Junior Dragster Challenge winners are, from left, Matt Schell, Jarrod Kissinger, Eddie McBride and Kyle Robb. Missing from photo is Robbie Allen Jr.

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MOHNTON, Pa. – There was no doubt it was November when racers took to the track for Maple Grove Raceway’s season finale Sunday. Under cold and overcast conditions, The Grove held its annual Ghosts and Goblins race that was delayed from Oct. 28 because of Hurricane Sandy. The event featured the NHRA Junior Dragster Challenge, and five young racers went home with mini Wally trophies. However, due to track conditions from the cold weather, the bracket race and the King of The Track race were not completed.

Ghosts and Goblins drew more than 200 racers looking for some final runs this season. It also featured trick-or-treating in the pits, along with Halloween-themed contests. Winners received a $10 gift card from Target. The Junior Dragster Challenge itself had 44 competitors split over five age groups.

Matt Schell (Reiffton, Pa.) won the 8-9 year-old category in his 2010 Halfscale. He beat Kelsey Brinckman (Boyertown, Pa.) in the final with a pass of 13.018 seconds at 46.96 mph that was .04 over his dial-in, while Brinckman was .12. Katelyn Kershner (New Tripoli, Pa.) was a semifinalist.

Jarrod Kissinger (Sinking Spring, Pa.) took the 10-11 group, beating Chase Ream (Narvon, Pa.) in the final. Kissinger made a pass of 9.291 at 70.19 in the final that was .01 over his dial-in. Ream was close, too, at 9.007 over a 8.99, but Kissinger’s reaction time made a difference. Cory Ream (Narvon, Pa.) was a semifinalist.

In the 12-13 group, Kyle Robb (Denver, Pa.) used a great reaction time to get the advantage over Deja Brown (York, Pa.). In his ’06 KCC, Robb used a .008 RT and followed through with a pass of 8.102 at 78.71. Brown went 8.251 at 78.13. Corey Sykes was a semifinalist.

Eddie McBride (Glenolden, Pa.) took the 14-15 group after runner-up Tre Brown (York, Pa.) fouled at the start. Sean Bailey (Phoenixville, Pa.) was a semifinalist.

In the 16-17 group, Robbie Allen Jr. (Earleville, Md.) had a close race with Josh Phelps (Pasadena, Md.) in the final. Allen was 8.401 at 75.37, just .01 over his dial-in; Phelps was 8.057 at 80.87 and .02 over. Semifinalists were Amanda Boicesco (Warminster, Pa.) and Johnny Groff (Quarryville, Pa.).

Results - Ghosts and Goblins at The Grove / NHRA Junior Dragster Challenge

8-9: Matt Schell, ’10 Halfscale, .037 reaction time, 13.018 seconds, 46.96 mph def. Kelsey Brinckman, KCS, .154, 13.376, 50.35.

10-11: Jarrod Kissinger, ’12 JD, .062, 9.291, 70.19 def. Chase Ream, ’02 Halfscale, .114, 9.007, 72.74.

12-13: Kyle Robb, ’06 KCC, .008, 8.102, 78.71 def. Deja Brown, .091, 8.251, 78.13.

14-15: Eddie McBride, ’04 Halfscale, .065, 7.92, 83.09 def. Tre Brown, ’02 Quick Kids, foul -.006, 7.882, 83.51.

16-17: Robbie Allen Jr., .012, 8.401, 75.37 def. Josh Phelps, ’12 Halfscale, .020, 8.057, 80.87.

Text written and photos submitted by Evan Jones