Ryan Smith Still Searching For First Thunder On The Hill Win
Story By: BOB MILLER / THUNDER ON THE HILL – BECTHELSVILLE, PA – The old saying goes ‘there are plenty of fish in the sea’ – but for 29-year-old 410 Sprint Car ace, Ryan Smith, Grandview Speedway is the one that continues to get away.
Smith’s next shot comes on Thursday, August 17 when NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series presents Tony Stewart’s Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions 410 Sprint Cars at Grandview Speedway. The nationally touring series will join Grandview’s popular Sportsman division for a full night of racing excitement at the 3rd Annual Thunder Cup presented by Levan Machine and Equipment.
“We got lucky, Ryan Smith had a better car than I did,” Speedweek event winner and NASCAR driver Kyle Larson explained in victory lane. Larson dominated the early part of Speedweek competition, but it was Smith who stole the lead – much to the delight of the jam-packed Grandview Speedway – before clipping the outside wall and violently flipping into turn 3.
The PA Speedweek event marked the third consecutive NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill event that saw Smith suffer misfortune while leading.
“The Kunkletown Kid” comes back into Grandview Speedway stronger than ever. He currently sits second in the Arctic Cat All-Star Circuit of Champions series standings and is fresh off a victory at the All Stars event at New York’s Outlaw Speedway.
The best-of-the-best of competition will be on hand on Thursday, August 17 with drivers like Greg Hodnett, Danny Dietrich, Lucas Wolfe, Dale Blaney and Freddie Rahmer – all winners at area race tracks this season; along with All Star standouts Chad Kemenah, Tim Shaffer, Cole Duncan, and Carson Macedo all expected to be on hand; throw in one of the nation’s most popular drivers with Rutherford, CA’s Rico Abreu and action from three-time NASCAR Champion Tony Stewart – and you have one of the strongest fields of the All-Star season.
Grandview’s popular Sportsman division joins the card with a 25-Lap, $1,300-to-win event that will entice racers from all over the region. Some of the pre-entries include Brad Grim, Matt Stangle, Craig Whitmoyer, Mike Lisowski, Kenny Gilmore, Brian Hirthler, TJ Lilly, Brad Arnold and Ken Eckert Jr just to name a few.
Time Trials for the 410 Sprint Cars will open the show on Thursday, August 17 at 7:30 PM. The pit gates will open at 2:30 PM and the Grandstands will open at 5:00 PM. Fans can get 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 $30, Children ages 6-11 are $10, and Kids under 6 are Free of charge! Pit admission is $35, and no license is required.
Advance tickets are available until Wednesday, August 16 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, 30 minutes before the opening of the box office.
Fans following the All Star Circuit of Champions may camp 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.
