The always popular NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series spectacular Sprint Car and 358 Modified Double Header is all set for Tuesday night, June 17 at the Grandview Speedway, and event sponsor Alpine Building Supply has as added attraction. This show will feature the USAC National Non Wing Sprint Tour and the Grandview 358 Modifieds in the 18th Annual USAC Levan Machine & Truck Equipment Eastern Storm. Alpine Building Supply will host a special Tailgate Party from 4:30 to 5:30 PM inside the main gate at the Alpine display. For Advance Ticket Holders, please request your special invitation at the front gate, there will be just fifty invitations. Special invitation holders will enjoy food and refreshments (non-alcoholic variety) along with a Meet & Greet with Craig Von Dohren and perhaps a surprise USAC Sprint driver. The Alpine Building Supply/Thunder on the Hill commemorative T-shirt will also be available for purchase.
After both division complete qualifying, the first main event is the 40 lap $6,000 to win Jesse Hockett Classic. For the 358 Modifieds, their mail event will go 30 laps with $3,000 to win main event. An added bonus posted is the Alpine Building Supply $2,000 first time Thunder on the Hill Modified feature winner. That makes it a $5,000 payday for just 30 laps for a first-time modified winner. Gates open at 5 PM with race time set for 7:30 PM.
The very popular Thunder on the Hill Advance ticket process is in place for the Tuesday, June 17 USAC/Modified double header. For advance tickets, please call 443 513 4456, leave your name and the number of tickets you need for June 17. You may pay for and pick up tickets at the Will Call Window after 4:15 and enter the main grandstand gate at 4:30 PM. General admission tickets go on sale at 5 PM. Adult tickets are $35, children 6 to 11 are $10 and children 5 and under will be admitted for free. The pit fee is $45 and a license is not required.
Advance tickets for Tuesday, June 17 may also be purchased at Grandview Speedway Saturday, Saturday, June 14 from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM just inside the front gate.
The NASCAR 358 Modifieds always make these show special and feature a list of talent of the best drivers of the Tri-State Area. Eric Kormann is out to defend his win from 2024. For Kormann, it was his first ever Thunder on the Hill Modified victory and claimed the $2,000 first time winners award, this year presented by Alpine Building Supply. For his first Thunder win, Kormann earned a hefty $5,000 for just thirty laps. Other entries expected to be in the field include Brett Kressley, Craig Von Dohren, Brian Hirthler, Duane Howard, Jeff Strunk, Mike Gular and Billy Pauch to name a few. Some drivers who have an eye on the $2,000 first time Thunder winner bonus include Logan Watt, Louden Reimert, Tim Buckwalter, Kyle Smith and Craig Whitmoyer as possible contenders. The NASCAR Modifieds will follow the weekly Grandview car specifications and rules.
The Alpine Thunder on the Hill Series Shirt will showcase a 410 Sprint, a Non-Wing 410 Sprint and a 358 Modified on the back with the Alpine Building Supply and Thunder on the Hill logos placed on the front of the shirt. In addition, all profits from the sale of these shirts will be donated to the Big Impact Group of Schuylkill County. The Alpine Thunder Series shirts will be sold at the Alpine Building Supply display at the Grandview Speedway at all Thunder on the Hill events. Shirts will be $20 up to XL and $25 for larger sizes. Be sure to stop by the Alpine Building Supply and purchase your Alpine Thunder on the Hill shirt and support a worthy cause.
The six race Eastern Storm will offer a $10,000 point fund courtesy of Levan Machine & Truck Equipment, a Berks County business. Brian Levan, President and CEO for Levan Machine &Truck Equipment is no stranger on the local racing scene and along with running a very successful business, Brian is known as someone who can get things done.
Some drivers expected to take part in the AMSOIL Eastern Storm is current point leader Kyle Cummins joined by Justin Grant, Daison Pursley, Logan Seavey, Jake Swanson, CJ Leary, Briggs Danner, Robert Ballou and Chase Stockon just to name a few. Also in the field will be Mitchel Moles of Raisin City, CA ithe defending Eastern Storm Champion.
The 2025 Eastern Storm champion will earn $5,000 of the total $10,000 Levan Machine and Truck Equipment sponsored point fund. It was just a tease, but before Mother Nature’s persistent rain ended The Big Series 2 racing program on June 8 fans got a preview of the excitement still to come. Some 40 DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds roared around the historic speedway in four exciting heat races, often charging two- and three-wide over the smooth and fast track surface. They’ll return Sunday, June 22 along with the Tri-State Drywall & Acoustical Sportsman and Mike Traverse Memorial Street Stocks when M. Falanga Trucking presents “Joey Falanga Memorial Night” of dirt track racing. Joey Falanga was an Orange County Fair Speedway racer who lost his life in a non-racing accident.
.It was just a tease, but before Mother Nature’s persistent rain ended The Big Series 2 racing program on June 8 fans got a preview of the excitement still to come. Some 40 DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds roared around the historic speedway in four exciting heat races, often charging two- and three-wide over the smooth and fast track surface. They’ll return Sunday, June 22 along with the Tri-State Drywall & Acoustical Sportsman and Mike Traverse Memorial Street Stocks when M. Falanga Trucking presents “Joey Falanga Memorial Night” of dirt track racing. Joey Falanga was an Orange County Fair Speedway racer who lost his life in a non-racing accident
Headlining the fast-paced program will be the 30-lap “Joey Falanga Memorial” DIRTcar Modified feature race, paying the winner $2,500. “We had a great turnout with all our regular Orange County competitors, plus several invaders from other area tracks,” says co-promoter Brett Hearn. One of the Big Series 2 draws is the DIRTcar sanction allowing drivers to count Orange County appearances toward “home track points” which can pay DIRTcar bonuses at season end. There’s another incentive for drivers as well, the Big Series 2 top three point leaders at the conclusion of the four race series will earn guaranteed starting position seven, eight, and nine in the 64th Annual Eastern States 200, Sunday, October 26.
The Tri-State drywall & Acoustical Sportsman and Mike Traverse Memorial Street Stock drivers will also be competing in full programs of qualifying and feature races. “We had 47 Sportsman cars and 31 Street Stocks signed in for our rain-curtailed program so expect some hard-fought battles in both divisions just to make their respective feature races,” says co-promoter Doug Dulgarian. “Finding enough space for all of them in the pits is a good problem to have.” Both the Sportsman and Street Stocks compete under established Orange County rules. Point Standings are important for these divisions as well; again with the Sportsman top three point leaders earning similar Eastern States starting slots for their Friday, October 24 50-lap championship race.
IMPORTANT: The June 8 race meet was a cancelation and will not be restarted. Paid wristbands from June 8 will be honored for admission at any of the remaining Big Series 2 racing programs (not including Eastern States Weekend).
On race day June 22, the pits will open 3:00 pm; the stands at 4:00 pm. Cars on the track at 5:00 pm, racing at 6:00 PM. General admission Adults $20 stands or drive-in, Seniors $15, Children 12 and under $5. Party Deck $30 each minimum of two. Parking on the fairgrounds is free, Drive-In parking $5. Pit passes $35.
Philadelphia welcomed NASCAR Cup Series star Ricky Stenhouse Jr. in advance of Dover Motor Speedway’s July 18-20 NASCAR tripleheader weekend
The City of Brotherly Love embraced NASCAR Cup Series star Ricky Stenhouse Jr. with open arms Wednesday during a visit in advance of Dover Motor Speedway’s July 18-20 NASCAR tripleheader weekend.
Stenhouse, who will drive the No. 47 Chevrolet for Hyak Motorsports in the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday, July 20 (2 p.m., TNT, Performance Racing Network), took in several iconic Philadelphia venues, greeted racing fans, signed autographs, posed for photos with children and met with media members previewing America’s best drivers visiting The World’s Fastest One-Mile Oval next month.
“Dover is just its own animal, no pun intended,” said the 2023 Daytona 500 winner and two-time NASCAR Xfinity Series champion of the Monster Mile. “You feel like you’re qualifying every lap.”
Stenhouse’s first stop came at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, best known for its front entrance steps featured in the “Rocky” film series, the famous statue depicting the underdog boxer at the top of the steps and its expansive views of the Philadelphia skyline.
Next was an exclusive tour of The Franklin Institute, one of the nation’s top science museums, with Franklin Institute President and CEO Larry Dubinski. Before participating in a combustion demonstration showing off the wonders of oxygen, heat and fuel, Stenhouse, a four-time NASCAR Cup Series race winner, walked through exhibits featuring a lightning rod constructed by Founding Father Benjamin Franklin, a working robot dating from the 1790s and an early locomotive prototype.
Finally, Stenhouse hit Citizens Bank Park, home of Major League Baseball’s Philadelphia Phillies, who defeated the visiting Chicago Cubs 7-2. After visiting the field during pre-game warmups, Stenhouse grabbed a famous Philly cheesesteak for lunch before a roundtable session with media members previewing the Monster Mile’s upcoming NASCAR weekend.
“With the race in July, the track should be slicker and take rubber better,” Stenhouse said. “There will be multiple grooves to work with. I’m anxious to get there and see what it’s like.”
Stenhouse has four top-10 finishes in 21 NASCAR Cup Series starts at Dover with two top-5 finishes and three top-10 placements in six NASCAR Xfinity Series races at Dover.
The Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 NASCAR Cup Series race is race No. 4 in NASCAR on TNT’s debut five-race in-season tournament, which runs five consecutive weeks from June 28 (Atlanta) through July 27 (Indianapolis).
2025 marks 56 consecutive years that Dover Motor Speedway has hosted a NASCAR Cup Series event. The Monster Mile is one of only 10 tracks in the country to host 100 or more NASCAR Cup Series races.
NASCAR TICKETS:
Dover Motor Speedway’s full 2025 race schedule includes:
Friday, July 18: General Tire 150 ARCA Menards Series race (5 p.m., FS1)
Saturday, July 19: BetRivers 200 NASCAR Xfinity Series race (4:30 p.m., The CW, Performance Racing Network)
Sunday, July 20: Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 NASCAR Cup Series race (2 p.m., TNT, Performance Racing Network)
Visit DoverMotorSpeedway.com to buy tickets or register for the Speedway’s email list to receive updates and announcements.
According to Autoweek’s Phillip Horton Canada’s round slated for May 24 brings the Grand Prix, which usually starts at 2 p.m. ET—into a direct clash with the Indy 500.
There will once more be three Grands Prix in the United States, with Miami (May 3), Austin (October 25) and Las Vegas (November 21).
Formula 1 has retained a 24-event schedule for the 2026 season, with Madrid’s new event replacing Imola, and Canada’s round now clashing with the Indianapolis 500 on May 24.
Madrid has signed a 10-year deal to host a Grand Prix around the new semi-permanent Madring circuit, currently under construction, on the outskirts of Spain’s capital city. Madrid’s event will slot into the calendar on September 13as the final European round of the 2026 season.
Spain will have two Grands Prix in 2026 as Barcelona is still under contract.
The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola has been discontinued after its contract expired following its 2025 event. Imola returned to the calendar as a surprise addition to the 2020 pandemic-hit calendar and remained a fixture, returning for 2024-25 after its weather-related cancellation in 2023.
The other major alteration in the schedule is the long-planned shift of Canada’s Grand Prix to May, with Monaco moving to June.
Canada’s round slated for May 24 brings the Grand Prix, which usually starts at 2 p.m. ET—into a direct clash with the Indy 500. Typically, Monaco’s Grand Prix has had a date clash with the Indy 500 but vastly different time zones has meant the two races do not run at the same time.
There will once more be three Grands Prix in the United States, with Miami (May 3), Austin (October 25) and Las Vegas (November 21) retaining their now customary positions in the season.
The timing of Ramadan means the season will again open in Australia, on March 8, and conclude in Abu Dhabi, on December 6.
“We are excited to welcome Madrid to the calendar, and to see huge automotive brands like Audi, Cadillac and Ford join the Formula 1 grid,” Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said.
“It promises to be an unforgettable season, where once again we will come together at 24 amazing global venues to watch the best drivers in the world push themselves to the limit and produce incredible wheel to wheel racing for our millions of fans watching around the globe.”
2026 Formula 1 Schedule
Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, March 6-8
Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai International Circuit, March 13-15
Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, March 27-29
Bahrain Grand Prix, Bahrain International Circuit, April 10-12
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Jeddah Corniche Circuit, April 17-19
April 17-19Miami Grand Prix, Miami International Autodrome, May 1-3
Canadian Grand Prix, Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, May 22-24
Monaco Grand Prix, Monaco, June 5-7
TBC Grand Prix, Circuit de Catalunya, June 12-14
Austrian Grand Prix, Red Bull Ring, June 26-28
British Grand Prix, Silverstone, July 3-5
Belgian Grand Prix, Spa-Francorchamps, July 17-19
Hungarian Grand Prix, Hungaroring, July 24-26
Dutch Grand Prix, Zandvoort, August 21-23
Italian Grand Prix, Monza, September 4-6
Spanish Grand Prix, Madring, September 11-13
Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Baku City Circuit, September 25-27
Singapore Grand Prix, Singapore, October 9-11
United States Grand Prix, Circuit of the Americas, Octobet 23-25
Mexican Grand Prix, Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, October 30-Nov 1
Brazilian Grand Prix, Interlagos, November 6-8
Las Vegas Grand Prix, Las Vegas Strip Circuit, November 19-21
Qatar Grand Prix, Losail International Circuit, November 27-29
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Marina, December 4-6
Thirteen years after Dodge left NASCAR racing on the heels of a NASCAR Cup championship with Team Penske, the Ram brand is returning to the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series in 2026.
The “how” and “with whom” are still to be determined, but Ram brand CEO Tim Kuniskis promised that Ram trucks will be on the track at Daytona International Speedway for the series’ season opener.
“We're going racing, and we're going to be in Daytona, but we don't really know how or what, how we're going to do that yet,” Kuniskis said Sunday morning at a media breakfast before the formal 1 p.m. announcement on the Michigan International Speedway frontstretch.
“You know, it's like the kid going to the prom. I’ve got the tux, got my dad's car. Just don't know who the date is going to be yet, but we'll get there.”
With the truck maker expected to field at least four vehicles at Daytona, Kuniskis indicated all three of the following options are on the table: signing an existing team to run Ram trucks, working with new ownership in the series, or fielding a factory team.
Ram Trucks and Dodge are divisions of Stellantis North America (previously Chrysler Group LLC). Kuniskis hopes the return of Ram to the Truck Series will be a precursor to Dodge’s eventual reappearance in the NASCAR Cup Series.
The announcement comes three days after Kuniskis revealed the resurrection of the popular Hemi engine as an option in Ram trucks.
“The Hemi’s back… so we figured we might as well go back to racing, might as well go back to American motorsports, back to NASCAR,” Kuniskis said in a backgrounder with media earlier in the week. “First with Truck, with the intention to go to Cup after that.”
NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer John Probst said the sanctioning body would consider expanding the current Truck Series field size from the current 36, if necessary to accommodate the Ram entries.
NASCAR is welcoming a manufacturer to one of its top three national series for the first time since 2004.
“We are excited to welcome Ram back to the Truck Series starting in 2026,” Probst said. “This is something that we have been talking about for a long time, and it’s something that we don’t get to do very often. I think the last time we did this was over 20 years ago when Toyota entered our sport.
“So, this is something that’s a big moment for our entire sport and our existing competitors, potential new competitors, OEMs. It’s certainly something that, when we work with our existing OEMs, they have made it loud and clear that they would welcome a new OEM into our sport with open arms.
“They have been very helpful in that process with Ram and even some of the other OEMs that we continue to talk with… We’re excited to see the depth in the Truck garage grow even deeper… It’s pretty clear from their early pressers that they’re going to come in and do this fairly different from the recent trend in the Truck Series.”
The first manifestation of the difference involves a new emblem.
“So, you'll see right below us is our new logo for the Hemi,” Kuniskis said. “We call it the symbol of protest. It's our Hemi engine with the RAM head on the front of it, and we turned it into a mechanical bull.
“That's just a taste. It's just a taste of what we're going to do and how we're going to do it. Completely different.”
In fact, after Sunday morning’s press availability, Kuniskis rode a full-sized “Hemi bull” in the Michigan Fan Zone and managed to stay up for more than eight seconds before the bull threw him.
Kuniskis acknowledged that finding Ram’s “date to the prom” is a pressing priority.
“Timing is very, very, very quick,” he said. “We need to get going. I'm hoping some of you guys (media) rile some things up, and we get some people asking us to the dance.”
Dodge exited the NASCAR Cup Series after Brad Keselowski won the championship in 2012, and Team Penske announced a switch from Dodge to Ford.
“It's funny,” Kuniskis said. “We left, what was it 13 years ago? And it's bothered me ever since. At the time, I was specifically just on Dodge when we left Cup. And it's always bothered me. We've always been looking for a way to get back. It took us a long time to find the absolute right time.”
The vehicle Ram will use to “get back” is the Ram 1500 concept truck molded by the Ram design team. It resembles a production truck and features elements from the Ram Sport Truck lineup (Warlock, Rebel and RHO) with enhanced aerodynamics that will allow it to race efficiently and effectively.
Since the Ram brand involves only trucks, any future return to the Cup Series would have to involve the Dodge brand and new engine architecture.
“We’re excited that they have interest in the Cup Series,” Probst said. “If they decide they’re going to go that direction, for us it’s about an 18-month onboarding process, the longest lead time around the submission of the body.
“There will be, obviously, with a new OEM coming in, some work to be done on the engines. So, I’d say that 18-month runway would be pretty typical, but it will be on the OEM to decide the timing in which they’d want to come, but the minimum would be 18 months.”
The immediate plan, however, is to return to the Truck Series, and for that, Kuniskis has a promise.
“We’re going to shake up the sport and really make our presence known,” he said.
GREAT NEWS FOR FANS. Dozens of free entertainment options set for Dover Motor Speedway during July 18-20NASCAR weekend
Dover Motor Speedway’s Fan Zone, long cited as NASCAR’s best, will again include dozens of free entertainment offerings and unexpected surprises this summer as the World’s Fastest One-Mile Oval hosts three NASCAR events July 18-20, including the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday, July 20.
Whether you’re a diehard NASCAR fan or a first-time visitor, there’s something for everyone this summer at The Monster Mile.
Fans can find a full schedule of announced Fan Zone attractions and shows as it’s updated at https://www.dovermotorspeedway.com/fans/fan-zone/. The Fan Zone opens at the following times each day:
Friday, July 18: Noon
Saturday, July 19 and Sunday, July 20: 9 a.m.
NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS
THE AMAZING TYLER: As seen on “America’s Got Talent” and shows across the country for the last nine years, this unique, high-energy performance includes wheelbarrows, bikes and ladders balanced on the performer’s face, combined with music and dancing.
CAST IN BRONZE: Nationally recognized carillon performer featuring 35 bells, weighing four tons. This spectacular musical show performed at Mass of Pope John Paul II in New York in 1995 and Walt Disney World from 1998-2003, as well as numerous national TV and radio shows, including NBC’s “Today.”
DIALED ACTION: An extreme sports attraction, with more than 10,000 BMX and motorcycle performances across the country. Scheduled for multiple high-flying performances across the weekend.
SKY HIGH BALLOON GUY: Balloon twisting, stilt walking, and face painting unlike anything you've ever seen! Keep an eye in the heavens for this unique performer.
THE BUBBLE FACTORY: The amazing art of bubbles are brought to life with a blend of humor and showmanship. Bubbles ranging in size from a minivan to a pea will delight audiences of all ages with multiple shows throughout the weekend.
KATIE BLAZE: Experience amazing fire performances and shows that will wow fans of all ages.
AMIRRORCAN MEN: These three performers shimmer and shine like Old Glory itself as they march, stroll, meet & greet, and capture photos with fans while creating memorable moments that sparkle in dazzling red, white and blue suits.
MONSTER TRUCK RIDES: Monster Truck thrill rides will again be available for a small fee near the Monster Monument at Victory Plaza.
ROCK IT ROBOT: A high-tech body puppet, Rock It is 9-foot gentle giant with his own built-in music for dancing and entertaining as he interacts with guests around the Fan Zone.
MONSTER MONUMENT INTERVIEWS: See some of your favorite NASCAR drivers and personalities for appearances at the famous 46-foot Monster Monument at Victory Plaza on Sunday, July 20. Schedule of guests and times to be announced on DoverMotorSpeedway.com.
UPTOWN STRING BAND: The pride of Bucks County (Pa.), this Philadelphia-area Mummers group features unique sounds and elaborate costumes which punctuate their performances.
NASCAR KIDS ZONE, PRESENTED BY DRINK BLOCKS: Activities for racing fans of all ages abound in this traveling interactive display, which includes fun, games and activities, as well as information on your favorite drivers and the science behind all the technology a NASCAR team utilizes each week.
AXE THROWING: Test your aim with six available lanes of throwing action, free and fun all weekend.
DEL RODS CAR CLUB SHOWS: Take a step back in time. A huge display of vintage, restored, and awesome muscle cars will be on display in the Fan Zone with July 19-20 shows.
THE LITTLE FARM PETTING ZOO: All your farm favorites are ready to meet the whole family. Attraction includes pony rides, goats, donkeys and other creatures and allows everyone to get up close with a variety of barnyard friends, along with free face painting for the kids!
THIS WILL BE A GREAT NIGHT OF RACING. Presented by Kurt Smith Motorsports, the USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Tour will invade Williams Grove Speedway in just two weeks, on Friday night, June 20.
On tap will be the United States Auto Club Eastern Storm for the wingless 410 sprint cars.
The Lawrence Chevrolet 410 sprints will join the USAC 410s on the racing card.
Competing in a 30-lap main event, the USAC drivers will be racing for a nice $6,000 payday while the regular Williams Grove 410s run for $5,500.
Kyle Cummins of Princeton, Indiana, is the current national USAC point leader and plans to be in the field along with other top national point contenders Justin Grant of Ione, California; Mitchel Moles of Raisin City, California; Robert Ballou of Rocklin, California; and Logan Seavey of Sutter, California.
Cumins has five wins on the season while other winners to date on the tour include Seavey, Grant, Kevin Thomas Jr., Brady Bacon and Daison Pursley.
Other national stars expected to take part in the Eastern Storm tour include Bacon of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; Jake Swanson, Anaheim, California; and Thomas Jr. of Cullman, Alabama.
Thomas was the USAC 410 sprint winner at Williams Grove last season.
Local Driver Briggs Danner of Allentown currently ranks sixth in national USAC points and will be in the Williams Grove field aboard the Hogue No. 39 machine.
Expect other local drivers Steve Drevicki and Joey Amantea to also be part of the action on June 20.
Racing action gets underway at 7:30 pm. Gates will open at 5:30.
Keep up to date on all the latest speedway news and information by visiting the oval’s official website located at www.williamsgrove.com and by following the track on X, Facebook and Instagram.
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