News Director 
Story By: BOB MILLER / THUNDER ON THE HILL – BECHTELSVILLE, PA – Two of the country’s most popular drivers head towards ‘The Hill’ in a special event of epic proportions.
When the NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series heads to Grandview Speedway on Thursday, August 17, three-time NASCAR Cup Champion Tony Stewart and two-time Chili Bowl Nationals champion, Rico Abreu, will strap into a 410 sprint car and compete with the Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions.
Brought to you by Levan Machine & Truck Equipment, you’ll find “Smoke on the Hill” and Rico Abreu when the green flag falls for the third Annual Thunder Cup — a 30 lap, $5,000 to win 410 sprint car special event.
Levan Machine & Truck Equipment located in Fleetwood, PA (just outside of Reading, PA) is part of the Thunder on the Hill family of sponsors. Levan Machine & Truck Equipment is a full-service machine shop and custom truck up-fitting center for Central Pennsylvania. Levan also provides a full line of truck bodies, van interiors, and utility and service bodies. They are the local Boss Snowplow distributor including snowplows and salt spreaders; a Knapheide retailer for truck bodies and lift gates, and a Weatherguard distributor for van and truck interior products. Levan Machine & Truck Equipment also provides repair as an ASE Blue Seal recognized service location. For full details on all of Levan Machine & Truck Equipment products and services log onto www.levanmachine.com
The Levan Machine & Truck Equipment visit will mark Tony Stewart’s first in action racing appearance at the Grandview Speedway located about 50 miles south of NASCAR mainstay, Pocono Raceway.
“Grandview was one of the first events I added to my schedule this year,” Tony Stewart explained. “After attending the race last year as a spectator and owner of the All Stars, I knew I had to participate in the race this year. As a sprint car fan, it is one of the most exciting tracks to watch a sprint car race. I cannot wait to get my [No.] 14 car unloaded on the Hill. The competition will be nothing short of spectacular. I hope we can have a good night and put ourselves in a position to compete for the win.”
Abreu, one of the most exciting and most popular Sprint Car drivers in the country is anxious to get to the Berks County dirt track.
“I’m really excited to get to Grandview, I’ve heard a lot of great things about the track,” Abreu stated. “I’ve got a lot of fans in Pennsylvania and I don’t get to race that far east too much, but definitely look forward to that night with the All Stars and all the tough Pennsylvania cars. It’s always fun going to new tracks especially in an area known for some of the best sprint car drivers in the country.”
Stewart and Abreu join more than 15 full-time Arctic Cat All Stars competitors, but while the All Stars bring an elite group of drivers, a battalion of Central Pennsylvania’s top stars are prepared to defend their home turf – and when the greatest Sprint Car drivers in the world do battle it is sure to be unpredictable, especially “on the hill”.
Expected top guns include nine-time Grandview 410 Sprint Car winner and six-time Thunder on the Hill Champion, Greg Hodnett; along with past Thunder Cup winner Danny Dietrich, Lucas Wolfe, Freddie Rahmer, Alan Krimes, Brandon Rahmer. While series regulars include Chad Kemenah, Caleb Armstrong, Ryan Smith, Max Stambaugh, T.J. Michael and Caleb Helms.
Additional news and updates about this event will be available on all of the NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series social media channels.
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, Quaker Steak & Lube, and GALCO Business Communications.
2017 Thunder Racing Series Schedule:
11th Annual Jesse Hockett Classic – Tuesday, June 13 7:30 PM — USAC National Wingless Sprint Car Series Eastern Storm and 358 Modifieds*
Pennsylvania Sprint Car Speed Week – Tuesday, July 4 7:30 PM – 410 Sprint Cars & 358 Modifieds*
SMOKE ON THE HILL…3rd Annual Thunder Cup Arctic Cat All-Star Circuit of Champions – Thursday, August 17 7:30 PM – 410 Sprint Cars & Sportsman* Tony Stewart & Rico Abreu racing on the Hill
Mods at the Madhouse Halloween Party – Saturday, October 14 6 PM – Big-Block/358 Modifieds 40 Laps, Sportsman & MASS Sprints
*NASCAR Points event
