The NHRA Mello Yello Racing Series makes a pit stop at Maple Grove Raceway Sept. 21-24. As one of six race weekends in Countdown to the Championship, only the best of the best are left competing. Much like the racers who participate, the event itself is top-of-the-line with more than a year’s worth of planning going into making race weekend a roaring success.
A Community Effort
Sarah Gingrich, Director of Communications at Maple Grove Raceway, highlights the dedication of the track’s team, especially when it comes to their leg of the NHRA Mello Yello Racing Series. The week leading up to Countdown to the Championship, the Raceway shuts down and full-scale preparations begin. All hands are on deck, with additional staff hired to add to the help that current staff and their families already provide.The facility gets a complete facelift. The track is scraped; walls are painted. Come race weekend, the facility is good as new and is ready to welcome thousands of fans for an epic four-day weekend of racing.
Not only does the staff at Maple Grove Raceway go above and beyond during Countdown to the Championship preparations, they also look to showcase all that Berks County has to offer. The goal is to put on a successful event for fans and racers, while also highlighting the best of Berks. Countdown to the Championship brings in race enthusiasts from around the world (seriously – Maple Grove welcomed families from both Scotland and New Zealand this year). With visitors near and far coming to Maple Grove for this event, the Raceway team places importance on generating business for local establishments, not just for themselves. From hotel recommendations to the best place for a bite to eat, Maple Grove Raceway staffers provide a myriad of suggestions on their website for out-of-town race enthusiasts to enjoy.
Passion is the Name of the Game
“The excitement of [NHRA Mello Yello Racing Series], there’s nothing like it. Stressful, but the best experience of my life,” says Gingrich. Her feelings are echoed by the Raceway team. Like many of the employees at Maple Grove, Gingrich is a lifelong race fan. “You need to have a passion [for drag racing] to work here,” Gingrich notes. She adds that her favorite part of her job is the opportunity to have a hand in creating an unforgettable experience for a fan. “The fans, the racers – without them, we wouldn’t be anything. There wouldn’t be a Maple Grove without them. The goal is to give the fans a memorable experience that they couldn’t get anywhere else. Our passion is what makes our leg of Countdown to the Championship so special.”
Begin with a Bang
To add to an already exhilarating weekend, Maple Grove Raceway hosts “Mopar Mega Block Party” at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sept. 21. Free to the public, the block party kicks off race weekend in style with live music, an expansive car show and fireworks. To top it all off, fans can chat with their favorite drag race drivers throughout the evening.
Looking forward to race weekend? Gingrich is too. “We get to show the world what Maple Grove is. It’s exciting!” To check it out for yourself, visit the track in person at 30 Stauffer Park Lane, Mohnton, or online at maplegroveraceway.com.
