Weekend Recap: July 19 & 20, 2025
Geezers at the Grove Recap: Annual Nostalgia Race a Huge Success
When fans talk about the most anticipated events at Maple Grove Raceway, the NHRA Nationals, Super Chevy Showdown, and Night of Chaos are usually at the top of the list. But right alongside them is one of the most beloved throwback events on the calendar — Geezers at the Grove.
This special race, which began in 2002 as part of the track’s 40th anniversary celebration, has become an annual tribute to the golden years of drag racing on the famed quarter mile.
Despite on-and-off rain showers throughout the day, a huge crowd of racers and fans turned out for an action-packed day and night of racing.
In Nostalgia Super, it was a family affair, with Nick Reginella taking the win over his youngest son, Michael, in the final round.
Nostalgia Pro saw Roger Neimzcyk edge out Frank Smigiel for the victory.
In Nostalgia Sportsman, two Grove legends squared off, with former Division One champion Denny Renninger beating two-time bike track champion Kyle Gockley.
The Nostalgia Pro Dial final featured another Neimzcyk — this time Robert — who came up just short against Mike Moore.
Adding to the excitement, the popular 8.50 Index class saw Jonathan Delarosa pick up his second win in a week, defeating Ralph Rubino after also taking home the 8.50 class title at the Pan American Nationals.
One of the highlights of the event was the Nostalgia Funny Cars, which ran Chicago-style. The two quickest cars from the first round faced off in the final, where young Joe Pirrone’s Screaming Eagle took the win over Chris Massarella’s Total Insanity.
Several nostalgia clubs were also part of the show, including the East Coast Gassers, MANDRA, NETO, and the Back Seat Drivers.
The Back Seat Drivers class, featuring front-engine slingshot dragsters, saw John Schroeder take the win over Stephen Bowley.
In the MANDRA class, Maple Grove’s own Steve Dickey got the win over Tim Milliron.
The always-entertaining East Coast Gassers put on a show with their wild ‘60s-era gassers. Ed Linuy claimed the win over Jimmy Wheeler.
Rounding out the nostalgia classes, Gary Coleman won the NETO Nostalgia class, while Jeff Donnelly took top honors in NETO Comp.
Budget Brackets at the Grove Recap: Coleman and Donnelly Repeat in Sunday Finale
After the marathon that was Geezers at the Grove, several hundred racers stuck around for Sunday’s finale — Budget Brackets at the Grove. When the dust settled, several familiar names once again found themselves in the winner’s circle.
In Super Pro, 2012 co-champion Barry Sauders returned to form, taking the win over big-money standout Mike Barber.
Pro Eliminator saw Bill Colburn claim the win over Louie Burgese.
The Pro Dial final was one for the books, with Bob Bates Jr. and Dave Harvey Jr. battling it out — Harvey came out on top in a tight matchup.
Back for more action were the nostalgia groups, with MANDRA, NETO, and the East Coast Gassers joining the bracket fun for the second straight day.
In East Coast Gassers, Ed Links took home the win over Dave Fenzel.
Winning once in a weekend is tough enough — winning twice is something special. Both Gary Coleman (NETO Nostalgia) and Jeff Donnelly (NETO Comp) pulled off the impressive feat, each earning back-to-back victories, this time over Lou Tarasied.
In MANDRA, Tim Milliron made his second straight final but came up just short against Ray Bloom.
Geezers at the Grove: Saturday, July 19, 2025
Nostalgia Super Eliminator
Nick Reginella, ’66 Nova, .027, 8.894 E.T. on an 8.88 dial-in, 153.28 mph def. Michael Reginella, Mount Joy, PA, ’84 Camaro, -.002, 9.521 E.T. on a 9.55 dial-in, 143.81 mph.
Nostalgia Pro Eliminator
Roger Niemczyk, Langhorne, Pa., ’82 S-10, .081, 9.673 E.T. on a 9.65 dial-in, 133.04 mph def. Frank Smigiel, Old Forge, PA, ’66 Cyclone, .096, 11.893 E.T. on an 11.90 dial-in, 111.22 mph.
Geezer Sportsman Eliminator
Denny Renninger, Leesport, Pa., ’84 Olds, .049, 11.900 E.T. on an 11.89 dial-in, 107.80 mph def. Kyle Gockley, Mohnton, Pa., ’92 Chevy S10, .066, 11.712 E.T. on an 11.69 dial-in, 112.06 mph.
Nostalgia Pro Dial
Mike Moore, Pottstown, PA, ’85 Chevy S10, .193, 15.568 E.T. on a 9.45 dial-in, 83.57 mph def. Robert Niemczyk, Langhorne, PA, ’63 Chevy 2, BROKE.
Geezer Eliminator
Gene Hatfield, Pottstown, PA, ’67 GTX, .022, 10.996 E.T. on a 10.98 dial-in, 121.51 mph def. Ed Racis, West Lawn, PA, ’78 Malibu, .047, 9.776 E.T. on a 9.72 dial-in, 135.35 mph.
8.50 Index
Jonathon Dela Rosa, Philadelphia, PA, ’78 Malibu, .010, 8.512 E.T. on an 8.50 dial-in, 160.92 mph def. Ralph Rubino, Elmont, NY, ’87 Buick, .001, 8.524 E.T. on an 8.50 dial-in, 158.06 mph.
Budget Brackets: Sunday, July 20, 2025
Top Bulb Eliminator:
Barry Sauder, Ephrata, PA, ’72 Nova, .036, 6.782 E.T. on a 6.78 dial-in, 101.15 mph def. Mike Barber, Royersford, PA, ’92 Mustang, .019, 6.090 E.T. on a 6.07 dial-in, 108.08 mph.
Bottom Bulb Eliminator:
Bill Colburn, Downingtown, PA, ’73 Challenger, .043, 6.732 E.T. on a 6.74 dial-in, 99.74 mph def. Louie Burgese, Williamstown, NJ, ’82 S15, -.033, 7.860 E.T. on a 7.85 dial-in, 86.25 mph.
Pro Dial Eliminator:
Bob Bates Jr., Florence, NJ, . 027, 5.866 E.T. on a 5.85 dial-in, 113.78 mph def. David Harvey Jr., Atco, NJ, .040, 6.791 E.T. on a 6.78 dial-in, 103.59 mph.
Photographs courtesy of BME Photography: emb870@aol.com