Racemotive King of the North Rollrace 2025 at Maple Grove Raceway: Action, Winners & Photography Highlights

Capturing Racemotive’s 2025 King of the North Rollrace at Maple Grove Raceway

Few things match the thrill of photographing cars pushing the limits on a drag strip, and Racemotive’s King of the North Rollrace 2025 at Maple Grove Raceway in Pennsylvania delivered that adrenaline in full force. For myself, Hashira Daily, and my friend Treize Kursonada, this wasn’t just another assignment—it was an experience wrapped in horsepower, community, and unforgettable visuals.

What is Racemotive Rollrace?

For the uninitiated, Racemotive Rollrace is one of the most unique racing formats on the East Coast. Unlike traditional drag racing, competitors start with a rolling start at highway speeds, then push their machines to the limit in a side-by-side battle to the finish line. It’s a pure test of power, speed, tuning—and nerves. The roar, the smoke, the “battle from roll” format make for spectacular visuals and intense racing.

The Journey from Scranton to Maple Grove

Leaving Scranton, Pennsylvania, the drive to Maple Grove Raceway was smooth and scenic, filled with excitement for the day ahead. Driving in convoy with other enthusiasts, seeing high-performance cars headed the same way, gives you that sense of shared purpose.

We arrived with just enough time before gates opened. Parking was well organized, with Racemotive and Maple Grove staff guiding vehicles and trailers efficiently. The staging area for media and competitors was clear and accessible.

For lodging, we booked early at a hotel fairly close to the track. The accommodation was comfortable, with enough amenities for photographers—late-night editing space, secure parking, restful beds. Being close mattered: fewer long drives, more time shooting.

Early Attendance Advantages

Getting to the track early paid off in many ways:

• We scouted the best vantage points before the crowds crowded them.

• Captured prep action: drivers tuning, exhausts warming up, the small moments that set the mood.

• Took advantage of golden hour lighting in the morning—ideal for contrast, shadows, and richness in the shots.

These early moments gave an edge in telling the full story, not just of speed, but of community.

Media Meeting & Friendly Treatment

One of the high points: being selected as an official media photographer. Racemotive’s media meeting was professional, organized, and safety-aware. But beyond logistics, they were kind, approachable, and genuinely appreciative of our work. Drivers, staff, and fellow media made us feel like part of the team, not outsiders. That energy shows in the photos.

Maple Grove Raceway – The Venue & Track Layout

Maple Grove Raceway, especially for this roll-racing event, provided the perfect backdrop:

• The strip is long and straight with excellent exposure: big speed, long finishes.

• The surrounding scenery—forest, hills, open sky—adds depth to action shots.

• Stands and spectator areas give multiple viewpoints; we found spots where we could shoot from above the strip, and from the side where cars lean.

The layout for the Rollrace (1/3 mile roll-racing shootout) allows cars to build momentum from the rolling start, so the acceleration zones and trap speed sections were especially dynamic for photography.

The Events & Action

The day was loaded.

• Multiple classes: street cars, highly tuned builds, even motorcycles.

• A qualifying & shootout format that stretched from early AM through evening.

• Shootouts included head-to-head “who’s fastest from roll” battles.

• Off the strip: vendors, paddock walks, spectators, car meets.

Everywhere you looked there was something to capture—smoke, speed, exhaust flames, nitrous purges, proud moments from drivers, reactions from the crowd.

Rollrace Winners (King Of The North)

From the RaceMotive “Leaderboard / King Of The North Leaderboard”, here are the top winners and standout names from the August 30, 2025 Rollrace at Maple Grove Raceway: https://www.racemotive.com/pages/leaderboard-1

While specific class winners weren’t clearly listed on the public leaderboard at the time of my last check, the event organizer acknowledged final winners in the King of the North brackets for shootout and qualifiers. These winners—street car and motorcycle classes—showed excellent performance from roll, strong trap speeds, and consistency. I saw many of them in person and captured their winning passes.

My Personal Experience

• The weekend was a photographer’s dream: action-packed, with shots from launch to finish, from pit to parade.

• The venue is stunning, especially around golden hour and dusk when the track lights contrasted with the sky.

• The professional, friendly, and inclusive attitude from Racemotive, drivers, teams, and fellow fans made the work feel rewarding.

See the Photos & Plan for Next Year

I’ve uploaded my best shots from the event to my website here:
👉 Hashira RPM Frames Online

If you’re a car enthusiast, racer, or just someone who loves watching pure speed battles, I can’t recommend Racemotive’s Rollrace at Maple Grove Raceway enough. Whether you’re there to race, spectate, or capture the action like us, it’s an event you won’t forget—and one I’ll absolutely be back for.