Hosted each fall at the historic Texas Motorplex, just 35 minutes from Dallas and Fort Worth, the Stampede of Speed is a must for drag racing fans and newcomers alike. Over the week and half of festivities, fans were able to get up close to the race cars, teams and drivers in the pits to experience the NHRA Countdown to Championship firsthand. Whether you're a drag racing fan or new to the sport, there was something for everyone to enjoy.
In true Texas tradition, cowboys drove over a dozen head of Texas cattle (along with special guests) through downtown Waxahachie making the historic loop around the courthouse to kick off the Fastest Ten Days of Speed. A two-day country music festival kicked off the weekend with musical nostalgia featuring some of the best acts from 90's Country. In addition to the throwback concerts, the event included Junior Bull Riding and concluded with a free after-party on the starting line.
Fans were able to indulge in mouthwatering BBQ at Jambo’s BBQ contest and Beer Expo that featured real Texas BBQ and cold beers from local breweries. In between musical acts, special match races took to the track. After the sunset, fans were amazed by a stunning drone show and a breathtaking fireworks display. The Texas Motorplex was the first of its kind, an all-concrete stadium-style drag racing facility that has seen numerous historic moments in the world of drag racing.
Leah Pruett Wins Top Fuel at Texas Motorplex
With near perfect Texas weather at Texas Motorplex over the weekend, drag racing fans lined the track to watch the Best of the Best take their shot at a track record during the 38th annual Texas NHRA FallNationals. Steve Torrence raced the CAPCO Contractors Top Fuel dragster to Number One qualifier with a 3.636-second ET at 336.62 mph with points leader Doug Kalitta seeded second. The four-time champion led the way for the second-quickest qualifying field in history.
Torrence eliminated Buddy Hull and Antron Brown before a semifinal match against his dad. Billy Torrence got the advantage at the tree but a 3.697 ET let his son Steve advance to the Final. In the other bracket, Leah Pruett beat Shawn Langdon, Doug Kalitta, and Clay Millican enroute to a head-to-head final against Torrence. Looking to earn her first world championship, the driver of the Tony Stewart Racing/Mobil 1 Dodge SRT dragster nailed a holeshot win over a quicker and faster four-time NHRA Top Fuel champion.
Matt Hagan Wins Funny Car at Texas Motorplex
It was another great start for Ford Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang driver Bob Tasca III at Texas Motorplex during Saturday’s final rounds of qualifying for the 38th annual Texas NHRA FallNationals. He knocked the legendary John Force out of the Number One qualifier position for nitro Funny Car by one-thousandth of a second. With ideal weather in the forecast, Tasca added to his points lead and earned his seventh Number One qualifier of the season.
Tasca III was eliminated in Round Two by Tim Wilkerson who would lose his semifinal round to Matt Hagan. Number Two qualifier John Force defeated Jeff Diehl, Cruz Pedregon, and JR Todd enroute to Funny Car final for the NHRA Fallnationals. Behind the wheel of the American Rebel Dodge SRT Hellcat, Hagan picked up his fourth win at Texas Motorplex and sixth Wally of the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing series. Hagan takes over the points lead heading to the penultimate event at Las Vegas.
Artwork courtesy of NHRA
UP COMING:
NHRA Nevada Nationals
NHRA Nitro teams return to action at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for fall race featuring two-wide head-to-head competition. Las Vegas is also the final race of the 2023 FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod season presented by Type A Motorsports and the final race of the year for Factory Stock. The NHRA Nevada Nationals is the penultimate event for other NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series classes.
