Pen Argyl, PA- Each Event A Milestone As Thunder On The Hill Quickly Approaches The 100th Show

By: Steve Pados, GA Motorsports Media

What began just as a passing conversation twenty-two years ago, quickly blossomed into one of the most coveted of the successful racing promotions in the country and the 2011 racing season will see the highly successful promotional team of the Rogers Family and the Miller Family hitting their stride with the 100th show of their popular NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Series. The 100th event will take place on June 28th when the mighty winged warriors from the 410 sprint car racing circles and the race to the cushion 358 Modifieds converge onto the Grandview Speedway for a jam-packed and sensational two division show that will help earmark the monumental occasion for the Thunder on the Hill Racing Series.

Each event leading up the the milestone 100th event will be equally as exciting as the 22nd season of the multi-dimensional and high profile Thunder on the Hill Series will kick off on May 25th with a dual card format at the Grandview Speedway featuring the 410 Sprint Cars vying for the Fifth Annual Keystone Cup title and the 358 Modified division, the latter the headline source of excitement every Saturday night at the Grandview facility. The following week, May 31st, will bring in the National stars from the USAC National Sprint Car Series and their powerhouse wingless 410 cubic inch hot rods to give the racing fans their annual look at the great driving stars from USAC that for the most part the Eastern racing fans only hear about on the internet. The Wingless ARDC Midgets will be in action for the May 31st event and the 72 year old organization is a solid mix of veteran driving stars and a host of young guns who have invaded the successful Eastern-based organization for their own share of stardom.

Sandwiched in between the 99th and 100th event, the Thunder Road Series takes to the Interstates and heads to the Garden State of New Jersey with the USAC National Sprint Car Series at the "Thunder in the Pines" New Egypt Speedway for a tremendous two division show on June 2nd with the USAC Tour and the Big Block Modifieds going to war on the 3/8 mile speedway. After nearly a month off, the Thunder Series will steamroll into Grandview Speedway on June 28th as the Pennsylvania Speed Week Series with 410 Sprint Cars will invade the Grandview Speedway along with the 358 Modifieds for another jam-packed two card show filled with excitement from the very first green flag and in what will be the momentous 100th Show.

The Thunder Road Series will take to the highway in July as the ROC Big Block Modifieds and the 358/360 Sprint Car Challenge invade Pigeon Hills area of Abbottstown, Pennsylvania for the long-awaited thunder-rocking show at the Lincoln Speedway on Tuesday, July 12th. The Big Blocks will be returning to the speedway for the first time in 25 years when they hit the 3/8 mile facility.

The Thunder Series will swing back to Grandview on August 3rd with Thunder Traffic Jam featuring the ROC Big Block Modifieds and the first appearance of the season by the Pennsylvania Sportsman division. Madness and Mayhem follow on October 15th as the Thunder Series closes out the season with the popular 5/25's features only format that proved so successful in past seasons. 358 Modifieds, ARDC Midgets, URC Sprint Cars, Sportsman and Legend Cars will headline the event along with the Garden State Vintage Modifieds, Vince's Towing Legend Owners race and the Monster Smash Demo Derby action will give the fans a wide variety of exciting racing action.

The initial conversation from twenty-two years ago has brought about many successful friendships, promotional ideas and mid-week racing excitement for the loyal racing fans that may never be duplicated again. The drivers, owners and fans look forward to the series each year and the Thunder Promotional Team has always been front and center with all of the pre-race information, the great events and the post-race information for those who couldn't make it out to the speedway on a given show night.

Defending series champion Tyler Walker had this is to say in a recent conversation. Tyler stated, "Pennsylvania racing is top notch all of the way and the Thunder on the Hill Series was among my reasons for leaving California to compete here. While most of my racing in Pennsylvania is done on the half mile tracks, the racing at Grandview is a welcome challenge to every 410 driver out in the business. The pay is great, the Thunder staff is top-notch and the racing on the third-mile is exciting, intense and demanding and when there is another adjective invented, I am sure it will be with Grandview in mind". Tyler further added, "We cant wait for the series to begin as we captured two wins there last season and when you race for a living, each event becomes very important to us".

One of the true icons of Modified racing at Grandview and the winner of last season's Thunder Traffic Jam, Craig Von Dohren had this to say in regards to the Thunder Series. Craig remarked, "I have been associated with the Thunder Team for many years and the opportunity to earn an extra pay-day just twenty minutes from my home has always appealed to me. No one could ask for more from a promotional team as whenever you race at their facilities you are family and it has been an extreme honor to race at their shows and better yet to take home some of great purse money offered".

410 sprint car driver Greg Hodnett, the 2009 Thunder Series champion, shared some of his thoughts in reflecting to racing at Grandview under the Thunder banner. Greg pointed out, "I have been racing in Central Pennsylvania for the most part since 1998 and I do believe all of the racing is great. The one thing that puts the Thunder Series at Grandview above many of the promotions going is the fact the true racing fans have the opportunity to come out to see the best racing stars at a mid-week event and it makes each race event a special attraction for them and doesn't hinder or alter their weekend plans". Greg further added, "We are looking forward to the Keystone Cup and would like to take this opportunity to thank Bob Miller and Bruce Rogers for everything they do for racing". The popular Gasoline Alley TV/Internet Show co-host Ed Pados had this to say in referencing the Thunder on the Hill Shows. Ed remarked, "My Brother Steve and I have worked with Bob Miller for more than twenty years at various events and it has been an extreme honor for us to be included in the many events Bob is involved with. The Thunder on the Hill team is tops and the shows are always well received by everyone and we wish the Thunder Team continued success in the future and we look forward to additional work we will be doing with them down the road.

Five-time Thunder Series champion and nine-time event winner "Fast" Fred Rahmer shared his thoughts about the Thunder on the Hill Series. Fred pointed out, "I started my career in racing at Grandview and the Thunder Series is a great way to go back and see the many fans we don't have the opportunity to see on a weekly basis. Everyone of us as drivers can thank the Thunder on the Hill team for allowing us the capacity of performing for all of our fans and to take home a nice piece of change every time we compete. While it is hard to believe they are coming up on their 100th show, my family and I wish them continued success in all they do for the world of motorsports".

Greg Collins, the Vice President of the IRCO Group that headline sponsors the Miller produced Dirt Track Heroes show every March, had this to say. Greg quotes, "I was attending the Thunder on the Hill events long before I met Bob Miller and began working with him. In the years now that I have had the capacity to work alongside of him I can honestly say his attention to detail in planning and scheduling and the coordinated efforts of his cracker jack events team make doing a major event like the Dirt Track Heroes Show just a joy and a pleasure to be on the premises. We wish the Thunder Staff all of the best as they head towards that monumental 100th show and can't wait to be there to see it all unfold".

Justin Henderson, the South Dakota native who is now racing in Central Pennsylvania, added his own remarks in referencing the Thunder Shows. Justin stated, "I have enjoyed racing in Pennsylvania so much that it is now pretty much home to me. Since racing for a living is my life, the Thunder on the Hill events give me the opportunity to increase my earnings if we have a good outing. Grandview is a great place to race and is similar to the racetracks I competed at back in South Dakota. I am looking forward to the Keystone Cup coming up real soon". Gary Palmer, the successful promoter at the Accord Speedway in the Catskill Mountains of New York and a frequent Thunder visitor when he is in town, had this to say about the Thunder Series. Gary stated, "We had the opportunity to take in a couple of shows in the past two seasons and the it is easy to understand the excitement of what short track racing is all about. This team is professional in all aspects of the racing game and our staff at the Accord Speedway wishes the Thunder on the Hill team all of the success in the world as they approach a new pinnacle in their successful history of promoting racing events".

The final comments regarding the successful Thunder on the Hill Series come from former top notch racer and now a director with the SAC Group Jason McCord. Jason remarked, "Bob Miller and Bruce Rogers are a successful promotional team because they have learned how to do all of the right stuff. They are so easy to work with and because of their love for auto racing have fun in putting all of the pieces of their great events together". Jason further added, "The Eastern Swing is a part of our racing schedule we look forward to every year because of the promotional team of Bob Miller and Bruce Rogers and the great fans who support our annual trip East to race".

In the 97 previous events that are now etched into the annals of the history books, it is important to realize the tremendous amount of purse money that has been claimed by the stars of the many Thunder events. $3,232.280.00 is a whopping sum of capital payout and that alone bears the strong significance as to why the Thunder on the Hill Series will be embarking on their 22nd successful season in a short span of time. At this time no one can predict who the winner of the event will be but what in the back of everyone's mind do know is that the Thunder on the Hill Racing Series is steam-rolling towards another monumental achievement in the world of motorsports. One never has to ask a die hard racing fan if they are going to be there, it is a given because he or she is very much aware the Thunder Team is heading towards sacred territory and every one of us as racing fans have enjoyed in being part of the successful journey.

To the Miller and Rogers Families. Thank you for allowing me to contribute a small part to your wonderful achievement.........Steve Pads

For more information regarding Thunder on the Hill Promotions, contact show organizers Bob and Donna Miller by phone at 443.513.4456, via e-mail at TOTH98@aol.com or on the web: www.thunderonthehillracingseries.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MAY 9, 2011
DICK JORDAN

USAC’s Pavement Sprint Cars will invade Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis (Ind.) this Thursday in a revival of the “Thursday Night Thunder” programming which enjoyed tremendous success in the 1980s and 1990s.

Kody Swanson of Kingsburg, Calif. is just one point up on Bobby Santos III of Franklin, Mass. and Bobby East of Brownsburg, Ind. in the series point standings. Santos won the Pavement Sprint Series opener April 3 at the Anderson (Ind.) Speedway.

Shane Hmiel won a pair of Thursday night USAC Sprint races at the Indianapolis oval last year. Mike Bliss won three in a row in 1994, while other Thursday Night USAC Sprint winners at the Indy oval included Rich Vogler (2), Dave Steele, Gene Lee Gibson, Wayne Hammond, Steve Butler, Greg Staab and Bob Frey.

The winner of last year’s “Night Before the 500” Midget classic at Lucas Oil Raceway, Tanner Swanson of Kingsburg, Calif., is also expected to compete Thursday.

Jason McCord continues to hold the USAC National Sprint Car track record at Lucas Oil Raceway. He posted a 20.016 seconds lap (123.381 mph) during qualifying in July of 2001.

USAC PAVEMENT SPRINT CAR SERIES POINT STANDINGS

1-Kody Swanson-65; 2-Bobby Santos III-64; 3-Bobby East-64; 4-Chris Windom-57; 5-A.J. Fike-52; 6-Jacob Wilson-52; 7-Brian Gerster-49; 8-Tanner Swanson-46; 9-Russ Gamester-43; 10-Jimmy McCune-41.

Allentown, PA: CARQUEST Gasoline Alley Welcomes Weekend Winners Justin Henderson, Lance Willix, Gary Butler And John Bockhorn To Tonight's Show
By:Steve Pados, GA Motorsports Media

The extremely popular and nationally acclaimed CARQUEST Gasoline Alley TV/Internet Show cranks up the airwaves on Monday evening with another fabulous edition of their show on Monday evening show, May 9th as show hosts Ed and Steve Pados welcome another blockbuster lineup of talented racing stars and personalities who join the Gang for the fastest, funniest, and most informative racing show in the country today. The show airs from 6 to 8 PM every Monday evening on channels 103 and 137 and worldwide on the Internet. The Gang has been serving the racing world for the past nine years on the airwaves and is well noted for their well noted "theme" show format and will host the 522nd edition of their show since they hit the airwaves and their 310th show since joining forces with the party channel at WALN Digital Cable and "Happy Jack" Burns on Channels 103 and 137. The Gasoline Alley Team of Ed and Steve Pados is looking forward to more of the same great format they have been following since the inception of their hit show back in 2002 as they highlight the past, present and future of auto racing with their great show.

With this edition of the show the Gang will chat with some great racing talent that enjoyed the ultimate thrill of victory over the past weekend of racing. The Gang will begin the interviews with South Dakota racing transplant Justin Henderson who picked up his first ever win at the Port Royal Speedway on Saturday evening. Justin will bring everyone up to speed on the aggressive schedule the Charlie and Dawn Sorokach Team have in the works for the new season ahead. New York hot-shoe Lance Willix will be a first time guest on the show and will talk about his great run and win at the Glen Ridge Speedway on Friday night and how the Modified changes in New York now have him doing his work at Glen Ridge. The versatile Gary Butler will be joining the Gang to talk about his great win at the New Egypt Speedway on Saturday evening as he made a thrilling charge in the latter stages of the event to win over Billy Pauch and David Van Horn. Garden Stater John Bockhorn will join the Gang for the first time to talk about his thrilling win on Saturday evening at the Hamlin Speedway to defeat 33 drivers in scoring his first win of the season.

The popular award winning TV/Internet show offers a live internet video feed to all of the Internet subscribers to view the wide assortment of the many racing videos that are played while the show is in progress and to enjoy the chat sessions with the many great personalities from within the racing community who pay the Gang a visit to discuss racing. As always, a surprise or two will be expected as the Gasoline Alley Gang continues to bring the racing community the fastest, funniest and most informed racing show on the airwaves today. All shows produced by GA Motorsports Media are carefully researched, authenticated and fully scripted to produce for our loyal sponsors, guests and racing fans the best show on the airwaves today.

CARQUEST Gasoline Alley TV/Radio/Internet Show continues with its outstanding line-up of talented guests with this week's edition of the show. The Show's programming is available on WALN Digital Cable Radio, Internet www.walncableradio.com for the Audio portion and: livestream.com/walncableradio/old for the video portion. The Show is available on Service Electric Digital Cable TV, Channels 103, and 137 and is live from 6 to 8 PM and later tape delayed on Channel 50 at 11 PM.

Join the Gasoline Alley broadcasting team of Ed and Steve Pados on Monday evening May 9th as they take you on a two-hour circular journey with their well documented, very informative and extremely funny show.

Should you have questions on how to be a part of the show through advertising, appearances or remotes, please contact Steve Pados at: 610 573 9706; Ed Pados at: 610 739 0391; or the WALN Studios at: 610 791 1818. You may also email: steveswp@ptd.net

RACING NEWS THE WAY IT IS MEANT TO BE

A.J. Foyt has emerged as the leading candidate to drive the Indianapolis 500 pace car later this month in the wake of Donald Trump bowing out today.

Foyt said he hadn’t been contacted by Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials — “Maybe they want Mario (Andretti),” he joked — but that offer could come as soon as Friday.

A spokesperson for Foyt’s Izod IndyCar Series team said Foyt likely would be honored to serve if asked.

The 100th-anniversary race is May 29. Foyt, one of the 500’s three four-time winners, won the 50th-anniversary race in 1961.

Trump told IMS officials that he couldn’t keep his commitment, which includes pre-race testing at the track.

“I very much appreciate the honor, but time and business constraints make my appearance there impossible to fulfill,” Trump said in a statement released by IMS. “I look forward to watching the race from New York.”

Trump’s decision relieved a pressurized situation for IMS.

Backlash began when the controversial Trump selection was made April 5. It grew as he challenged President Barack Obama on his birthplace and suggested Obama wasn’t qualified to attend two Ivy League schools.

From Facebook to Twitter to old-school telephone calls and letters, IMS officials caught flak. CEO Jeff Belskus declined comment beyond a prepared statement, which came after two days of meetings on the subject.

The complaint: That the pace car driver should not be a distraction to the 100th-anniversary race or the Memorial Day weekend honoring of the past and present troops who fight for democracy.

Track spokesman Doug Boles described the public’s reaction as “a factor” in the discussions. He made it clear the fans’ wishes will be heard.

“Our fans want a former (500) winner or they want a military person,” Boles said. “When the (selection) group gets together, it will probably be a former winner.”

The selection group is led by Belskus and includes General Motors officials. Representatives of the Izod IndyCar Series and Izod, which sponsors the series and brought Trump to the pace car discussion by virtual of their business ties, will be consulted, too.

Foyt, who retired from competition in 1993, is expected to receive unanimous approval.

The Indianapolis 500 could have its first Chinese starter in the field for the race later this month, perhaps a precursor to IndyCar heading for a track in the world’s most populous country.

On Tuesday, IndyCar team owners Sam Schmidt and Jay Penske hired Ho-Pin Tung and gave him a shot to qualify for the world-famous race.

Forty-three driver-car combinations are already expected to vie for 33 starting spots in the May 29 race, and more drivers are likely be added over the next 2½ weeks.

Tung will be one of the least experienced drivers on the 2.5-mile track.

Though he has raced on European road courses, his first attempt at oval racing will come on a track best-known for its high speeds and tricky winds. Tung tested an IndyCar at Sebring last fall for the FAZZT team, which became part of Sam Schmidt Motorsports. That, too, is a road course.

But Schmidt, a former IndyCar driver, and Penske, the youngest son of racing icon Roger Penske, were impressed enough with Tung’s performance they decided to give him a shot to make the series’ marquee race.
He will be driving the No. 8 car — one of three numbers considered lucky in China.

Sam Schmidt Motorsports will provide the sponsorship. Penske’s team, Dragon Racing, will provide the car and the crew.

“THE MODERN DAY COWBOY ”TO TAKE OVER THE REINS AT PUTNAMVILLE"

Loveland, OH (May 3 2011,2011) -- Hoffman Racing is announcing today that Daron Clayton will drive the Hoffman Mean Green MOPAR Machine beginning with the USAC National Sprint Car event at Putnamville Indiana on May 7 2011.

“ One constant in life is change. Our race team has not performed up to our expectations for an extended period of time. Lack of performance is never one person’s fault, we are a team and we win together and struggle together. Understanding that we have an obligation to our sponsors and ourselves ,the time comes when you have to make a change . All of us at Hoffman racing want to thank Jerry Coons Jr. for his contributions to the success of Hoffman Racing. Together we won the 2008 USAC National Sprint Car Championship. Jerry has also won 13 USAC National races for the Hoffman Team , more than any driver in team history. He is truly one of the good guys in our sport and it has been a pleasure to work with him. We wish Jerry, Amy and their family the best in the future and we hope that change is good for all of us, ”said Richard Hoffman , President of Hoffman Racing.

Richard Hoffman continued, “ While we are saddened by Jerry’s departure, we are excited to welcome Daron Clayton to our Team. Daron has driven for Hoffman Racing twice and won a USAC National Sprint car race for us at Gas City in 2007”. Rob Hoffman commented “ He is an exciting driver with great potential. We look forward to helping Daron achieve his goals.”

Allentown, PA: CARQUEST Gasoline Alley Welcomes Weekend Winners Hunter Schuerenberg, Greg Hodnett And Ryan Watt To Monday Night's Show
By:Steve Pados, GA Motorsports Media

The extremely popular and nationally acclaimed CARQUEST Gasoline Alley TV/Internet Show cranks up the airwaves on Monday evening with another fabulous edition of their show on Monday evening show, May2nd as show hosts Ed and Steve Pados welcome another blockbuster lineup of talented racing stars and personalities who join the Gang for the fastest, funniest, and most informative racing show in the country today. The show airs from 6 to 8 PM every Monday evening on channels 103 and 137 and worldwide on the Internet. The Gang has been serving the racing world for the past nine years on the airwaves and is well noted for their well noted "theme" show format and will host the 521st edition of their show since they hit the airwaves and their 309th show since joining forces with the party channel at WALN Digital Cable and "Happy Jack" Burns on Channels 103 and 137. The Gasoline Alley Team of Ed and Steve Pados is looking forward to more of the same great format they have been following since the inception of their hit show back in 2002 as they highlight the past, present and future of auto racing with their great show.

With this edition of the show the Gang will chat with some great racing talent that enjoyed the ultimate thrill of victory over the past weekend of racing. The Gang will begin the interviews with USAC Sprint Car star Hunter Schuerenberg as the Missouri racing star captured the USAC event at the Gas City Speedway on Friday evening besting 45 cars in the process. Hunter will bring the Gang up to speed with his full schedule of racing in 2011 that includes the Eastern Swing at the end of May. The "Electric Company" Ryan Watt joins the show to talk about his second consecutive win at the Bridgeport Speedway on Saturday evening. Ryan will discuss the season thus far as he has high hopes of claiming the Bridgeport Speedway title at the end of the season and the $10,000.00 prize that goes along with it. The "Tennessee Tornado" Greg Hodnett rejoins the Gang to talk about his big win over the weekend at the Port Royal Speedway to the tune of more that $9,000.00 as he captured his first win in his new pairing with the Trone Team.

The popular award winning TV/Internet show offers a live internet video feed to all of the Internet subscribers to view the wide assortment of the many racing videos that are played while the show is in progress and to enjoy the chat sessions with the many great personalities from within the racing community who pay the Gang a visit to discuss racing. As always, a surprise or two will be expected as the Gasoline Alley Gang continues to bring the racing community the fastest, funniest and most informed racing show on the airwaves today. All shows produced by GA Motorsports Media are carefully researched, authenticated and fully scripted to produce for our loyal sponsors, guests and racing fans the best show on the airwaves today.

CARQUEST Gasoline Alley TV/Radio/Internet Show continues with its outstanding line-up of talented guests with this week's edition of the show. The Show's programming is available on WALN Digital Cable Radio, Internet www.walncableradio.com for the Audio portion and: livestream.com/walncableradio/old for the video portion. The Show is available on Service Electric Digital Cable TV, Channels 103, and 137 and is live from 6 to 8 PM and later tape delayed on Channel 50 at 11 PM.

Join the Gasoline Alley broadcasting team of Ed and Steve Pados on Monday evening May 2nd as they take you on a two-hour circular journey with their well documented, very informative and extremely funny show.

Should you have questions on how to be a part of the show through advertising, appearances or remotes, please contact Steve Pados at: 610 573 9706; Ed Pados at: 610 739 0391; or the WALN Studios at: 610 791 1818. You may also email: steveswp@ptd.net

RACING NEWS THE WAY IT IS MEANT TO BE