San Marino Excavating’s Joey Gladstone Heading Home at Dodge NHRA Nationals
DEWEY BEACH, Del. (September 20, 2017) – Joey Gladstone heads to his home track of Maple Grove Raceway this weekend to compete in the second race of the Countdown to the Championship at the 33rd annual Dodge NHRA Nationals on his San Marino Excavating Suzuki. “I’ve been going to Maple Grove Raceway my entire life,” Gladstone said. “I went the first year I was born with my parents back when it was the Keystone Nationals. We’ve been going pretty much every year since unless the weekend was a total rainout.” Originally a Pennsylvania-native, Gladstone has very fond memories of going to the Reading, Penn.-based track and watching his dad race. “I have great memories at Maple Grove watching my dad in Super Stock and Top Alcohol,” he reminisced. “My dad raced in Top Alcohol Funny Car in 1997 and then Top Alcohol Dragster in 1998; he was one of the first people to race the nitro-injected dragsters when they first came out. We’re from Pennsylvania so this track and this race means a lot to our family.” Although this is Gladstone’s first full season in Pro Stock Motorcycle, he did compete at the Dodge NHRA Nationals in 2016. With only one qualifying run before raceday due to persistent rain showers, Gladstone qualified No. 14. “Last year, we only had that one qualifying run and our vacuum pump took a dump right after the burnout,” he admitted. “When it did that, I had no power and we qualified really low. This year, we’ve got two motors, spare parts, and a lot more experience. By the looks of the weather, we’re going to get all four runs in before raceday and I expect a better performance out of us. It’s going to be some really fast racing there and our goal is to step up, make some good decisions, and make every lap count.” Qualifying at the 33rd annual Dodge NHRA Nationals begins on Friday, September 22nd at 1:45 and 4:15 p.m. Qualifying continues Saturday, September 23rd at 12:45 and 3:15 p.m. Eliminations begin on Sunday, September 24th at 12:00 p.m. starting with Top Fuel. Joey Gladstone – By the Numbers
The Dodge NHRA Nationals will be Gladstone’s 18th race in Pro Stock Motorcycle
In 17 races, he has only posted one DNQ in the uber-competitive category
Last year, Reading: qualified No. 14; lost to LE Tonglet in the first round
Gladstone’s best performance this season was a semifinal appearance in Gainesville, Florida.
Dodge NHRA Nationals Run Schedule (All times Eastern) Friday, September 22: qualifying at 1:45 and 4:15 p.m. Saturday, September 23: qualifying at 12:45 and 3:15 p.m. Sunday, September 24: eliminations at 12:00 p.m. PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE POINT STANDINGS
Eddie Krawiec, 2202
LE Tonglet, 2154
Hector Arana Jr., 2150
Andrew Hines, 2144
Jerry Savoie, 2141
Matt Smith, 2105
Scotty Pollacheck, 2085
JOEY GLADSTONE, 2052
Karen Stoffer, 2042
Angie Smith, 2033