Amid track closures and buyouts , Kenny Koretsky and family purchase Maple Grove Raceway with plans for improvements By Josh Hachat

The fan-favorite track has been home to a NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series event for nearly four decades and will host the opener to the NHRA Countdown to the Championship , the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals on Sept . 15-18 .

“ It ’ s still kind of a surreal feeling ,” Kyle Koretsky says . “ Our family bought a facility we ’ ve been going to our entire lives and doing what we love to do . We see this as a huge business opportunity , and we ’ re looking to grow the business and give the racers a great experience . We ’ ve got a lot of great ideas and we ’ re looking forward to this .”

Along with the NHRA national event , Maple Grove Raceway also plays host to a NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series regional race in

May and the PDRA Northern Nationals in August , as well as racing action throughout the year .

The Koretsky family sees this as a unique opportunity to build on the 30-plus years of history and remarkable performances that have taken place at one of the fastest tracks on the NHRA circuit . Located in the heart of Amish country , the track is surrounded by trees and boasts a wonderful , scenic backdrop for the massive fanbase in the area .

It ’ s also been the longtime hometown track for the Koretsky family and as track owners , they ’ re eager to do their part to add to the legacy that ’ s already been built at the track .

“ I grew up racing there and I watched everyone race at the track . I have so many good memories there , from racing Jr . Dragster growing up to racing Pro Stock there for the first time last year ,” Koretsky says . “ It ’ s such a cool atmosphere being out in the country . You come up over that hill and see the track and it ’ s just so cool . It ’ s going to be a lot of time and commitment , but this is a dream come true for our family .

“ The fans in that area are diehard fans . They love drag racing , especially Pro Stock . It ’ s a great facility , the track is fast and it ’ s just a great vibe when you roll over that hill and get to the track . We just want to continue to enhance that experience for everyone .”

Koretsky , who won his first Pro Stock race in 2021 after making his class debut in 2020 , says they will begin immediate work on making several renovations to the facility , including general cleanup , landscaping , paving , and upgrading the bathrooms . They will also look to make continuous upgrades and improvements to Maple Grove Raceway with the hope to make it an overall entertainment destination for fans .

“ The sky is the limit ,” Koretsky says . “ You look at some of those historical pictures on the wall at the track and it ’ s something we just want to continue from generation to generation . We ’ ve got a lot of big ideas . It ’ s such a family-friendly environment at the track and we ’ re really looking forward to this opportunity .” DI

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF NHRA