Funny Car pilot Phil Burkart will be looking for another win at the 40th annual NHRA Reading Nationals presented by Nitro Fish in his second stint behind the wheel of the Hard Guys Camco Racing Funny Car. The event runs Sept. 11-14 at Maple Grove Raceway.
The 57-year-old Burkart hails from Yorkville, N.Y., making Maple Grove a “home” track of sorts, which is why his previous victory in the Funny Car class at the venerable facility is so memorable to him.
“We’re a Northeast-based team and I’m a Northeast guy so any time we can race at a track that’s close enough where all your friends and family can come and support you, it’s extra special,” Burkart said. “Our win in 2006 at Maple Grove was one for the ages and the celebration with everyone who was rooting for us was a lot of fun.
“Coming off a great race earlier this year in New England, we are super excited about the potential of our program. Our team owner, Dana Hard, has assembled a great crew and the car is immaculate from front to back. The chassis and Ford Mustang body came from John Force Racing and it’s new and perfect, we have all the parts we need, plus the crew is very professional. The only thing part-time about us is our schedule. But, I feel like we can run with anyone.”
Led by crew chiefs Jay Lewis and Mike Smith, and car chief John Wall, Hard Guys Camco Racing is based in Weymouth, Mass., meaning this is one of the closest races on the schedule for everyone involved in the effort.
The last time the team competed was in Epping, N.H., another semi-close track for the group, where Burkart posted the team’s first-ever 300-plus mph run in qualifying and went on to upset No. 2 qualifier and fellow Northeasterner Bob Tasca III in eliminations.
“In just my second pass behind the wheel, we posted a top speed of 303.30 mph,” Burkart said. “The guys were pretty happy, for sure. This time we’re aiming for our first run in the three-second range and I’m very confident we’ll be able to achieve that mark.
“It’s been cooling off a little and fall is definitely in the air. Maple Grove is historically very, very fast, and I know we’ll have the car ready to upset some people. We realize the full-time teams are fighting for the championship but we’re not going to be an easy draw for anyone.”
Burkart has won numerous events during his Funny Car career, both in the nitro and alcohol ranks, and at the national and divisional levels. Notably, he was hand-selected to fill-in for drag racing legend John Force in 2007 after Force suffered a season-ending crash in Dallas.
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This story was originally published on September 8, 2025. 
