Thu, 12 Oct 2023, 14:46 PM

NHRA Drivers Ride into Dallas for Key Playoff Race at Texas NHRA FallNationals
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Courtesy of NHRA Communications
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ENNIS, Texas - The NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series gallops into the Texas Motorplex to
conclude the third annual Stampede of Speed with the main event of the 10-day event, the 38th annual
Texas NHRA FallNationals on Oct. 12.-15. The stakes will be high as the second half of the NHRA
Countdown to the Championship playoffs takes place at the fan-favorite event in Dallas.
The 19th event of the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season is the fourth event of the
NHRA Countdown to the Championship playoffs, and it promises to deliver all the thrilling
11,000-horsepower, 330-mph race action fans have enjoyed for nearly four decades at the legendary
Texas Motorplex.
An extra element of excitement will also return to the Texas NHRA FallNationals with the addition of
"Friday Night Live," which offers more than $40,000 in bonus money to the stars in Top Fuel, Funny
Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle.
The low qualifier under the lights on Friday at the famed Texas Motorplex will net Top Fuel and Funny
Car stars $15,000 each in bonus money, with $7,500 going to the quickest qualifier in Pro Stock and
$5,000 in Pro Stock Motorcycle. That leads into final qualifying on Saturday and championship Sunday,
where winners will be crowned at the legendary facility to close out a memorable weekend of
adrenaline-filled action.
Ron Capps, Hector Arana Jr., Erica Enders and Justin Ashley celebrate wins
last season.
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Justin Ashley (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car), Erica Enders (Pro Stock) and Hector Arana Jr. (Pro
Stock Motorcycle) took home victories last season. This year's race will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1
(FS1) as the playoffs heat up for NHRA drivers.
Justin Ashley defeated Austin Prock in the Top Fuel final last season.
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Top Fuel standout Ashley claimed his second consecutive Texas NHRA FallNationals win last year when
he defeated Austin Prock in the final round. Ashley has been hot this season with six wins to his
credit. If he wants to claim an NHRA world championship, he'll need to get past current points leader
Doug Kalitta, who has won the first two races in the Countdown to the Championship, Texas native
Steve Torrence, defending world champion Brittany Force, Leah Pruett and Antron Brown.
Ron Capps defeated Matt Hagan in the Funny Car final last season.
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Reigning Funny Car world champion Capps defeated Matt Hagan in the 2022 Dallas final, giving Capps
his second consecutive Dallas win and third from the facility. Capps then went on to claim his third
NHRA championship and second in a row. If he wants to make it three Dallas wins in a row, he'll need
to power past current points leader Robert Hight, Bob Tasca III, who won the most recent race to pull
within 25 points of Hight, Hagan, John Force, J.R. Todd and Texan Chad Green.
Erica Enders defeated Greg Anderson in the Pro Stock final last season.
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Enders, a Texas native, wowed fans all throughout 2022 by collecting 10 NHRA titles en route to her
fifth Pro Stock world championship. One of those 10 victories was her 2022 Texas NHRA FallNationals
win, helping her clinch a championship a race later. If the Texan will want to earn her third Dallas
win, she'll need to get past points leader Matt Hartford, who holds a four-point lead over Enders,
Troy Coughlin Jr., Dallas Glenn, who is 15 points out of first, Charlotte 2 winner Greg Anderson and
Kyle Koretsky.
Hector Arana Jr. defeated Jerry Savoie in the Pro Stock Motorcycle final last
season..
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Pro Stock Motorcycle veteran Arana Jr. picked up his first win from Dallas last year when he took
down Jerry Savoie, who has three wins from the facility, in the final round. Arana has one win on the
2023 season and is currently sitting third in the NHRA points standings. Leading the way is points
leader Gaige Herrera, who has seven wins this season. Also hot in the mix is Eddie Krawiec, defending
world champ Matt Smith, rookie Chase Van Sant and Angie Smith.
The Texas NHRA FallNationals also will feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag
Racing Series, which includes some of the sport's top drivers, as well as the penultimate race of the
season in Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown. The weekend will also include the Jr. Dragster Shootout, as
well as a jet dragster and wheelstander exhibition after nitro qualifying on Friday.
Fans will also be treated to the JEG's Allstar event, which pits sportsman racers from across the
country against each other for the ultimate drag racing battle. The popular competition will take
place at the famed Texas Motorplex for the first time and the unique specialty race is one of most
highly-anticipated events of the year.
Race fans at Texas Motorplex can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that introduce and celebrate
each of the drivers racing for the prestigious Wally on Sunday and includes the fan favorite
SealMaster Track Walk. The final can't-miss experience of any NHRA event is the winner's circle
celebration on Sunday after racing concludes, where fans are invited to congratulate the Texas NHRA
FallNationals event winners.
Fans are invited to the Nitro Alley Stage all weekend, which will help create a festive atmosphere
leading into Nitro Alley. The Nitro Alley Stage will be the main entertainment hub in the pits when
the Camping World Drag Racing Series competitors are not on the track, hosting Nitro School, meet and
greets and much more. As always, fans get a pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled
motorsports attraction on the planet. Fans can see their favorite teams in action and servicing their
hot rods between rounds, get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers, and more. They can also
visit NHRA's Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create an exciting atmosphere that
includes interactive displays, merchandise, food, and fun.
NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. CT on
Friday, Oct. 13, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, Oct. 14 at 1:00 and 4:00 p.m.
Final eliminations are scheduled for 12:00 p.m. CT on Sunday, Oct. 16. Television coverage includes
qualifying action on FS1 at 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday and as well as action from eliminations at 3 p.m.
To purchase tickets to the Texas NHRA FallNationals at Texas Motorplex, call 800-668-6775 or visit tickets.texasmotorplex.com. Children
12 and under are admitted free in general admissions areas with a paid adult.


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