MARYLAND INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY BOASTS BACK-TO-BACK WDRA SUMMIT EASTERN BRACKET FINALS TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS

Keystone Raceway Park hosted the WDRA Summit Eastern Bracket Finals presented by Laris Motorsports Insurance on September 11-14, 2025

NEW ALEXANDRIA, PA – Keystone Raceway Park was the third stop on the WDRA Summit Bracket Finals presented by Laris Motorsports Insurance tour, marking the third consecutive season as the Eastern event host. In addition to the home team, representatives from several regional tracks competed during the main event to secure points in hopes of becoming Team Champions by the end of the evening. Maryland International Raceway dominated the competition to claim the overall win with 90 points, followed by Empire Dragway with 55. The remaining standings included Lancaster Dragway (46), Beaver Springs Dragway (41), US 13 Dragway (37.5), Keystone Raceway Park (37), a miscellaneous group nicknamed Dumpster Fire, put together 34 points, Sumerduck Dragway (27), then Skyline Motorsports Park and Southside Dragway, rounding out the standings with 6 points each.

Not one, but two, unfortunate mechanical malfunctions soiled the track surface beyond timely repair, resulting in a split-and-quit situation in both of the Gamblers Races. The Fuel Factory Race of Champions featured the top representatives from each participating facility in a run-off to determine who could claim they were the best of the best.

Empire’s Jesse Azzato turned a .011 reaction time into a win light in the Box class while Joey Mattera from Maryland ran four thousandths under his dial in. Kevin Whitmer from Beaver Springs had the starting line advantage but broke out two-thousandths more than Keystone’s Scott Campbell, who earned the No Box win. Only four thousandths separated the Junior Dragster reaction times, and another double-breakout victory went to Dylan Schwartz (Empire) over Shane Conner (US 13). Kyle Rhoads was .007 on the tree and took the .007 margin of victory in the Sportsman class representing Beaver Springs beside Brad Knauff from Keystone. Joel Rivera from Empire put together a .011 total package to leave Montrell Johnson from US 13 mathematically ineligible in the Motorcycle class.

Main Event winners would earn cash payouts, a WDRA Champion card, a WDRA Rod trophy, and a coveted invitation to the Summit World Championships after eligibility verification. In the Box class, Mike Fornwalt of Beaver Springs ran dead on his 5.79 dial-in to earn the $5,000 victory over last year’s Champion, Buddy McGowan (Maryland) who broke out by one thousandth. Empire’s Mark Tallmadge illuminated the red bulb beside Bobby Mattera, who earned back-to-back No Box Championships, representing Maryland, who cruised into the winner’s circle with a dead-on pass. Both drivers went red in the Sportsman final, but Brandon Cox launched first, resulting in Tyler Spialek claiming the Championship and $1,000 prize for Empire Dragway. Two Maryland drivers faced off in the Junior Dragster final round in one of the closest runs of the weekend. Only two thousandths separated the pair on the starting line, and both drivers ran under their respective dial-ins, but Kaiden Groves broke out two thousandths less to claim the $1,000 win over last year’s champion, Calvin Weaver. Beaver Springs returned to the winner’s circle via the Motorcycle class as Ethan Charcalla was .021 green and two above for the $1,000 win over Michael Carey from US 13 Dragway, who turned on the red bulb.

As always, special awards are distributed throughout the event with Skyline Motorsports Park claiming the Best Team Spirit, US 13 Dragway producing the Best Decorated Grandstand, and Southside Dragway earning the Best Appearing Team award. The racers awarded with the Best Appearing rides were Rick Clay (Open Bodied) from Keystone, Jeff Stewart (Full Bodied) from team Dumpster Fire, Ayden Robinson (Junior Dragster) from Maryland, and Xavier Rivera (Motorcycle) from Empire Dragway. Kyle Penn earned the Pit Vehicle Race win while representing team Dumpster Fire. Maryland International Raceway proved its dominance starts at the top when Royce Miller claimed the Track Operator Race victory.

Mid-Michigan Motorplex is the next host facility on deck for the WDRA Summit Northern Bracket Finals presented by Laris Motorsports Insurance before the team moves south for the remainder of the season.