ANDERSON, GARAFALO CROWNED MINNESOTA CHAMPS!

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ANDERSON, GARAFALO CROWNED MINNESOTA CHAMPS!

(Elko, MN) Super Late Model driver Steve Anderson and Thunder Car Grand National hot shoe Joe Garafalo both kept an eye on the rear view mirror on their way to state championship night's at Elko Speedway. Anderson, of Lakeville,

piloted a borrowed car to two sixth place finishes in the uniquely formatted features, good enough for the 2008 Minnesota Late Model Challenge Series title, while Garafalo, also of Lakeville, needed a first and second place finish to claim the 2008 Minnesota Thunder Car/Grand National crown.

Both divisions had staged races earlier in the season at I-94 Raceway in Sauk Centre, MN and at Raceway Park in Shakopee. The final night of the series at Elko Speedway featured an 80 lap feature for each division split into two-40 lap shootouts. Points were available in each segment.

Jake Ryan of Farmington was dominant throughout the late model feature and took home the win in both segments. Ryan was chased throughout the 80 laps by Shakopee's Jacob Goede as the two would eventually claim the top two spots in each segment. Farmington's Adam Royle held on to third at the halfway point but gave up that spot to Elko's Dan Fredrickson at the end of the night.

Anderson came into the night chasing point leader Zach Davids of Apple Valley by a few scant points. Davids would end the night with a 9th and 8th place finish. Ironically, it was a Ryan back-up car that allowed Anderson to take the overall title. "We thought our season was over when we tested our motor on Monday", said Anderson from victory lane. "Our motor had about two laps left in it. We got a call on Friday from Dan Ryan who insisted that we use one of Jake's (Ryan) back-up cars. This state championship is going to be shared with Dan and all of the guys on that race team. I also need to thank my sons, especially Jeremy, for pushing me to even have a car to run this weekend".

Garafalo held off Ted Reuvers of Dundas, MN as the mandatory yellow flag came out signifying the end of the first 40 laps for the Thunder Cars/Grand Nationals. Brent Kane had a strong first segment to bring his ride home third at the halfway mark. Kane would fall off in the second 40, eventually incurring problems. Reuvers got around Garafalo to lay claim to the second segment win while Garafalo kept his car out of harms way, finishing second in front of Faribault's Jack Paulson.

Wrango West of Kalisbell, MT made the long haul to Elko to claim the Legends victory. West was able to drive away from hard chargers Jon Lemke of Shakopee and Elko's Mike Tuma for the win.

The night also saw combination American Short Trackers and Pro 4 Trucks go at it as they had several times during the regular season. It was the Short Trackers night as they claimed the top four feature spots. Charlie Pehrson of Shakopee drove into victory lane followed by Elko's Todd Kamish, Mike Dimmick of Hastings and Paul Haeg of Shakopee. Fifth place went to the top finishing truck of Dean Peterson of Upsala. Peterson was one of eight trucks that made the haul down from the Sauk Centre area to race on the famed high banks.

The top three finishers in the Super Hornet double features also doubled up their podium appearances for the night. Jason Miner of Shakopee would take the win in the first feature followed closely across the line by Jeremy Brainerd of Lonsdale and Jason Trnka of Montgomery. Brainerd would race his way to the win in the second feature followed by Trnka and Miner.