Archive for Thunder on the Hill
THUNDER SERIES NEWS
Posted by: | Comments
Thunder on the Hill
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
UNE 14, 2018
CONTACT: BOB MILLER 443 513 4456
THUNDER ON THE HILL RACING SERIES
NAPA AUTO PARTS & PIONEER POLE BUILDINGS PRESENT. . .
PENNSYLVANIA 410 SPRINT SPEED WEEK SERIES ($7,000 to win) & 358 MODIFIEDS ($3,000 to win) IN THUNDER SERIES DOUBLE HEADER TUESDAY, JULY 3 AT GRANDVIEW
BECHTELSVILLE, PA (June 19, 2018) – It’s one of the most anticipated events of the racing calendar and for the 24th year the Pennsylvania Posse elite group of racers charge towards the high banks on the hill to salute sprint car racing in the Keystone state.
NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series plays host to the Pennsylvania Sprint Car Speedweek on Tuesday, July 3 at Grandview Speedway in Bechtelsville, PA. The Speedweek event is presented by Pioneer Pole Buildings and features the 410 Sprint Cars and the NASCAR 358 Modifieds, in an exciting doubleheader.
The Grandview Speedweek event features a 35-lap Sprint Car A-Main -- the fifth race of a ten-race stretch for the winged warriors. Drivers from across the region will compete for a $7,000 winner’s share. Tenth place will pay $1,050 with $400 to start the A-main.
Also on the card, Grandview’s own NASCAR 358 Modifieds battle in a 30-lap event, with $3,000 up for grabs.
Time Trials for the 410 Sprint Cars will open the show on Tuesday, July 3 at 7:30 PM. The pit gates will open at 2:30 PM and the Grandstands will open at 5:00 PM. Fans can up-close to the drivers and their mighty machines with the Low Down and Dirty Meet and Greet kicking off at 5:00 PM.
General Admission Adult tickets are $28, Children ages 6-11 are $10, and Under 6 is Free of charge! Pit admission is $35, and no license is required.
With no regular Sprint Car action, drivers from all of the central Pennsylvania hotbeds are anxious to get on the neutral ground that Grandview provides. Expected entrants include Danny Dietrich; Greg Hodnett, an 8-time winner at Grandview Speedway; Lucas Wolfe, Ryan Smith, Freddie Rahmer, Brandon Rahmer, and Alan Krimes.
In 2017, a late race incident with leader Ryan Smith handed the top spot over to NASCAR-star Kyle Larson, who would go on to claim the Grandview Speedway Speedweek victory.
The Grandview small-block Modified stars will be out in full force defending their home turf: Brett Kressley, Craig VonDohren, Jeff Strunk, Jared Umbenhauer and Doug Manmiller.
Advance tickets are on sale now and may be ordered by calling 443-513-4456. Please provide your name and the number of tickets requested. Tickets may be picked up and paid for on race night after 4:00 PM. Advance ticket holders may enter the grandstands at 4:30 PM, one-half hour prior to the sale of General Admission tickets. Advance tickets will be available until 9 AM on race day. General Admission tickets go on sale at 5 PM.
Fans may camp out at the Speedway for the ultimate Speedweek experience. Campers are asked to park in the turn 4 parking area, there are no hook-ups available, and no box camping allowed. Track officials ask that all fires be contained. There is no fee for camping.
NAPA Auto Parts continues their long run with the Thunder on the Hill Racing Series as the title sponsor joined by Pioneer Pole Buildings, and GALCO Business Communications.
NAPA Auto Parts continues their long run with the Thunder on the Hill Racing Series as the title sponsor joined by Pioneer Pole Buildings, Levan Machine and Truck Equipment and GALCO Business Communications.
For more information on Grandview Speedway visit www.GrandviewSpeedway.com and for more information on NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series visit www.thunderonthehillracingseries.com
2018 NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Race Dates
Tuesday, July 3 Thunder on the Hill Racing Series 7:30 PM 24th Annual 410 Pennsylvania Sprint Speed Week Series Plus 358 Modifieds*
Thursday, August 23 Thunder on the Hill Racing Series 7:30 PM All Star 410 Sprints & 358 Modifieds*
Saturday, October 13 Thunder on the Hill Racing Series 6 PM Mods at the MADHOUSE Halloween Party: Big Block/358 Modifieds, Sportsman, MASS Sprints
Grandview Speedway
GPS USERS: 43 Passmore Road, Bechtelsville, PA 19505
Located less than a mile off Route 100, 10 miles north of Pottstown, PA
Speedway Phone: 610-754-7688
Thunder on the Hill Racing Series Phone: 443-513-4456
Thunder Series Website: Track Website: www.grandviewspeedway.com
Twitter/Instagram: @TOTHRACING
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thunderonthehill
About Grandview Speedway
Grandview Speedway is a high-banked one-third mile clay oval, celebrating their 56th Anniversary season in 2018. The facility offers free parking, quality food at reasonable prices (be sure to try the french fries), a program book, Grandview Speedway and Thunder on the Hill racewear and great viewing from every seat in the house. Race fans may take part in the Inside/Out promotion, where you can sign up (no charge) to watch warm-ups from inside turn four. Race fans are also invited to victory lane following the racing program and, race fans may enter the pits after the races to meet the drivers. Be ready to enjoy the spine-tingling fireworks salute on the feature event parade lap. For more information visit: www.thunderonthehillracingseries.com
Thunder on the Hill Results
Posted by: | CommentsThunder on the Hill
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
UNE 14, 2018
CONTACT: BOB MILLER 443 513 4456
THUNDER ON THE HILL RACING SERIES
USAC’S BRADY BACON GOES BACK-TO-BACK AT GRANDVIEW, RYAN GODOWN GRABS MODIFIED VICTORY AT THUNDER ON THE HILL THURSDAY NIGHT
BECHTELSVILLE, PA (June 14, 2018) – Second verse same as the first. Broken Arrow, Oklahoma’s Brady Bacon scored his second consecutive NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series win on Thursday night, when the USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car Series invaded Grandview Speedway for the kick-off of the 2018 Eastern Storm swing of events.
Bacon took home a $6,000 prize for the Jesse Hockett Classic win in front of a capacity crowd at the Berks County dirt track.
Outside front row starter, Chad Boespflug blasted to the early lead aboard the AMSOIL-sponsored No. 98 machine charging ahead of Bacon and defending USAC Champion, Chris Windom. Not letting Boespflug gain an advantage, the lead trio soared in tandem around the one-third mile.
Lapped traffic would prove to be Boespflug’s demise as he shot to the outside and Bacon shot to the inside of a slower machine. Bacon, using the lapper to his advantage overtook the top spot.
A three-wide battle for third on the 12th circuit saw current USAC Series point leader, Kevin Thomas, Jr. slip into the third position.
The red flew on lap 16 when Justin Grant got upside down on the front stretch ending his night.
Bacon pulled back to the lead on the restart with KTJ challenging for the top spot. The laps clicked off until the 27 circuit when Trevor Kobylarz spun out.
Kevin Thomas Jr. pulled to the top spot with 10 laps remaining and charged away from Bacon – but Bacon charged back with two to go and to win the opening event of the Eastern Storm. Thomas finished second, Windom in third, Tyler Courtney in fourth and Jarret Andretti rounding out the top-five.
“The Ringoes Rocket” Ryan Godown won the 358 Modified feature event aboard the Searock Fabrications No. 26 machine. The win marked Godown’s second NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill victory – and first since 2012.
Current weekly Grandview Speedway point leader, Brett Kressley started on the pole and dominated the early portion of the event. Eighteen laps clicked off without a hitch before the first caution of the night flew on lap 18 and again on lap 21.
Godown moved to the lead on the restart and went on to score the victory. Brett Kressley finished in second, Duane Howard in third, Jeff Strunk in fourth, and Frank Cozze in the fifth position.
For more information about the NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series visit www.thunderonthehillracingseries.com
USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car Series
Time Trials – 1. Jarett Andretti – 13.978 2. Tony DiMattia – 14.008 3. Chris Windom – 14.048 4. Kevin Thomas, Jr. – 14.148 5. Chad Boespflug – 14.377 6. Chase Stockon – 14.378 7. Brady Bacon – 14.388 8. Thomas Meseraull – 14.497 9. Justin Grant – 14.497 10. Robert Ballou – 14.505 11. CJ Leary – 14.509 12. Tyler Courtney – 14.541 13. Zach Daum – 14.582 14. Timmy Buckwalter – 14.637 15. Jerry Coons, Jr. – 14.730 16. Dave Darland – 14.761 17. Joey Biasi – 14.780 18. Matt Westfall – 14.818 19. Kyle Moody – 14.830 20. Carmen Perigo – 15.099 21. Trevor Kobylarz – 15.101 22. Isaac Chapple – 15.145 23. JR Berry – 15.156 24. Ryan Godown – 15.157 25. Kyle Lick – 15.284 26. Robert Bell – 15.916 27. Eric Jennings – 16.017
Heat 1 – 1. Robert Ballou 2. Kevin Thomas, Jr. 3. Dave Darland 4. Jarret Andretti 5. Brady Bacon
Heat 2 – 1. CJ Leary 2. Thomas Meseraull 3. Tim Buckwalter 4. Chad Boespflug 5. Tony DiMattia
Heat 3 – 1. Tyler Courtney 2. Matt Westfall 3. Chris Windom 4. Jerry Coons 5. Justin Grant
Semi – 1. Chase Stockon 2. Isaac Chapple 3. Carmen Perigo 4. Zach Daum 5. Trevor Kobylarz 6. Kyle Lick 7. Joey Biasi 8. Eric Jennings 9. Kyle Moody 10. Robert Bell 11. Ryan Godown
Feature (40 Laps) – 1. Brady Bacon 2. Kevin Thomas, Jr. 3. Chris Windom 4. Tyler Courtney 5. Jarrett Andretti 6. Chad Boespflug 7. Chase Stockon 8. Robert Ballou 9. Thomas Meseraull 10. Justin Grant 11. Dave Darland 12. Matt Westfall 13. CJ Leary 14. Isaac Chapple 15. Tony DiMattia 16. Zach Daum 17. Timmy Buckwalter 18. Jerry Coons, Jr. 19. Joey Biasi 20. Kyle Lick 21. Trevor Kobylarz 22. Carmen Perrego
358 Modifieds
Heat 1 – 1. Ryan Beltz 2. Jared Umbenhauer 3. Mike Lisowski 4. Keith Hoffman 5. Kevin Hirthler
Heat 2 – 1. Ryan Godown 2. Duane Howard 3. Jeff Strunk 4. Meme DeSantis 5. Mike Gular
Heat 3— 1. Clay Butler 2. Frank Cozze 3. Rick Laubach 4. Billy Pauch, Jr. 5. Kenny Gilmore
Heat 4 - 1. Brian Krummel 2. Brett Kressley 3. Craig VonDohren 4. Danny Erb 5. Ryan Grim
Consi 1 – 1. Ron Kline 2. Skyler Sheriff
Consi 2 – 1. Doug Manmiller 2. Erick Rudolph
Feature (30 Laps) – 1. Ryan Godown 2. Brett Kressley 3. Duane Howard 4. Jeff Strunk 5. Frank Cozze 6. Craig VonDohren 7. Jared Umbenhauer 8. Billy Pauch, Jr. 9. Rick Laubach 10. Mike Gular 11. Brian Krummel 12. Kevin Hirthler 13. Keith Hoffman 14. Clay Butler 15. Danny Erb 16. Erick Rudolph 17. Ryan Grim 18. Skylar Sherriff 19. Ron Kline 20. Doug Manmiller 21. Meme DeSantis 22. Kenny Gilmore 23. Ryan Beltz 24. Mike Lisowski
DNQ: Brandon Grosso, Brian Hirthler, Bobby Trapper, Jr., Kory Flemming, Tommy Sheetz, Steve Swinehart, Justin Grimm, Matt Stangle, Joe Fanelli, Danny Bouc, Mike Mahaney, Ray Swinehart, Ryan Watt, Brett Gilmore, Blaine Bracelin, Mark Kratz, Steve Young, Billy Pauch, Bobby Trapper
NEXT EVENT: THUNDER ON THE HILL EVENT AT GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY Tuesday, July 3 Thunder on the Hill Racing Series 7:30 PM 24th Annual 410 Pennsylvania Sprint Speed Week Series Plus 358 Modifieds*
Bad Luck Streak Continues
Posted by: | CommentsBACON BURSTS TO VICTORY IN GRANDVIEW EASTERN STORM OPENER
Posted by: | Comments
The United States Auto Club.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Contact: Richie Murray - USAC Media / richie@usacracing.com
Brady Bacon poses in victory lane after winning Thursday night's 'Eastern Storm' opener at Grandview Speedway. (Michael Fry Photo)
BACON BURSTS TO VICTORY IN GRANDVIEW EASTERN STORM OPENER
By: Richie Murray - USAC Media
Bechtelsville, Pennsylvania....June 14, 2018 - Brady Bacon seems to have a flair for the dramatics every time he arrives at Grandview Speedway.
For the second-straight year, the two-time USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car champ ran down the race leader on lap 38 of 40. Last year, C.J. Leary was the victim. This time, the target was Kevin Thomas, Jr., one of the hottest sprint car drivers in America at the moment. No small task to tackle by any means.
Akin to a buzzer beater at the end of a stick and ball sport, Bacon saved his most memorable shot for the end, staying loyal to his guns on the bottom of the one-third mile dirt oval to win Thursday night's "Eastern Storm" opener for the second consecutive year.
Late-race heroics are always a joy to witness from the grandstand. And it's certainly a joy to the one witnessing it through his own helmet visor as the Broken Arrow, Oklahoma native did - and he wouldn't prefer it any other way.
"It actually makes it little more special," Bacon said regarding the late-race pass for the lead. "It doesn't sound that great if you start on the pole, lead every lap and win the race without any challenges. That's an easy payday, but it gets your adrenaline pumping a little bit with the ups and downs. When you think you're going to run second, but then you find something, get excited and make that finishing move that gets you to the lead and the win at the end. That gets your adrenaline pumping and makes it a little sweeter, especially when you beat someone as good as they are right now."
As exciting as it was, perhaps it was more meaningful in the race that it came in. One year ago, Bacon's Grandview victory was the first for the Dooling/Hayward Motorsports No. 63 team since the passing of Bryan Clauson. Yet, the race also carries the name of 2009 Grandview winner, Jesse Hockett. Someone who Bacon felt a kinship with as they raced sprint cars together from coast-to-coast.
"I was really close with Jesse," Bacon remembers. "We had similar career paths. We ran a lot of non-wing, wing and 360 races together and became really good friends there when he had his accident. It's definitely special to win anything with his name attached to it."
Bacon started on the pole for the first of four 40-lap features on the USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car calendar this season. Despite a track rework prior to the feature, the 2014 Eastern Storm champ wasn't deterred from his plans set-up-wise on the Brady Bacon Racing/Imperial Wagyu Beef - Fatheadz Eyewear - Tel-Star/Triple X/Rider Chevy.
"We set it up pretty much the way we had it before the track prep because we knew it was going to go away," Bacon recalls. "It actually lasted a lot longer than we thought. It definitely made for some good racing as it stayed faster and not quite so slow and slick at the end. Once it started cleaning off, we got to where we could move around the track a bit. Fortunately, I had a car good enough regardless of what it threw at us."
'I was really close with Jesse. We had similar career paths. We ran a lot of non-wing, wing and 360 races together and became really good friends there when he had his accident. It's definitely special to win anything with his name attached to it.' - Brady Bacon (Michael Fry Photo)
However, the early-going was all Chad Boespflug as he pounced to the lead on the opening lap from the outside of the front row. Boespflug cut a rug in the middle lane to lead the first 12 circuits with Bacon staged a lane lower on the bottom rail a car length back.
By the 13th lap, the leaders were working to put a lap on the tail end of the field. As Boespflug drifted high to get around the lapped car of Carmen Perigo, Bacon stayed glued to the bottom, which paid off handsomely as he followed Perigo off turn four, then shot to the right-side pocket in front of Boespflug to grab a solid lead at the stripe.
Following a Justin Grant flip on the 16th lap, Thomas repeatedly wreaked havoc with Bacon's lead up front, painting the outside wall with a pallet of brown dirt as he buzzed the outside of turn two on the 23rd lap, a move that very nearly paid off.
Thomas would apply layers of pressure on Bacon until lap 30 when he saw the door to the outside of Bacon swing wide open off turn two. Thomas took the welcome mat and slammed the door on Bacon, cutting down to the inside rail to steal Bacon's line heading into the third turn.
The race appeared to be over. The race was in the refrigerator, the door was closed, the lights were out, the butter was getting hard, the eggs were cooling, and the Jell-O was jigglin', to steal a line from Chick Hearn.
But, no! Thomas re-opened the door for Bacon with three laps remaining, drifting off the bottom to the middle of the track, allowing Bacon to scoot by on the bottom for the lead off turn four. Bacon dead-bolted the door and boarded it up with 2x4s on the final two circuits to secure his $6000 winner's share ahead of Thomas, Chris Windom, KSE Racing Products Hard Charger Tyler Courtney and fast qualifier Jarett Andretti.
With the victory, Bacon moves into the top-25 on the all-time USAC National Sprint Car win list to equal Greg Weld and, ironically, Kevin Thomas, Jr.
"He was in a better position than me when he was behind me because he could move around and try some stuff," Bacon explained. "I was stuck to the bottom unless someone proved me otherwise. (Thomas) got by me and he was actually pulling away a little bit. I moved around and found some stuff. We had our car set up pretty tight for the end of the race and once the track cleaned up and we got our tires hot, I moved up a little bit in three and four. When you're running second, there's nothing left to lose."
Contingency award winners Thursday night at Grandview Speedway included Robert Ballou (Simpson Race Products First Heat Winner), C.J. Leary (Competition Suspension, Inc. Second Heat Winner & Wilwood Brakes 13th Place Finisher), Tyler Courtney (Chalk Stix Third Heat Winner & KSE Racing Products Hard Charger), Chase Stockon (Indy Race Parts Semi Winner), Zach Daum (Roger & Barb Tapy 13th Fastest Qualifier) and Eric Jennings (Saldana Racing Products First Non-Transfer).
-------------------------------------
USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE RESULTS: June 14, 2018 - Grandview Speedway - Bechtelsville, Pennsylvania - "Jesse Hockett Classic" / "Eastern Storm"
QUALIFYING: 1. Jarett Andretti, 18, Andretti-13.978; 2. Tony DiMattia, 50, TDM-14.008; 3. Chris Windom, 5, Baldwin-14.048; 4. Kevin Thomas Jr., 69, Dynamics-14.184; 5. Chad Boespflug, 98, NineEight-14.377; 6. Chase Stockon, 32, 32 TBI-14.378; 7. Brady Bacon, 99, Bacon-14.388; 8. Thomas Meseraull, 20, Dyson-14.497; 9. Justin Grant, 4, TOPP-14.497; 10. Robert Ballou, 12, Ballou-14.505; 11. C.J. Leary, 30, Leary-14.509; 12. Tyler Courtney, 7BC, Clauson/Marshall/Newman-14.541; 13. Zach Daum, 5D, Daum-14.582; 14. Timmy Buckwalter, 7, LNB-14.637; 15. Jerry Coons, Jr., 39, Hogue-14.730; 16. Dave Darland, 36D, Goodnight/Curb-Agajanian-14.761; 17. Joey Biasi, B1, Shaup-14.780; 18. Matt Westfall, 33m, Marshall-14.818; 19. Kyle Moody, 13K, Kaylor-14.830; 20. Carmen Perigo, 21, Stehman-15.099; 21. Trevor Kobylarz, 14, RT-15.101; 22. Isaac Chapple, 52, LNR/Chapple-15.145; 23. J.R. Berry, 74JR, Berry-15.156; 24. Ryan Godown, 3x, Wasitowski-15.157; 25. Kyle Lick, 8, Lick-15.284; 26. Robert Bell, 71, Bell-15.916; 27. Eric Jennings, 14E, Pinkurous-16.017.
SIMPSON RACE PRODUCTS FIRST HEAT: (8 laps, top-5 transfer) 1. Ballou, 2. Thomas, 3. Darland, 4. Andretti, 5. Bacon, 6. Chapple, 7. Moody, 8. Daum. NT
COMPETITION SUSPENSION (CSI) SECOND HEAT: (8 laps, top-5 transfer) 1. Leary, 2. Meseraull, 3. T. Buckwalter, 4. Boespflug, 5. DiMattia, 6. Biasi, 7. Perigo, 8. Bell, 9. Berry. NT
CHALK STIX THIRD HEAT: (8 laps, top-5 transfer) 1. Courtney, 2. Westfall, 3. Windom, 4. Coons, 5. Grant, 6. Stockon, 7. Godown, 8. Kobylarz, 9. Jennings. 2:09.42
INDY RACE PARTS SEMI: (12 laps, top-7 transfer) 1. Stockon, 2. Chapple, 3. Perigo, 4. Daum, 5. Kobylarz, 6. Lick, 7. Biasi, 8. Jennings, 9. Moody, 10. Bell, 11. Godown. NT
FEATURE: (40 laps - starting positions in parentheses) 1. Brady Bacon (1), 2. Kevin Thomas, Jr. (3), 3. Chris Windom (4), 4. Tyler Courtney (12), 5. Jarett Andretti (6), 6. Chad Boespflug (2), 7. Chase Stockon (7), 8. Robert Ballou (10), 9. Thomas Meseraull (8), 10. Justin Grant (9), 11. Dave Darland (16), 12. Matt Westfall (18), 13. C.J. Leary (11), 14. Isaac Chapple (21), 15. Tony DiMattia (5), 16. Zach Daum (13), 17. Timmy Buckwalter (14), 18. Jerry Coons, Jr. (15), 19. Joey Biasi (17), 20. Kyle Lick (22), 21. Trevor Kobylarz (20), 22. Carmen Perigo (19). NT
----------------------------
**Daum flipped during the first heat. Grant flipped on lap 16 of the feature.
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-12 Boespflug, Laps 13-29 Bacon, Laps 30-37 Thomas, Laps 38-40 Bacon.
KSE RACING PRODUCTS HARD CHARGER: Tyler Courtney (12th to 4th)
WILWOOD BRAKES 13TH PLACE FINISHER: C.J. Leary
ROGER & BARB TAPY 13TH FASTEST QUALIFIER: Zach Daum
SALDANA RACING PRODUCTS FIRST NON-TRANSFER: Eric Jennings
NEW USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Thomas-861, 2-Courtney-829, 3-Windom-801, 4-Stockon-745, 5-Leary-723, 6-Bacon-722, 7-Ballou-710, 8-Darland-675, 9-Grant-663, 10-Boespflug-597.
NEW EASTERN STORM POINTS: 1-Thomas-77, 2-Bacon-74, 3-Windom-74, 4-Courtney-69, 5-Andretti-69, 6-Boespflug-62, 7-Stockon-57, 8-Ballou-57, 9-Meseraull-53, 10-Grant-47.
CAPITOL CUSTOM TRAILERS & COACHES EASTERN STORM PASS MASTER POINTS: 1-Courtney-8, 2-Chapple-7, 3-Westfall-6, 4-Darland-5, 5-Ballou-2, 6-Lick-2, 7-Thomas-1, 8-Windom-1, 9-Andretti-1.
NEXT USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE: June 15 - Williams Grove Speedway - Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania - "Eastern Storm"
Thunder on the Hill – – USAC Sprints
Posted by: | CommentsThunder on the Hill
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
JUNE 8, 2018
CONTACT: BOB MILLER 443 513 4456
THUNDER ON THE HILL RACING SERIES
12TH ANNUAL USAC EASTERN STORM OPENS AT GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY THURSDAY, JUNE 14, SIX NIGHTS, THREE STATES OF NON-WING RACING PLANNED
The tradition of USAC Non-wing Sprint Car racing in Berks County goes all the way back to 1956 when Tommy Hinnershitz , a resident of Berks County won the first three USAC events held at the Reading (PA) Fairgrounds.
Hinnershitz, known as the Flying Farmer, raced without a wing, no roll cage and for many years, wore a leather helmet. He was a pioneer in the sport, a legend. A man whose handshake was as firm at the end of his career, as it was the first time his fingers embraced the steering wheel of a sprint car.
Later in life, Hinnershitz returned to the Reading Fairgrounds, a property then occupied by a Mall, to take part in the Annual Reading Racing Reunion & Car Show. Hinnershitz enjoyed the fan fun event annually until his passing in 1999. Hinnershitz competed in the 1930’s, 1940’s and 1950 on dirt, asphalt and yes, the board tracks.
Since those three USAC consecutive victories by Hinnershitz, the roster of drivers who have won USAC features in Berks County is a who's who of auto racing.
The Berks County half-mile saw drivers of the likes of Johnny Thomson, Eddie Sachs, A.J. Foyt, Jim Hurtibise, Roger McCluskey, Jud Larson, Greg Weld, Red Riegel, Johnny Rutherford, Bobby Unser, Larry Dickson, Gary Bettenhausen, Bruce Walkup, Toby Tobias, Lee Kunzman, Larry "Boom Boom" Cannon, Pancho Carter, Lee Osborne, Ron Shuman, Gus Linder and Paul Pitzer collect a very charmed Berks County victory.
READING (PA) FAIRGROUNDS MARCH 29, 1964
USAC SPRINTS Don Branson in the # 3 WYNN'S Friction Proofing Special (Wheels of Speed Photo)
In 1979, USAC left Berks County for the final time as the Reading Fairgrounds closed. Well, until 2007.
In 2007, Bob Miller, who co-promoted the Thunder on the Hill Racing Series at Grandview Speedway with track owners Bruce and Theresa Rogers, had a thought -- to bring USAC non-wing racing back to Berks County. Local businessman Gene Franckowiak brought Miller and USAC Race Organizer Greg Stabb together to open discussions. Miller had a face-to-face meeting with Stabb in 2006 at the Larwanceburg, IN Speedway and that marked the birth of the USAC Eastern Storm.
Levi Jones won that first event in 2007 at Grandview Speedway and went on to win the first Eastern Storm Championship. USAC was back -- and alive and well in Berks County. Since that time, Cole Whitt won the Eastern Storm Title in 2008 and 2009; Jones returned to take the championship in 2010 and 2011. Bryan Clauson scored championships in 2012 and 2013 followed by Brady Bacon in 2014, Robert Ballou in 2015, Clauson again in 2016, and Chris Windom just last year, in 2017.
And now we gear up for the 12th Annual AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Car Series Eastern Storm, opening at the Grandview Speedway on Thursday night, June 14, and continuing at Williams Grove on Friday, June 15, Port Royal on Saturday, June 16, BAPS Motor Speedway on Sunday, June 17 Bridgeport Speedway on Monday, June 18 and the Weedsport Speedway on Tuesday night, June 19.
The Eastern Storm of 2018 is boasting the most expansive schedule in the history of the series with six events in three different states for the first time in USAC's 63 year history.
Grandview Speedway and the NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series in Bechtelsville, PA have been part of the Eastern Storm since it's inception in 2007 and is the only track that can make that claim.
Grandview is a high-banked, one-third mile oval that is the perfect venue for the non-wing warriors. USAC at Grandview is a must-see show and offers slide jobs, plenty of rooster tails and rub rails, a little wheel banging and a bounce or two off the tracks outside boiler plate is just the norm.
Joining the USAC Non-wing sprints at Grandview are the popular 358 Modifieds, racing for a $3,000 payday to win the 30 lap feature. For USAC, the 40 lap Jesse Hockett Classic will pay $6,000 to the winner.
General Admission ticket pricing for Thursday, June 14 is $30 for Adults, Children 6-11 are $10 and Kids 5 & under are FREE! Pit Admission pricing is $35.
Advance tickets are on sale now and may be ordered by calling 443-513-4456. Please provide your name and the number of tickets requested. Tickets may be picked up and paid for on race night after 3:30 PM. Advance ticket holders may enter the grandstands at 4:30 PM, one-half hour prior to the sale of General Admission tickets.
The Pioneer Pole Buildings Mobile Sales Unit will be on display in the mid-way along with all of the Thunder on the Hill Racing Series mainstay promotions including the Low Down & Dirty Radio Show pre-race Meet and Greet, pit area tours, the Inside/Out Experience - where fans can watch hot laps from the infield, Joe 'The Pizza Dude' offering up free pizzas to the rowdiest fans, give-a-ways, and appearances by Miss Thunder on the Hill.
Grandstand Gates open at 5:00 PM and Racing starts at 7:30 PM
NAPA Auto Parts continues their long run with the Thunder on the Hill Racing Series as the title sponsor joined by Pioneer Pole Buildings, Levan Machine and Truck Equipment and GALCO Business Communications.
The 12th Annual Eastern Storm Line-up
Thursday, June 14 Grandview Speedway Bechtelsville, PA
The Jesse Hockett Classis USAC Non-Wing Sprints & 358 Modifieds Gates Open 5:00 PM Race Time 7:30 PM
www.thunderonthehillracingseries.com 443 513 4456
Friday, June 15 Williams Grove Speedway
USAC Non-Wing Sprints & 410 Sprints Gates Open 5:30 PM Race Time 7:30 PM
Saturday, June 16 Port Royal Speedway USAC Non-Wing Sprints & 410 Sprints
Gates Open 4 PM Race Time 7 PM
Sunday, June 17 BAPS Speedway USAC Non-Wing Sprints- URC Sprints - USAC Eastern Midgets
Gates Open 5 PM Race Time 7 PM
Monday, June 18 Bridgeport Speedway 3/8th mile track
USAC Non-Wing Sprints - 600cc Micro Sprints Gates Open 5 PM Race Time 7:30 PM
Tuesday, June 19 Weedsport Speedway USAC Non-Wing Sprints- Sportsman -NY6A Micro Sprint Tour
Gates Open 5 PM Race Time 7:00 PM
THUNDER ON THE HILL NEWS
Posted by: | CommentsThunder on the Hill
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
JUNE 8, 2018
CONTACT: BOB MILLER 443 513 4456
THUNDER ON THE HILL RACING SERIES
NAPA AUTO PARTS THUNDER ON THE HILL RACING SERIES PRESENTS. . . .
12TH ANNUAL EASTERN STORM BREWING AND HEADING TO GRANDVIEW WITH JESSE HOCKETT CLASSIC THURSDAY, JUNE 14
It's a phrase I hate to say, especially with all the rainy weather we've experienced this year. The EASTERN STORM is brewing and the thunder and lightning are heading east.
For the 12th consecutive year, the AMSOIL USAC Non-Wing Sprints EASTERN STORM will open at the Grandview Speedway on Thursday night, June 14. This wildly popular event is always a crowd pleaser as the nationally known stars rim-ride the outside boilerplate of the one-third mile Grandview Speedway in Bechtelsville, PA. The USAC Non-wing sprints will team up with the 358 NASCAR Modifieds with gates opening at 5:00 and qualifying taking the green flag at 7:30 PM.
With all the hype of this event, let's take a moment to remember Jesse Hockett, one of USAC's finest who lost his life in an electrical accident in 2010, preparing for the Eastern Storm. It was the prior year, 2009 when The "Rocket Man" swept the Twin 20's in the same night at Grandview Speedway. Hockett had one of the most exciting driving styles, a passion for the race fans and always a joy to hear when he was interviewed in victory lane. Hockett is certainly missed but he will always be remembered with the 40 lap, $6,000 to win Jesse Hockett Classic.
The RT Racing #14 USAC Sprint Car driven by Trevor Kobylarz is running the Berks County Animal Rescue League "Patriotic Paws" Logo during the 2018 season. Patriotic Paws is a program to save animals and to honor those who've bravely served our country. The team's goals are to raise awareness about the program and raise funds to support the program and the rescue league. There are two avenues to help the cause:
Kobylarz's RT Racing Team will be selling team t-shirts with an added twist. The cost for the shirt is $20 for Small through X-Large, $22 for 2X-Large, and $23 for 3X-Large. There are 3 colors available, Black, Grey, and Blue.
Second is to bring pet food to Round 1 of the Eastern Storm at Grandview Speedway. Donators will receive a complimentary special edition Patriotic Paws Trevor Kobylarz Eastern Storm Shirt. We are encouraging people to donate a 10+LB Bag. People are also encouraged to bring blankets and toys to be donated as well. You are also encourage to donate blankets and Toys as well. The proceeds will go to supporting the Rescue League.
USAC will bring their absolute best to Grandview Speedway on Thursday, June 14 to include the People's Champion Dave Darland of Lincoln, IN, Tyler "Sunshine" Courtney from Indianapolis, IN, "The Mad Man" Robert Ballou of Rocklin, CA, Isaac Chapple from Willow Branch, IN, Justin Grant of Ione, CA and Brady Bacon of Broken Arrow, OK . Bacon is the defending winner of the Jesse Hockett Classic "on the hill".
In the 358 Modifieds, the locals always put on a show in chase of the $3,000 win in the 30 lap feature. Craig VonDohren, Brett Kressley, Jeff Strunk, Ryan Godown and Rick Laubach are some of the expected entries. Fifth in the feature will pay $1,000 and $300 is offered just to take the green flag. This event will be a NASCAR point race.
General Admission ticket pricing for Thursday, June 14 is $30 for Adults, Children 6-11 are $10 and Kids 5 & under are FREE! Pit Admission pricing is $35.
Advance tickets are on sale now and may be ordered by calling 443-513-4456. Please provide your name and the number of tickets requested. Tickets may be picked up and paid for on race night after 3:30 PM. Advance ticket holders may enter the grandstands at 4:30 PM, one-half hour prior to the sale of General Admission tickets.
The Pioneer Pole Buildings Mobile Sales Unit will be on display in the mid-way along with all of the Thunder on the Hill Racing Series mainstay promotions including the Low Down & Dirty Radio Show pre-race Meet and Greet, pit area tours, the Inside/Out Experience - where fans can watch hot laps from the infield, Joe 'The Pizza Dude' offering up free pizzas to the rowdiest fans, give-a-ways, and appearances by Miss Thunder on the Hill.
Grandstand Gates open at 5:00 PM and Racing starts at 7:30 PM
NAPA Auto Parts continues their long run with the Thunder on the Hill Racing Series as the title sponsor joined by Pioneer Pole Buildings, Levan Machine and Truck Equipment and GALCO Business Communications.
2018 Race Dates
Thursday, June 14 Thunder on the Hill Racing Series 7:30 PM 12th Annual USAC Non-Wing Sprints Jesse Hockett Classic Plus 358 Modifieds*
Tuesday, July 3 Thunder on the Hill Racing Series 7:30 PM 24th Annual 410 Pennsylvania Sprint Speed Week Series Plus 358 Modifieds*
Thursday, August 23 Thunder on the Hill Racing Series 7:30 PM All Star 410 Sprints & 358 Modifieds*
Saturday, October 13 Thunder on the Hill Racing Series 6 PM Mods at the MADHOUSE Halloween Party Big Block/358 Modifieds, Sportsman, MASS Sprints
12th Annual USAC Non-Wing Sprints Eastern Storm
Thursday, June 14 Grandview Speedway
Friday, June 15 Williams Grove Speedway
Saturday, June 16 Port Royal Speedway
Sunday, June 17 Susquehanna Speedway
Monday, June 18 Bridgeport Speedway
Tuesday, June 19 Weedsport Speedway
Grandview Speedway
GPS USERS: 43 Passmore Road, Bechtelsville, PA 19505
Located less than a mile off Route 100, 10 miles north of Pottstown, PA
Speedway Phone: 610-754-7688
Thunder on the Hill Racing Series Phone: 443-513-4456
Thunder Series Website: www.thunderonthehillracingseries.com
Track Website: www.grandviewspeedway.com
Twitter/Instagram: @TOTHRACING
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thunderonthehill
About Grandview Speedway
Grandview Speedway is a high-banked one-third mile clay oval, celebrating their 56th Anniversary season in 2018. The facility offers free parking, quality food at reasonable prices (be sure to try the french fries), a program book, Grandview Speedway and Thunder on the Hill race wear and great viewing from every seat in the house. Race fans may take part in the Inside/Out promotion, where you can sign up (no charge) to watch warm-ups from inside turn four. Race fans are also invited to victory lane following the racing program and, race fans may enter the pits after the races to meet the drivers. Be ready to enjoy the spine-tingling fireworks salute on the feature event parade lap. For more information visit: www.thunderonthehillracingseries.com
Thunder News
Posted by: | CommentsMAY 28, 2018
CONTACT: BOB MILLER 443 513 4456
THUNDER ON THE HILL RACING SERIES
AMSOIL USAC NON-WING SPRINTS 12TH ANNUAL EASTERN STORM TO OPEN AT GRANDVIEW THURSDAY, JUNE 14
BECHTELSVILLE, PA – If you have never seen the USAC non-wing sprint cars at Grandview, block the date of Thursday night, June 14 and plan to attend the Thunder on the Hill Racing Series event at the Grandview Speedway. The always exciting one-third mile high banked oval is the perfect venue for the exciting and well known USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car Series. The Eastern Storm, now in its’ twelfth season, and as tradition, will open at the Grandview Speedway.
The USAC non-wing sprints with a 410 motor have a reputation for wheel-banging, rooster tails and slide jobs and its’ all just part of the show. At Grandview Speedway, the USAC drivers are most comfortable grazing the outside boiler plate with their rear bumper taking the longest route around the track.
For all of the reasons mentioned, this event is one of the hottest tickets of the NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series. Along with the nationally known USAC Stars, the local favorites of the 358 Modifieds will be on the racing program. Both divisions will compete in qualifying leading up to the 40 lap $6,000 to win Jesse Hockett USAC Non-Wing Classic and a 30 lap, $3,000 to win modified main event.
It all started In 2007 when Thunder on the Hill special events promoter, Bob Miller and the Rogers Family, brought the nation’s longest touring Sprint Car group back to Pennsylvania after a nearly 30-year absence from the region.
“I vividly remember USAC being such an integral part of the Reading Fairgrounds history,” Miller recollects. “In some ways, my love of Reading made me so passionate about bringing USAC back to the east coast and specifically back to Berks County at Grandview.”
USAC came back in full force and remains one of the must-see events of the racing season.
Forty Eastern Storm events have been held since the debut of the USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car Championship in 2007. Levi Jones and Bryan Clauson are tied with the most wins of Eastern Storm history with six victories each. Five different drivers reached victory lane in 2017 – three for the first time in Storm history — while Chris Windom went on to win the Eastern Storm Championship.
Heading into the 12th Eastern Storm, the Bechtelsville, PA dirt track opens the tour with the Jesse Hockett Classic, a 40 lap battle for the non-wing 410 sprint cars joined by the 358 modifieds in this Double Header. Gates open at 5 PM with race time set or 7:30 PM. Grandview and Thunder on the Hill are the only facility to have held a USAC event in every year of Eastern Storm history. Defending winner of this event on the hill is Brady Bacon.
The series heads to Mechanicsburg, PA’s Williams Grove Speedway on Friday, June 15, while Port Royal Speedway brings the series into night number three on Saturday, June 16.
York Haven, PA’s Susquehanna Speedway lands on the schedule for the sixth consecutive year, on Sunday, June 17. For the first time, United States Auto Club drivers head to Bridgeport Speedway on Monday, June 18 and the Storm concludes on Tuesday, June 19 at Weedsport Speedway.
Past Eastern Storm winners like Robert Ballou – who swept all three 2015 events, Brady Bacon – who holds wins at Grandview Speedway and Port Royal Speedway, Chad Boespflug, and Chase Stockon are expected for competition.
The Eastern Storm kicks off on Thursday, June 14 with the Jesse Hockett Classic – dedicated to the memory of the 2009 Grandview race winner. On that night, Hockett thrilled the crowd winning both feature events in the same night.
Key sponsors are returning for the 29th season of the NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series. Joining NAPA Auto Parts is Pioneer Pole Buildings, Levan Machine and Truck Equipment and GALCO Business Communications.
Advance tickets for the Grandview Speedway USAC/358 Modified event are available by calling 443-513-4456. Callers are required to leave their name, phone number, and the number of tickets requested. We will call you back only if we have questions. Callers may then pick-up and pay for their tickets at the Grandview Speedway’s Will-Call Window after 4 PM. Advance ticket holders may enter the grandstands at 4:30 PM – a full 30 minutes before tickets go on sale to the public. Advance tickets must be ordered prior to race day.
Tickets are $30 for adults, $10 children 6 to 11 and kids five and under will be admitted for free. Pit admission is $35 and a license is not required.
Grandview Speedway is located at 43 Passmore Road, Bechtelsville, PA just minutes off Route 100.
NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series can be found on the web at www.ThunderontheHillRacingSeries.com. You can follow along all of the Thunder on the Hill events on Facebook, and on Twitter and Instagram @tothracing.
Grandview Speedway
GPS USERS: 43 Passmore Road, Bechtelsville, PA 19505
Located less than a mile off Route 100, 10 miles north of Pottstown, PA
Speedway Phone: 610-754-7688
Thunder on the Hill Racing Series Phone: 443-513-4456
Thunder Series Website: Track Website: www.grandviewspeedway.com
Twitter/Instagram: @TOTHRACING
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thunderonthehill
About Grandview Speedway
Grandview Speedway is a high-banked one-third mile clay oval, celebrating their 56th Anniversary season in 2018. The facility offers free parking, quality food at reasonable prices (be sure to try the french fries), a program book, Grandview Speedway and Thunder on the Hill race wear and great viewing from every seat in the house. Race fans may take part in the Inside/Out promotion, where you can sign up (no charge) to watch warm-ups from inside turn four. Race fans are also invited to victory lane following the racing program and, race fans may enter the pits after the races to meet the drivers. Be ready to enjoy the spine-tingling fireworks salute on the feature event parade lap. For more information visit: www.thunderonthehillracingseries.com
