Ryan Smith Racing For Thunder Series Redemption Tuesday At Grandview

Story By: BOB MILLER / THUNDER ON THE HILL – BECHTELSVILLE, PA – There are no handouts in Sprint Car Racing, everything is earned and even more so fought for, especially on “The Hill” of Grandview Speedway where anything can happen.

But, if one driver is owed anything from the one-third-mile Grandview Speedway high banks, that driver is Kunkletown, PA’s Ryan Smith.

Smith gets his opportunity for redemption this Tuesday, July 4 when NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series brings the 410 Sprint Cars and 358 Modifieds to Grandview Speedway as part of the 27th Annual Pennsylvania Sprint Car Speedweek event presented by Pioneer Pole Buildings.

After three seasons of consistent top-10 finishes, Smith found himself charging to the lead of the 2016 Pennsylvania Sprint Car Speedweek race at the Bechtelsville oval. Gaining a solid lead over 9-time Grandview winner, Greg Hodnett – Smith wove in and out of lapped traffic presumably on his way to his first Thunder on the Hill victory. But it was contact with a lapped car that sent Smith spinning to the infield.

“I’ve never been aggressive enough,” Smith said recounting the incident. “It’s just one of those racing deals — obviously with it behind me there are things I would’ve done differently.”

Smith rebounded at the Grandview’s July ‘Thunder Cup’ event. It was déjà vu with Smith leading a pack of the strongest Sprint Car drivers in the nation – hitting lapped traffic by the fourth circuit and holding the lead, despite heavy competition. The red flag flew and cars came to a stop – under red, a radiator hose split on the Warko No. 94 draining all of the water out of the powerful 410 cubic inch engine and ending his night.

“The radiator hose was another bad deal. We know we can be fast at Grandview. We just really need to put it all together. This year, we’re coming out of the box fast.”

Smith comes to Grandview with The Warko Group No. 94, the same machine that led both of those previous Thunder on the Hill races and is hoping to really entertain his hometown crowd.

“Running these 410 Sprint Cars, Grandview is one of the closest places we race,” Smith says. “Grandview is 20 minutes from where I live now, so I’m excited because all of my friends and family are going to be there on Tuesday.”

Smith is easily a favorite heading into Tuesday’s 35-Lap, $5,000 to win event, but the field is filled with potentially the most challenging combination of drivers ever. Previous Grandview winners like Greg Hodnett, Danny Dietrich, and Tyler Walker all know the fast way around the Berks County dirt track and top-notch invading drivers like Kyle Larson, Kasey Kahne, and Rico Abreu are searching for their first Grandview win.

Smith is no slouch though, sitting second in Tony Stewart’s Arctic Cat All-Star Circuit of Champions Point Standings – and hungry for his first 410 Sprint Car win of the 2017 season.

The NASCAR 358 Modifieds will join the action competing in a 30-lap, $3,000 to win main event. Modified competitors from all over the region are anticipated for competition. Modified hot shoes like Jeff Strunk, Craig VonDohren, Duane Howard, Billy Pauch Jr., Doug Manmiller, Rick Laubach, Ryan Godown, and Anthony Perrego are pre-entered for this Independence Day event.

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.

Advanced 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. Advanced 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