By Robert Miller
Three abreast racing, a few slide jobs, a wheelie or two and an occasional bounce off the outside guardrail is just the norm when the USAC non-wing sprints invade Grandview Speedway, and it all takes place on Tuesday night, June 7. Joined by the 358 NASCAR Modifieds, the AMSOIL Non-Wing USAC Sprint cars will open the Eastern Storm on the high-banked one-third mile oval. This event is part of the NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series at Grandview and presented by Pioneer Pole Buildings.
What are the USAC stars saying about their return to Grandview?
Two time Eastern Storm Champion and winner of three Eastern Storm features said, “I’m excited to be heading back east for Eastern Storm again this year. The fans out there always come out in large numbers when we’re in town, and the atmosphere at Grandview for the opener is as electric as we see all season. Grandview is also a place we’ve had some success, so I’m looking forward to getting the week kicked off on the right foot and continuing our early season momentum.”
In 2014, Chase Stockon won the Grandview USAC show. “I am really excited to get back to Grandview this year! After winning in 2014, my whole team and I were bummed that Mother Nature didn’t cooperate with us last year. Grandview is a really unique track, and I have always taken a liking to it. The fans out there don’t get to see us race much, so they are always fired up for that race and make it feel like a special race. I feel very fortunate to be a part of the USAC show coming into town and hope we put on another great race for them.”
Brady Bacon, the 2014 Eastern Storm and USAC National champion will be back in 2015. “The Eastern Storm always seems to be a pivotal point of the season every year. It challenges all of our teams with tracks we don’t visit often and typically the strong teams shine over the course of the week. The atmosphere and excitement of the fans is unrivaled, especially at Grandview’s opening night. Pennsylvania fans are some of the most enthusiastic in the country, and I always look forward to heading east for this swing.”
Time trials for the USAC non-wing sprints will open the June 7 program. Some say the USAC time trials are worth the price of admission. Heat race qualifying will take place for the USAC sprints as well as the 358 Modifieds leading up to the 40 lap $6,000 to win Jesse Hockett Classic as the 358 Modifieds battle for $3,000 to win in a 30 lap feature. Gates open at 5 PM with race time set for 7:30 PM.
Wednesday night, June 8 it’s off to the Lincoln Speedway in Abbottstown, PA where it is all about “rub rails and rooster tails” as USAC and the 358 Sprints team-up for big double header of wing and non-wing sprint cars. Along with qualifying for both divisions, the 358 Sprint will battle in a 20 lap feature event paying $1,000 to win and $150 to take the green. This is a full points event for the 358 Sprints. The USAC Sprints will chase $6,000 to win in the 30 lap feature followed by a second USAC feature that will go 25 laps paying $3,000 to win. One USAC driver could possibly earn $9,000. The make-up feature should be a crowd please as the line-up will be determined by inverting the finish from the 30 lap feature. Gates open at 5 PM with qualifying getting underway at 7 PM for the three feature race card.
The AMSOIL Eastern Storm will move to the New Egypt Speedway on Thursday night, June 9. Friday night will be an off night for the series but they will return to action on Saturday night, June 11 at the Port Royal Speedway and close out the tour on Sunday night, June 12 at the Susquehanna Speedway in York Haven, PA.
More news and details to come on the 10th Annual AMSOIL USAC Non-Wing Sprints Eastern Storm.
SUMMARIES: 26 Feature Races
TRACKS Grandview Speedway 7 Races
Big Diamond Raceway 5 Races
New Egypt Speedway 5 Races
Port Royal Speedway 4 Races
Lincoln Speedway 2 Races
Hagerstown Speedway 2 Races
Susquehanna Speedway 2 Races
Mercer Raceway Park 1 Race
Lernerville Speedway 1 Race
@=2014 New Oxford rained out after semi.
RACE Levi Jones 6
WINNERS: Cole Whitt 3
Bryan Clauson 3
Robert Ballou 3
Chris Windom 2
Damion Gardner 1
Jon Stanbrough 1
Bobby East 1
Hunter Schuerenberg 1
Jesse Hockett 1
Chad Boat 1
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 1
Daron Clayton 1
Dave Darland 1
Shane Cottle 1
Chase Stockon 1
Brady Bacon 1
CHAMPIONS: Levi Jones 3
Cole Whitt 2
Bryan Clauson 2
Brady Bacon 1
Robert Ballou 1
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.