KTJ HOPES BIRTHDAY WISH COMES TRUE IN THURSDAY EASTERN STORM OPENER

Bechtelsville, Pennsylvania………(June 12, 2018) – There will be plenty of reasons for Kevin Thomas, Jr. to celebrate heading into Thursday, June 14 and the USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car Series Eastern Storm opener at Grandview Speedway.

Thomas currently sits atop the USAC series, holds three wins this season, and will spend his 27th birthday on ‘The Hill in Bechtelsville.’

“I can’t wait to get to the east coast,” Thomas said of the series’ only campaign in this region. “The tracks are a lot of fun, and the fans make us feel wanted. Grandview is on my birthday – and there’s no place I’d rather be.”

NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series brings the USAC stars to Grandview Speedway for the 12th consecutive event – the only track to be a part of the Eastern Storm since USAC's return to Pennsylvania in 2007 – on Thursday, June 14 with a 7:30pm race time.

With three wins on the season, Thomas and the famed Hoffman Family No. 69 hold a 24-point advantage over Tyler ‘Sunshine’ Courtney – who picked up his fourth season win this past weekend at Knoxville Raceway.

“We’ve been running really strong so far,” Thomas said.  “We had a little hiccup this past weekend at Knoxville, but we’re looking to getting back on track this week.”

Grandview Speedway’s $6,000-to-win, 40-Lap Jesse Hockett Classic – named after the 2009 race winner, who lost his life in a garage accident just before defending his win -- marks the first of a consecutive six race week for Thomas and his USAC brethren.

“An Eastern Storm Championship would be a great birthday present, and a nice addition to our resume,” Thomas admitted.

While Thomas holds 21 career USAC wins, only seven drivers have found Grandview Speedway Victory Lane.   Previous event winners include Levi Jones (2007, 2010), Jesse Hockett (2009), Bobby East (2011), Bryan Clauson (2012, 2015), Daron Clayton (2013) Chase Stockon (2014), and Brady Bacon (2016).

Also on the agenda, the NASCAR 358 Modifieds compete in a 30-lap event with a $3,000 top prize.  The event is open to all 358 Modified competitors that meet Grandview rule specifications.  Competitors will draw for heat starting positions, where the top-12 qualified cars will re-draw for feature starting positions.  The 30-lap event pays $1,000 for a fifth-place finish and $300 to start.

Advance tickets are available now and may be ordered by calling 443-513-4456.  Please provide your name and the number of tickets requested.  Tickets may be picked up and paid for on race night after 3:30pm.  Advance ticket holders may enter the grandstands at 4:30pm, one-half hour before the sale of General Admission tickets.  Advance tickets will be available until 9am on race day, Thursday, June 14.   General admission tickets will go on sale at 5pm.

For more information on Grandview Speedway visit www.GrandviewSpeedway.com and for more information on NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series visit www.thunderonthehillracingseries.com.

Thursday, June 14 at Grandview, gates open at 5pm and racing begins at 7:30pm.  General admission tickets for adults are $30, children (6-11) are $10 and kids under the age of 6 are free.

Friday, June 15 at Williams Grove, racing gets underway at 7:30pm.  Adult general admission tickets are $25.  Age 13-20 general admission is $10.

Saturday, June 16 at Port Royal, the drivers meeting takes place at 6pm and cars hit the track at 6:30pm.  Adult general admission tickets are $25. Age 12-18 general admission is $10.  Pit passes are $35.

Sunday, June 17 at BAPS, racing gets going at 7pm.  Adult tickets are $25, seniors $15, students $15 and pit passes are $35.

Monday, June 18 at Bridgeport, racing begins at 7:30pm.  Adult general admission tickets (15 and up) are $30.  Kids (10-15) are $10.  Kids 9 and under are free.  Reserved tickets are $35 for adults, $15 for kids 3-15. Pit passes are $35.

Tuesday, June 19 at Weedsport, pits open at 4pm, grandstands at 5pm and racing at 7pm.  General admission (18+) tickets are $25, (11-17) are $10 and (10 and Under) are free.  Pit passes for member are $30 and $35 for non-members.  Reserved seats are $29.

Races at Grandview, Williams Grove, Port Royal, Bridgeport and Weedsport will be live on http://www.SpeedShiftTV.com/.  Sunday’s race at BAPS will be live on http://www.TheCushion.com/. All races will be available on-demand at http://www.Loudpedal.TV/ and live audio will be available on the free USAC app.