Gridding up on the front straight is a cherished Thunderhill tradition. Crews push the cars into place as the grid fills with drivers, spectators, grid workers and media. The bagpipes fire up as the U.S. Air Force color guard presents the flags. Once the national anthem is complete, officials clear the grid, and drivers buckle in to hear that most famous of phrases: “Drivers, start your engines!” The field sets off for two parade laps and then the green flag flies for the longest closed-course endurance race in North America. Among a sea of amateur endurance races across the country, the 25 Hours of Thunderhill Presented by Hawk Performance is an icon, a bucket list event, a racing Everest, if you will. A win at the 25 carries more weight than other events, because it’s more difficult to come by, and that’s just a small part of what makes the event so special. We can hardly wait for next year.
