THAKE, SCHNICHELS CLAIMS WINS AT INAUGURAL DIRT RACE AT ELKO SPEEDWAY

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(Elko-New Market, MN July 24, 2009) Neither Richard Thake nor Robert Schnichels knew what to expect as they took to the resurfaced dirt track at Elko Speedway, but both persevered in taking the checkered flags in their respective divisions during the first ever Dirt Nationals at the 3/8 mile high bank speedway.
Thake, of Lakeville, used a strong run in the heat race to position himself for the win in the Super Hornet feature. Thake was edged out of the heat win by Hastings' David Beer, but came back to grab the top spot in the feature. Shawn Grabinger of Medford, followed Thake across the line with Shakopee's Jason Miner finishing third. The Hastings duo of David and Pat Beer earned the final top five spots.
Elko's Schnichels looked like a veteran dirt driver in sweeping the Power Stocks race events. After a convincing heat victory, Schnichels outlasted Rosemount's Mike Mezaros for the feature win. Lakeville's Josiah King made a late race rally to post third, followed by Elko's Greg Lamont and Michael Gilomen of Northfield.
The Super Hornets and Power Stocks took part in the first ever Dirt Nationals where the asphalt was covered with dirt. The two divisions ran along with the IMCA Winged Sprints and the Wissota Midwest Modifieds.
It will be a double header weekend up next as the track is transformed back to an asphalt racing format. There will be a full card of Whelen All-American Series Racing on Friday night, July 31 followed by an Eve of Destruction on Saturday night, August 1. For tickets or information, go to www.elkospeedway.com or call 952-461-7223 (race).

Finish Driver Hometown
Super Hornet Feature 7/22/2009
1 Richard Thake Lakeville, MN Finished
2 Shawn Grabinger Medford, MN Finished
3 Jason Miner Shakopee, MN Finished
4 David Beer Hastings, MN Finished
5 Patrick Beer Hastings, MN Finished
6 Norm Grabinger Medford, MN Finished
7 Matt Criego Prior Lake, MN Finished
8 Eric Olson Burnsville, MN Finished
9 Aaron Hopkins Burnsville, MN Finished
10 Andy Siegler Kimball, Mn Finished
11 Katrina Walter Rosemount, MN Finished
12 Dean Grube , Finished
13 Jeremy Brainerd Lonsdale, MN DNS
14 Patrick Wells Faribault, MN DNS
15 Jerry Hargis Waconia, MN DNS

Finish Car # Driver Hometown
Power Stock Feature 7/23/2009
1 Robert Schnichels Elko, MN Finished
2 Michael Meszaros Rosemount, MN Finished
3 Josiah King Lakeville, MN Finished
4 Greg Lamont Elko, MN Finished
5 Michael Gilomen Northfield, MN Finished
6 Dillon Sellner Farmington, MN Finished
7 Phillip Jones Hopkins, MN Finished
8 Jon Hoes Northfield, MN Finished
9 Dan Streiff Lakeville, MN Finished
10 Jesse Fischer Eagan, MN Finished
11 Chad Oleson Lonsdale, MN Finished