Tue, 08 Oct 2024, 17:55 PM NHRA Drivers Roll Into Stampede of Speed and Texas NHRA FallNationals for Second Half of Playoffs

Courtesy of NHRA Communications Photo copyright 2024 Auto Imagery, Inc.

ENNIS, Texas --- Serving as the main event of the fourth annual Stampede of Speed, the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship playoffs are set to heat up in the heart of Texas at the 39th annual Texas NHRA FallNationals on Oct. 9-13 at legendary Texas Motorplex.

The NHRA FallNationals marks the 18th of 20 events on the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series circuit and the fourth of six playoff races. Fans can expect to see a Texas-sized playoff showdown and thrilling racing action from the 11,000-horsepower nitro burning machines as they reach speeds over 330 mph at one of the best atmospheres on the NHRA tour.

For nearly four decades the FallNationals have been a must-see race and serving as the main event of the 10-day "Stampede of Speed" festival has helped make this a marquee event for fans and drivers. The action starts immediately with "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 night 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 race day Sunday, where winners will be crowned at the legendary facility to close out a memorable weekend of adrenaline-filled action.

Gaige Herrera, Erica Enders, Leah Pruett and Matt Hagan celebrate wins last season.

ast season, Leah Pruett (Top Fuel), Matt Hagan (Funny Car), Erica Enders (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all collected NHRA wins in Dallas and this year's race will again be broadcast on FS1, with elimination coverage airing on Sunday Oct. 13.

Pruett earned her first Top Fuel win at Dallas last season when she defeated Texan Steve Torrence. Since then, Pruett has stepped out of her Top Fuel dragster to start a family with her husband and motorsports legend, Tony Stewart. Stewart, a four-time winner at Texas Motor Speedway, has taken over driving duties in his rookie season as a Top Fuel driver and has one runner-up finish in 2024. If he wants to defend Pruett's Texas NHRA FallNationals title, he'll need to get past the reigning champion Doug Kalitta, as well as two-time Dallas winner Justin Ashley and Shawn Langdon, who earned two wins early this season, Texan Steve Torrence, Indy winner Clay Millican, Tony Schumacher, Brittany Force and points leader Antron Brown.

Matt Hagan defeated John Force last season for the Funny Car Wally.

Hagan is the reigning Funny Car champion, and his 2023 Texas NHRA FallNationals was a major reason he grabbed his fourth title. Last year, he defeated 16-time champion John Force in the finals, earning his fourth Dallas win. This season, Hagan has wins in Charlotte and Chicago, and if he wants to go back-to-back in Dallas, he'll need to get by Funny Car points leader and class newcomer Austin Prock, who has seven wins on the season, including the prestigious NHRA U.S. Nationals. Also in the points mix is Bob Tasca III, J.R. Todd, Ron Capps and Jack Beckman, who is driving for Force.

Enders, a Texas native, has three wins at the Texas Motorplex. Last season, she picked up two wins within in the six-race playoffs, which solidified her sixth NHRA Pro Stock championship. This season, she has yet to return to the winner's circle since the season opener in Gainesville, but she hopes her home state race will help turn her season around. Dallas Glenn, who has led the points since Chicago, was the runner-up last year and he is chasing his first NHRA world championship. But Enders and the rest of the field, which includes Greg Anderson, Aaron Stanfield and Jeg Coughlin Jr. will give everything possible to stop him.

Gaige Herrera celebrates Friday night qualifying bonus last season.

Throughout all of 2023, Herrera wowed fans with his impressive performance. This season has been the same story as the defending world champion and points leader has won eight of 13 Pro Stock Motorcycle races. Last year he won the Texas NHRA FallNationals, setting class records in the process, and NHRA Nevada Nationals before locking up his first championship at the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals. The six-time champion Matt Smith wants nothing more than to take down Herrera and claim a seventh championship, while others to watch include John Hall, Angie Smith, 2023 NHRA Rookie of the Year Chase Van Sant and Jianna Evaristo.

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 and begins racing on Thursday, Oct. 10. The weekend will include the exciting new Holley EFI Factory X category and the Jr. Dragster Shootout, as well as a jet dragster exhibition after nitro qualifying on Friday.

2023 JEG's Allstar team Champions.

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 starts on Wednesday, Oct. 9 and after a successful first year at the famed Texas Motorplex in 2023, the unique specialty race is back as a major highlight of the 2024 Stampede of Speed as one of most highly-anticipated sportsman events of the year.

Fans will be invited all weekend long to the Nitro Alley Stage, which is the main entertainment hub in the pits, hosting Nitro School, meet and greets, music and much more. 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.

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As always, fans can 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.

Leading into the race, fans can take part in several events as part of the 10-day Stampede for Speed festival. That includes the JEGS Allstar qualifying (October 9), Champions' Dinner (October 9, 6pm) and the NHRA FanFest at Railyard Park in downtown Waxahachie (October 10), where fans can meet and get autographs from all the top stars in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and the JEGS Allstar participants.

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 4:15 and 7:00 p.m. CT on Friday, Oct. 11, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 12:00 and 3:00 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 12:00 p.m. CT on Sunday, Oct. 13. Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 2:00 p.m. ET on Sunday and as well as action from eliminations at 4 p.m.

To purchase tickets to the Texas NHRA FallNationals at Texas Motorplex, call 800-668-6775 or visit http://tickets.texasmotorplex.com. Children 12 and under are admitted free in general admissions areas with a paid adult.