Kyle Larson, Kasey Kahne To Race At Grandview Speedway July 4th

Story By: BOB MILLER / THUNDER ON THE HILL – BECHTELSVILLE, PA – The upper echelon of American racing — NASCAR Cup Series drivers Kyle Larson and Kasey Kahne are heading back to their roots competing in the NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series event at Grandview Speedway on Tuesday, July 4. This event is presented by Pioneer Pole Buildings and will get underway at 7:30 PM with the grandstand gates open at 5 PM.

The Fourth of July event marks the 23rd Speedweek event at the 1/3-mile clay oval and features a 35-lap Sprint Car main event. The fifth event of a 10-day stretch, drivers from across the region will chase a $5,000 winner’s share at Grandview Speedway. Tenth place will pay $1,000 with $400 to start the A-main.

Arguably, the toughest Sprint Car fields form in the Pennsylvania region, where the notorious PA Posse dominates the Sprint Car scene.

Larson is no slouch – having claimed two All-Star Circuit of Champions victories and a World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series victory in the 2017 season.

Nine-time NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series winner, Greg Hodnett will strap into the Heffner Racing No. 27 searching for his 10th series win – moving him to third on the all-time win list past Fred Rahmer.

Dave Blaney, aboard the Zemco No. 1 machine, won the last 410 Sprint Car event at Grandview Speedway in August of 2016, when the All-Star Circuit of Champions returned after a 16-year hiatus.

Danny Dietrich of Gettysburg, PA is a favorite for the Speedweek victory. Dietrich claimed the inaugural Thunder Cup win in July of 2015. Race fans all over Pennsylvania are talking about Mechanicsburg, PA’s Lucas Wolfe. Wolfe has come close to Thunder victory on more than one occasion, but still searches for his first win.

Other popular entrants include Freddie Rahmer in the Leffler Energy No. 51; brother Brandon Rahmer in the Miller Chevrolet No. 88; Ryan Taylor in the CP Carillo No. 20; Ryan Smith in the Warko Group No. 94; Billy Dietrich in the Racers Used Parts Warehouse No. 8, Kyle Reinhardt in the Ed Aikin-owned No. 7, and Davey Sammons aboard the Pioneer Pole Buildings No. 747.

Also on the card, Grandview’s own NASCAR 358 Modifieds battle in a 30-lap event, with $3,000 up for grabs. Modified drivers from across the region are expected in attendance. Current Grandview Speedway weekly point leader, Jeff Strunk and Duane Howard, who won the last Thunder on the Hill 358 Modified event, will challenge for the win.

Helping the Grandview hometeam is defending Grandview Speedway Champion, Craig VonDohren; Easton, PA’s Frank Cozze; Brett ‘The Threat’ Kressley aboard the family-owned No. 19; and Richland, PA’s Jared Umbenhauer.

While Modified invaders include Hellertown, PA’s Rick Laubach; Frenchtown, NJ’s Billy Pauch Jr.; and Walden, NY’s Anthony Perrego

Time Trials for the 410 Sprint Cars will open the show on Tuesday, July 4 at 7:30 PM. The pit gates will open at 2:30 PM and the Grandstands will open at 5:00 PM. Fans can up-close to the drivers and their mighty machines with the Low Down and Dirty Meet and Greet kicking off at 5:00 PM.

General Admission Adult tickets are $25, Children ages 6-11 are $10, and Under 6 is Free of charge! Pit admission is $35, and no license is required.

Advance tickets may be reserved by calling 443-513-4456. Please provide your name, phone number and the number of tickets you will need. Tickets may be paid for and picked up on race night at the Will Call Window after 4 PM. Advance ticket holders may enter the grandstands at 4:30 PM.

Plan to see Joe the Pizza Dude make his special appearance at Thunder on the Hill Tuesday, July 4. The Pizza Dude is being sponsored by Kressley Auto and Truck Sales and Harry’s U-Pull It and Northern Valley Erectors.

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.

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.

2017 Thunder Racing Series Schedule:

· Pennsylvania Sprint Car Speedweek – Tuesday, July 4 7:30 PM – 410 Sprint Cars & 358 Modifieds*

· 3rd Annual Thunder Cup Arctic Cat All-Star Circuit of Champions – Thursday, August 17 7:30 PM – 410 Sprint Cars & Sportsman* Levan Machine and Truck Equipment present Smoke on the Hill Tony Stewart and Rico Abreu racing 410 sprint cars.

· Mods at the Madhouse Halloween Party – Saturday, October 14 6 PM – Big-Block/358 Modifieds 40 Laps, Sportsman & MASS Sprints

*NASCAR Points event