By Bob Miller
The NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series will hit a milestone twenty-fifth anniversary season at the Grandview Speedway in 2014.
One-hundred and nine Thunder events have been presented since the series opened in August of 1990, paying out in excess of $3,658,950 in prize money to the competitors. Through the years, Thunder on the Hill has continued to evolve to be far more than just a single division 410 sprint car event like that inaugural race. Bringing new and different events to the “hill” has been the signature trademark of the series and in many cases, bringing those different divisions tonight on the same night. Sunday, May 25 is just that night, with the merging of five different divisions to present seven feature events in one night of racing. I
n appreciation to the great fans of Thunder on the Hill, the adult general admission price will be just $20 for the Lucky 7 features only event on Sunday night, May 25. On the program will be a pair of 358 Modified features, two URC feature events and single features for the ARDC Midgets, Sportsman and Legend cars with the first of seven features taking the green flag at 7:30 PM. With a minimum of twenty- cars starting each feature, more than one-hundred race cars will take part in the Lucky 7 features only program. In the event of rain, Monday, May 26 will be the rain date and carry a 6 PM starting time. Some additional fan fun activities are being planned and will be announced shortly.
The Thunder Series will also present the 8th Annual Amsoil USAC Non-Wing Sprint Cars in the Eastern Storm. The Thunder Series and Grandview Speedway were the leaders in bringing USAC back east and the Eastern Storm Series continues to grow with the action-packed show. Tuesday night, June 3 is the night the Eastern Storm returns to the hill and the Modern Day Cowboy, Daron Clayton will be returning in 2014 after his “on the edge wall banging” victory ride in 2013. $6,000 will go to the winner of the 40 lap Jesse Hockett Classic event and sharing this card will be the non-wing ARDC Midgets. Race time is set for 7:30 PM.
Always a fan favorite event at Grandview is the return of the 410 sprints, after all, it was the 410 sprints that brought a start to Thunder on the Hill in August of 1990. Tuesday night, July 1 the Pennsylvania Posse 410 Sprints challenge the “hill” in the Annual Pennsylvania Sprint Speed Week Series joined by the ROC Modifieds. Race time is set for 7:30 PM and four time defending Thunder Series Sprint Champion Greg Hodnett is anxious to chase down another Thunder Victory.
On Tuesday night, July 30 the 410 Sprints will be on the program, this time joining the 17th Annual Traffic JAM for Modifieds sanctioned by ROC. The Traffic Jam is rich in history with some of the all-time greats in modified racing winning this event. In 2013, Duane Howard won his first Traffic Jam with Danny Johnson taking the victory in 2012. Other winners include Jeff Strunk 2011, Craig VonDohren 2010, Brett Hearn 1998, 2002, 2007, 2009 , Billy Decker 2003, 2008, Alan Johnson 2006, Tim Fuller 2005, Tim McCreadie 2001, 2004, Frank Cozze 2000 and Jimmy Horton taking the win in 1999.
The Thunder season finale will take place on Saturday night, October 18 with the House of Thunder Halloween Party and Grandview Thunder 5-25’s joined by the Blast from the Past Vintage cars and the Monster Smash Demolition Derby all getting underway at 6 PM. In the event of rain, Sunday, October 19 will be the rain date and carry a 4 PM starting time.
The one lap track records are also on the line in 2014. In a 410 sprint, Jeff Shepard driving the ZEMCO sprinter turned the one-third mile with a time of 11.443 established on May 21, 2008. For the USAC Non-Wing sprint cars Kevin Thomas has quick time of 13.360 set on June 5, 2012 and in the Modifieds, Billy Decker holds the one lap quick time of 14.349 set on July 16, 2008.
In the twenty-four previous seasons of Thunder on the Hill, one-hundred and nine events were presented paying out in excess of $3,658,950 in prize money. NAPA Auto Parts will be returning as the series sponsors joined by GALCO Business Communications and Lee Myles Transmission all part of a big season long 25th Anniversary celebration. The Thunder on the Hill Racing Series is a co-promotion between Grandview Speedway track owner Bruce Rogers and special events promoter Bob Miller.
Grandview Speedway is located on Passmore Road just off Route 100 in Bechtelsville, PA, just ten mile north of Pottstown, PA Additional information on Grandview Speedway is available by calling 610-754-7688. The successful Berks County speedway is operated by Bruce Rogers and family.
For more information on the Thunder on the Hill racing events of 2014, please check out the full color event ads on our website at: www.
2014 NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series
Presented by: Pioneer Pole Buildings & GALCO Business Communications
Grandview Speedway
Route 100
Ten mile north of Pottstown, PA
GPS Users: 43 Passmore Road Bechtelsville, PA 19505
Speedway Phone: 610-754-7688
Thunder on the Hill Information: 443 513 4456
Websites: www.
2014 Thunder Series Race Dates:
Sunday, May 25 7:30 PM Lucky 7 Grandview Thunder 7-25 lap features in one night. 2-358 Modified 2 URC Sprint, Plus ARDC Midgets, Sportsman, Legends. Rain Date Monday, May 26 6 PM
Tuesday, June 3 7:30 PM Jesse Hockett Classic USAC National Non-Wing Sprint Tour & ARDC Midgets
Tuesday, July 1 7:30 PM 410 Pennsylvania Sprint Speed Week Series Plus ROC Modifieds
Tuesday, July 29 7:30 PM 17th Annual Traffic JAM ROC Modifieds & 410 Sprints
Saturday, Oct 18 6 PM House of Thunder Halloween Party- – Features Only Modifieds, URC Sprints, ARDC Midgets, Sportsman, Legends, Monster Smash Demo Derby, Blast from the Past Vintage Cars. Rain Date: Sunday, October 19 4 PM
Grandview Speedway is a high-banked one-third mile clay oval, celebrating their 52nd Anniversary season in 2014. 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.