8/19/2008 - Jack Beckman, Tony Schumacher, Jeg Coughlin, and Matt Smith were the winners at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pa.

Beckman drove his Dodge Charger R/T to a 4.183-second run at 291.57 mph past Frank Hawley for his first win at Maple Grove. Hawley, who owns a drag racing school, employs Beckman as a drag racing instructor.

The weekend ended with all 10 spots in the Funny Car Countdown to the Championship playoffs claimed. John and Ashley Force, Gary Densham, Beckman, Mike Neff and Ron Capps had all received their invitations after this event.

Schumacher drove his dragster to a 3.845 at 313.88 mph for his 10th win of the season and fifth consecutive win. Schumacher is now within one win of Top Fuel legend Joe Amato, who holds the all-time wins record at 52.

In Pro Stock, Cagnazzi teammates Jeg Coughlin and Dave Connolly met in the final round, but it was Coughlin who drove his Chevy Cobalt to an easy win at 6.650 at 206.39 after Connolly fouled out on the starting line. It was Coughlin’s second win of the season and 40th of his career. Though Connolly finished second in the event, he clinched his spot in the Countdown to 1 playoffs along with Mike Edwards and V Gaines.

Matt Smith grabbed his fourth win of the year in Pro Stock Motorcycle, riding his Buell to a 6.957 at 188.81 past runner-up Angelle Sampey. Sampey, Matt Guidera, Eddie Krawiec, and Chris Rivas all clinched a spot in the Countdown to 1.

Now, the racers tell the story through quotes taken from NHRA and team press releases. (contined next page)