The first NHRA Countdown to the Championship race opened at Maple Grove Raceway Park for the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals. With extraordinary runs and everyone’s minds on garnering as many points as possible to start the Countdown off on the right foot to a sold-out crowd on Saturday, the Reading Nationals (as some still refer to it) was nothing short of spectacular.
When the final win light bulb flashed on race day, it was Austin Prock in Funny Car, Aaron Stanfield in Pro Stock, Hector Arana Jr. in Pro Stock Motorcycle and Antron Brown in Top Fuel that started the playoffs with victories.
Drag Illustrated staff photographer David Hilner was on the property to capture the action from the pits to the strip and atmosphere at the “House of Chaos.”
This story was originally published on September 17, 2024. 
