishing a close second to Mike Edhe in 2007 and dominating the 2012 Spring Classic until his car broke just past halfway, handing the lead and win to Jon Reynolds Jr. Reynolds is always a contender at Rockford and specializes in the distance races, making Sunday’s 88 lapper a race that’s right in the former Big 8 and Rockford champion’s wheelhouse. Five of Reynolds’ eleven career Big 8 Series wins have come at Rockford Speedway.

Other drivers to watch at Rockford include two-time Spring Classic champion Steve Rubeck, making his return to the Big 8-style cars in 2017. Rubeck is also a former Big 8 champion two-time National Short Track Champion who excels inside the tight confines of Rockford Speedway. Former Rockford Speedway champion Tim Sargent brings a new look to Spring Classic and is eyeing his first-ever Big 8 Series win, while fan-favorite Kyle Shear returns to Big 8 Series action this weekend, looking to improve upon his best Big 8 finish at Rockford, a third place run in 2012. Wayne Freimund, a two-time feature winner at Rockford last season, has gotten closer to Big 8 victory lane each year, will Sunday be the day he takes the step to the top of the podium?

A fleet of young racers will be vying for glory at this weekend’s Spring Classic, including Iowa’s Brody Willett, Wisconsin’s Braison Bennett and the Minnesota tandem of Jared Duda and Tyler Kingery. Teenager Tyler Hromadka brings a year’s worth of Rockford experience to the table this weekend, looking to break through with the “Best Weekly Warriors in the Country,” while another teenager, Max Kahler, makes his Big 8 debut at a track just 6 miles from his hometown of Caledonia Illinois.

40th Anniversary Spring Classic
Expected Entries (28)
As of April 19

OO Brody Willett Alburnett, IA
1 Steve Rubeck Rockford, IL
2 Michael Bilderback South Beloit, IL
O3 Cody Kippenhan Ypsilanti, MI
3 Tyler Hromadka Brookfield, WI
5 Casey Johnson Edgerton, WI
5 Todd Kamish Lakeville, MN
5 Jeremy Miller Rockford, IL
O8 Dennis Smith Jr South Beloit, IL
9 Braison Bennett Neenah, WI
X Jon Reynolds Jr Loves Park, IL
17 Max Kahler Caledonia, IL
18 Alex Papini Machesney Park, IL
20 Tyler Brown Carol Stream, IL
21 Mike Lloyd Davis, IL
22 Kyle Chwala Johnson Creek, WI
26 Tim Sargent South Beloit, IL
37 Kyle Shear Roscoe, IL
39 Matt Berger Loves Park, IL
49 Jerry Mueller Richfield, WI
53 Jared Duda St Michael, MN
58 Tyler Kingery Prior Lake, MN
74 Louie Goss Green Bay, WI
84 Jake Vanoskey Hartford, WI
91 Jeff Wakeman Streator, IL
93 John Beinlich Cary, IL
95 Wayne Freimund Elkhorn, WI
99 Jake Zellmer New Berlin, WI

EVENT DETAILS:

What: 40th Anniversary Spring Classic
Where: Rockford Speedway (located at 9572 Forest Hills Rd Loves Park, IL)
When: Sunday April 23
Schedule and Information:
7 AM- Pits Open, Breakfast in Pit Concession
8 AM- Chapel Service in South VIP Tower
8:45 AM- Big 8 Series Driver’s Meeting in Pit Stands
9:30 AM- Rotating Practice (until 11:25 AM)
11 AM- Front Gate Opens
11:30 AM- Qualifying (All divisions)
12:45 PM- Opening Ceremonies
1 PM- WE’RE RACING

Divisions Competing:
Big 8 Late Model Series (complete show highlighted by an 88 lap feature)
Quest Industrial Mid-American Stock Car Series (complete show highlighted by a 50 lap feature)
INEX Legends (complete show including a 20 lap feature)

Admission Prices:
Adults (ages 12 & up): $20
Children (ages 6-11): $6
Kids 5 & under: FREE

2017 BIG 8 LATE MODEL SERIES SCHEDULE:
Sun April 23- 40th Anniversary Spring Classic (Rockford Speedway, Loves Park IL)
Fri June 2- ‘Clash at the Downs III” presented by McGrathAuto.com (Hawkeye Downs, Cedar Rapids, IA)
Fri June 30- Salute to America (Madison International Speedway, Oregon WI)
Fri July 28- Larry Detjens Memorial Race (State Park Speedway, Wausau WI)
Tues Aug 1- Dixieland Delight (Wisconsin Int’l Raceway, Kaukauna WI)
Sat Sept 23- 9th Annual ‘Thunderstruck 93’ (Elko Speedway, Elko New Market, MN)
Sat Sept 30- 52nd Annual National Short Track Championships (Rockford Speedway)
Sat Oct 7- 48th Oktoberfest Race Weekend (La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway, West Salem, WI)

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Please visit www.big8series.com

By: Eric Huenefeld

Through the years, “big events” have come and gone. But for 40 years, Spring Classic has stood tall.

Ever since it’s inception at the beginning of 1978, this season-opening special event has signaled a new racing season for fans and drivers alike in the upper Midwest.

And in the Spring of 1980, Spring Classic found the facility that became its home, Rockford Speedway. Ever since then the beginning of the upper Midwest racing season truly hasn’t began until the Rockford Speedway and Spring Classic said so.

One thing that both the first Spring Classic and this year’s 40th installment have in common are the lateness for which they are scheduled. Although two Spring Classics have been run later in the year (1997 in June & 2002 in October, both due to weather), the 1978 and 2017 installments are the two Spring Classics originally scheduled latest. The inaugural event was contested on April 30 at Grundy County Speedway, with Dick Trickle collecting one of his four Spring Classic wins (more on that later). This year’s Spring Classic, set for April 23, is scheduled later due to the unusually late Easter holiday in 2017.

Following the first ever Spring Classic at Grundy County in 1978, the event shifted north to Capitol Super Speedway (now Madison International Speedway) in April of 1979, with Tom Reffner topping Trickle in a 50 lap sprint. The following year, the event shifted to Rockford Speedway for good, with the late Larry Detjens capturing the 80 lap main event.

From 1980 to 1990, Spring Classic’s were contested in distances equal to the year in which they were ran, meaning the the 1981 race was 81 laps, 1982’s race was 82 laps and so on. Another theme of the 80’s was dominance by three particular drivers; Joe Shear, Al Schill and Dick Trickle. From 1981 to 1989, Shear, Schill and Trickle were the only three men to pocket wins in the season opening affair. Shear garnered his Spring Classic wins in 1981, 86, 88 & 89, while Trickle was top dog in 1983, 84 & 87. Schill won his two Spring Classics in 1982 and 1985.

Speaking of multi-time winners, nine drivers have won two-or-more Spring Classics in their racing careers. Steve Carlson leads the all-time list with six Spring Classic wins (bagging six of seven Spring Classics from 1998-2004), Trickle & Shear have won four each, while Schill, Scott Hansen, Kevin Cywinski, Steve Rubeck, Mike Beyer and Michael Bilderback have won two Spring Classics each. Bilderback can join rarefied air with Carlson, Shear and Trickle this weekend if he can win his third Spring Classic, making him just one of four men to win the event three or more times. With a win, Bilderback would also become the all-time leading Big 8 Spring Classic winner, as both he and Beyer are the only two drivers to win multiple Big 8 Spring Classic races.

The Big 8 Late Model Series’ inclusion at Spring Classic began in the year 2005 as an under-card to the final NASCAR Midwest Series race held at Rockford Speedway. Beyer won that 58 lap event, then came back one year later and won the Big 8 portion of Spring Classic in 2006. In 2008, the Big 8 Late Model Series became the featured attraction of Spring Classic, with Michael Bilderback winning his first Big 8 Series race and in the process becoming the youngest Spring Classic winner of all time. Also in 2008, the Big 8 Spring Classic was extended from 58 laps to 108 laps. In 2015, the race was shorted to 88 laps, a call back to the event’s heyday back in the 80’s.

What history will be made this Sunday? Can Bilderback continue his recent Big 8 and Spring Classic dominance? Can someone like Casey Johnson or Jon Reynolds Jr become just the tenth driver to win multiple Spring Classics? Or will a new name be etched into history as a winner of Rockford Speedway’s Spring Classic? You better “BE THERE” this Sunday afternoon to find out!

The 40th Anniversary Spring Classic is set for this Sunday afternoon April 23 at Rockford Speedway (9572 Forest Hills Road, Loves Park IL). Spectator Gates open at 11 AM, with Qualifications set to begin at 11:30 and the first green flag at 1 PM. The afternoon racing card includes the Big 8 Late Model Series, the Quest Industrial Mid American Stock Car Series and the INEX Legends. Adult admission is $20, while Children ages 6-11 are $6 and Kids 5 & under are FREE!

For more information, please visit rockfordspeedway.com, big8series.com or call 815-633-1500.

40th Spring Classic Schedule | Entry Form

By: Eric Huenefeld

With a long off-season in the rear view, it’s time to “Think Spring!”

The 40th Anniversary Spring Classic is five and a half weeks away, with this year’s installment scheduled for Sunday afternoon April 23 at Rockford Speedway. The Entry Form and Schedule of events are now available for viewing at big8series.com and rockfordspeedway.com.

For the tenth consecutive season, the Big 8 Late Model Series headlines Spring Classic. The “Best Weekly Warriors in the Country” run a full show Sunday April 23, complete with Time Trials, Preliminary Events and the 88 lap feature race. Also scheduled to appear on the Spring Classic card is the Mid-American Stock Car Series and the INEX Legends. The Mid-American Series is slated to run a 50 lap main event, while the Legends square off in a 20 lap affair.

Gates open on Sunday April 23 at 11 AM, with Qualifying for all three divisions beginning at 11:30 AM. The first green flag flies at 1 PM.

There are multiple chances for teams to get “on track” at Rockford Speedway for Practice in advance of Spring Classic. Saturday April 15 features an Open Practice session from 11 AM until 2:30 PM, while Spring Classic participants (Big 8 LM, Mid-Am & Legends) also have a chance to practice Saturday April 22 from Noon to 4 PM.

For additional information regarding the 40th Anniversary Spring Classic and Rockford Speedway, please visit www.rockfordspeedway.com or call 815-633-1500.

For more information on the Big 8 Late Model Series, please visit www.big8series.com.

By: Eric Huenefeld

Big 8 Late Model Series officials have released their 2017 Schedule of Events, which includes eight individual racing events at seven facilities in four different states.

Again this season, the Big 8 Late Model Series takes part in some of the most well-known racing events held annually at some of the most storied short tracks in America.

The Big 8 Late Model Series begins its thirteenth season Sunday afternoon April 23 at Rockford (IL) Speedway as part of the 40th Anniversary Spring Classic. The day will be highlighted by an 88 lap feature race for the “Best Weekly Warriors in the Country,” with the Mid American Stock Car Series and Legends joining the Spring Classic card.

Following Spring Classic, the Big 8 Series returns to Iowa, for “Clash at the Downs III’ at Hawkeye Downs in Cedar Rapids on Friday June 2. Four weeks later (Friday June 30), the Series makes its traditional summertime stop at Madison (WI) International Speedway for the “Salute to America,” which includes a full racing program and a fabulous Fireworks display!

One month after the Madison event, the Big 8 Late Model Series contests two races in five days while taking part in two major mid-summer events. Friday July 28, the Series makes its return to State Park Speedway in Wausau WI, headlining the first night of the Larry Detjens Memorial Weekend. Then, Tuesday night August 1, the Big 8 Late Model Series shares the spotlight with the ARCA Midwest Tour as part of the “Dixieland 250,” with a 38 lap “Dixieland Delight” scheduled for the Big 8 Late Models.

The 2017 Big 8 Series champion once again will be determined by “three races in three weeks,” starting Saturday September 23 at Elko (MN) Speedway as part of the 9th Annual “Thunderstruck.” Then, Saturday night September 30, it’s the most grueling race of the season, the 108 lap National Short Track Championship as part of the 52nd National Short Track Championships at Rockford Speedway. Finally, on Saturday October 7, the season comes to a close at La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway in West Salem WI as part of the 48th Oktoberfest Race Weekend.

For more information on the Big 8 Late Model Series, please visit big8series.com.

For up-to-the-minute updates, please “Like” Big 8 Series on Facebook and “Follow” us on Twitter @big8series.

2017 BIG 8 LATE MODEL SERIES EVENT SCHEDULE

Sunday April 23 – “40th Anniversary Spring Classic” 88 Laps
Rockford Speedway (Loves Park, IL)

Friday June 2 – ”Clash at the Downs III” 48 Laps
Hawkeye Downs (Cedar Rapids, IA)

Friday June 30 – “Salute to America” 48 Laps
Madison Int’l Speedway (Oregon, WI)

Friday July 28 – “Larry Detjens Memorial” 58 Laps
State Park Speedway (Wausau, WI)

Tuesday August 1 – “Dixieland Delight” 38 Laps
Wisconsin Int’l Raceway (Kaukauna, WI)

Saturday September 23 – “Thunderstruck” 58 Laps
Elko Speedway (Elko New Market, MN)

Saturday September 30 – “52nd Nat’l Short Track Championships” 108 Laps
Rockford Speedway (Loves Park, IL)

Saturday October 7 – “Oktoberfest Race Weekend” 68 Laps
La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway (West Salem, WI)

By: Eric Huenefeld

No one has been hotter than Michael Bilderback over the last two years in a Big 8-type Late Model.

The South Beloit resident has picked up 16 wins over the last two seasons and this summer became one of the youngest Track Champions in the history of Rockford Speedway. In the matter of a couple weeks, the 25 year-old could also become a two-time champion of the Big 8 Late Model Series.

To add to all those accolades, Bilderback was dominant in last year’s 108 lap Big 8 Late Model Series race during the 50th Anniversary National Short Track Championships (NSTC) at Rockford Speedway, outrunning Casey Johnson and Alex Papini for the win. Can Bilderback go back-to-back this year at NSTC? If he can…he’ll certainly help his chances for a second straight Big 8 Series title.

But there are several contenders standing in his way, including the aforementioned Casey Johnson, a former winner of the 108 lap race at NSTC and a driver who has racked up wins in both Big 8 and Super Late Model competition in 2016. Multi-time Jefferson Speedway champion Dale Nottestad returns to Big 8 Series action this weekend at Rockford and will be joined by four-time Big 8 Series champion Jeremy Miller, who is always in the conversation at Rockford, while seven-time track champion and 2016 Madison International Speedway champion Bobby Wilberg is also gunning for his chance to take top honors on Saturday night.

A trio of former Rockford Speedway track champions are ready for the challenge this weekend at NSTC. Three-time track champion Jerry Gille returns this weekend, looking to get back to NSTC Victory Lane while his nephew Jake Gille will also be among the drivers to watch. Jake, the 2015 Rockford Speedway champion, won the ‘Weekly Warrior’ Late Model race at NSTC in 2014. Former Rockford Speedway champion and Big 8 Series champion ‘Driver X’ Jon Reynolds Jr is a master of the 108 lap race and is looking for an unmatched fifth victory in the event this weekend.

The rest of the “Big 8’s best” will be on hand as well, including current Series runner up Michael Ostdiek, who followed Bilderback across the line at Elko last Saturday night following a thrilling finish, two-time LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway champion J Herbst, two-time Rockford feature winner and former Slinger Speedway champion ‘Insane Wayne’ Freimund.

Wisconsin teenager Grant Greisbach leads the Loves Park Motorsports Rookie of the Year chase and will be at Rockford this Saturday night along with fellow Rookie contenders and Iowa natives Brody Willett and Zach Less.

EVENT DETAILS:

What: 51st Annual National Short Track Championships
Where: Rockford Speedway (9572 Forest Hills Road Loves Park, IL)
When: Saturday October 1

Schedule and Information:
8:30 AM- Pits Open
10:30 AM- Big 8 Series Practice Begins
2 PM- Fan Gates Open
2:15 PM- Qualifying
5 PM- Racing begins

Divisions Competing:
Big 8 Late Model Series along with Super Late Models, Illini Midgets and Vintage Racers of Illinois
(Ten total divisions take to the track Friday, Saturday and Sunday)

Admission Prices:
RESERVED SEATING (Sections D, E & F) Adults $20, Children $10
GENERAL ADMISSION SEATING: Adults (13 & up) $18, Ages 12-17: $9, Ages 6-11: $5

REMAINING 2016 BIG 8 LATE MODEL SERIES SCHEDULE:
Sat Oct 1- 51st Annual National Short Track Championships (Rockford Speedway, Loves Park, IL)
Sat Oct 8- 47th Oktoberfest Race Weekend (La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway, West Salem, WI)

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Please visit big8series.com

By: Eric Huenefeld

The stretch run to the Big 8 Series Championship begins this Saturday night September 24 in the state of Minnesota.

The 58 lap “Thunderstruck” at Elko Speedway marks the first of ‘Three Races in Three Weeks” to end the 2016 slate for the “Best Weekly Warriors in the Country,” and with a grueling stretch such as that, no point lead is safe.

With that being said, defending Big 8 Late Model Series Champion Michael Bilderback holds a comfortable lead on his foes as the three-week march begins. Coming into Elko, Bilderback holds a 116-point advantage over Michael Ostdiek, the current Big 8 points runner up.

Both Michaels have had outstanding years in their Big 8 Late Models, with Bilderback claiming his first ever Track Championship at Rockford Speedway, along with a track-leading four Late Model feature wins. To go with an impressive record at his home track, Bilderback has also claimed victory in three of the five Big 8 Series events in 2016.

Ostdiek has claimed six wins of this own in 2016, including his first ever Big 8 Series win at State Park Speedway back in July. The Lakeville Minnesota native also collected four feature wins at Elko Speedway this year and finished third in track points and was among the top drivers in the country in the NASCAR Whelen All American Series Division II point standings.

Four-time Big 8 Series champion Jeremy Miller is still mathematically in the hunt for an unprecedented fifth Series championship and adding to his 2016 win total would help that cause. Miller was the top dog at Madison International Speedway back in June as part of the ‘Salute to America’ 48 lap event.

Other top-notch Big 8 racers expected to join the crowd at Elko Speedway this weekend include two-time Dells Raceway champion Rich Schumann Jr, former Slinger Speedway champion ‘Insane Wayne’ Freimund and former Big 8 and Rockford Speedway champion ‘Driver X’ Jon Reynolds Jr.

The Loves Park Motorsports Rookie of the Year battle also takes center stage at Elko, with Grant Greisbach holding a 50 point advantage over Zach Less and a 64 point advantage on Brody Willett.

The very best from Elko Speedway are looking to show some hometrack muscle this weekend, including Dylan Moore and John Lemke, who tied atop the points at the end of the regular season, with Moore claiming the tie-breaker and track championship. All told, seven of the top ten drivers in 2016 Elko Speedway points have declared their intention of running this Saturday night, making this one of the toughest groups of local racers to challenge the Big 8’s best all season long!

Big 8 Late Model Series
Thunderstruck
Expected Entries (29 as of 9/20/16)

OO- Brody Willett Alburnett, IA
O3- Cody Kippenhan Ypsilanti, MI
2- Michael Bilderback South Beloit, IL
2- Kyle Kirberger Ramsey, MN
3- Tyler Hromadka Brookfield, WI
5- Todd Kamish Farmington, MN
5- Jeremy Miller Rockton, IL
5s- Jake Sernett Prior Lake, MN
7- Anthony Brewer Shakopee, MN
X- Jon Reynolds Jr Loves Park, IL
13- Bryan Wrolstad Northfield, MN
15- Todd Oliver La Crosse, WI
17- Grant Greisbach Waukesha, WI
17- Jon Lemke Shakopee, MN
18- Michael Ostdiek Lakeville, MN
20- Zach Less Manchester, IA
20- Devin Schmidt Belle Plaine, MN
21- Adam Bendzick Elko, MN
40- Michael Beamish Eagan, MN
42- Ryan Kamish Farmington, MN
49- Jerry Mueller Richfield, WI
51- Justin Neisius Eagan, MN
53- Jared Duda St Michael, MN
54- Dylan Moore Northfield, MN
54- Rich Schumann Jr Portage, WI
58- Tyler Kingery Prior Lake, MN
75- Dillon Hammond Grand Marsh, WI
95- Wayne Freimund Elkhorn, WI
99- Lawrence Berthuime Rogers, MN

EVENT DETAILS:

What: 8th Annual ‘Thunderstruck 93’
Where: Elko Speedway (26350 France Ave, Elko, MN 55020)
When: Saturday September 24

Schedule and Information:
9 AM- Pits Open
12:45 PM- Big 8 Series Practice Begins
3 PM- Fan Gates Open
3:10 PM- On Track Autograph Session
4 PM- Qualifying followed by Racing

Divisions Competing:
Big 8 Late Model Series along with the ARCA Midwest Tour, Thunder Cars, Legends, Power Stocks and Hornets

Admission Prices:
Adults (13 & up) $20
Children (ages 4-12) $5
Kids 3 and under FREE

REMAINING 2016 BIG 8 LATE MODEL SERIES SCHEDULE:
Sat Sept 24- 8th Annual ‘Thunderstruck 93’ (Elko Speedway, Elko New Market, MN)
Sat Oct 1- 51st Annual National Short Track Championships (Rockford Speedway, Loves Park, IL)
Sat Oct 8- 47th Oktoberfest Race Weekend (La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway, West Salem, WI)

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Please visit big8series.com