Legendary Hilltop’s Most Anticipated Events Of 2016

As the 2016 race season at Legendary Hilltop nears fans and race teams alike are counting down the days until the gates swing open and dirt flies again, offically marking the beginning of what is sure to be a busy season of racing at tracks all across the region. In what will be the 5th season in operation since Legendary Hilltop reopened in 2012, the upcoming season certainly looks to be the most ambitous season yet for the 1/4 mile track just minutes outside of Marietta Ohio. With a schedule comprised of over 30 racing events, the 2016 season at Hilltop is full of special events that are sure to be “can’t miss” events in 2016. We’ll preview a few of these events and fill you in on the latest happenings as we gear up for another season of racing!

MARCH 19th: 3rd Annual FROSTBUSTER Special!

In what has become one of the most exciting early season events across the Ohio Valley, the Frostbuster Special signifies the beginning of the race season at Hilltop and always does it in a big way. Following an exciting AMRA Late Model feature in 2015, that would see Nick Latham barely edge out Devin Moran to claim the Late Model portion and Kc Burdette win the AMRA Modified portion of the event, anticipation is high for this special event. Regardless of any weather postponements, Legendary Hilltop’s season opening race will be the Frostbuster Special and will pay $2,000 to win for Late Models and $1,000 to win for Modifieds.

April 22nd & August 5th: OSCS Winged Sprints

In 2015 Sprint Cars returned to the close quartered 1/4 mile oval as the BOSS Non Wing Sprints tackled Hilltop for the first time in over 30 years. In 2016, Winged Sprints will return to the track as the Brad McCown owned Ohio Sprint Car Series (OSCS) will bring Winged Sprints racing back to Hilltop for 2 events. The newly formed series which will be directed with the assistance of legendary sprint car driver Jack Hewitt, looks to be an exciting series featuring a schedule at many of Ohio’s most popular racing venues.

May 6th: AMRA/STARS Late Model “Legends 30”

Legendary Hilltop will kick off a busy month of racing in May, as the track will host the recently revived STARS Late Models for a $3,000 to win, 30 lap special. The event will be apart of the Inaugural “Legends Weekend” as Tyler County Speedway and Legendary Hilltop will team up to honor racing legends from across the region. Hilltop’s event will honor 3 track legends from years past (Bernie Triplet, Dave Robinson, Bob Adams Jr) and plans to intend for the event to have 3 legends honored each season.

May 20th: Inaugural Gene Johnson Memorial

One of the most anticipated events of 2016 is undoubtedly the Inaugural Gene Johnson Memorial at Legendary Hilltop. Following the passing of area racing legend Gene Johnson in late 2015, the racing community gathered in support of the Johnson family and in due time, it was announced that Gene’s legacy would be celebrated with the Inaugural Gene Johnson Memorial at Hilltop. Working closely with the Johnson family, the staff at Hilltop plans to lower admissions, increase start money and truly hold the race the way in which Gene would had wanted it.

June 2nd-4th: River City Showdown

Since its announcement in October of 2015, the Inaugural River City Showdown has been the talk of the Ohio Valley racing community as Hilltop will host what is sure to be their most ambitious single event yet. The 3 day event will feature the battle of the AMRA’s top Modifieds versus the best of the Southeastern Dirt Modifed Series Modifeds in a high stakes turf war. The event will kickoff with the “Thursday Night Kickoff” featuring an open practice and complete Mini Wedge show. The Friday portion of the event will feature AMRA/SEDMS Modified preliminary events as well as a complete AMRA Late Model and Sport Mod show. On Saturday night the Modifieds will battle for their final transfer spots and fill the 50 lap A-Main feature field. With a contenders race also taking place for those who fail to advance to the A-Main and the $10,000 to win A-Main, the Modifieds will battle for over $40,000 in total purse money. AMRA Late Models and Mod Lites will also run complete shows on Saturday night.
(More Information Coming Soon)

June 24th: 8th Annual Greg Schilling Memorial

In 2015, the Greg Schilling Memorial moved to Legendary Hilltop and quickly became one of the most special events on Hilltop’s schedule. With an excellent crowd and tremendous driver support, the 2015 event was highly popular and the Schilling family chose to continue with the event at Hilltop in 2016. With a Modified payout close to $18,000, this $2,099 to win Modified speical is popular amongst race fans and serves as a true celebration of the life and legacy of the late Greg Schilling. This years event will also feature Late Models, Sport Mods, and Mini Wedges.

July 21st: Buckeye Late Model Dirtweek Opening Event

The opening event in the Buckeye Late Model Dirt week will take place at Legendary Hilltop in a rare Thursday night shootout at “The Top”. The popular Late Model tour will battle across the state of Ohio over the course of the week, and it will all kick off at Hilltop as an expected field of regional and even national stars will converge on the track in a battle of dirt late model all stars. Modifieds will also be apart of the show with a $1,500 to win feature and additional classes are TBA.

September 16th: OGVC Freedom 30

In 2015, the Inaugural Operation Give a Vet a Car “Freedom 30” was held at Legendary Hilltop and featured a $1,200 to win Modified shootout. The event serves as a unique celebration of the Ohio Valley’s Armed Forces Veterans and in 2016, the event will grow even biggeer as the OGVC group will actually award a very deserving veteran with a refurbished car free of charge. The event attracts many dignataries from outside of the racing world and is expected to be another fun event for all involved.

The season will close out with the always popular Ohio River Twin 40’s on September 23rd and the Inaugural AMRA Championship Weekend Special on September 30th.