​Following a script is great in theory but a lot of time it doesn’t come to fruition.

That, however, wasn’t the case for Robert Hight.

Erica Enders’ stellar 2022 NHRA season hit the pause button at the U.S. Nationals on Sept. 5.

Fast-forward to the next race – the Pep Boys Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pa., and Enders’ highlight reel was rolling again.

Pro Stock Motorcycle racer Joey Gladstone was euphoric about winning the opening race of the six-event NHRA Countdown to the Championship Sunday afternoon at Maple Grove Raceway, near Reading, Pa. 

It came on daughter Olivia’s second birthday. 

It was a dominant start for John Force Racing to open the Countdown to the Championship playoffs, as Top Fuel’s Austin Prock and Funny Car points leader Robert Hight powered to wins on Sunday in front of a capacity crowd at Maple Grove Raceway at the 37th annual Pep Boys NHRA Nationals. 

Erica Enders (Pro Stock) and Joey Gladstone (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also picked up wins at the first of six races in the Countdown to the Championship during the 2022 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season. 

Stop me if you’ve heard this before – NHRA Top Fuel Superstar Brittany Force is the No. 1 qualifier.

Force’s latest qualifying triumphant came on Saturday in Q3 at the Pep Boys Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pa.

Sunday's final results from the 37th annual Pep Boys NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway. The race is the 17th of 22 in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series:

John Force was expecting the reporter's call. What he didn't anticipate was the opening question. 

"John, what are your feelings headed into your 800th race?"

Force responded with a question, "My 800th race? Really, it's my 800th?"

Time goes by when you're having fun, so it appears. 

Motorsports superstar Tony Stewart was invited into the FOX Sports broadcast booth for the third time this season this weekend for the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals, and the adventurous, newbie drag racing team owner has embraced his newfound challenge.

"I'm not near as knowledgeable on the drag racing side as I am on the stock car side or sprint car side," Stewart admitted. "But at least on the nitro side, I'm learning a lot. It's a crash course, so to speak, minus the crash. But I am learning a lot in a short amount of time.

"The Pro Stock and Bike stuff, I have a lot to learn there. So that part I have struggled with. I know a lot of the riders and the drivers on the Pro Stock side, but just don't know a lot about the bikes. I'm learning on the nitro side."

Matt Smith has had an illustrious NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle career highlighted by his five world championships in 2007, 2013, 2018, 2020-21.

The King, N.C., rider reached another milestone Saturday at the Pep Boys Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pa.