DRAG RACING ACTION ONLINE

STORY Billy  Kleinspehn

Images Bob Reed, Dan Grippo, Joe Grippo

Happy New Year everybody. While most drag strips in the North are shut down for the winter season, a few tracks hold specialty races in the cold climate to keep the drag racing flames burning and Maple Grove Dragway was one of the tracks to kick open the new year with a double header in weather that, being generous, tested the mettle of the racers and fans alike. And did I mention there was snow on the ground at the Pennsylvania facility?

The following race report was courtesy of Billy Kleinspehn and some of the folks that help make it happen

For the third straight year the best no prep racers in the Mid Atlantic Region traveled to Maple Grove Raceway to kick off the 2026 season with New Years at the Grove. This event which began in 2023 has quickly grown into one of the fastest growing events in the no prep scene in the northeast.

The 2026 event featured a two day event which featured racing on the famed Maple Grove Strip on Friday and for the first time racing on the backside of the track on Friday.

The action on Friday was intense from the start to finish with many great side by side close racing action and when the sun went down on Friday Night saw many happy faces on the first winners of the 2026 season.

Kicking things off in the Small Tire Class was Dave Ryan getting the win in his Mustang over Joe Smor.

The popular All Motor Class saw Maple Grove regular John Viteo Jr getting the win in his famed Chevy Camaro over Frank Serrano.

Also taking part in the action was the always tough Street Tire Class which saw Dom Zack picking up the win in his Chevy Nova over Ken Koczon.

Rounding out the racing portion on Day 1 was the exciting Stick Shift Class which was Andrew Hanlon getting the win in his famed little red Mustang.

On Saturday January 3rd 2026 the Mid Atlantic’s best No Prep racers had their chance to etch their name in Maple Grove Raceway History with the first ever Backside No Prep race as part of the New Years At The Grove.

This historic event took place in the shutdown area of famed Maple Grove with racers running from the turn off up the track on a ⅛ mile track in the shutdown area leaving off on a traditional flashlight stop start. The event much like the day before saw a ton of close excitement side by side racing and when the lights went out on Saturday Evening saw four popular racers writing their names in Maple Groves history book.

The Small Tire Class saw Justin Gossard getting the win in his pickup truck over Zach Hoffman.

The always tough Stick Shift Class saw legend Matthew Lantz in his famed red firebird outlasting a tough field to pick up the win.

In the exciting Street Tire Class saw another legend this time Todd Campbell getting the win over Ken Koczon who runnered up the day prior.

Rounding out the winners from the inaugural first Backside No Prep Race was the All Motor class which saw star Frank Pulicari writing his name in the history book with the win in his Monte Carlo over David Lehr.

Shane Sweigart, Maple Grove’s General Manager said after the event, “NewYear’s Day didn’t slow us down. Our team was at Maple Grove Raceway early—clearing snow and putting in the work to stay ahead of the weather. That effort led to something special: the first-ever back of the track No Prep race on Saturday.”

“Both days were cold, but the dedication never wavered. Huge hats off to our crew—and thank you to everyone who came out and supported us despite the conditions. That support means everything.”

“It was Kyle Koretsy’s idea to do the Backside racing on day 2. It’s not a new concept and a lot of tracks have used that idea, but it was a first for this race and the track.”

I’d say the place was electric all day despite the cold weather,” adds race promoter Kyle Beswick, “Everybody there was active whether they were helping a car, betting money in the crowd or just really into a close race trying to get a better look at the finish line. It was the first backside race in Maple Grove history and the surface turned out to be phenomenal. There were smiles everywhere and you could tell nobody had a bad time there.”

“We will be hosting another no prep event on February 21st there as well”