“There isn’t anything that tops the bucket list of a 31-year-old racer ahead of competing at the U.S. Nationals,” said Koretsky, who earned the very first round-win of his young Pro Stock career in the opening stanza of the 66th annual DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA U.S. Nationals.
Koretsky kicked off his Pro Stock journey ahead of the 2020 season of NHRA drag racing at the World Door Slammer Nationals in Orlando, effectively earning his license under the watchful eye of KB Racing. The veteran race team owns eight world championships shared amongst drivers Greg Anderson, Jason Line, and Bo Butner, and Koretsky said soon after joining the team that he “couldn’t think of a better group to be part of.”
The second-generation driver planned to make his debut in the Pro Stock class at the historic NHRA Gatornationals in March, but the Pro racing portion of the event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 health crisis just before it was slated to begin. A disappointed Koretsky sat out with the rest of his competitors through spring as the pandemic had all action on hold, and finally, in July, it was his time to shine.
The NHRA returned to racing at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis, and Koretsky qualified in the No. 11 spot and made his quickest pass of the event in a losing effort to Aaron Stanfield in the first round.
“Every run, I feel like I’m getting more and more confident in myself,” said Koretsky following the event. “I’ve been confident in the car since day one. Driving and trying to hit the shift points every run, I feel like I’m getting better. The more I make, the more comfortable I feel. It was a dream I’d had my whole life to race Pro Stock, and it just got shut down instantly [with the pandemic], but it was worth the wait.”
His second Pro Stock race came the following month, again at Indy, where he qualified for the 16-car field in the No. 4 spot with a career best 6.594-second pass at 208.88 mph.
There, it was Troy Coughlin Jr. with the nod in the first round. At this weekend’s event, the tables have turned as Koretsky scored the first round-win of his career over a red-lighting Jeg Coughlin Jr., the incoming points leader and Troy’s uncle.
Koretsky is slated for a second-round meeting with fellow rookie Mason McGaha, who also earned the first round-win of his career in the opening act. Young Mason defeated his father, Chris McGaha, on a holeshot to line up the quarterfinals match. Koretsky will have lane choice thanks to a 6.594 that matched his career best.
The KB Racing-powered Nitro Fish Chevrolet Camaro pilot is relishing the moment at the U.S. Nationals, a race that his father, Kenny Koretsky, fell just short of winning in 2004 – to none other than Anderson.
“Racing NHRA Pro Stock is a dream come true, and driving for KB Racing alongside Greg Anderson – well, what more could I ask for? I’m living my best life,” said Koretsky. “It would mean a lot to me to win this race for my dad, but no matter what, we’re having a great time.”
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