USAC Sprints “Rub Rails & Rooster Tails” 40 Plus 358’s To Open ’21 Thunder On The Hill Series

Story By: BOB MILLER / THUNDER ON THE HILL – BECHTELSVILLE, PA – The “Macho Man” Brady Bacon of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma will be in the field when the AMSOIL USAC National Non-Wing Sprint Tour rolls into the Grandview Speedway on Thursday night, April 22 to kickoff the 32nd season the NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series.

Bacon has won in his last three starts at Grandview. In the history of Thunder on the Hill, only Greg Hodnett won four consecutive features, those wins coming in a 410 wing sprint car.

Bacon will be up for the challenge on a track where he has a strong fondness. $6,000 will go to the winner of the 40 lap “Rub Rails & Rooster Tails USAC National Non-Wing sprint car event. Other USAC stars expected to be in the field include Justin Grant, Kevin Thomas Jr., Dave Darland, rookie sensation Tanner Thorson, C.J. Leary, Chris Windom, Robert Ballou and Chase Stockon just to name a few. To further complement this show, the 358 Modifieds will share the card with USAC. The Modifieds will compete in qualifying events leading up to the $3,000 to win 30 lap feature.

The Thursday night, April 22 NAPA Auto Parts Thunder Series event will get underway at 7:30 PM with the grandstand gates opening at 5 PM. Advance tickets are available by calling 443 513 4456. Please speak clearly and provide your first and last name and the number of tickets you need. Tickets may be paid for and picked up at the WILL CALL window on race night. Advance ticket holders may enter the grandstands at 4:30 PM. Advance tickets orders can be processed up to the day before the race. We apologize, but advance tickets will NOT be available on race day.

We ask that you bring exact change when purchasing your advance tickets, general admission tickets and Pit Passes. Adult admission tickets are $30, children 6 to 11 are $10 and children 5 and under will be admitted free. The Pit fee is $40 and a license is not required.

Tuesday, June 29 will mark the return of the Pennsylvania 410 Sprint Speed Week event, dubbed the Hodnett Cup paying $10,000 to the winner of the 35 lap feature. This event is presented in the memory of local sprint car great and former Thunder on the Hill Champion, Greg Hodnett. The 358 Modifieds will gear up for this highly attended program that will have a 7:30 PM starting time.

The USAC Midgets are returning to Grandview for the Ken Brenn Midget Masters on Tuesday night, August 3 in a double-show with the 358 Modifieds. The USAC Midgets are perfect on the high-banked one third mile Grandview oval. This is the second running of the Ken Brenn Midget Masters. Brenn is a well known midget and modified stock car owner and at one time promoted midget racing at Grandview Speedway. Ken Brenn and his family plan to again be on hand for this event.

Thursday night, August 26 Tony Stewart’s All Star Circuit of Champion sprints will hit the “hill” teaming up with the 358 Modifieds. In 2020, this race was a thriller with Danny Dietrich taking the lead and the win in the final laps from All Star Champion Aaron Reutzel. The 410 Sprints are lightening fast on the Grandview Speedway and this is a must-see event also joined by the 358 Modifieds. Race time is set for 7:30 PM.

The season finale is set for the Saturday night, October 16 with the MODS at the MADHOUSE Triple 20’s for the Big Block/358 Modifieds joined by the Sportsman. In 2020, the Triple 20’s event was a big success, attracting a field of fifty modifieds. Kevin Hirthler, Ryan Beltz and Duane Howard shared the Triple 20’s victories and race time for this event is scheduled for 6 PM.

Continued support of the Thunder on the Hill Racing Series is provided by NAPA Auto Parts, Levan Machine & Truck Equipment in Fleetwood, PA and Pioneer Pole Buildings. All three sponsors play a key role is the on-going success of the Thunder Series.

In the thirty-one previous years, there has been 140 Thunder on the Hill events with the payout in excess of $4,976,000. The all-time Thunder on the Hill feature winners list is a who’s who of dirt track racings’ local and national stars.

2021 Thunder on the Hill Race Dates

• Thursday, April 22 USAC National Sprint Car Tour Rub Rails & Rooster Tails 40 $6,000 to Win & 358 Modifieds* 7:30 PM
• Sunday, May 30 Triple Roaring 20’s Big Block/358 Modifieds Plus Sportsman & Vintage Outlaw Racing Series 7:30 PM
• Tuesday, June 15 USAC Eastern Storm Jesse Hockett Classic National Sprint Tour & 358 Modifieds* 7:30 PM
• Tuesday, June 29 PA 410 Sprint Speed Week $10,000-to-Win Hodnett Cup & 358 Modifieds* 7:30 PM
• Tuesday, August 3 USAC National Midgets Ken Brenn Masters & 358* Modifieds 7:30 PM
• Thursday, August 26 Tony Stewart’s All Star Circuit of Champions 410 Sprints & 358 Modifieds* 7:30 PM
• Saturday, October 16 MODS at the MADHOUSE Big Block/358 Modified Triple 20’s & Sportsman 6 PM