Stock and Super Stock Maple Grove Style
By Dan Grippo
The last few weeks of July were tuff ones for the world of Drag Racing, as it saw multiple track closures including the legendary Atco Dragway in New Jersey and it was also announced that Bandimire Speedway in Denver would also cease operations at the end of 2023. In its 63 years of operation, Atco played host to multiple NMRA/NHRA/IHRA national and regional points events, as well as boasting a very popular bracket program.
Atco was also the stomping grounds of Cobra Jet Reunion honoree Al Joniec, who would make his name in everything from Stock/Super Stock, AFX, and Pro Stock at the famed facility. Its untimely closing left NHRA Division 1 with a major problem; finding a home for the upcoming Lucas Oil Series divisional race that was scheduled for less then two weeks away.
Within days, however, the race was back on at near by Maple Grove Raceway thanks to the efforts of the Koretsky family and track manager Shane Sweigart, who were able to adjust their schedule and wrangle extra staff to accommodate the event.
Additionally, COPO racer Phil Lankford stepped up with support via his company Gold Rush Trailers, which also is sponsoring the COPO Shootout and happy hour at this year’s upcoming Mickey Thompson NMCA All-American Nationals presented by Sick The Mag.
Maple Grove is a track owned and run by racers, so they knew the importance of providing racers a place to chase championships and collect valuable grade points needed for attending NHRA national events. Mother Nature even pitch in, providing the 420-plus entrants three dry days and blue skies. NHRA Division 1 is always hot bed of Stock and Super Stock, and this past weekend was no exception. Stock saw 94 of the finest small-tire, wheel standing muscle cars take the track with Matt Lisa taking the win over Bob Broadbent in a Gen 1 all-Camaro final.
In “big tire” Super Stock action Justin Picillo came out on top of the 73 entries, beating Herbi Sullivan in an all GM F-body final. Stock and Super Stock cars are truly the classes to watch for every Muscle Car connoisseur, check out the gallery below for all the action. If you like what you see, join us August 24-27 at the NMCA All-American Nationals at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk OH, and watch these cars hang hoops in Micro Strategies Stock and Super Stock!
By Dan Grippo
The last few weeks of July were tuff ones for the world of Drag Racing, as it saw multiple track closures including the legendary Atco Dragway in New Jersey and it was also announced that Bandimire Speedway in Denver would also cease operations at the end of 2023. In its 63 years of operation, Atco played host to multiple NMRA/NHRA/IHRA national and regional points events, as well as boasting a very popular bracket program.
Atco was also the stomping grounds of Cobra Jet Reunion honoree Al Joniec, who would make his name in everything from Stock/Super Stock, AFX, and Pro Stock at the famed facility. Its untimely closing left NHRA Division 1 with a major problem; finding a home for the upcoming Lucas Oil Series divisional race that was scheduled for less then two weeks away.
Within days, however, the race was back on at near by Maple Grove Raceway thanks to the efforts of the Koretsky family and track manager Shane Sweigart, who were able to adjust their schedule and wrangle extra staff to accommodate the event.
Additionally, COPO racer Phil Lankford stepped up with support via his company Gold Rush Trailers, which also is sponsoring the COPO Shootout and happy hour at this year’s upcoming Mickey Thompson NMCA All-American Nationals presented by Sick The Mag.
Maple Grove is a track owned and run by racers, so they knew the importance of providing racers a place to chase championships and collect valuable grade points needed for attending NHRA national events. Mother Nature even pitch in, providing the 420-plus entrants three dry days and blue skies. NHRA Division 1 is always hot bed of Stock and Super Stock, and this past weekend was no exception. Stock saw 94 of the finest small-tire, wheel standing muscle cars take the track with Matt Lisa taking the win over Bob Broadbent in a Gen 1 all-Camaro final.
In “big tire” Super Stock action Justin Picillo came out on top of the 73 entries, beating Herbi Sullivan in an all GM F-body final. Stock and Super Stock cars are truly the classes to watch for every Muscle Car connoisseur, check out the gallery below for all the action. If you like what you see, join us August 24-27 at the NMCA All-American Nationals at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk OH, and watch these cars hang hoops in Micro Strategies Stock and Super Stock!
