Thunder On The Hill Series Offers Pre-Race Excitement Like No Other

Story By: BOB MILLER / THUNDER ON THE HILL – BECHTELSVILLE, PA – A little less talk, and a lot more action.

For racing fans, a lot more action comes in the form of the 29th season of the NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series – a combination of special events taking place at Bechtelsville, PA’s Grandview Speedway. The 2018 Thunder schedule is highlighted by visits from nationally recognized touring series, the fastest machines in dirt track racing, and lucrative events that guarantee non-stop action. It doesn’t get much better than that, or does it?

Thunder on the Hill Racing Series doesn’t provide run-of-the-mill dirt track races.

Thunder events are full of fan entertainment from start to finish. The party begins in the early afternoon, long before the gates open where a myriad of fans can be found tailgating in their FREE parking spaces – playing games, jamming out to music, and enjoying food and beverages.

If you didn’t participate by reserving tickets, fans in line are entertained by the Low Down and Dirty Radio Show hosts interviewing the night’s top competitors in a pre-race meet and greet.

Once inside the Grandview gates, racing fans can sign-up for FREE pit tours where Thunder representatives will escort them around the competitor’s pit area. This adventure provides the opportunity for photographs, autographs, and an up-close-and-personal look at the racing machines as crews busily prepare them for action.

Arguably, the most exciting part of the Thunder events is the Inside-Out program. Fans can sign-up to watch hot laps from the infield of turns three and four. Feel the ground shake and see the cars roll into a controlled slide in their final practice session.

This all leads to the drop of the green flag, where competitors battle side-by-side on the one-third-mile Grandview Speedway dirt oval.

The 29th NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Season kicks off on Sunday, May 27 at 7:30 PM with the 21st running of the Modified Traffic Jam. The Big-Block Modifieds and 358 Modifieds are joined by the Sportsman and Mid-Atlantic Sprint Series for a full night of holiday racing action.

A Sprint Car Summer season is celebrated with the AMSOIL USAC National Non-Wing Sprint Car Series in combination with the 358 Modifieds on Thursday, June 14. The 12th running of the Jesse Hockett Classic brings the USAC non-wing Sprint Cars in for their only East Coast stop. This one you don’t want to miss.

Tuesday, July 3 the 410 Sprint Cars roar into action as part of Pennsylvania Sprint Car Speedweek teaming up with the 358 Modifieds. You never know who will show up for Sprint Car Speedweek. In 2017, NASCAR Cup-star Kyle Larson shocked the state, not just by racing – but by winning the Thunder Series event “on the Hill”.

Summer events roll to a close on Thursday, August 23 where the Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions 410 Sprint Cars compete for the 4th Annual Thunder Cup. For the final 410 Sprint Car event of the season, the 358 Modifieds will also compete providing some ultra-exciting racing action.

The 29th Thunder season comes to a close on Saturday, October 13 with the Mods at the Madhouse Thunder on the Hill Halloween Party. The Big-Blocks and 358 Modifieds battle to be the top ghoul in a Halloween themed night of fun. The Sportsman and the Mid-Atlantic Sprint Series join the event with tricks and treats lurking around every corner.

NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series is presented with the help of partners: NAPA Auto Parts, Pioneer Pole Buildings, Quaker Steak & Lube, Levan Machine & Truck Equipment, GALCO Business Communications and Eli’s Auto World.

The staff of Thunder on the Hill and Grandview Speedway look forward to busy 2018 and hope that you continue to enjoy these events. Please visit our website and as always, feel free to provide any suggestions on making our events even better in the future.

2018 Race Dates

• Sunday, May 27 Thunder on the Hill Racing Series 7:30 PM
  21st Annual Traffic Jam Big Block/358 Modifieds*, Sportsman, MASS Sprints
• Thursday, June 14 Thunder on the Hill Racing Series 7:30 PM
  12th Annual USAC Non-Wing Sprints Jesse Hockett Classic Plus 358 Modifieds*
• Tuesday, July 3 Thunder on the Hill Racing Series 7:30 PM
  24th Annual 410 Pennsylvania Sprint Speed Week Series Plus 358 Modifieds*
• Thursday, August 23 Thunder on the Hill Racing Series 7:30 PM
  All Star 410 Sprints & 358 Modifieds*
• Saturday, October 13 Thunder on the Hill Racing Series 6 PM
  Mods at the MADHOUSE Halloween Party
  Big Block/358 Modifieds, Sportsman, MASS Sprints