From Tyler Altmeyer
INDIANAPOLIS (August 16, 2017) – After a two-week intermission to allow teams the opportunity to enter the 57th Annual 5-hour ENERGY Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s General Stores, the Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions will return to competition with a four-race stretch through The Keystone State, rejoining the notorious Pennsylvania Posse for four consecutive events from Thursday, August 17, to Sunday, August 20.
The Central Pennsylvania invasion will kick off officially on Thursday evening, August 17, with the third annual Thunder Cup at the Grandview Speedway in Bechtelsville, Pennsylvania. The $5,000-to-win, Thunder on the Hill Racing Series program will feature the Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions for the first and only time in 2017; the first visit since Dale Blaney tamed the 1/3-mile, high banked oval on August 18, 2016. In addition, Tony Stewart and Rico Abreu will each be on hand Thursday evening and entered for competition.
Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, will host the traveling Arctic Cat All Stars on Friday, August 18. The 35th annual Jack Gunn Memorial will highlight competition at the world-famous half-mile; the 32nd appearance by “America’s Series” since first making tracks in 1970. Williams Grove Speedway last hosted the Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions on April 28 with Lance Dewease earning the big payday, bettering all 45 cars in attendance.
Action will move to the “Fabulous” Lincoln Speedway in Abbottstown on Saturday, August 19. Much like Grandview, Lincoln Speedway will only host the Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions on one occasion in 2017. The last time the Tony Stewart-owned organization invaded the Pigeon Hills, it was “Double-D” Danny Dietrich scoring the victory, beating Alan Krimes and Lucas Wolfe to the final checkers. Dietrich is the most recent winner during Arctic Cat All Star action, scoring $7,000 at Lebanon Valley Speedway in West Lebanon, New York, just before the Knoxville Nationals break.
A visit to Susquehanna Speedway near York Haven on Sunday, August 20, will conclude the Arctic Cat All Star swing through The Keystone State. Unlike the three events prior, Susquehanna Speedway has not hosted an Arctic Cat All Star event since 1991.
Honoring the late Justin Snyder, Tony Stewart’s All Stars will take part in the Salute to the Troops program during their visit to Susquehanna, awarding a $5,000 top prize, as well as $500 to the evening’s fastest qualifier on behalf of Emory Transmissions, and $200 to the evening’s main event hard charger on behalf of Brown & Miller Racing Solutions.
Alvada, Ohio’s Chad Kemenah will lead the Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions charge into Central Pennsylvania as the current Series point leader. The five-time and defending Series champion sits on top of the title chase with a 290-point advantage, also leading all full-time competitors with three victories on the season, as well as 25 top-ten finishes in 30 main event starts.
The “Kunkletown Kid” Ryan Smith, a former regular in Central Pennsylvania before joining the Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions full-time in 2015, and again in 2017, will enter the weekend second in the championship chase. Smith recently captured his first Arctic Cat All Star victory of the season at Outlaw Speedway in Dundee, New York, on Friday, July 28.
New Castle, Indiana’s Caleb Armstrong, a recent $15,000 winner during the inaugural Great Lakes Dirt Nationals at Mansfield (OH) Motor Speedway, will enter Pennsylvania third in the Arctic Cat All Star standings, followed by leading rookie contender, “Mad Max” Stambaugh, and Caleb Helms.
Grandview Speedway will open pit gates at 2:30pm on Thursday, August 17. The Arctic Cat All Star drivers meeting is scheduled to begin at 6:00pm, followed by hot laps at 6:45pm. Those seeking additional news and notes should visit Thunder on the Hill Racing Series live on the Web at www.tothracing.com.
Williams Grove Speedway will swing open pit gates at 5:30pm on Friday, August 18. A mandatory drivers meeting will be held at 6:30pm, soon followed by hot laps at 7, sharp. Additional news and information can be found online at the official home of Williams Grove Speedway: www.williamsgrove.com.
Lincoln Speedway will allow pit access beginning at 5:00pm on Saturday, August 19. A drivers meeting will be conducted at 6:15pm, with hot laps to follow at 7:00pm. Please visit www.lincolnspeedway.com for more information pertaining to ticket sales and reserved seat information.
Susquehanna Speedway will open pit gates at 4:30pm on Sunday, August 20. A drivers meeting will be held at 5:45pm, followed by hot laps at 6:15pm, sharp. Those seeking additional news and notes should visit the speedway live on the Web at www.susquehannaspeedway.net.