DAN RYAN VISITATION & FUNERAL INFO

Visitation and funeral services will be held next week. The visitation will be held at Champions at Elko Speedway from 3-8pm on Tuesday, January 6th.

The funeral will be at 11am on Wednesday, January 7th at St Josephs Catholic Church in Rosemount. The burial will be immediately following.

Everyone is invited to a luncheon following burial, at the Rosemount Community Center.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, Dan's family has set up a memorial fund, which will donate all funds received to "A Race Worth Winning." "A Race Worth Winning" is a non-profit organization set up by Dan's closest friends and family members, with the sole purpose of supporting families who are dealing with the horrible effects of ALS. I encourage you to visit the "A Race Worth Winning" website if you haven't: www.araceworthwinning.org

http://www.araceworthwinning.org/

Donations to the memorial should be sent to the following:

Dan Ryan Memorial Fund
c/o Vermillion State Bank
PO Box 28
Vermillion, MN 55085

Please make checks and money order payable to VERMILLION BANK, DAN RYAN
MEMORIAL.

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I-94 Pit Bits

By Dean Reller
SAUK CENTRE, MN (December 14, 2008) - It’s been a while, so we thought we would dust off our old Pit Bits format to keep everyone updated during the off season. (We may even keep doing it during the season too.)

2009 Schedule

We are currently working on the schedule for the 2009 season. Look for it shortly after the New Year. (After all, it’s Christmas time and we have to get our shopping done too.)

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I-94 Raceway Honors Champions At Banquet

By Dean Reller
SAUK CENTRE, MN (November 7, 2008) - Less than two months after the final checkered flag of the season waved, the top drivers from the I-94 Raceway in Sauk Centre once again took center stage as the 2008 Champions were crowned at the annual awards banquet held at Gerard’s in Sauk Centre.

The evening kicked off with some unfinished business from last year, followed by trophy presentations to the top drivers in each division. Jon Olson walked away with the prestigious ASA Super Late Model Championship after his thrilling win in the final race of the season. Joey Johnson took top honors in the Modifieds, while Dustin Karl led the parade to the stage for the Thunder Cars. Matt Hendrickson backed up his 2007 Legend Car Championship with the 2008 title as well. Anneke Jenkins captured everyone’s attention as she accepted the Pro-4 Truck Championship. CJ Karl was short on words, but big on appreciation as he won the 4-Tracker Championship. Michael Lofquist kept things low keyed as he took his second-straight Just 4 Fun Championship.

Rookie of the Year awards were presented to Anneke Jenkins, Caleb Pratt, Travis Kunz and Kyle Kirberger. Mechanic of the Year awards were voted on by banquet attendees and were given to John Lofquist, Paul Husmann, Joe Kostreba, Wayne Karl, Dean Peterson, Joe Albritton and Bob Kunz. Sportsman of the Year awards were also voted on and presented to Randy Baker, Jonathan Olmscheid, Matt Hendrickson, Doug Olmscheid, Anneke Jenkins, Andy Heying and Travis Kunz.

Faith Olson also took time to thank everyone in attendance for all their hard work and support during the last year.

For more information about racing at the I-94 Raceway and the action for the 2009 season, visit www.i94raceway.com

Mark Your Calendars For The 2008 Awards Banquet

By Dean Reller
SAUK CENTRE, MN (October 15, 2008) -The hard work is over, the racing is done and so all there is left is to honor our 2008 Champions. The much anticipated 2008 I-94 Raceway Awards Banquet is scheduled for Friday November 7th at Gerard’s located just across the freeway from the racetrack.

The evening kicks off with a social hour from 5:30-6:30. Dinner will be served at 6:30 followed by the awards program where all the Champions will officially be crowned. For more information contact Wayne Karl at (320) 859-2887 or WJKarl@midwestinfo.net.

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ANDERSON, GARAFALO CROWNED MINNESOTA CHAMPS!

(Elko, MN) Super Late Model driver Steve Anderson and Thunder Car Grand National hotshoe 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 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.

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