By Bob Miller
The seventh Annual USAC Eastern Storm will be returning East with the first stop set for the Grandview Speedway on Wednesday night, June 5. Bryan Clauson, defending winner of the 40 lap Jesse Hockett Classic at Grandview will be driving the Tony Stewart-Curb-Agaianian USAC Non-Wing sprint car in chase of the $6,000 first place prize. Clauson of Noblesville, IN, who competed in the 2012 Indianapolis 500 dominated the Grandview high-banked oval on his way to victory in the 2012 running of the Amsoil USAC Non-Wing sprint championship. Joining the USAC sprints will be the non-wing midgets of ARDC with the show starting at 7:30 PM. Gates will open at 5 PM and advance tickets are now on sale by calling 443-513-4456. Tickets will also be on sale this Saturday night, May 25 at the Grandview Speedway. Adult tickets are $25, Children 6-11 $10 and children 5 and under will be admitted for free.
Along with winning the Jesse Hockett Classic last year, Clauson also went on to win the overall Eastern Storm Championship. “It’s always fun to race against the Eastern drivers,” said Bryan Clauson the defending Eastern Storm Champion of Noblesville, IN. “When they take off the wings and get competitive with us it makes it a challenge for us. The tradition of USAC in the East is great and it’s nice to be part it. Grandview is one of my favorite Eastern tracks and I like the fact that it’s not only like a bullring but it also has some characteristics of a longer oval too. It gets wide by feature time and there’s never a bad race there. The tribute to Jesse Hockett is always a special part of our schedule and it was fun to win it last year.”
MACH 1 Chassis will post a $500 bonus to the driver with the best combined finish between the Wednesday, June 5 USAC show and the Grandview Speedway Pennsylvania 410 Sprint Speed Week event on Tuesday night, July 2. MACH 1 Chassis is located at 10 North Frederick Street in Mechanicsburg, PA. MACH 1 engineers and builds race car chassis that have a reputation for safety, strength, durability and performance. In addition to chassis fabrication and repair, MACH 1 Chassis also manufactures front and rear bumpers, nerf bars, front axles, wing post and wing trees.
While many folks will be watching Bryan Clauson, Levi Jones of Olney, IL is still another favorite. Jones won two of the six USAC shows at Grandview and was the Eastern Storm Champion in 2007, 2012 and 2011. Hunter Schuerenberg of Sikeston, MO, Shane Cottle of Kokomo, IN, Chris Windom of Canton, IL, Robert Ballou of Rocklin, CA, Dave Darland of Lincoln, IN and Brady Bacon of Broken Arrow, OK are a few of the USAC stars that are planning to be part of the 2013 Amsoil Eastern Storm. Three local favorites who love the non-wing racing that are pre-entries include Mark Smith of Sunbury, PA, Mark Bitner of Columbus, NJ and Billy Pauch Jr of Frenchtown, NJ.
If you have never seen non-wing sprint car racing, it’s just something every race fans must experience. From wheelies to wall-banging, from slide jobs to three abreast racing is just an example of what you’ll see with the USAC non-wing sprints hit the high banks of Grandview. Many fans will tell you, the time trials alone are worth the price of admission, but you’ll need to see that for yourself. Time trials, heat race qualification, a “B” Main and the 40 lap, $6,000 to win Jesse Hockett Classic will highlight the program. To further complement the program will be the non-wing ARDC Midgets. Heat races, a “B” Main and a 20 lap feature will make-up their portion of the show.
NAPA Auto Parts, the proud sponsor of the Thunder on the Hill Racing since 1990, is excited about the fast approaching 2013 opener. “Bob Miller and the Rogers Family have always held the fans first and foremost”. Jeff Riling of NAPA Auto Parts continued to say, “In 1990 I can remember Bob’s goals for the Thunder Series to be fan friendly, fast paced, exciting and safe. I can’t wait to see the talented drivers once again show their skills while moving through the pack on the tight Grandview Speedway oval”.
As NAPA Auto Parts leads the way as the Thunder Series’ lead sponsor, the 2013 series is once again joined by GALCO Business Communications, covering Berks, Lehigh, Montgomery, Bucks and Chester county in providing Vertical and ESI IP and digital telephone, voice mail and paging systems. GALCO is well known for their selling, installs and prompt service. GALCO is committed to providing “Fan Fun” at the Thunder Series events and will again be giving away gas cards in a variety of fun activities. For more information, please reach out to Tom Cooper 215 536-7100 tcooper@galcobus.com or Paul Lorenze 215 536-7100 plorenz@galcobus.com
Also on the list of key Thunder sponsors is Pioneer Pole Buildings, a long time friend to the Thunder on the Hill Racing Series. PPB will be the sponsor of the prestigious 16th Annual Traffic Jam to take place on Tuesday, July 30 at the Grandview Speedway. And don’t forget, Lee Myles Transmissions with numerous locations throughout Berks County. Be sure to stop in at the 6714 Perkiomen Ave, Exeter, PA location and ask for Hank Smith. For more details, call 610 222 6044 or visit the website at www.transmissionrepairexeter.
2013 NAPA AUTO PARTS Thunder on the Hill Racing Series Schedule
Presented by: GALCO Business Communications, Pioneer Pole Buildings & Lee Myles Transmissions
Wednesday, June 5 THUNDER ON THE HILL RACING SERIES 7:30 PM
Jesse Hockett Classic for Sprints
USAC National Wingless Sprint Tour & ARDC Wingless Midgets
Tuesday, July 2 THUNDER ON THE HILL RACING SERIES- – – 7:30 PM
Tuesday, July 30 THUNDER ON THE HILL RACING SERIES- -Pioneer Pole Buildings 7:30 PM
Saturday, October 19 THUNDER ON THE HILL RACING SERIES Halloween Party 6 PM
358 Modifieds, URC Sprints, ARDC Midgets, Sportsman, Legends. Monster Smash Demo Derby Blast from the Past Vintage Car Club/Garden State Vintage Cars & Vince’s
Towing Owners Race
Grandview Speedway Route 100 Bechtelsville, PA 10 mile north of Pottstown, Bechtelsville, PA
For GPS Users: 43 Passmore Road Bechtelsville, PA 19505
Wednesday, June 5 USAC Sprints & ARDC Midgets Gates Open 5 PM Race Time 7:30 PM
Adult General Admission $25, Children 6-11 $10, Children 5 and under Free
ADVANCE TICKETS NOW ON SALE: Call Donna Miller 443 513 4456 (Advance ticket holders may enter the grandstand at 4:30 PM)
TRACK PHONE: 610 754 7688
ADDITIONAL Thunder on the Hill INFORMATION: 443 513 4456 Bob Miller
WEBSITES: www.
Grandview Speedway is a high-banked one-third mile clay oval, celebrating their 51st Anniversary season in 2013. 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.