Celebrating 40 years of incredible action at one of the most popular venues on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season, NHRA announced today that Nitro Fish, a popular apparel brand in the NHRA world, has been named the presenting sponsor of the 40th annual NHRA Reading Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway.
Now in its fourth decade at the historic track, the NHRA Reading Nationals presented by Nitro Fish takes place Sept. 11-14 and again marks the kickoff to the six-race Countdown to the Championship playoffs.
The Koretsky family took over the famed facility in 2022, making significant renovations and upgrades. The passionate fanbase has come out in droves in recent seasons, with sellout crowds announced each of the past three seasons. Nitro Fish has been a mainstay when it comes to NHRA racing apparel as well, showcasing a bold and colorful style that has made the brand a hit with fans for more than 20 years.
“We are proud to welcome Nitro Fish Apparel as the presenting sponsor of the 40th NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway. Nitro Fish has a long tradition of supporting the NHRA, its racers and this facility, making their involvement especially fitting for this milestone year,” Maple Grove Raceway’s Kyle Koretsky said.
“The bold and unique designs of the Nitro Fish brand have made them a fan favorite for so many years, and we’re thrilled to have them part of this memorable race. Celebrating four decades of world‑class racing and passionate fans, we look forward to delivering and celebrating an unforgettable weekend this year.”
Last season, Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Austin Prock (Funny Car), Aaron Stanfield (Pro Stock) and Hector Arana Jr. (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all claimed wins in their respective categories, with Brown and Prock finishing the season as world champions.
The race will again be broadcast on FS1, as all the stars in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle look to start their championship journey with a victory at Maple Grove Raceway, long considered one of the fastest tracks on the NHRA circuit. In fact, Brittany Force’s run of 3.623-seocnds at the track in 2019 still stands as the quickest run in NHRA history.
Force will be one of the marquee title contenders in the Top Fuel ranks, a group that also includes points leader Shawn Langdon, reigning event winner and defending champ Brown, who has three wins in Reading, motorsports legend Tony Stewart, Doug Kalitta, Clay Millican and area native Justin Ashley.
In Funny Car, Jack Beckman’s three wins are the most among active drivers, while Prock continues to lead the way in 2025 on the strength of five event winners. Other stars in action in Reading will be Matt Hagan, Ron Capps, J.R. Todd, Cruz Pedregon, Bob Tasca III, Daniel Wilkerson, Paul Lee and rookie Spencer Hyde.
Stanfield will attempt for back-to-back Pro Stock wins against a loaded group that features reigning world champ Greg Anderson, points leader Dallas Glenn, Cory Reed, six-time world champ Erica Enders and Jeg Coughlin Jr., a five-time champ.
In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Gaige Herrera is the current points leader, while other top names include Matt Smith, a three-time Reading winner, Angie Smith, Richard Gadson, Chase Van Sant, Steve Johnson and John Hall.
The event will also feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown, Holley EFI Factory X and Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage Mountain Motor Pro Stock.
