Bartone Bros. Racing is geared up and ready for action at the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals, taking place this weekend at the iconic Maple Grove Raceway. With driver Sean Bellemeur leading the Top Alcohol Funny Car national standings, the team is focused and determined to continue its winning streak.
Bellemeur, who currently holds 702 points after six national and four regional events, has a strong lead over second-place Madison Gordon, who trails with 583 points. Fresh off his third consecutive victory at the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, Bellemeur is not allowing the recent success to detract from the team’s focus.
“There’s a real advantage to having the same teammates coming back year after year. We’ve been here before—similar situations, different situations—and the plan remains the same: focus on the next run,” Bellemeur stated. “We are very proud of our accomplishments at the U.S. Nationals, but now it’s time to zero in on Q1 at Reading. The guys are ready. I’m ready. Can’t wait to let the clutch out again.”
Maple Grove Raceway holds a special place in the hearts of Bartone Bros. Racing. Bellemeur, a longtime fan of the Pennsylvania track, expressed his admiration for the venue, which offers a unique racing experience nestled amid trees and rolling hills.
“Maple Grove Raceway is such a unique place. It’s really cool to see the trees, rolling hills, and the rest of the scenery. There is no place quite like it. The fans are incredible, and the facility continues to be one of my favorite places to visit every September,” said Bellemeur.
With a history of success at “The Grove,” Bellemeur is optimistic about the team’s chances, provided the weather holds. “Tony, Steve, and the boys have had a lot of success at ‘The Grove.’ If the weather holds on for us, it can be really fast. It’s a ‘hold on to your hat’ kind of race. Lots of great competition, a fast track, and it’s crunch time for gaining as many of those valuable points as possible. It’ll be entertaining, to say the least.”
The Bartone Bros. Racing team is ready to push the limits once again as they head into a critical weekend of racing. Fans can expect high-speed action, fierce competition, and plenty of excitement at this year’s Pep Boys NHRA Nationals.
This story was originally published on September 13, 2024. 
