THUNDER NEWS 5-30-13

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE---THANK YOU

CONTACT: BOB MILLER 443 513 4456

THUNDER ON THE HILL RACING SERIES

NAPA THUNDER ON THE HILL RACING SERIES SET TO OPEN WEDNESDAY NIGHT, JUNE 5 AT GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY

ARDC MIDGETS SHARE PROGRAM WITH AMSOIL USAC NON-WING JESSE HOCKETT CLASSIC PAYING $6,000 TO WIN

The 24^th season of the NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series will open at the Grandview Speedway on Wednesday night, June 5 when the 7^th Annual USAC Eastern Storm heads to the East. The nationally known sprint car stars of USAC will chase a $6,000 payoff for winning the 40 lap Jesse Hockett Classic. Also on the program will be the ARDC Non-Wing Midgets, competing in a series of qualifying events leading up to a 20 lap feature. Gates will open at 5 PM with race time set for 7:30 PM. This fantastic double-header event will offer an adult general admission price of $25, children 6-11 for $10 and children five and under will be admitted for free. Advance tickets are now on sale by calling 443-413-4456 and advance tickets will be available at Grandview Speedway on Saturday night.

Race fans are reminded to take part in the Inside/Out Promotion, where race fans may watch the warm-ups from inside turn four. You’ll feel the ground vibrate when the green flag falls and that early in the night, you just might see the USAC stars pulling wheelies off of turn four. The Inside/Out Promotion is absolutely free, just sign up to participate at the front gate. Joe the Pizza Dude will be returning offering Pizza treats right after warm-ups. Comdial Telephone Communications will be returning to add some Thunder fun, offers some gas card giveaways throughout the night.

The management of Thunder on the Hill will salute the late Jesse Hockett on this evening. Hockett won two USAC sprint car features in one night at Grandview in 2009. The following year just before the Eastern Storm, Hockett died as a result of an electrical accident in his race car shop. Hockett will be honor with the playing of “Rocket Man” and his portrait will be included in the $6,000 to win feature winner check.

Defending Jesse Hockett Classic winner Bryan Clauson will lead the non-wing talent east joined by Levi Jones of Olney, IL, winner of two of the six USAC shows presented at Grandview, Hunter Schuerenberg of Sikeston, MO, Shane Cottle of Kokomo, IN, Chris Windom of Canton, Il and Robert Ballou of Rocklin, CA. Local favorite Mark Smith is looking to make a USAC victory his first ever visit to the Thunder on the Hill victory lane.

Some ARDC talent planning to take part in the Wednesday night event includes:

Steve Buckwalter, Royersford, PA - Buckwalter started out the 2013 ARDC season with three wins in a row - New Egypt, Williams Grove and Port Royal. While Buckwalter missed the Potomac/Winchester weekend, both races were won by his Elite chassis when Alex Bright and Bruce Buckwalter Jr. won their first races of the season.

Trevor Kobylarz, Birdsboro, PA - has returned to his 2012 form in recent weeks, picking up two podium finishes during the last race weekend - third at Potomac & second at Winchester. Kobylarz was the ARDC Most Improved Driver in 2012 while winning the ARDC Owner's Championship for his R/T Racing owners, Dyke and Carey Becker of Reading, PA

PJ Gargiulo, Morton, PA - PJ is on a roll with three consecutive top five finishes, including a second place run at Potomac, MD

Shawn Jackson, Bear, DE - Jackson is had several strong outings in the early part of the 2013 season. Jackson looked to be on his way to his first ARDC victory at Potomac when a broken spark plug sent him to the pits

Mark Gilmore, Hackettstown, NJ - is looking for a change in luck. Plagued by mechanical issues, this

Gilmore brother is still looking for his first finish of the 2013 season.

Brian Gilmore, Hackettstown, NJ - the younger Gilmore brother's luck hasn't been much better but the 2012 Rookie of the Year contender is there trying every race

Dave Shirk, Mohnton, PA - Shirk is looking to make his first start of the 2013 season in the Thunder of the Hill event at Grandview. Shirk will be joined by driver, Ryan Watt who will compete in a second Dave Shirk/Glenn Good owned car for several shows this season.

Steven Drevicki, Reading, PA - Recently graduated from Penn State University, Drevicki has had a strong start to the season, including a second place finish to Steve Buckwalter at Williams Grove in week three of the season.

Carey Becker, Reading, PA - Look for Becker to be a strong competitor this season with his new Elite chassis #20

Ryan Greth, New Cumberland, PA - Greth begins his second season with the Steward midget - this season a new Hyper chassis midget was debuted - the first of its kind. Greth has three fourth place finishes for his efforts to date.

Brett Wanner, Shoemakersville, PA - 2012 ARDC Rookie of the Year hopes to return to competition for the Grandview show after being sidelined with motor issues.

Brett Arndt, Topton, PA - Arndt is always a strong competitor, a threat when the last laps of the race are to be run. Arndt had a good weekend on the Potomac/Winchester trip

Tim Buckwalter, Douglassville, PA - The 2012 ARDC Champion is running a part time midget schedule this season as he switches to the Small Block Modified circuit. Buckwalter now spends his Saturday nights at the Grandview Speedway. Look for him to be a strong threat.

Steve Craig, Levittown, PA - the veteran racer has put together several top ten runs during the early part of the 2013 season.

Jason Rice, Daniellsville, PA - Rice returns to ARDC competition after being absent for a year. He's right back in the groove

Alex Bright, Collegeville, PA - The big winner in 2012 with four wins in ARDC competition, Bright picked up his first win of the season at Potomac. Bright started his win streak here at Grandview in the USAC event last season.

Nick Wean, Milford, NJ - Wean had a single win in 2012 and always looks forward to coming to Grandview to compete. Wean was an ARDC winner here in 2011.

Bruce Buckwalter, Jr, Royersford, PA - The most recent winner in ARDC, picking up the win in Winchester, VA in May. Buckwalter has had a very strong start to the season and will be a threat during the Grandview race.

Brenden Bright, Collegeville, PA - The 2011 ARDC Rookie of the Year has struggled so far this season. Bright scored two wins in 2012.

ARDC Rookie Drivers in 2013 include: - John Barnett (15) of Southampton, NJ, Kyle Lick (97) of Coplay, PA and Tony DiMatttia (50) of Malvern, PA.

2013 NAPA AUTO PARTS Thunder on the Hill Racing Series Schedule

Presented by: GALCO Business Communications, Pioneer Pole Buildings & Lee Myles Transmissions

Wednesday, June 5 THUNDER ON THE HILL RACING SERIES 7:30 PM

Jesse Hockett Classic for Sprints

USAC National Wingless Sprint Tour & ARDC Wingless Midgets

Grandview Speedway Route 100 Bechtelsville, PA 10 mile north of Pottstown, Bechtelsville, PA

For GPS Users: 43 Passmore Road Bechtelsville, PA 19505

Wednesday, June 5 USAC Sprints & ARDC Midgets Gates Open 5 PM Race Time 7:30 PM

Adult General Admission $25, Children 6-11 $10, Children 5 and under Free

ADVANCE TICKETS NOW ON SALE: Call Donna Miller 443 513 4456 (Advance ticket holders may enter the grandstand at 4:30 PM)
TRACK PHONE: 610 754 7688
ADDITIONAL Thunder on the Hill INFORMATION: 443 513 4456 Bob Miller
WEBSITES: www.thunderonthehillracingseries.com or www.grandviewspeedway.com Follow us on Facebook and twitter @TOTHRacing.

Grandview Speedway is a high-banked one-third mile clay oval, celebrating their 51^st Anniversary season in 2013. The facility offers free parking, quality food at reasonable prices (be sure to try the french fries), a program book, Grandview Speedway and Thunder on the Hill race wear and great viewing from every seat in the house. Race fans may take part in the Inside/Out promotion, where you can sign up (no charge) to watch warm-ups from inside turn four. Race fans are also invited to victory lane following the racing program and, race fans may enter the pits after the races to meet the drivers. Be ready to enjoy the spine tingling fireworks salute on the feature event parade lap.

END