Let’s Get Ready For Thunder On The Hill Tuesday At Grandview

Story By: BOB MILLER / THUNDER ON THE HILL – BECHTELSVILLE, PA – NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series brings the twenty-third running of Pennsylvania Sprint Car Speed week to Grandview Speedway on Tuesday, July 4.

To put some heat in your motors, here are the top stories heading into the Grandview Speedweek event.

THE ACTION — The 35-lap, $5,000-to-win 410 Sprint Car event is the fifth of a ten-race stretch for competitors, while the 358 NASCAR Modified’s $3,000-to-win race allows Grandview’s premier weekly division to show off their action-enticing style.

Both divisions will participate in a full qualifying program. The 410s will time trial, to set up heat race line-ups, and then compete in a B-Main to line up the A-Main. Inversions will mix the line-ups throughout the night.

For the Modifieds, a blind draw will set the heat race line-ups, and a top-12 redraw will set the feature event, with the consolations filling in the remaining qualifying spots.

NEUTRAL GROUND – This Season, Pennsylvania Sprint Car Speedweek makes up the first of two 410 Sprint Car events at Grandview Speedway. Without weekly 410 competition, Grandview becomes a level playing field for all competitors – which means anything can happen on the one-third mile.

FROM DAYTONA TO DIRT – Race fans are buzzing with excitement for NASCAR Cup Series competitors Kyle Larson and Kasey Kahne. Both drivers competed Saturday night at Daytona International Speedway before heading out to start their Pennsylvania Speedweek.

Larson claimed Sunday’s win at Path Valley Speedway – his first in Central Pennsylvania. With two Cup Series victories, Larson currently leads the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Standings. Larson’s previous Grandview Speedway start resulted in a third-place finish in 2012.

In 2003, Kahne finished in 13th position at Grandview Speedway.

PERFECT 10 – Greg Hodnett has dominated at Grandview Speedway the past few years, claiming five of the past nine 410 Sprint Car main events. A win in Tuesday’s Speedweek event will mark Hodnett’s tenth Thunder on the Hill victory, leaving him tied for second place on the All-Time Sprint Car win list. Billy Pauch is the winningest Sprint Car driver with 11 victories.

ALL EYES ON DOUBLE D – Danny Dietrich’s 2015 win in the Inaugural Thunder Cup ended Greg Hodnett’s 5-Race win streak, Dietrich became the first driver since 2011 to beat Hodnett. Dietrich will be one to watch on Tuesday.

WALKER SPRINT CAR RANGER – Before Dietrich ended Hodnett’s win streak, it was California-native Tyler Walker who picked up two consecutive PA Speedweek wins in 2010 and 2011. Walker returns to the Bechtelsville oval for the first time in five years.

FAST FREDDIE REDUX – His last name is Rahmer, his first name is Freddie, but he doesn’t have 30 Speedweek wins — He’s the 21-year-old son of the Sprint Car legend, and he picked up the opening night Speedweek win at Williams Grove Speedway. Dubbed ‘Faster Freddie’ by race fans, Rahmer leads the PA Speedweek Championship standings heading into Monday’s Lincoln Speedway event.

THUNDER FROM DOWN UNDER – When you think Pennsylvania Speedweek at Grandview your first thought isn’t James McFadden – but in his only Grandview Speedway start (2012) McFadden brought home an impressive second-place finish. Such a strong run on ‘The Hill’ makes you a threat for the $5,000 Speedweek win.

FAN INFORMATION – General Admission gates open at 5 PM on Tuesday, July 4. The Low Down and Dirty Radio Show Driver Meet and Greet will take place from 5-6 PM and feature the popular driver of The Warko Group No. 94, Ryan Smith. Warm-Ups will start at 6:45 PM, with 410 Sprint Car Time Trials at 7:30 PM.

General Admission tickets are $25 for Adults, $10 for Children (6-11), and Kids under 6 are always FREE! Pit Admission is $35, and no license is required.

Fans may camp out at the Speedway for the ultimate Speedweek experience. Campers are asked to park in the turn 4 parking area, there are no hook-ups available, and no box camping allowed. Track officials ask that all fires be contained. There is no fee for camping.

THUNDER ON THE HILL FAN FUN – Fans are encouraged to sign-up for the Inside-Out Program, a free fan experience that allows you to watch 410 Sprint Car and Modified Warm-Ups from the infield of Grandview Speedway.

Along with Inside-Out fans are encouraged to sign-up for free tours of the jam-packed pit area. Sign Ups are available inside the main gate with the Thunder Girls.

JOE THE PIZZA DUDE – Joe ‘The Pizza Dude’ will offer up delicious (and Free!) pizzas to the rowdiest of race fans. Keep an eye out after the National Anthem, when Kressley Auto and Truck Center, along with Harry’s U-Pull-It and Northern Valley Erectors present Joe ‘The Pizza Dude’.

FAN PHOTO CONTEST – Stay engaged with the NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill team at the track by following @TOTHRACING on Instagram and Twitter. Take a photo and use #TOTHRACING to enter our Fan Photo Contest – whether it be the crowd, the pits, the parking lot, or your favorite driver. The winner will receive a FREE General Admission to our Thursday, August 17 All Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Car event.

NAPA Auto Parts continues their long run with the Thunder on the Hill Racing Series as the title sponsor joined by Pioneer Pole Buildings, Levan Machine and Truck Equipment and GALCO Business Communications.