Thunder Series To Close Out Successful Season At Grandview October 14th

Story By: BOB MILLER / THUNDER ON THE HILL / BECHTELSVILLE, PA – The twenty-eighth season of the NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series will close out a successful season when the annual House of Thunder Halloween Party invades the Grandview Speedway Saturday night, October 14.

What a season that started with Brady Bacon winning the USAC event as Kyle Larson took the victory in the 410 Sprint Speed Week Series as Freddy Rahmer Jr won the Tony Stewart, Smoke of the Hill event in August. Huge crowds turned out for all three events of the Thunder Series, well known for presenting the top divisions and only the premier traveling series in the country.

The Mods at the Madhouse event of 2016 was a thriller with Billy Pauch Jr taking the win after a hard fought battler with Ryan Watt and Craig VonDohren who closed in on the leaders in the final laps of the 40 lap main event. How ironic, Pauch, Watt and VonDohren finished one-two-three and all three cars were, number 14.

The real eye catcher for this Traffic Jam event is the payoff. A respectable $5,000 will go to the winner, and for the rest of the field, $1,000 will go to the tenth place finisher and an unheard of $500 just to start a forty lap feature event. For the drivers and owners, no membership fees and no entry fees.

Expect a “thriller” with a three division program that will include the Big Block Modifieds/358 Modifieds plus the Sportsman and MASS Sprint Cars. Be part of a spooky night on the hill with this “Triple Thunder Thriller”. Gates open at 4 PM with racing getting underway at 6 PM. In the event of rain, Sunday, October 15 will be the rain date with gates opening at 3 PM and a 5 PM starting time

Fans are invited to come dressed for the occasion, Halloween costumes will be the popular attire of the night with awards going out to best dressed for children and adults. Please expect some Halloween candy and of course, this night always provides some tricks and treats along the way.

With a special rules package offered, the region’s top Modified racers are expected to be in attendance. Hometown heroes like Craig Von Dohren, Jeff Strunk, Duane Howard and Doug Manmiller defend the Berks County oval against New Jersey invaders Billy Pauch Jr. and Ryan Godown. Young and hungry drivers like Danny Bouc, Jared Umbenhauer, and Ryan Krachun search for their first Thunder on the Hill Victory.

The rules package allows for competition from Big-Block and Spec 358 engines and both American Racer and Hoosier tires. No open small block motors are permitted. For further rule information visit www.thunderonthehillracingseries.com

Along with an exciting Modified main event, the Sportsman will compete in a series of qualifying events leading up to the $1,300-to-win, 25-lap feature event. The MASS Sprint Car Series will battle with heat race qualifying ending the night with their 25 lap main event. It’s a three division Triple Thunder Thriller close to a popular 2018 NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series.

Helping to celebrate the Spooky Night will be a stunning firework display prior to the start of the modified main event.

The Pioneer Pole Buildings Mobile Sales Unit will be on display in the mid-way along with all of the Thunder on the Hill Racing Series mainstay promotions including the Low Down & Dirty Radio Show pre-race Meet and Greet, pit area tours, the Inside/Out Experience – where fans can watch hot laps from the infield, Joe ‘The Pizza Dude’ offering up free pizzas to the rowdiest fans, give-a-ways, and appearances by Miss Thunder on the Hill, Lauren Fischer.

Spectator gates will open at 4 PM, with racing action set for 6:00 PM. Adult General Admission is $25, Children 6-11 are $10, and Children 5 and Under are Free of Charge. Pit Area pricing is $35 and a license is not required.

Fans have the ability to camp out at the Speedway. 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.

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.