Maple Grove Raceway outside Reading, Pennsylvania, hosted Round One of the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship for Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle hopefuls at Mohnton track over the weekend. Last year the scenic facility celebrated its sixth year of continuous operation making Maple Grove on the world’s oldest strips.
Sanctioned by the National Hot Rod Association for most of the track’s existence, Maple Grove opened in 1962 as 1/5-mile dragstrip and was lengthened to a quarter-mile two years later. Located just outside of Reading in the heart of Amish country, the fan favorite facility owned by the Stauffer family was sold to veteran racer Kenny Koretsky, whose son Kyle competes in NHRA Pro Stock.
Heading into the six-race sprint to a NHRA world championship in both Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycles, this weekend’s 38th annual Pep Boys NHRA Nationals Erica Enders (Pro Stock) is looking to start her chase for a sixth championship. In Pro Stock Motorcycle, rookie sensation Gaige Herrera enters his first Countdown with six NHRA Camping World national wins.
Matt Hartford Wins Pro Stock at Maple Grove
If you had to bet on a team for the Countdown, the Elite Motorsports Pro Stock team has eight drivers that are in contention for the NHRA points championship entering the Countdown to the Championship. But, KB Titan Racing has dominated with Dallas Glenn holding the points lead since winning Pro Stock at the NHRA Winternationals. Glenn’s RAD Torque Systems Chevrolet Camaro powered by KBT reached the finals seven times for four wins during the 2023 season.
With rain threatening Sunday’s elimination rounds, Glenn was out in round one when the points leader left the line 0.001-seconds too early and turned on the redlight that ended his day. Matt Hartford eliminated Greg Anderson, Camrie Caruso and Erica Enders enroute to the Final round. Maple Groves’ favorite son Kyle Koretsky posted wins over Jerry Tucker, Aaron Stanfield and Troy Coughlin Jr. to advance. Koretsky nails a .003 RT but shakes the tires handing Hartford his eighth career Wally.
Matt Smith Keeps Championship Hopes Alive with Win
No one has had the success during the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series as pro stock motorcycle rider Gaige Herrera. The rookie sensation was signed by Andrew Hines to take over his ride aboard the Mission Foods Vance & Hines Suzuki. With six victories in nine races and eight number one qualifiers, Herrera came to Maple Grove Raceway with a 29-point lead over multi-time and defending national pro stock motorcycle champion Matt Smith.
After Jianna Evaristo qualified with a 6.795 ET breaking the milestone 200 mph barrier and eliminated Herrera in round two, only six-time NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion Matt Smith stood in her way of making the final round. But, Smith posted a quicker 6.856 ET to advance. Chip Ellis, who was fast all day, ran a career quickest pass at 6.727-seconds in the final round but came up second to Smith who posted a holeshot win to claim his 38th career PSM Wally.
Artwork courtesy of NHRA
UP COMING:
betway NHRA Carolina Nationals
Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle teams and drivers will head south for Round Two of the NHRA Countdown to the Championship at zMAX Dragway in Concord, NC, for the betway NHRA Carolina Nationals on September 22-24.
