Hoseheads Sprint Car Photos & News

Thunder on the Hill Series Still Going Strong

By Dino Oberto ….. “Keeping Track”

The 20^th anniversary season of the Thunder on the Hill (TOTH) begins this coming Wednesday night, May 20 at the track which has hosted the award winning series for the past two decades, Grandview Speedway in Bechtelsville.

The feature events will be a 35-lap 410 sprint car race and a 25-lap main for the 358 modifieds. Race time is 7:30pm. Warm-ups are at 6:45.

Considered by many as one of the best short track promoters in the business today, Bob Miller came up with the idea to conduct a handful of midweek shows and little did he realize back then that TOTH would become one of the most highly attended events throughout the region each season.

“It’s been exciting and rewarding. When we you think back that night when Dave Kelly talked to the Rogers’ and me about doing this, we thought it would be just one or two races. Here it is 85 races and 19-years behind us so it’s been pretty rewarding from that viewpoint,” said Miller.

Miller, who along with Grandview promoters Bruce and Theresa Rogers, has taken the TOTH to a level of nationwide recognition as the series is at the forefront of short track promotions.

And, the formula for success is a simple one which has remained constant for 20 seasons. A philosophy of providing fans top quality racing in a well run time frame. Also there has always been an attractive purse for drivers. Wednesday’s sprint car feature pays $5000 to win.

With weekend’s filled with racing at all area tracks, the idea was to stage an event that would be non-conflicting with any other venues. The plan was a smash hit right from the start and each year since its inception the TOTH has seen incredible crowds and some of the best regional and national race car drivers.

“The whole format started on the premise of it just being a standalone 410 Sprint Car event. We had a pretty large amount of success over the first three years of doing that,” said Miller.

“Right around 1993 I sensed things were getting a little flat and that’s when we went to Manzanita Speedway and talked to Frank Lewis and did the deal with bringing SCRA in. That kind of gave us a spark and then a couple years later we were able to bring in the World of Outlaws (sprints) and eventually got the Super DIRTcar Series Modifieds.

“Then we started getting into this whole mix of everything else. We were bringing in the 358 Sprints, putting the Late Models on the program and introducing ARDC back to Grandview.”

Indeed. Miller has continued to bring in the Country’s top touring series’ while at the same time showcase the local talent through a variety of divisions.

The sprint car portion of Wednesday’s race is the lead-in for the Keystone Cup Series for the central Pennsylvania 410 Sprint Cars.

Fred Rahmer could be a favorite. Fresh off his 500^th career feature win, Rahmer is a five time Thunder Series champion and nine time feature winner in the 410 sprints at Grandview Speedway. Later this year he will be inducted in to the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in Knoxville, IO.

Also in the field will be Lance Dewease, a four time Thunder Series champion and winner of ten features under the Thunder Series banner.

The modified feature itself will be an all star type race with a host of top notch drivers including Doug Manmiller, Billy Pauch, Jr., Doug Hoffman and Duane Howard to name a few. Qualifying will be at a premium for this race.

Even though this is a midweek race and most everyone having to work the next day, Miller is infamous for getting the show completed within a reasonable timeframe.

“Just like 98% of the people at the race track I have a job to go to the next morning and have every bit of a motivation to get the show done early. The fans want to see that then and I’m with them on that,” said Miller.

Other 2009 TOTH dates include June 2 featuring the USAC National Sprint Tour & ARDC Midgets.

June 30 will be the annual Pennsylvania Sprint Speed Week Series 410 Sprints along with the 358 Modifieds.

July 15 consists of 358 modifieds, URC Sprints and ARDC Midgets.

The World of Outlaws Late Models will be joined by the big block modifieds for twin 50’s on August 13.

The season finale is set for Saturday, October 17 with the popular Grandview Thunder 5-25's in a features only format for the URC Sprints, 358 Modifieds, ARDC Midgets, Legends Cars, Sportsman Modifieds and vintage stock cars plus a DEMO Derby.

When it comes to putting on a racing show Miller goes far beyond most race promoters. He is a genuine showman and continues to receive well deserved accolades for his unmatched programs.

“If you look back over the history of Thunder on the Hill, it started as a single division 410 (sprint) show and when you look at all the different classes and the different type of events that it’s grown into, Thunder on the Hill is far different than what it was back in 1990.

“You want to keep a pulse on what the people want to see and there’s a degree of luck with it too. We’re still evolving and anyone who stops evolving is soon to go out of business. I think that if you have a good event and a well run show and you price it reasonably, you’ll do just fine.”

Fun Run Turns to Victory for Jessica Anderson

Berwick’s Jessica Anderson has been busy putting her time each Saturday night at Selinsgrove Speedway where she competes as a rookie in the 358 sprint car division.

When the 17-year old Berwick High school senior decided to tag along and race with her older sister Amanda last Friday evening at Selinsgrove Raceway Park, an inner 1/5-mile oval used for micro sprints and go-karts, her intent was to just go out and have some fun.

It turned out that her night was much more than pleasurable as she took a surprising victory in the main event, the 270cc micro sprints. It marked her first time winning in the track’s top class. She had won four races in the junior micro class but this was of much more significance, racing against the more experienced drivers from the A-division.

“It felt really good knowing that I can go out there and beat all those guys,” said Anderson who was making just her first micro sprint start of the season.

By luck of the draw Anderson started from the pole and proceeded to stay out front for all 25-laps. Despite the prime starting spot it was no cakewalk as she had none other than defending champ and current point leader Ken Duke hot on her trail.

On the third circuit, Duke passed Gene Burd for the runner up position and reeled in Anderson. Late in the race Todd Hoover stormed into third and made it a three-car battle at the front of the pack. A caution with five laps to go set up a close chase to the finish but she held her ground en route to scoring the popular win.

“I knew Ken Duke was behind me the entire time and he was trying to get around me but I ended up holding him off and it was pretty exciting,” said Anderson. “We didn’t have to adjust anything. The car was set up perfectly.”

Duke and company won’t have to worry about her making a return visit anytime soon. She’ll be racing the sprint car every week and jump back into the micro only when her sister opts to compete.

“I’m definitely concentrating on the 358 (sprint car) more. With the 270 (micro) it’s just for having a little fun.”

Considering this is her first full season of sprint car racing, her efforts thus far have been satisfactory.

“I still have a lot to learn and I want to keep learning. I’m not doing too badly. It’s a lot more fun and exciting than the micro. So far I qualified and finished every race this year.

“I think each week I learn something new and different,” said Anderson.

“I’m going for Rookie of the Year or least trying to. As long as nothing goes wrong with the car we’ll be there every week.”

Anderson is not just the driver. She has gained a huge amount of mechanical knowledge about the car. Over the winter she worked side-by-side with her father, veteran racer Charlie Anderson, preparing and learning about all its intricacies.

“Every week he shows me something new about maintaining it. He teaches me the mechanics which is something I want to learn more about because I’d like to be able to set my own car up and at least have a better understanding,” said Anderson.

“He’s very helpful to have around with all of his experience and knowledge.”

Anderson is also part of a racing heritage. Her late grandfather was John Crawford, Sr., one of the most recognized sprint and stock car drivers known throughout the region.

“I remember a lot about him but unfortunately I never got to see him race which is kind of disappointing. I sometimes feel I’m part of a legacy and hopefully someday I’ll be able to pass that on,” she said.

Anderson loves the bigger tracks such as Selinsgrove and others. Late last season she went to Hagerstown Speedway and qualified for a 50-lap event. She would love a chance to race at the famed Williams Grove Speedway but right now dad feels she’s not quite ready for there.

Her focus will be to improve and strive for good finishes.

“I think a win might be kind of a ways off just yet. I’m going to work on getting top tens. Each week it seems like the more I learn the more confident I get.”