The Randy Meyer Racing Team brought their two Top Alcohol Dragsters to Maple Grove Raceway for the 40th NHRA Reading Nationals presented by Nitro Fish, with drivers Matt Cummings in the GUNK dragster and rookie standout McKenna Bold behind the wheel of the purple Diezel Excavating dragster, both advancing through the tough 20-car field.
Cummings qualified fifth with a 5.21-second pass at 277 mph in the GUNK dragster, while Bold secured the No. 7 position with a 5.24 at 270 mph in her first appearance at the Reading Nationals. Both drivers carried momentum into eliminations with impressive round one victories. Bold laid down her best run of the weekend, a 5.21 at 275 mph, to defeat Kirk Wolf. Cummings advanced with a 5.25 at 276 mph to take out Kelly Kundratic.
In the second round, Cummings scored a marquee win over defending champion Shawn Cowie on a holeshot, running an identical 5.255 to Cowie’s but leaving first with a .098 reaction time to Cowie’s .135. Bold also had the starting line advantage in her matchup with Jamie Noonan, but suffered broken parts off cylinder #6 after the hit. The issue slowed her to a 5.303, while Noonan moved on with a 5.234.
NHRA Reading Nationals
Cummings advanced to the semifinals to face Anthony Troyer and grabbed the advantage at the tree once again. However, his car hazed the tires down track forcing him to whack and lift off the throttle, ending his weekend after a strong showing.
“We’ve had a lot of success at Maple Grove, but a win here has always eluded us,” said team owner Randy Meyer. “Both teams showed incredible strength all weekend, and we’re proud of the progress we made. We’ll be back ready for the challenge next year.”
The Randy Meyer Racing team will continue their 2025 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series campaign on September 19-21 at the NHRA Carolina Nationals in Charlotte, NC.
