When the Koretsky family stepped up in April of this year to take over historic Maple Grove Raceway near their Philadelphia area home, the track where NHRA traditionally starts its Countdown to the Championship playoffs, there was a sigh of relief from most everyone in NHRA’s Camping World Drag Racing Series and Lucas Oil sportsman series.
While the Stauffer family owned and ran the facility from 1962 until Kenny Koretsky (aka “King Chaos”) and his family took over the aging facility, this year’s race did not – until Thursday, June 16th – have Pro Stock cars on the schedule to compete this September. That has changed with Pro Stock added to the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals, set for September 15-18 this year. That means track co-owner and Pro Stock competitor Kyle Koretsky gets to race his Lucas Oil KB Racing Chevrolet Camaro in front of a “home” crowd in 2022.
This fan-favorite race, where speed records are regularly challenged and often broken, hosts all four Countdown to the Championship-eligible categories: Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle, which means that Pro Stock will now be competing in all six playoff contests.
“It’s very exciting to have Pro Stock at Maple Grove,” said family spokesperson Kenny Koretsky Jr. “Pro Stock is a staple for fans in this area and it’s just a great fit having that class at this race. I think the Pro Stock fans are really going to come out in full force. There’s a big Pro Stock following in this area, you add in all the support from Pep Boys being on board for this race, and it’s going to be a great event,” he said.
An added attraction for the Maple Grove race is the addition of a second 2022 exhibition by Larry McBride at the Reading, PA racetrack. After breaking his own world record in Virginia earlier this year, McBride will bring his Top Fuel Motorcycle to the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals with the intent of beating his 268.38-mph run, for now the fastest motorcycle pass in drag racing history.
The Maple Grove race serves as an NFL-adjacent broadcast on broadcast network FOX, putting NHRA on a huge platform to open its 2022 playoffs. During the 2021 campaign, NHRA on FOX television coverage that ran adjacent to FOX’s NFL games delivered nearly 1.5 million viewers, the most-viewed NHRA telecast on FOX. The series, as well as the track’s new owners, are hoping to repeat or increase that massive number.
“It’s great to see the interest and excitement the Pro Stock teams and our fans have after adding the class to the race at Maple Grove Raceway,” said Josh Peterson, NHRA vice president of racing administration. “The Koretsky family’s passion for Pro Stock racing is second to none, and we’re thrilled to have them as track owners at such an historic track.
“Having this race on FOX, adding Larry [McBride] and his record-breaking motorcycle – and Pro Stock – to the mix will give everyone a terrific opportunity to showcase the work they’ve already done at the facility, as well as the amazing racing that’s been a trademark at Maple Grove for so many years,” Peterson added.
Since acquiring the legendary facility in April, the Koretsky family has begun facility renovations. There are already updates to signage, facility maintenance, suites, lighting and more. The Amish-area racetrack saw Kyle Koretsky race for the first time in Pro Stock last year and, with all the updates to the facility, will make his appearance even more special.
This September’s race will be Maple Grove’s first national event under this new management. “We’re super excited and to own our home track that we’ve been racing at forever. It’s just an incredible opportunity,” Kenny Koretsky Jr. added. “For this to be our first national event, to have Pro Stock be a part of it, and have Pep Boys on board, it’s the perfect recipe all the way around. We’re working hard to make a lot of improvements and we’re trying to do as much as we can to give the race teams and fans the best possible experience at our track.”
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