Countdown Kickoff: Prepping for Reading, PA and the Road to a Championship
The Road to the Championship Begins in Reading
The stage is set. The first race of the NHRA Countdown to the Championship kicks off this week at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, PA.
For drivers, this is where every round counts.
For sponsors, it’s one of the most valuable moments of the year.
For fans, it’s the start of drag racing’s playoff run - a six-race sprint to the championship.
Whether you’re a racer, crew member, or brand partner, here’s how to prep for the weekend and use every moment for maximum impact.
Pre-Race Prep Checklist
Travel & Lodging – Confirm hotels, crew transport, and trailer setup.
Sponsor Materials – Pack hero cards, stickers, and any branded giveaways.
Content Bank – Pre-make graphics: race announcement, schedule, “Countdown begins!” posts.
Gear & Branding – Crew shirts, pit signage, banners, sponsor hats -everything sponsor-visible.
Tech Ready – Charge cameras, GoPros, mics, and bring backup batteries.
Schedule Ahead – Draft a few weekend posts so you’re not scrambling mid-event.
Content Ideas for the Countdown Opener
Thursday / Travel Day
Road trip Reel: “Next stop: Reading, PA! First race of the Countdown!”
Time-lapse of trailer load-in.
Sponsor spotlight post before hitting the road.
Friday (Qualifying Day 1)
Morning pit setup post: “It begins here.”
Reel: Warm-up or start-line clip.
Story: Fan interactions + pit walk.
End-of-day update: qualifying position recap.
Saturday (Qualifying Day 2)
BTS: Crew working on car, quick driver quote.
Carousel: Qualifying photos with sponsor tags.
Post: “Every round counts from here on out.”
Short video: “What the Countdown means to us.”
Sunday (Race Day)
Morning hype post from the staging lanes.
Stories: Quick results after each round.
Reel: Burnout or launch clip.
End-of-day recap: thank fans + sponsors.
Post-Race Follow-Up
The work doesn’t stop at the finish line.
Recap post: “The Countdown is on! Here’s how Reading went for us…”
Carousel: Best photos from the weekend with sponsor visibility.
Reel: Highlights set to trending audio.
Sponsor report: Engagement stats, logos in action, fan interactions.
Tips to Maximize Reading Content
Use hashtags: #NHRA #CountdownToTheChampionship #ReadingNats #DragRacingLife
Mention that Reading is Race 1 of the Countdown in every post.
Tie sponsor mentions to the playoff energy: “high stakes, high value.”
Capture extra behind-the-scenes content for off-season use.
Final Take: Reading Sets the Tone
The Reading Nationals aren’t just another race - they’re the start of the chase for a championship.
By planning ahead, creating strong content, and delivering sponsor visibility, racers and teams can turn the momentum of Reading into marketing fuel for the rest of the Countdown.
Because in drag racing’s playoffs, every round matters - and every post does, too.
Need help building a sponsor-ready content calendar for the Countdown?
JW Brands specializes in turning race weekends into marketing machines that deliver ROI for teams and their partners.
