News Director 
Story By: STEVE PETTY / HOLLAND SPEEDWAY – HOLLAND, NY – For 58 years, racers, crew members, officials, and fans have seen and heard the “Thunder in the Hills” that comes from the historic highbanks of the Holland International Speedway and in 2017, that familiar sound will be back with a vengeance when the roar of the engines returns at Western New York’s only NASCAR sanctioned facility.
Two car shows will kick off the season as per tradition with the first show taking place at Eastern Hills Mall in Williamsville the week of April 21st-April 27th during mall hours. The annual show at McKinley Mall in Hamburg will run from April 28-May 5 with bonus points being awarded for all participating cars. The test, tune and time session will take place on Saturday May 13th from 12pm-4pm. Heats will be conducted to set the starting lineup for Opening Day! The season will start on Saturday May 20th as McKinley Mall presents a full card featuring the Getzoni Nationwide Insurance Agency NASCAR Pro Modifieds, Bank of Holland Chargers, Advance Auto Parts Hornets, NYPA TQ Midgets, M&M U Pull-It Figure 8’s, the INEX Legends, Rookie 4’s and the inaugural race for Holland’s newest division, the Talking Phone Book Super Sixes. Saturday May 27th, Eastern Hills Mall presents Military Family Appreciation Night featuring a HUGE Fireworks Display. It will also be the first Hometown Heroes night of the season for residents of Arcade, Delevan, East Concord, Holland, Sardinia and Springville.
The month of June will come in on June 3rd with the annual Bank of Holland Gold Rush and the first extra distance race of the season for the Chargers with a 50 lap go. It is also Hometown Heroes Night for residents of Angola, Gowanda, Hamburg, Irving and Lackawanna. June 17th will be the first Crash-A-Rama of the season as “the Wildest Show on Wheels” is back with all the bone-crushing, motorized mayhem that sees fans alike pack the grandstands. A rain date of June 18th will be used if necessary for Crash-A-Rama. Kwik-Fill Night will wrap up the month of June.
Holland will return to action on Saturday July 15th for the popular Western New York Sportsman Night alongside Mid-Season Championship night. The Race of Champions Modified Series returns for the much anticipated Holland Highbanks 100 on July 22nd. July 29th will be the Summer Sizzler Enduro 200, 100 laps for 4 Cylinder and 100 laps for 6 cylinders. Rules for the Enduro follow the Crash-A-Rama rules with the winners being qualified for the September Crash-A-Rama show. A Thrill Show will also be apart of the July 29th program.
Saturday August 5th will be the most prestigious event for the Pro Modifieds, the 18th running of the George Decker Memorial 75 presented by Towne Automotive Group. August 12th will be the Jerry Gradl Sr. Memorial Mini Indy 50 for the NYPA TQ Midgets on ECMC Night. August 26th will be Mercy Flight Night featuring a $1,000 AirDrop and VSP First Responder Night. The Hornets will be featured in a 50 lap feature that night.
September 2nd will be an emotional night at the Speedway as Holland will be hosting the 32 lap Butch Palmer Memorial for the Advance Auto Parts Hornets. That night will also be Season Championship Night featuring a 75 lap feature for the Getzoni Nationwide Insurance Agency NASCAR Pro Modifieds plus the $1,000 K&N giveaway. September 9th will be the final Crash-A-Rama of the season with a rain date of September 10th used as needed.
