Speedway Digest Staff - Results from #70

Ferris Mowers, a leading commercial and industrial turf care equipment provider, will sponsor Ty Dillon in a select number of NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) races in 2023. Dillon, who embarks on his inaugural season with Spire Motorsports, will debut the No. 77 Ferris Mowers Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in the 65th running of the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. The announcement was made today in Concord, N.C., at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
 
This is the second consecutive year that Ferris has partnered with Dillon and marks the 10-year anniversary of the brand’s first sponsorship of the North Carolina veteran driver. The Ferris brand originally partnered with Dillon in the dirt late model series in 2013.
 
Dillon will also feature Ferris branding in a select number of starts behind the wheel of the No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet Camaro SS in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
 
“Ty is a great ambassador for the Ferris brand, and we enjoy a great relationship with him,” said Christin Wam, senior director of marketing, Briggs & Stratton. “We’re excited to see what he can do this season with both Spire Motorsports and Richard Childress Racing.”
 
“I’m excited to be partnering with Ferris once again,” said Dillon, who is entering his sixth full-time season in NASCAR’s premier series. “Ferris has supported my career since 2013 when I drove dirt late models and I’m grateful for a continuing relationship. To carry and represent their brand 10 years later is an honor and I know we will accomplish great success on and off the track in 2023.”
 
The links between Ferris and racing run deep. The company’s patented suspension system is inspired by stock-car racing. That suspension system is unlike any other in the outdoor power equipment industry and is prized by lawn contractors for its comfort, traction and mowing efficiency.
 
The 65th running of the Daytona 500 will be televised live on FOX, Sunday, February 19 beginning at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). The first of 36 races on the 2023 NCS schedule will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Spire Motorsports PR

If you’ve ever watched a NASCAR race, you’ll know how intense and enthralling the whole event is from start to finish. Packed-out speedways full of excited fans witness an incredible motorsport masterpiece at every NASCAR race, with the live betting odds constantly fluctuating and changing as the race goes on. 

Much like Formula 1, NASCAR races can have multiple leaders throughout the race as the laps go on, but only one can come out victorious in the end. This makes the live betting odds particularly exciting as there are multiple events throughout the race. It’s no surprise then that a sport that already garners such craze and excitement in its fans got even more attention recently when NASCAR driver Ross Chastain decided to push the boundaries (literally) of the Martinsville Speedway and use the wall to gain more speed. 

Fans and commentators alike were absolutely floored at the audacity and confidence Chastain showed, with the now-famous “wall-ride” move garnering many fans and critics.

Who is Ross Chastain?

Ross Chastain is a professional NASCAR driver from Alva, Florida. He currently competes in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 1 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for the TrackHouse Racing Team. He has also competed in the Xfinity Series and the Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series, won several races in each of those, and has been a consistent contender for the championship.

Chastain is also known for his versatility as a driver. He has competed in various racing vehicles, including dirt late models, super late models, and even a watermelon truck. His reputation as a hard charger and a versatile driver has earned him the nickname "The Watermelon Man."

What’s the Wall Ride About?

In the last lap of the NASCAR Xfinity 500, driver Ross Chastain pulled off an astounding move that appeared to be very risky. He sped up his Chevvy to a very high speed and smashed his vehicle against the track's wall to try and gain places. 

In a feat that’s never been done before, except in video games, Chastain managed to successfully ride the wall to move up from tenth place to fifth place in just a couple of seconds. 

The tactic worked amazingly, and he managed to qualify for the next stage of the Championship. He wouldn't have made it if he didn’t perform this incredible stunt. Chastain even recorded the fastest final lap and was 2.5 seconds faster than the next driver.

The Reception

As mentioned above, fans and critics both praised and admonished Chastain for his gutsy move at Martinsville. No doubt some bettors were hoping for the TrackHouse driver to move up a few places, but they would never have expected him to ride the wall literally! 

Betting odds fluctuate during races all the time but never before has NASCAR seen such a bold and out-of-the-box move from a driver that definitely would have left punters gobsmacked. 

Some have questioned the legality of the move, seeing as though it’s never been successfully executed before now. Still, NASCAR’s chief operating officer Steve O’Donnell made it very clear that the never-before-seen move was well within the rules, even though some did not like it or approve. However, O’Donnell has made it clear that they will be discussing it further during the offseason to confirm the next steps regarding its legality.

Conclusion

Ross Chastain's wall ride during the NASCAR Xfinity 500 race at Martinsville Speedway was a thrilling moment for fans and a testament to his skill as a driver. Despite the risk and potential for damage, this legend was able to execute the maneuver with precision, something that no other driver has done before, and ultimately finish in fifth place to qualify for the next stage. 

This moment further solidifies his reputation as a daring and talented driver in the NASCAR community. The daring feat also serves as a reminder of the high-stakes nature of NASCAR racing and the constant need for innovation and experimentation in order to achieve success.

Chastain's wall ride was a memorable moment in the sport and one that will be talked about by fans and critics alike for years to come, either in a positive light or a negative one.

Making peanuts good luck, the Georgia Peanut Commission and its Georgia Peanuts brand will return to Front Row Motorsports (FRM) to once again partner with Todd Gilliland and the No. 38 team at the Atlanta Motor Speedway in July and at the Talladega Superspeedway in October.

The 2023 season will be the second consecutive season the Georgia Peanut Commission will partner with Gilliland. Most notably in 2022, the Georgia Peanuts scheme was on board for Gilliland’s seventh-place finish at the Talladega Superspeedway. That day Gilliland raced up front all afternoon, led the field, and made Georgia Peanuts the talk of NASCAR. This season, Georgia Peanuts is hoping to power Gilliland to an even better performance at both events.

“We’re excited to be returning with Front Row Motorsports in 2023 and to support Todd Gilliland,” said Joe Boddiford, Chairman of the Georgia Peanut Commission. “Todd and everyone at Front Row Motorsports have been great ambassadors for Georgia Peanuts, our farmers, and all the race fans who love to snack on Georgia Peanuts on race day.”

Gilliland is once again proud to represent Georgia Peanuts and for what they do off the track as well.

“The Georgia Peanuts family is one I am proud to represent and be a part of,” said Gilliland. “They were instrumental in a lot of the work we were able to accomplish both on the track and in our local communities with a peanut butter donation and a visit to the Sunbelt Ag Expo in Georgia. I look forward to expanding that community outreach in this new season.”

The website, www.gapeanuts.com is the home for all NASCAR fans to learn more about the commission, download educational materials for the classroom, get health and nutrition information, recipe ideas, and more.

FRM PR

NASCAR announced today that The Chainsmokers and Miranda Lambert will headline full-length concerts with the support of The Black Crowes and Charley Crockett for the first-ever street race in the NASCAR Cup Series, the Chicago Street Race, on July 1-2. The unprecedented 12-turn, 2.2-mile street race will take the Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series past and through many of Chicago’s most renowned downtown landmarks as part of a two-day festival during Fourth of July Weekend.

“The Chicago Street Race is truly a first-of-its-kind two-day sports and entertainment event in the 75-year history of NASCAR,” said Chicago Street Race President Julie Giese. “We are proud to welcome superstars The Chainsmokers, Miranda Lambert, The Black Crowes, and Charley Crockett as we reimagine the NASCAR experience in the heart of downtown Chicago over Fourth of July weekend.” 

On Saturday, July 1, the Chicago Street Race will feature Xfinity Series and Cup Series practice and qualifying followed by The Black Crowes concert. Following the Xfinity Series race, The Chainsmokers will take the stage for a full-length concert to close the first day. On Sunday, July 2, Charley Crockett will open with Miranda Lambert headlining a full-length concert in advance of the first-ever Cup Series street race.

To download assets for the Chicago Street Race concerts, click here. To download the Chicago Street Race logo, click here.

The Chainsmokers, Alexander “Alex” Pall and Andrew “Drew” Taggert, are recognized as two of the best electronic dance musicians with a diverse portfolio of songs that has led them to become one of the hottest recording artists in the world. In 2016, the duo burst on the scene with three multi-Platinum certified hits including the GRAMMY nominated song “Closer.” The group has won multiple awards including the 2017 GRAMMY for Best Dance Recording (“Don’t Let Me Down”), two American Music Awards (2016, 2017) and 10 Billboard Music Awards. The Chainsmokers fourth studio album “So Far So Good” debuted last year at No. 1 on the Billboard Dance/Electronic Album Chart. For more information on The Chainsmokers, visit thechainsmokers.com.

Lambert is one of country music’s most acclaimed performers and songwriters. Palomino, the eighth solo album from Vanner Records/RCA Nashville superstar Lambert, is the latest installment in a storied career that has spanned seven No. 1 solo albums, 10 No. 1 hit radio singles, more than 70 prestigious awards (including three GRAMMY Awards and a record-setting 37 ACM Awards) plus countless sales certifications, earning the reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year praise from NPR as “the most riveting country star of her generation.” To learn more about Lambert, visit www.mirandalambert.com.

The Black Crowes, led by brothers Chris and Rich Robinson, released their debut album Shake Your Money Maker over 30 years ago. Fueled by singles “JealousAgain,” “Twice As Hard,” “She Talks to Angels,” and the breakthrough cover of Otis Redding’s “Hard to Handle,” the band immediately took the rock world by storm. The Black Crowes has released eight studio albums and four live albums, selling tens of millions of albums and selling out shows around the world. To learn more about The Black Crowes and their authentic gritty blues-rock sound, visit theblackcrowes.com.

Crockett crafts his singular “Gulf & Western” sound by synthesizing country, blues, soul, cajun, R&B and other pieces of American roots music. And when his voice comes out of your speakers, there is no confusing him for any other artist. Crockett released his latest album The Man From Waco last fall via Son of Davy/Thirty Tigers. Crockett wrote or co-wrote all 14 songs on the album, which finds Crockett refining his “Gulf & Western” sound that continues to captivate his ever-growing legion of fans. For more information on Crockett, visit charleycrockett.com.

Two-day general admission tickets starting at $269 will go on sale to the public on Thursday, Feb. 2 at 10 a.m. (CT). Fans can subscribe at NASCARChicago.com to receive exclusive Chicago Street Race emails and gain early access to purchase general admission tickets as part an exclusive pre-sale on Tuesday, Jan. 31 and Wednesday, Feb. 1.

On sale now are two-day reserved tickets starting at $465 that offer an array of opportunities including reserved seating and a wide variety of premium experiences. One such experience is the President’s Paddock Club that is elevated above the tree line and situated above Pit Road, giving patrons a direct view into the pit boxes and a panoramic view of nearly the entire course, along with premium food and beverage, pre-race and driver introductions, and access to exclusive premium club spaces.

All tickets provide two-day access to both races and concerts. The ticket prices listed above include taxes and fees. To be a part of this unforgettable weekend, fans can log onto NASCARChicago.com or call 1-888-629-7223 to learn about all the ticket options and fan experiences available at the Chicago Street Race.

Fans can also visit QuintEvents, the Official Travel and Experience Package Provider of the NASCAR Chicago Street Race, at NASCARChicagoExperiences.com for multiple options for tickets, hospitality and travel experiences.

To stay up to date with the Chicago Street Race, follow @NASCARChicago on Twitter and Facebook and download the NASCAR Tracks App for the latest real-time updates on all aspects of the event.

NASCAR PR

Just 18 years old but with a track record of a man several years his senior. And not only because of his Sporting career, where he has already garnered compliments from the European and American press thanks to his performances there, but also because of his life as a young businessman involved in the Tech world where he has managed to combine his two greatest passions: Sports and Entrepreneurship. Here we tell you his story.

At the ripe old age of 18 years, Nicolás “Nico” Pino is becoming the talk of the town on the Motorsport world: In 2022, his first full season in the European Le Mans Series, he ended as a Runner-Up and is starting this new year with his second outing in the 24 hours of Daytona, where he managed his first “Pole” on the LMP3 category racing for the Sean Creech Motorsport Team, but despite this achievement Nico remains atypically calm for such a young Driver.

Despite his success on the track, Nico is also raising a buzz for his activities outside of it, particularly for the way he’s built up his career, with the mind of an entrepreneur rather than a classical sportsman. 

At the young age of 8 he got behind the steering wheel of a Kart for the first time and since then he has never stopped. “I’m one of seven brothers”, he says while explaining his life in a family with separated parents. Nico is a sociable kind of guy, despite being a bit introverted, and talking to him feels more like having a chat with an engineer or a businessman than a racecar driver. That may help to explain why LinkedIn has become his main social network site, developing his Brand and persona as an Athlete, businessman and tech entrepreneur, blazing his own trail towards becoming a leading figure in one of the world’s most competitive, expensive and complex sports.                                                    

From Karting to his first business.

“My entire family is very enterprising, it’s like a contagious virus” says the young Chilean Ace.

He made his Karting debut aged 8, and by 10 he was already racing in Europe after stints in Argentina and the USA. He had forays in WSK and FIA as a 12-year-old Junior and by 13, and now as part of a Factory Team, he relocated to England with friends of his family. “We decided on England mainly for a formative thing, to improve my English and also because of the sporting culture there”. Once there, he exploded onto the scene with his debut on FIA-F4, racing in the British F4, GT, F3 Euroformula Open and finally LMP3 prototypes, where he finished as a Runner-Up on the European Le Mans Series (ELMS).         

“Nothing has come easy, free or given. Everything I’ve achieved has been the result of hard work in and out of the track, and maybe that has also helped me to build my character and temper”, acknowledges Nico Pino, who has managed to combine his natural curiosity for understanding how things work with his passions (Sport, wellbeing, kids and Talent development) becoming something that for many may seem impossible: being an Elite Athlete and a Tech Entrepreneur at the same time.

His first venture was creating a Marketplace for used Karting pieces when he was 11 years old. “I sold next to nothing” – he laughs - “But it made me realize that with hard work, discipline, rigor and method, you can go forward”. We had no budget and we had to achieve something, anything, so I started befriending the Startup developers that were around my father’s office”.

The point of inflection came in 2019, where a wave of protests and social unrest in Chile coupled with the beginning of the COVID pandemic made his sponsors back out with their support. “I had to do something to keep going. It was either start something up or I would’ve had to stop racing”, says Nico, who remembers a lot of people telling him to quit, but far from doing that, he decided to carry on from England: “A lot of people told me to put myself a “Stop Loss”, but I never really got to grips with the concept, and if I had done that we surely wouldn’t be having this conversation now. To me, the “Stop Loss” goes too close to the “Stop Try”, and I sure as hell wasn’t going to stop trying. I wanted to race, compete, win, learn and now, I had to venture to stay on the Track”.                                               

Nico: Crypto and Blockchain Mode On.

Back then, Nico was underage so he couldn’t sign his own legal paperwork. But, as he tells us, “When I turned 18 on 2022, that finally changed, Now I am a partner in all of the societies we created, it had been previously agreed that that was how we would proceed and now I am a Natural and Tax-Paying person”.

In Sporting terms, Nico Pino has an operations company to move his career forward, named “NP78” after his Race Car number, with a large team behind him, as well as all necessary tools to qualify his Sporting career for tax breaks, and his image and economic rights are the property of a USA-based Company of his founding.

It is in this side of him that Pino created Csport, a tech platform based on Blockchain technology and Smart Contracts that seeks to give support and financing to Sporting talents throughout the world. The young Driver is the main partner, and he already has both a working team and investors, while the company has been graded by a Singapore-based Startup accelerator. “We built a solutions ecosystem, that allows Athletes to add value to their careers together with their fans in a Game-fi, Social-Fi and De-Fi Dynamic. Sadly, because of all my commitments and agenda I can’t be the CEO, because that is a full-time job, so right now I am the CSO, which means I’m still involved in every aspect of the company, and I have a blast doing it”, Nico Pino tells us. 

His opinion regarding the Crypto world, and all the recent scandals that have happened within it, is forceful: “Blockchain and the Cryptographic world will begin penetrating deeper when it is truly connected to the real world. Sports and Athletes are an excellent natural bridge towards that goal”.                                     

All this structure isn’t spontaneous or the product of happenstance. Back in early 2021, while in Milano for different meetings with European businesspeople, Pino made the decision to go further in his dalliances with the Blockchain and Crypto worlds, studying projects and getting into the recently appeared NFT’s. “I met a lot of people in this world through LinkedIn, learning how to trade with money that we in Chile could withdraw from our own pension funds during the pandemic, and with that I paid all my races for 2021 and in a few months had made 15 times what I had started with” he says, with a beaming smile.            

Special Sensibility                                                                            

Pino has a particular affinity and closeness with children with Special Needs, because of his younger brother, whom he affectionately calls “Titín”. “If I achieve what I’ve set myself out to do, I will pour it all in favor of kids with Special Needs. Athletes inspire, everything they do can create extremely high-value content, and that also makes us be responsible for a lot of the things we create and inspire in our environment”, reflects Nicolás Pino, Professional Race Car Driver and Tech Entrepreneur.

Nico Pino PR

When the USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Series kicks off its 24^th season of racing at Brad Whitfield’s Cocopah Speedway this Friday and Saturday, January 27^th and 28^th, longtime fans are going to be in for a big surprise.  When the first green flag flies to begin the new campaign, veteran racer Brody Roa will not be in his familiar bright green #91R.  For 2023, Roa’s BR Performance is joining forces with Tom and Christy Dunkel and he will steer a white #17R throughout the year.

Left to right: Joe Gobb, crew chief Zac Bozanich, Brody Roa and Brett Roa after a 2022 Perris win.  Doug Allen photo.

Last year Roa, who turns 32 years old on Wednesday, freelanced during the season.   The pleasant driver started 37 races on 18 different tracks in four different states.  He competed in five different types of cars in seven different sanctioning bodies.  Right now for 2023, his plans include the entire 27-race USAC/CRA schedule and four open competition races at the Imperial Valley Raceway.  He may also make some starts in the USAC/West Coast Sprint Car Series.  Initially, Roa was going to do the usual and race his own car in CRA.  And he was going to run as a teammate to Dunkel in the West Coast Series.  However, while breaking bread with the Dunkel’s a couple of weeks ago, a drastic change took place.

“We went to dinner about a week and a half ago under the impression we were going to talk about the 360 races I was going to run for them,” Roa said on Sunday night.  “I threw something out to them about doing something with the 410 stuff.  Him and Christy went back and talked about it.  It ended up that they now have the 410s HD (HD Industries) used to have.  We are going to run a Tom & Christy Dunkel/Inland Rigging/BR Performance Race Team this year. We just bought a brand new DRC.  We got that two weeks ago or maybe less than that.  We just finished that up last Wednesday night. We are going to fire it up tomorrow. We sold our Eagles and we have our trailer up for sale.  Kind of big changes.  I am very excited to represent Tom, Christy, and Inland Rigging running in the new #17R.” 

“Man, this is huge,” said car owner Tommy Dunkel who is just as excited as Roa.  “Just kind of hearing it out loud for the first time from you, kind of gives me goosebumps.  It is a major deal for me. I have grown up watching Major League Sprint Car Racing at Perris my entire life. To be able to be a part of it in our capacity leading up to this year with Brody and a few other drivers has been huge.  Now to step things up a bit and become a major player in Brody’s operation is going to be great.  To team up with guys like them, who are so good and nice guys in the pits, but they come out swinging every weekend.  That is kind of my style.  I like to show up and try to win and have nice equipment.  Those guys are at the top of their league.  To team up with them is really major for me. We are really excited about it.”

“The opportunity just presented itself pretty well.” Dunkel continued.  “Brody has always been a great guy to work with.  He has been running with Inland Rigging on his car for a handful of years now. He is always a class act. Him, his dad Brett, Zac (crew chief Zac Bozanich), and that whole camp are a great group of guys. They are competitive and they are a force to be reckoned with every Saturday night.  That is something I like to be a part of.”

Up until now, the offseason has been anything but normal for Roa and his team.  In late December, fans and fellow competitors noticed quite a bit of his equipment up for sale. There were queries wondering if the Garden Grove, California racing star was going to hang up his helmet.  The questions intensified earlier in January when his trailer went up for sale.  However, to everyone’s relief, he is back and ready for another successful season.

“We sold a chassis & body and a complete roller,” the fan-friendly driver said.”  “We put a new DRC together with everything from the chassis we sold. We are basically keeping like one spare of everything.  Other than that, everything is up for sale. We have probably got enough to build like 6 cars with everything we have back at the shop besides the big stuff.  We have small components we probably had stashed away in that shop for 10 years. We definitely have not sold everything yet.”

The fact that he is switching from an Eagle chassis to a DRC is going to surprise a lot of people.  Not competing on the full USAC/CRA schedule in 2022, Roa steered the Eagle to a pair of wins and six top-five finishes.  And he finished sixth in the championship point standings despite missing a significant amount of races.  Still, he felt he wanted to change. 

“I have never driven a DRC before,” Roa confided. “Honestly, it just seems like it is the car that everybody is doing non-wing stuff in right now.  I called Ronnie Gardner who works there.  I am pretty good friends with Ronnie.  I’ve talked to him about it a bit and then Joe Devin, who builds the DRCs, called me.  We talked on the phone for probably at least a half an hour. It was pretty cool and that probably helped the decision.  Mainly to get back to something that everybody is doing.  Everybody has got notes and everybody has parts (for DRC’s).  At this point, I think we know what we are doing, but If we get really lost at least there are people we can bounce ideas off of.”

As in the past, Roa will continue to use powerful Shaver Engines.

As always, when the driver known as “The Pride of Garden Grove” has an off week from his local racing commitments, he would be happy to talk with any car owners who desire his services behind the wheel (Roa’s 2023 schedule is listed below).

Roa is very grateful and wanted to be sure to thank departing sponsor HD Industries for years of dedicated support on his #91R car.

“HD has given us so much over the last ten years,” Roa said.  “They have been on the side of the car and a huge part of our program for so many years. Without them, we never would have achieved the successes we accomplished.  I will always be thankful to Mike, Jim, and HD.” 

“I would also like to thank family and friends who are part of our racing effort,” Roa said. “My family Tailor and Addison, parents Brett and Eden, Uncle B, Joe, Zac, Tyler, Tracy, and looking forward to joining family teams with Tom, Christy, and Ava Dunkel.”

Friday and Saturday’s races at Cocopah Speedway – aka “The Diamond in the Desert,” - will be full programs with qualifying, heats, and main events.  For fans who would like to attend this weekend’s doubleheader, spectator gates will open at 4:00 p.m. each day with hot laps at 5:30.  Qualifying and racing will follow.  In addition to the USAC/CRA Sprint Cars, the IMCA Hobby Stocks, IMCA Sport Compacts and mod lights will also be in action.  The speedway is located at 3450 W. County 15^th Street in Somerton, Arizona (85350).  The office phone is 602-292-7607 and the website is http://www.racecocopahspeedway.com/. 

For those who cannot make the trek to the “Copper State” track, both nights will be available on pay-per-view at the following link https://speedsport.tv/.

The team wants to thank the following sponsors for making the 2023 season possible. Inland Rigging, Dunkel Farms, United Asset Sales, Osborne Speed & Machine, Sander Engineering, “Biker” Bruce Fischer, ALR Virtual Services, Burris Racing, Caltrol, Competition Suspension, K-1 Race Gear, Molecule, Rod End Supply, Driven Racing Oil, Baldwin Filters, and NGK Spark Plugs.  

Brody Roa’s 2023 Schedule and Race Results

January 27                Cocopah Speedway                        USAC/CRA Sprint Cars     

January 28                Cocopah Speedway                        USAC/CRA Sprint Cars

March 3                      Central Arizona Speedway            USAC/CRA Sprint Cars

March 4                      Central Arizona Speedway            USAC/CRA Sprint Cars

March 10                   Imperial Valley Raceway                SoCal Open Comp Non Wing Sprint Cars

March 11                   Imperial Valley Raceway                SoCal Open Comp Non Wing Sprint Cars

March 18                   Perris Auto Speedway                    USAC/CRA Sprint Cars

March 24                   Keller Auto Speedway                    USAC/CRA Sprint Cars

March 25                   Thunderbowl Raceway                   USAC/CRA Sprint Cars

April 1                         Mohave Valley Raceway                USAC/CRA Sprint Cars

April 15                       Perris Auto Speedway                    USAC/CRA Sprint Cars

April 22                              Thunderbowl Raceway                   USAC/CRA Sprint Cars

April 29                       Kern County Raceway Park           USAC/CRA Sprint Cars

May 6                         Mohave Valley Raceway                USAC/CRA Sprint Cars

May 20                       Thunderbowl Raceway                   USAC/CRA Sprint Cars

May 27                       Perris Auto Speedway                    USAC/CRA Sprint Cars

June 10                      Perris Auto Speedway                    USAC/CRA Sprint Cars

June 24                      Bakersfield Speedway                    USAC/CRA Sprint Cars

July 1                          Santa Maria Raceway                     USAC/CRA Sprint Cars

July 15                       Perris Auto Speedway                    USAC/CRA Sprint Cars

August 12                  Santa Maria Raceway                     USAC/CRA Sprint Cars

August 19                  Perris Auto Speedway                    USAC/CRA Sprint Cars

August 26                  TBA                                                 USAC/CRA Sprint Cars

September 9             Santa Maria Raceway                     USAC/CRA Sprint Cars

September 23           Perris Auto Speedway                    USAC/CRA Sprint Cars

October 14                Mohave Valley Raceway                USAC/CRA Sprint Cars

October 20                Imperial Valley Raceway                SoCal Open Comp Non Wing Sprint Cars

October 21                Imperial Valley Raceway                SoCal Open Comp Non Wing Sprint Cars

November 3              Central Arizona Speedway            USAC/CRA Sprint Cars

November 4              Central Arizona Speedway            USAC/CRA Sprint Cars

November 11            Perris Auto Speedway                    USAC/CRA Sprint Cars    

@inlandrigging, @dunkelfarms @roygamityanauctioneer @burris_racing_usa @mikeburrisoc @csishocks @sander_engineering @sanderjenna @theoriginalloosebruce @alrvirtualservices @k1racegear @moleculesports @rodendsupply @baldwinfilters @ngkracing @originalngksparkplugs @usacnation @usac_cra @perrisautospeedway @b_roa91 @tai_xoxo_roa @zacboz35 @joegibb83, @caltrolinc @narc410 @drivenracingoil

This release was produced by Scott Daloisio Sports (909) 226-7768 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

BRP PR

Madera Lunkerdaddy Pro Late Model championship winning crew chief Mike Juarez will join Jacob Smith and Charlie Wilson Motorsports in their battle for the 2023 crown. Juarez led 17-year-old Jadan Walbridge to the 2021 series championship followed by a narrow runner-up performance in the 2022 season. Juarez joins 18-year-old Smith and veteran team owner and crew chief Charlie Wilson, as Wilson Motorsports continues to grow its operation.

The Bakersfield-based team will compete in both the Pro and Jr. Late Model divisions at Madera Speedway in 2023.

“I have tons of respect for Jacob and Charlie. I can’t wait to be a part of this team,” Juarez said. “Jacob is an outstanding young man with a drive to be a better driver and is eager to learn about the car. “

Juarez “learned a lot from Jadan on how to communicate with young drivers” and hopes to translate their immense success to Smith. Juarez led Walbridge to five fast-times and three victories during the 2022 campaign.

This upcoming season will be the first season that Wilson and Juarez have worked together. Wilson will also field an entry for Texan Tristan Pena in the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series. Both Smith and Pena will compete in televised competition on MAVTV.

For more information on Jacob Smith Racing, follow him on social media. Sponsorship and marketing information is available by contacting This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jacob Smith Racing PR

For thirty-one of the past thirty-three years, NAPA Auto Parts was the lead sponsor of the Thunder on the Hill Racing Series, and their flags will proudly wave again when this highly unique and successful series returns to the Grandview Speedway in 2023.  The continuation of this partnership comes down to taking care of your sponsors and ensuring they are getting the maximum exposure and customer contacts.   We were thrilled to hear from NAPA Representative John Hanlon that NAPA was returning for still another season of Thunder on the Hill events at Grandview Speedway. 

NAPA Auto Parts and NAPA Auto Care Centers have a strong representation in our area with locations in Amber, Collegeville Auto Parts, Downingtown, Gilbertsville Auto Supply, Glenside, Frazer, Horsham, Kutztown, Lansdale, Norristown, Pottstown Auto Parts, Pennsburg Auto Parts, Phoenixville Auto Parts, Quakertown, Reading, Southampton, Strafford and Telford Auto Parts.   Throughout the season many if not all of these NAPA locations will be on hand at Thunder on the Hill.

Joining the team of Thunder on the Hill sponsors for 2023 is HVAC Distributors, Partners for Success.   HVAC Distributors will be the event sponsor for the always popular PA 410 Sprint Speed Week event on Tuesday, June 27,  comprised of the $10,000 to win 35 lap Hodnett Cup and the 358 Modifieds.   HVAC Distributors is a full service wholesale distributor and manufacturer of residential and light commercial heating and air-conditioning equipment and accessories operating in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Northern Virginia and Western New York.

“HVAC Distributors is excited to see racing at Grandview Speedway back for 2023 and to be part of the Thunder on the Hill Racing Series as event sponsor of the Pennsylvania 410 Sprint Speed Week show”,  Todd Basselgia of HVAC added, “We’re looking forward to meeting and making many new friends and getting the word out on HVAC Distributors and the Daikin product line”.  Visit HVAC at www.hvacdist.com or give them a call at: 800.228.4822.

The NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series has assembled four high profile events of 2023 and it all kicks off on Sunday night, May 28 with the “Balls to the Wall” 50 for Modifieds.   This popular and different format was introduced last year and offered an attractive payoff for a 50 lap race that is unlike any other.   This is a race of strategy designed with the top four cars inverting on lap 20 and again on lap 35.   $1,500 will go to the leader on lap 20 and 35 with $5,000 on line to be leading on lap fifty.  Cars running in the top ten on laps 20 and 35 will earn additional money as well.    So, do you race hard to sweep the three segments or pace yourself to be there at the end of 50 laps?

In the 2022 “Balls to the Wall”, Duane Howard led the first segment with Kevin Hirther, who was in the hunt for the win the entire race,  collecting the bonus for the second segment.   At the end of the 50 laps, It was Oley’s Craig Von Dohren crossing the wire first.    Von Dohren added, “I didn’t use much strategy, I just had to get in quick and keep moving”.  

The “Balls to the Wall” 50 will be joined by the popular 602 sportsman with both classes competing in qualifying races leading up to their feature events.   Gates open at 5 PM with race time set for 7:30 PM.

The next event is set for Tuesday night, June 13 with the always exciting AMSOIL USAC Non-Wing Sprints National Tour, titled the 40 lap Jesse Hockett Classic going a distance of 40 laps and paying $6,000 to win.   The top USAC drivers in the country will take part in the opening night of the USAC Eastern Storm.   Also on the program will be the 358 Modifieds taking part in a series of qualifying events leading up to a 30 lap main event that will pay $3,000 to win.   Race time is 7:30 PM.

 Race three will be the HVAC Distributors Pennsylvania 410 Sprint Speed Week Series set on for Tuesday night, June 27.   This event,  known as the Hodnett Cup will go 35 laps and pay $10,000 to the winner.   The Hodnett Cup is presented in memory of  sprint car great Greg Hodnett who lost his life in a racing mishap several years ago.   The 358 Modifieds will share the spotlight in this event again going 30 laps for $3,000 to win.   Gates open at 5 PM with race time set for 7:30 PM.  Be sure to watch for the HVAC Distributors Partners for Success set-up on race night and stop by to say hello.    

The Thunder Series finale is set for Tuesday night, July 25 when Levan Machine & Truck Equipment of Fleetwood, PA will present the High Limits Sprints.   The 410 Sprints will showcase this stand alone program and after a series of qualifying, the green flag will fall to start the 40 lap main event that will pay a hefty $23,023 to the winner.  This is the richest payoff in the thirty-four year history of the NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series.    The High Limits Sprint Car Series is a mid-week racing series led by 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson and four-time World of Outlaws champion Brad Sweet.   The mission is to grow sprint car racing and inject more money into the sport.   The High Limit Sprint Car Series of 2023 will have stops at just twelve select tracks and Grandview/Thunder on the Hill is proud to be part of this new venture.

Plenty more details on all the Thunder Shows of 2023 will be released shortly.

At this time, we are happy to announce the return of NAPA Auto Parts as the Series Sponsor, joined by event sponsors Levan Machine & Truck Equipment and HVAC Distributors.   Associate sponsors include Pioneer Pole Buildings and GT Radiators.                      

2023 NAPA AUTO PARTS THUNDER ON THE HILL RACING SERIES

Associate Sponsors Pioneer Pole Buildings, Levan Machine & Truck Equipment, GT Radiators

Sunday, May 28    7:30 PM

Modified Balls to the Wall 50 Plus 602 Sportsman

“A Unique, Wild & Crazy Invert Race for the Modifieds”

Tuesday, June 13   7:30 PM

USAC Non-Wing National Tour

The Eastern Storm Jesse Hockett Classic  40 laps

Plus 358 Modifieds*

Tuesday, June 27  7:30 PM

HVAC Distributors Partners for Success Night

PA 410 Sprint Speed Week

The Hodnett Cup  $10,000 to win  35 laps

Plus 358 Modifieds*

Tuesday, July 25 7:30 PM

Levan Machine & Truck Equipment present:

High Limits 410 Sprints  40 laps

    $20,023 To Win

Grandview Speedway Contact Information   Track Phone:   610-754-7688

GPS USERS: 43 Passmore Road, Bechtelsville, PA 19505

Located less than a mile off Route 100, 10 miles north of Pottstown, PA

Thunder on the Hill Racing Series Phone: 443-513-4456 

Series Website: http://www.thunderonthehillracingseries.com

Track Website: http://www.grandviewspeedway.com

Twitter/Instagram: @TOTHRACING

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thunderonthehill

Thunder On The Hill PR