Stampede of Speed
Big Names Highlight Saturday Stars of Texas Music Festival Line-Up
ENNIS, TX – The fifth year of the Stampede of Speed will bring big names and incredible family fun to the Texas Motorplex, October 3-12. 
The Stars of Texas Music Festival, October 3-5, will once again fire up country music fans from across the country. The Saturday line-up will feature Chris Young, Ashley McBryde, Ned Ledoux and Coffey Anderson. Tickets for the Stars of Texas Music Festival kicking off the iconic Stampede of Speed are on sale now. The Friday and Sunday line-ups will be announced in the coming weeks, but fans can secure their tickets to this unique event at a great price today. Single day and weekend tickets are available. There is even a ten-day ticket option that allows fans to join us for all the unforgettable moments of this historic event.
“We are thrilled with the three-day line-up of acts that we think will be fun for the entire family, especially for the ticket value,” said Christie Meyer Johnson, Texas Motorplex co-owner. “The Saturday line-up brings a great group of country music talent to the stage and fans will be equally as excited about the Friday and Sunday line-ups as well. There will be three full days of family friendly entertainment on top of the amazing music. When my family built the Texas Motorplex 40 years ago, we never could have dreamed that we would be hosting country music festivals. Now that we are five years into putting on the Stars of Texas, I can’t imagine us not having it in our yearly lineup of events.”
The Texas Motorplex is celebrating 40 years of racing and entertainment with the Stampede of Speed and 40th annual Texas Fall Nationals, October 8-12. Fans will be thrilled by the biggest names in drag racing competing for the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series world championships as well as the JEGS All-Star Race. Continue reading
JFR Dominates and Pro Stock Rivals Clash in Battle for the Saddle during NHRA Texas Fall Nationals
ENNIS, TX – Under a star filled night the superstars of the NHRA rewrote the Texas Motorplex record books and gave the tens of thousands 
of fans in attendance some amazing rivalry battles. The John Force Racing combo of Top Fuel’s Brittany Force and Funny Car’s Austin Prock each took the $15,000 low ET bonus cash. In Pro Stock Greg Anderson unseated rival Erica Enders for $7,500 while Pro Stock Motorcycle’s Gaige Herrera knocked off Jianna Evaristo in a classic Vance and Hines versus Matt Smith Racing tilt for the $5,000 bonus cash.
“The fans saw a great show and with record runs,” said Christie Meyer Johnson, Texas Motorplex co-owner. “The Battle for the Saddle is quickly becoming one of the ‘must-see’ races within a race. Seeing the fun emotion from drivers and riders as they relinquish their seats on the top end saddle is great for our fans.”
Force ran 3.667 seconds at 338.19 mph, the second fastest speed of the season in Top Fuel to secure the provisional No. 1 qualifier spot. She jumped from No. 15 to No. 1 on a spectacular full pull with eight-foot header flames shooting out of her HendrickCars.com Top Fuel dragster. Continue reading
TERRY HADDOCK GOES BACK-TO-BACK AT TEXAS INVITATIONAL
ENNIS, TX – For the second year in a row veteran Funny Car driver Terry Haddock took the win light at the Stampede of Speeds signature 
exhibition event, the Texas Invitational. Through two days of eliminations rounds that saw Haddock take on Arlington, Texas’ Kebin Kinsley and his War Wagon nitro fuel altered on Saturday and tonight outrun Pro Mod superstar Frankie Taylor to win the coveted Texas Invitational champion’s belt. Haddock took the race seriously both days and was overjoyed to be the only Texas Invitational winner to date.
“I was focused on what I was doing. I didn’t see him the whole run,” said Haddock, who took the win light at the 1/8-mile mark. “I didn’t hear him. I was just trying to win. We haven’t gotten a race in a couple of months, and we wanted to come out here and do a good job and make our sponsors happy. We are excited for next weekend and the NHRA Texas Fall Nationals. It was nice to come out and have all my friends and family here and win another Texas Invitational title. I want to thank Christie (Meyer Johnson) and Billy Meyer for putting this race on. The stands were packed and I think we made a lot of new drag racing fans this weekend.”
On Saturday night, the second night of the Stars of Texas Music Festival, in advance of headliner Tracy Lawrence, Haddock took on Kinsley and Taylor dueled against Brandon Pesz. Both races were spectacles of drag racing long smoky burnouts and header flames ruling the night. Haddock turned on his win light over a tire smoking Kinsley just after Taylor won a nail-biter of a Pro Mod race over Pesz. Continue reading
Impressive Group of NHRA Superstars Scheduled for Texas Fall Nationals Fan Fest
ENNIS, TX – The official start of the Texas NHRA Fall Nationals at the historic Texas Motorplex will rev up on October 10, with an epic line 
up of NHRA drivers and riders for the Pre-Stage Fan Fest in downtown Waxahachie, Texas, including current and former world champions in all four Mission Foods Drag Racing Series categories as well as nearly two dozen Texas Fall Nationals professional winners. Over 50 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series drivers and riders including fan favorites Justin Ashley, Ron Capps, Antron Brown, Texans Steve Torrence and Erica Enders, Matt and Angie Smith are scheduled to sign autographs at this free event held for the fourth consecutive year at Railyard Park just south of the historic Waxahachie town square. The JEGS All-Star participants will once again join the festivities allowing fans to meet and greet some of the best sportsman racers from across the country.
“Every year the Pre-Stage Fan Fest gets bigger and bigger,” said Christie Meyer Johnson, Texas Motorplex co-owner. “We love having so many drivers spend time with the fans before the race starts. Last year we added the JEGS All-star participants and now we have one of the largest autograph sessions in all motorsports. This year we have added Andy Ross to take the main stage and rock out for all the fans in attendance.” Continue reading
Olan and Judy Gotcher, Rosalee Noble Named Texas Motorplex Legends
ENNIS, TX – The Texas Motorplex today announced Olan and Judy Gotcher, long-time race operations and volunteers, and Rosalee Noble, 
Drag Racing Association of Women board member, have been named Texas Motorplex Legends in advance of the 2024 NHRA Texas Fall Nationals at the Stampede of Speed. The trio has made significant impacts at Texas Motorplex and across the drag racing landscape both on and off the track for decades.
“Olan, Judy and Rosalee are three people who many drag racing fans might not know but they are Legends nonetheless,” said Christie Meyer Johnson, Texas Motorplex co-owner. “They represent the hundreds of volunteers and behind the scenes people who make every drag race happen and support racers in their time of need. They have supported DRAW for decades and their love of drag racing and Texas Motorplex is appreciated beyond words. Calling them Legends is the least we can do to recognize their impact on our sport and Texas Motorplex.”
Noble had a passion for drag racing that goes back over 30 years to her time behind the wheel at Coles County Dragway in her 1982 Buick LeSabre Station wagon, affectionately called the Care Wagon. She was a three-time Coles County Dragway Champion and a runner-up in the Division 3 Race of Champions, earning respect and admiration from her competitors. Continue reading
NHRA DRIVERS ROLL INTO STAMPEDE OF SPEED AND TEXAS NHRA FALLNATIONALS FOR SECOND HALF OF PLAYOFFS
ENNIS, TX – 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. Continue reading
Pruett, Hagan, Enders and Herrera to be Celebrated at NHRA Texas Fall Nationals Champions’ Dinner
ENNIS, TX – Once again Texas Motorplex will recognize the NHRA Texas Fall Nationals Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock 
Motorcycle winners with a Champions’ Dinner on Wednesday, October 9, in their upscale Champions Club. This year the track will celebrate 2023 NHRA Texas Fall Nationals winners Leah Pruett (Top Fuel), Matt Hagan (Funny Car), Erica Enders (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle).
All four winners will be in attendance to celebrate their 2023 accomplishments as part of the 4th annual Stampede of Speed festivities. The event will feature a cocktail hour, plated dinner with entrees and desserts selected by the drivers themselves, individual photo opportunities with the drivers, Q&A hosted by NHRA announcer Joe Castello and a post-dinner concert on the lawn behind the luxury suites.
“The Stampede of Speed is unlike anything else in motorsports,” said Erica Enders, two-time Fall Nationals winner and 6-time Pro Stock world champion. “It’s no secret, I’m a proud Texan and it’s a unique opportunity to get to showcase Texas culture to the rest of the drag racing community. The Meyer family does such a fantastic job showcasing Texas and their love for our sport. Continue reading
Stampede of Speed and NHRA Texas Fall Nationals Tickets on Sale
ENNIS, TX – Tickets for the 4th annual Stampede of Speed and 39th annual NHRA Texas Fall Nationals, October 4-13, are on sale now at www.texasmotorplex.com. The ten-day event will feature racing, country music, and family-friendly events with a special traditional Texas flair at Texas Motorplex, the famed 500-acre multi-use facility, as well as downtown Waxahachie, Texas. Single day and multi-day tickets are available for the racing and music events.
“We have continued to improve the Stampede of Speed and this year we have expanded the NHRA Texas Fall Nationals with racing starting on Wednesday for our sportsman competitors,” said Christie Meyer Johnson, Texas Motorplex co-owner. “This year the Stampede of Speed will open with three days of amazing country music at Stars of Texas Festival and then roll into more racing action culminating with five days of NHRA Texas Fall Nationals.”
The NHRA Texas Fall Nationals will kick off on Wednesday, October 9 with sportsman and JEGS All-Star qualifying during the day. A ticketed VIP Champions’ Dinner will be hosted on Wednesday night celebrating the 2023 NHRA Texas Fall Nationals winners including Top Fuel’s Leah Pruett, Funny Car winner Matt Hagan, Erica Enders in Pro Stock and Gaige Herrera Pro Stock Motorcycle winner. Continue reading
Stars of Texas Music Festival Line-Up Loaded with Country Superstars
ENNIS, TX – For the fourth year in a row the Stampede of Speed will bust out of the gate with a mega line-up of country music talent during 
the Stars of Texas Music Festival, October 4-6. Tickets are on sale now for this year’s Stars of Texas Music Festival that has expanded to three days and nights of country music sure to thrill and excite music fans from across the country at Texas Motorplex. The Stars of Texas Music Festival daily headliners will include Wade Bowen, Tracy Lawrence, and Lady A plus a deep list of opening acts.
“We have been building the Stars of Texas Music Festival every year and now we are thrilled with the three-day line-up of acts that we think is one of the best in the state of Texas,” said Christie Meyer Johnson, Texas Motorplex co-owner. “We announced Saturday night’s headliner Tracy Lawrence at the end of the Stars of Texas Music Festival last year and now adding Lady A on Sunday night is amazing. We are thrilled to have Stampede of Speed and Texas Motorplex fan favorite Wade Bowen kick off Friday night.” Continue reading
Torrence, Tasca, Kramer and Herrera Take Big Money at Texas Fall Nationals Friday Night Live
DALLAS, TX – With spectacular conditions and a historically quick race surface, multiple track records were set tonight at the Stampede of 
Speed Friday Night Live event part of the 38th annual Texas Fall Nationals. Top Fuel and Funny Car No. 1 qualifiers Steve Torrence and Bob Tasca III grabbed the $15,000 top prize cash, respectively. Deric Kramer grabbed the Pro Stock No. 1 qualifier spot along with the $7,500 prize and Pro Stock Motorcycle’s Gaige Herrera continued his domination of the class winning $5,000 with the quickest run of the second session and day. Each of the cash winners also won a custom pair of CORRAL boots.
Torrence made the quickest and fastest run of his career, 3.636 seconds at 336.62 mph to run to the top of a stacked Top Fuel field. In Funny Car Bob Tasca III ran 3.822 seconds at 335.55 mph, both career best marks for the driver from Rhode Island. It also established Tasca as the quickest and fastest Ford Mustang driver in the history of the manufacturer.
“The is a special night because I am a Texan and this is the premier track in Texas,” said Torrence, a four-time Top Fuel world champion. “I have to thank the Meyer family for all they have done with the Stampede of Speed and the Texas Fall Nationals. This is a critical time in the playoffs and this race is a great event top to bottom. These Capco Boys are awesome. You always want to do well in front of your hometown fans. At the end of the day, we were the most consistent car across the board. This race is important, and we had a great day today.”
