By Bob Miller
BECHTELSVILLE, Pa. (July 25, 2015) — As the NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series gears up for one of its biggest events of the season – the Inaugural 410 Sprint Car Thunder Cup at the Grandview Speedway on Tuesday, July 28 (Rain date: July 30) — the fastest drivers on dirt prepare to do battle on the 1/3 mile dirt high banks, but for Sprint Car hot shoe Ryan Smith of Kunkletown, PA, the excitement of strapping into his Sprint Car in front of a hometown crowd is the real thrill.
“There is nothing like racing in front of your friends and family,” Smith said. “So many of the people in the stands have watched me race for years, and I’m really looking forward to getting back to Grandview and putting on a good show for them.”
Aboard the Warko Group No. 94, the 27-year-old wheelman has spent much of this season running with Tony Stewart’s “All-Star Circuit of Champions” Sprint Car Series — which travels primarily throughout Ohio and Western Pennsylvania – where he currently sits 8th in the series point standings, with two wins and eight top-5 finishes. The All-Stars have offered Smith not only a valuable learning experience, but also the opportunity to compete at race tracks that are new to him, both of which have helped him prepare for this Tuesday night at Grandview Speedway.
“The racing at Grandview is so tight and we get so much speed in [410 Sprint] cars, it really is like racing a fighter jet down a hallway,” said Smith.
Smith has his sights set on this Tuesday’s $5,000 top prize and the nearly 20-inch tall gold Thunder Cup Trophy, but a talented contingent of the region’s top Sprint Car aces all have the same goal in mind. Drivers like Greg Hodnett, Lucas Wolfe, Lance Dewease, Alan Krimes, Billy Dietrich, and Freddie and Brandon Rahmer are all gunning for Thunder on the Hill victories.
Things also continue to heat up for the 358 NASCAR Modifieds. During the “Traffic Jam” event, Oley, PA’s Duane Howard claimed the victory in dominant fashion with Jeff Strunk, Meme Desantis, Jared Umbenhauer, and Doug Manmiller rounding out the top five finishers. It’s a battle for bragging rights and $3,000 when the mighty Modifieds take to the track in 30 laps of three-wide, wheel-banging, and boiler plate bouncing action. The 358 Modifieds portion of this show is open to all competitors, with heat race qualifying, a consolation, and a 30-lap feature.
Thunder on the Hill marketing partners have upped the ante for the Inaugural Thunder Cup event, offering competitor bonuses in both the 410 Sprint Car and 358 Modified divisions.
Quaker Steak & Lube is offering a $50 bonus to heat race event winners in both divisions, with the stipulation that they pre-register.
In the 410 Sprint Car division, a $100 Quick Time Bonus is up for grabs with an additional $100 bonus if the track record is broken, $200 is available to a first time Grandview 410 winner, $200 is offered to the highest finishing 360/358/305 Sprint Car, and $125 is offered to all pre-entered cars that don’t qualify for the A-main.
More than $40,000 in cash prizes is on the line for competitors. In a 35-lap event, the 410 Sprints will chase a lucrative $5,000 to win, $1,000 for tenth position, and $400 to start the event. The 358 Modifieds will compete in a 30-lap event for a $3,000 top prize, with tenth paying $500 and $300 to start the event.
For additional information or to pre-enter call 443-513-4456. Drivers should provide their name, car number, hometown, and phone number.
Celebrating the 26th season of racing action, NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series always includes fun for the fans with activities such as: Pre-Race Pit Tours, the Inside/Out Experience – where fans can sign-up to watch hot laps from the infield, the Low Down & Dirty Radio Show pre-race Meet & Greet – featuring Ryan Smith and Freddie & Brandon Rahmer, JOE “THE PIZZA DUDE”, giveaways, fireworks, and appearances by the Thunder Girls.
General Admission ticket pricing for Tuesday, July 28 (Rain date: July 30) is $25 for Adults, Children 6-11 are $10 and Kids 5 & under are FREE! Pit Admission pricing is $35 without a license and $30 with license.
Advance tickets are available by calling 443-513-4456. Please provide your name, the number of tickets you will need and a phone number. Tickets may be paid for and picked-up at the WILL CALL Window on race night after3:30 PM. Advance ticket holders may enter the grandstands at 4:30 PM a full half-hour before General Admission Tickets go on sale.
Pit Gates open at 3:00 PM, Advance Ticket Holders are able to enter at 4:30 PM, Grandstand Gates open at 5:00 PM and Racing starts at 7:30 PM
NAPA Auto Parts continues their long run with Thunder on the Hill as the Series title sponsor joined by: Quaker Steak & Lube, Window World, GALCO Business Communications & Pioneer Pole Buildings.
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
Series Website: Track Website: http://www.grandviewspeedway.com <http://www.grandviewspeedway.com/>
Twitter/Instagram: @TOTHRACING
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thunderonthehill
About Thunder on the Hill Racing Series
The brainchild of Grandview Speedway owner Bruce Rogers, special events promoter Bob Miller and local driving star Dave Kelly, the Thunder on the Hill Racing Series celebrates 26 years of the most anticipated events on the racing calendar year after year. In 114 events over $3.8 million dollars has been divvied up among the area’s fastest racers. What started as a single 410 Sprint Car event in 1990 has blossomed to feature a variety of racing action including: 358 Modifieds, USAC Wingless Sprints, 360 & 410 Sprint Cars, Sportsman, Late Models, Midgets, Legends cars, DIRTcar and ROC Modified events.
About Grandview Speedway
Grandview Speedway is a high-banked one-third mile clay oval, celebrating their 53rd Anniversary season in 2015. 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.