An action-packed 2016 NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series, presented by Pioneer Pole Buildings, will return to Grandview Speedway in Bechtelsville, for its 27th season.
Seven crowd-pleasing events will spice up the season and showcase such divisions as the Big Modifieds, 358 Modifieds, 410 Central Pennsylvania Sprints, the All Star Circuit of Champions Sprints, USAC Non-Wing Sprints, DIRTcar Modifieds and the TSRS Sprints. The Thunder Series opener is set for Sunday, May 29 with a 40-lap Big Block Modified/358 Modified Challenge, Sportsman and TSRS Sprint, Triple Thunder Thriller. Action will get underway at 7:30 p.m. with the Eli’s Auto World Pace Truck leading the field.
Following the May 29 Thunder Series opener, the USAC National Sprint car Series will return to Grandview for the Jesse Hockett Classic. If you have never seen the non-wing sprint cars on “the hill”, you need to save the date for this event. For the first time at Grandview, the weekly 358 NASCAR Modifieds will team up with USAC on Tuesday, June 7.
The always popular 410 sprint and 358 Modified double-headers are always thrillers and this year there is a double-shot with a pair of these events. The 22nd running of Pennsylvania Sprint Car Speed Week hits the Bechtelsville high-banks on Tuesday, June 28, and the 2nd Annual Thunder Cup takes place on Tuesday, July 26.
On Thursday, July 14, the 19th running of the Traffic Jam will showcase the stars and cars of the Super DIRTCar Series Big-Block Modifieds competing against our hometown heroes in an always exciting event. Joining this show will be the Sportsman competing in a series of qualifying events leading up to a 25-lap feature. Matt Sheppard is the defending winner of the Traffic Jam that went 58 non-stop laps after a lap two caution. “I know why they call this the Traffic Jam,” stated Sheppard in the post-race victory lane interview.
On Thursday, August 18, the Thunder on the Hill Racing Series presents a Sprint Car showdown like no other when the nationally touring All-Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Car Series invades Grandview in an all-winged double header that includes the ever competitive TSRS Sprint Car Series as an accompaniment. Race time is 7:30 p.m.
The Thunder series will close out 2016 on Saturday, October 15 with the MODS at the MADHOUSE Halloween Party featuring a $5,000-to-win, 40 lap Big Block Modified/358 Modified Challenge that includes the Sportsman and the TSRS Sprint Cars on this Triple Thunder Thriller Halloween Party.
NAPA Auto Parts will be back as the Thunder Series sponsor for their 25th consecutive season. Pioneer Pole Buildings is an associate sponsor so look for their participation at all the events of 2016.
Also in the coming weeks at Grandview on Saturday, April 23rd at 7 p.m. there will be an added attraction with the Blast from the Past Vintage cars performing along with the T.P.Trailers 358 Modifieds, BRC Late Models and Sportsman stock cars. Gates open at 5 p.m.
* * *Rising country music artist and actress Jana Kramer will perform a free concert at Dover International Speedway’s Victory Plaza prior to the “AAA 400 Drive for Autism” NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday, May 15. Kramer’s show will begin at 10 a.m. Kramer’s most recent album “Thirty One” came out in 2015 and features the hit “I Got the Boy” and latest single “Said No One Ever.” Her self-titled debut album was released in 2012 and included the popular track “Why Ya Wanna.” Kramer, 32, first hit the spotlight as a cast member on The CW’s drama “One Tree Hill,” where she played actress Alex Dupree. Kramer has also appeared on HBO’s “Entourage” and NBC’s “Friday Night Lights.” Also in Victory Plaza, on Saturday, May 14, country music artists Sam Grow and Tom Dixon will appear for free concerts prior to the NASCAR XFINITY Series Dash 4 Cash race.
More news from Dover International Speedway: Seven-time NASCAR champion Richard Petty and Aric Almirola, the driver of the No. 43 Smithfield Ford for Richard Petty Motorsports, were among the guests at Dover International Speedway today as the new stock car for the Monster Monument at Victory Plaza presented by Smithfield was unveiled. Smithfield Foods has entered into a three-year deal with Dover International Speedway as presenting sponsor of the Monster Monument at Victory Plaza, the 46-foot iconic statue that features a stock car in the structure’s right hand. Officials from Smithfield, Autism Delaware and the Monster Mile unveiled a new “Petty Blue” #43 Smithfield Ford for assembled media and fans on Wednesday. The event also coincided with the start of “Autism Awareness Month” in April and precedes the “AAA 400 Drive for Autism” NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday, May 15.
* * *Maple Grove Dragway in Mohnton, is proud to announce EFI Source of Boyertown will be the title sponsor of the Northeast Index Racer Series at the Grove for 2016. EFI Source supplies high quality EFI products to the performance-minded automotive community. Their goal is to make programmable EFI systems affordable to everyone without sacrificing quality or functionality. The first event for the Northeast Index Series is April 23rd.
Boccella’s Automotive & Performance of Pottstown will be the 8.50 Index class sponsor. Boccella’s Automotive & Performance is a custom speed shop that serves the Montgomery County and surrounding areas. They specialize in installing custom performance parts and doing general automotive work on all makes and models of cars and also offer nitrous refills, race fuel and are an official state inspection and emissions station.
S&W Racecars, of Spring City, will be sponsoring the No. 1 qualifier awards in each Index class along with being the class sponsor for Pro Dial. S&W Race Cars is equipped to offer customers – whether next door or around the world – the latest in race car technology. S&W Race Cars manufacturing department can provide you with MIG or TIG welding, sheet metal forming, round or rectangular tube bending and a full service machine shop.
