Courtesy Rob Keister

Cecil County Dragway – Rising Sun, Md: The 2023 Mid Atlantic Super Series should have been rolling into Northeast Maryland with 2 events already in their back pockets but, Mother Nature had other plans with a washout for the weekend at Atco Dragway. The series now turns its attention to Cecil County Dragway in Northeast Maryland for the season opener on May 20th & 21st, 2023.

The Mid Atlantic Series did see an overhaul during the wintertime with two new additional classes being brought into the family. The Top Challenge Series which was a Maple Grove Raceway staple for many years was handed over to Mid Atlantic President Rob Keister mid-year of 2022. Keister, who did some lengthy research of other series in different areas and talked to many racers in the D1 Top Sportsman / Top Dragster pits to work on a re-branding of the series to attract new racers & a new feel. The Mid Atlantic Top 32 Challenge was then born to feature the some of the best Top Sportsman & Dragster racers in a 1/8-mile 16 car shootout totaling 32 cars in which the winner will be crowed in a King of the Hill shootout final between the winner of TD & TS. Those who don’t qualify for the event can still race for no additional charge in a separate 2nd chance race.

The other series added was a focus towards the youth of the sport, in todays world of social media all that is ever heard is that “Drag Racing is Dead” but, if a little more limelight was put on the Junior Dragster series and showing them that there is a stepping stone to continue on the sport we might see a influx of new faces to the sport after they leave the Junior Class. With that in mind, Rob & his team formed the Mid Atlantic Junior Series that will run at 3 weekends- 6 total events along with the .90 classes & Top Dragster / Sportsman series throughout the year. With help from many sponsors, there will be a year-end prizes and series champion along with the winners getting a customer trophy from S&W Performance Group, Custom Backpack from Fuel Factory, Personal Medal thanks to Racers News Network and Big Check from Nitro Graphics / Maple Grove Raceway.

            The .90 series pretty much stays the same from 2022 except with the change over to Fuel Factory as their title right sponsor for the next 3 years. The series is expecting a lot of new faces and this season looks to be their biggest rookie class ever assembled with new faces in all 3 categories. Joining the five classes that weekend will be the brainchild of track owner Jim Halsey & Track Manager Chad Porter of a new class called the “Pro Tree Challenge” that is open to Cars, Dragsters, Bikes, Trucks, Etc. This will be a 1/8 mile / .500 Staggered Pro Tree / Dial In  / No Throttle Stops event that will pay $2,500 to win at days end on both days.

            Here is all the info for Race # 1 & 2 at Cecil County Dragway

Friday Night, May 19th – Gates open 5pm for Parking for the weekend, a track operated Test & tune from 6pm-10pm for only $30 each, No Time $40 each, Crew and Spectators $15 each even if you are parking for the weekend. Gates close at 10:30pm

Saturday May 20th & 21st –

Gates opens at 8am, Racing to kick off with Juniors at 9-9:30am. The Pro-Tree Challenge will follow the Juniors for their qualifier and then a mix of .90 & Top Dragster / Sportsman classes to allow drivers running double duty time to take a breather and let their cars cool down. The Pro-Tree, Juniors & .90 classes will all run till completion on Saturday with a new event starting on Sunday.

On Saturday, the Top 32 Challenge will only qualify with the Bad 8 Race kicking off at Q3 pitting the fastest 4 TD & 4 TS for an additional $75 entry. All racers who wish to enter the Bad 8 race need to be entered no later than after the last car goes down the track in Q2. This will be a chip draw for pairings with the final being a TD vs TS.  The winner of that will get a series belt, medal, and small check for their trailers along with a winner’s purse paying the winner and runner-up. The eliminations for the Top 32 & 2nd Chance Race will all happen on Sunday till a winner is crowned.

Saturday Night after Racing and winner circle celebrations are completed all racers, crew & family are welcomed over for the Racers BBQ to mingle, talk shop, and have a few beverages.

For more information you can reach out to Rob Keister at 856-332-2851 or BKSG1198@gmail.com for additional information or www.cecilcountydragway.com for the Pro-Tree Shootout information.