Summit JDRL D1 Championship – Chutes Out Recap
Champions Crowned in Event’s Return to Maple Grove

By: Billy Kleinspehn

When you think of youth sports every kid dreams of winning, you think of the Little League World Series, state championships, or conference finals. For NHRA Junior Drag Racing League (JDRL) racers in the Northeast, the event to win is the Summit JDRL Division 1 Championships.

For the first time since 2005, this prestigious race—rotated among NHRA member tracks in Division 1—made its much-anticipated return to Maple Grove Raceway. With overwhelmingly positive feedback, the event is already set to return in 2026. On Saturday, as the sun set, champions were crowned and new memories were made.

Main Event Finals

• 6–9 Year Olds: A battle of powerhouse racing families saw Nicholas Antonette (son of former D1 Champ James Antonette Jr.) defeat Anthony Fetch (son of NHRA National Event winners Anthony & Heather Fetch). Nicholas now joins his father as a Division 1 Champion.

• 10–12 Year Olds: Cooper Henry took home the win over Aaron Frankovic.

• 13–14 Year Olds: “Racin’ Mason” Spinelli joined the ranks of legends like Larry Paden Jr. and Harley Ely by becoming a back-to-back D1 Champion, defeating Gabby Maclosky in the final.

• 15–18 Year Olds: A Maple Grove showdown between Danny Spotts and Abigail Martin ended with Spotts claiming his second straight D1 title.

• Jr Street: Cole Rudy came out on top over Lucas Willard.

Special Events

• Race of Champions: Track champions faced off in a special shootout, with Paul Stalba defeating Charlotte Ecks for the victory.

• Consolation Race: For racers eliminated in early rounds, Mason Artim grabbed the win over Louis Crockett.

Team Championships

The weekend also featured intense team competition, with the Top 10 points earners from each Division 1 track battling it out:

• Team Championship: Numidia Dragway

• Team Sprint Award: Mason Dixon Dragway

Fun Races & Highlights

Alongside the serious championship competition, racers and families enjoyed several fun and special events:

• Jr Dragster Gambler’s Races:

  • Thursday – Landen Kennedy ($2,000 win) over Alfonse Magliocco

  • Friday – Paul Stalba earned his second win of the weekend over Jacob Biron

• Jr Street Gambler: James Stack Jr. over Gavin StJean

• Aging Out Class: A memorable finale as Frank Aragona carried on his family’s legacy with a win over Daniel Spotts.

• 16-Car Shootout: A twin showdown with Anthony Magliocco defeating his brother Alfonse.

• Daily Driver Race: Rick Stinke earned the win over Tyler Depascale.

Looking Ahead

With the parachutes pulled on the 2025 Summit JDRL D1 Championships, Maple Grove Raceway is already gearing up for an even bigger 2026 edition. Congratulations to all of our champions and participants—we’ll see you back at The Grove!

👏 Join us in congratulating this weekend’s winners!

6-9 Year Old Main Event
Nicholas Antonette, .148, 12.069 E.T., 52.82 mph def. Antony Fetch, .068, 12.201 E.T., 52.85 mph.

10-12 Year Old Main Event
Cooper Henry, .095, 9.359 E.T., 67.15 mph def. Aaron Frankovic, .115, 8.918 E.T., 74.04 mph.

13-14 Year Old Main Event
Mason Spinelli, .022, 7.972 E.T., 80.41 mph def. Gabby Maclosky, .038, 7.956 E.T., 80.29 mph.

15-18 Year Old Main Event
Daniel Spotts, .024, 7.963 E.T., 80.41 mph def. Abigail Martin, .026,  7.941 E.T., 82.13 mph.

Junior Street Main Event
Cole Rudy, .064, 10.025 E.T., 60.71 mph def. Lucas Willard, .122, 11.469 E.T., 50.66 mph.

Aging Out Race
Frank Aragona lll, .069, 7.988 E.T., 81.28 mph def. Daniel Spotts, .029, 7.967 E.T., 79.16 mph.

Race of Champions
Paul Stalba, .009, 8.002 E.T., 76.72 mph def. Charlotte Ecks, .031, 7.964 E.T., 76.77 mph.

Consolation Race
Mason Artim, .021, 7.957 E.T., 77.50 mph def. Louis Crockett, .043, 8.414 E.T., 75.70 mph.

Alumni Race
Gavin St. Jean, .053, 8.230 E.T., 76.83 mph def. Chistopher Krajewski, .080, 8.122 E.T., 79.10 mph.

Daily Driver Race
Troy Steinke, .155, 9.143 E.T., 68.52 mph def. Tyler Depascale, .141, 9.517 E.T., 75.57 mph.

Junior Street Gambler Race
James Stack Jr,, .023, 10.257 E.T., 67.95 mph def. Gavin St. Jean, .105, 9.435 E.T., 71.91 mph.

Thursday Junior Dragster Gambler Race
Landen Kennedy, .024, 8.011 E.T., 78.91 mph def. Alfonse Magliocco, -.021, 8.544 E.T., 78.75 mph.

Friday Junior Dragster Gambler Race
Paul Stalba, .060, 8.015 E.T., 76.12 mph def. Jacob Biron, .062, 8.058 E.T., 73.65 mph.