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Home » Event Recap: September 20 & 21, 2025
Keystone Trucking Nationals Chutes Out Recap
Hurst, Ortiz & Nevis Score International Wins at the Trucking Nationals
By: Billy Kleinspehn
Fresh off the record-breaking 40th Reading NHRA Nationals and the debut of Hot Rod Drag Week, the third Saturday of September at Maple Grove Raceway was all about one thing: trucks, trucks, and more trucks! The annual Keystone Trucking Nationals once again proved to be a truck lover’s paradise, featuring a skid pad showdown, a massive truck show, and—of course—pickup and big rig drag racing.
When the sun went down on Saturday, the winners’ circle celebration turned into an international affair:
Diesel Pickup: David Hurst picked up the win over Ernie Barkman.
Big Rig Bracket: Team Puerto Rico stood tall, with Luis Ortiz defeating TJ Buck for the victory.
Heads-Up Class: Florida’s Justin Nevis made his long trip worthwhile, scoring the win over Jason Faber.
The action didn’t stop there. Following the main events, the three class winners faced off in a special King of the Hillshootout. In the final, Big Rig champ Luis Ortiz lined up against Diesel Pickup winner David Hurst. The race was decided on the starting line, with Hurst turning on the red light, handing Ortiz his second win of the day.
With the chutes pulled on the 2025 edition, fans are already looking ahead to the 26th Keystone Trucking Nationals in 2026.
👏 Join us in congratulating this year’s winners and celebrating another incredible weekend of trucks at Maple Grove!
Diesel Pick Up
David Hurst, Denver, PA, ’05 Dodge 2500, .088, 11.991 E.T. on an 11.80 dial-in, 95.11 mph def. Ernest Barkman, Honey Brook, Pa, ’12 Dodge Ram, .233, 14.334 E.T. on a 14.25 dial-in, 96.71 mph.
Big Rig
Luis Ortiz, ’81 International, .095, 14.519 E.T. on a 14.30 dial-in, 87.46 mph def. TJ Buck, Williamsport, Pa, ’59 MAC B-G, -.077, 13.566 E.T. on a 13.35 dial-in, 103.87 mph.
Big Rig Heads Up
Justin Nelvis, .560, 12.298 E.T., 112.33 mph def. Jason Faber, .449, 15.518 E.T., 88.86 mph.
King of the Hill
Luis Ortiz, ’81 International, .019, 14.296 E.T. on a 14.30 dial-in, 97.28 mph def. David Hurst, Denver, Pa, ’05 Dodge 2500, -.055, 11.301 E.T. on an 11.80 dial-in, 122.79 mph.
Truck Show Awards
Bobtail Day Cab Winner: Christopher Peres
Bobtail Sleeper Winner: J.R. Smith
Dump Truck Winner: Steve Wallace
Tow Truck Winner: Tom Sanchez
Service Truck Winner: Jay Stamile
Rollback Winner: Timory Watson
Tanker Straight Winner: Blair
Combo Tanker Winner: Kyle Groff
Combo Van/ Reefer Winner: Ron Vasallo
Combo Dump Winner: Dutch Worth
Combo Lowboy Winner: Mike Babino
Non-Working Straight Truck Winner: Scott Montag Jr.
Non-Working Bobtail Winner: Dan Lilley
Ford Pickup Winner: Ben Maurer
Chevy Pickup Winner: Ethan Good
Dodge Pickup Winner: Ryan Magura
Best of Show Winner: J.R. Smith
Best of Show Combo Winner: Ron Vasallo
Best Appearing Fleet Winner: Blair
Race 4 The House Chutes Out Recap
Maple Grove Regulars Score Big in Rain-Delayed Charity Race
By: Billy Kleinspehn
One of the best parts of the racing community is the way it comes together like family—and one of the most rewarding traditions is giving back to a great cause.
After being delayed by rain in June, the popular Race 4 The House Charity Race was held at Maple Grove. What began in 2012 with just a handful of cars has now grown into a full stand-alone event that has raised more than half a million dollars for the Ronald McDonald House in Philadelphia.
This year’s event continued the tradition, drawing a huge group of racers and fans. When the sun finally set on Sunday, several Maple Grove regulars stood proud in victory lane:
Super Pro: John Ripka claimed his first Super Pro victory, defeating former D1 Champion Brian Crump in the final.
Pro Eliminator: A JR Dragster alumni showdown saw former D1 Champion Douglas Fellenbaum Jr. edge out Jake “The Racer” Knarr.
Sportsman Eliminator: Bobby Pip powered his Ford past William Doney Jr.’s Chevy in a classic Ford vs. Chevy final.
Top Bike: In a family showdown, multi-time champion Derek Cesari got the better of his brother Jeff Cesari.
Daily Driver: John Smith earned the win over Bo Klein in a hard-fought final.
Pro Dial: D1 standout JT Schaffer scored the victory over Frank Falcon.
Dave Batchler Memorial Last Chance Race: Youth outpaced experience, as Emily Dittbrenner topped Frank Szeg in a Doorcar vs. Dragster final.
Back Seat Drivers: Another all-family final saw Tom Hand beat his brother Stephen Hand Jr. in their front-motor dragsters.
MANDRA: Maple Grove regular and multi-time MANDRA champion Mark Santee took the win over Mike Volpe.
Fans also enjoyed nostalgia exhibition runs from Mike Geroni and Bob Hill in their Fiats and JR Baum in his ’68 Dart.
👏 Join us in congratulating all of this year’s winners and celebrating another successful Race 4 The House—racing for a cause that truly matters!
Super Pro Eliminator
John Ripka, Pottstown, PA, .043, 5.593 E.T. on a 5.57 dial-in, 124.10 mph def. Brian Crump, .060, 4.936 E.T. on a 4.92 dial-in, 140.20 mph.
Pro Eliminator
Douglas Fellenbaum, Pottstown, PA, ’66 Chevelle, .026, 5.466 E.T. on a 5.46 dial-in, 121.99 mph def. Jake Knarr, Boyertown, Pa, .038, 6.281 E.T. on a 6.31 dial-in, 108.35 mph.
Sportsman Eliminator
Bobby Pip, Palmer, PA, ’66 Mustang, .018, 7.411 E.T. on a 7.40 dial-in, 89.60 mph def. William Doney Jr., Reading, Pa, ’78 Malibu, .074, 7.711 E.T. on a 7.75 dial-in, 87.00 mph.
Motorcycle Eliminator
Derek Cesari, .295, 5.458 E.T. on a 5.26 dial-in, 103.52 mph def. Jeff Cesari, 2.137, Broke.
Pro Dial Eliminator
JT Sheaffer, .055, 6.448 E.T. on a 6.41 dial-in, 102.51 mph def. Frank Falconi, .103, 6.382 E.T. on a 6.37 dial-in, 102.51 mph.
Daily Driver
John Smith, Douglassville, PA, ’11 Mustang, .037, 9.541 E.T. on a 9.50 dial-in, 73.22 mph def. Bo Klein, ’07 Cobalt, .075, 10.699 E.T. on a 10.51 dial-in, 61.94 mph.
Back Seat Drivers
Tom Hand, Egg Harbor, NJ, .064, 6.856 E.T. on a 6.79 dial-in, 192.17 mph def. Stephen Hand Jr., Galloway, NJ, .182, 6.923 E.T. on a 6.91 dial-in, 192.38 mph.
MANDRA
Mark Santee, Center Valley, PA, ’64 Fairlane, .034, 10.357 E.T. on a 10.36 dial-in, 126.44 mph def. Mike Volpe, Somerville, NJ, ’71 Malibu, .038, 11.344 E.T. on an 11.35 dial-in, 117.77 mph.
