By Robert Miller
An action packed 2016 NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series presented by Pioneer Pole Buildings, will return to the Grandview Speedway in Bechtelsville, PA for season twenty-seven. Seven crowd pleasing events will spice up the season and showcase such divisions as the Big Modifieds, 358 Modifieds, 410 Central Pennsylvania Sprints, the All Star Circuit of Champions Sprints, USAC Non-Wing Sprints, DIRTcar Modifieds and the TSRS Sprints. The Thunder Series opener is set for Sunday, May 29 with a 40 lap Big Block Modified/358 Modified Challenge, Sportsman and TSRS Sprint, Triple Thunder Thriller. Action will get underway at 7:30 PM with the Eli’s Auto World Pace Truck leading the field.
Following the May 29 Thunder Series opener, the USAC National Sprint car Series will return to Grandview for the Jesse Hockett Classic. If you have never seen the non-wing sprint cars on “the hill”, you need to save the date for this event. For the first time at Grandview, the weekly 358 NASCAR Modifieds will team up with USAC on Tuesday night, June 7.
The always popular 410 sprint and 358 Modified double-headers are always thrillers and this year there is a double-shot with a pair of these events. The 22nd running of Pennsylvania Sprint Car Speed Week hits the Bechtelsville high-banks on Tuesday, June 28, and the 2nd Annual Thunder Cup takes place on Tuesday, July 26.
On Thursday, July 14, the 19th running of the Traffic Jam will showcase the stars and cars of the Super DIRTCar Series Big-Block Modifieds competing against our hometown heroes in an always exciting event. Joining this show will be the Sportsman competing in a series of qualifying events leading up to a twenty-five lap feature. Matt Sheppard is the defending winner of the Traffic Jam that went 58 non-stop laps after a lap two caution. “I know why they call this the Traffic Jam” stated Sheppard in the post-race victory lane interview.
Thursday, August 18 the Thunder on the Hill Racing Series presents a Sprint Car showdown like no other when the nationally touring All-Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Car Series invades the Grandview Speedway in an all-winged double header that includes the ever competitive TSRS Sprint Car Series as an accompaniment. Race time is 7:30 PM.
The Thunder series will close out 2016 on Saturday, October 15 with the MODS at the MADHOUSE Halloween Party featuring a $5,000-to-win, 40 lap Big Block Modified/358 Modified Challenge that includes the Sportsman and the TSRS Sprint Cars on this Triple Thunder Thriller Halloween Party.
NAPA Auto Parts will be back as the Thunder Series sponsor for their twenty-fifth consecutive season. Pioneer Pole Buildings is an associate sponsor so look for their participation at all the events of 2016.
The Thunder on the Hill Racing Series mainstay activities and promotions, providing fun for the fans with elements 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, JOE “THE PIZZA DUDE”, giveaways, fireworks, and appearances by the Thunder Girls will all be part of the coming season, plus a few added surprises presented by GALCO Business Communications and Quaker Steak & Lube restaurants.
2016 Racing Schedule:
NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series presented by Pioneer Pole Buildings
Sunday, May 29 7:30 PM PPB Night
Grandview Speedway
Triple Thunder Thriller
Big Block/358 Modified Challenge* 40 laps, Sportsman & TSRS Sprints
Tuesday, June 7 7:30 PM
Grandview Speedway
Jesse Hockett Classic
USAC Non-Wing Sprints & 358 Modifieds*
Tuesday, June 28 7:30 PM
Grandview Speedway
PA 410 Sprint Speed Week & 358 Modifieds*
Thursday, July 14 7:30 PM PPB Night
Super DIRTcar Series 19th Annual Traffic Jam
60 Laps Modifieds & Sportsman
Tuesday, July 26 7:30 PM
Grandview Speedway
410 Sprints Thunder Cup & 358 Modifieds*
Thursday, August 18 7:30 PM PPB Night
Grandview Speedway
All Star Circuit of Champions & TSRS Sprints
Saturday, October 15 6 PM
Grandview Speedway
MODS at the MADHOUSE Halloween Party
Big Block Modified/358 Modified Challenge 40 Laps, Sportsman & TSRS Sprints
*indicates NASCAR Modified Point Race
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<tel:610-754-7688>
Thunder on the Hill Racing Series Phone: 443-513-4456<tel: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 27 years of the most anticipated events on the racing calendar year after year. In 118 events over $4 million dollars has been divided 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 54th Anniversary season in 2016. 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.