Texas Motorplex
Texas Motorplex Welcomes Fans and NHRA In October
Five days of racing with social distancing and enhanced safety in effect
ENNIS, TX – After months of local and regional events with limited fans thanks to the support from Governor Greg Abbott, Texas Motorplex 
is set to host one of the largest outdoor motorsports events in the state with the 35th annual AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals, October 14-18, 2020. Working within the approved State of Texas guidelines, Texas Motorplex will be able to welcome up to 50 percent capacity for fans throughout the race week which will mean thousands of drag racing enthusiasts can travel to the race track located in Ennis, Texas, just minutes south of Dallas/Ft Worth for 300 mph side by side racing action. The track will be instituting the standard safety measures that have become commonplace as Texans work together to slow the spread of COVID-19.
“We will be encouraging fans to wear masks when social distancing isn’t an option,” said Andy Carter, Texas Motorplex General Manager. “We have the advantage of 500 acres of outdoor space to host the NHRA FallNationals with our pits open to the public which provides a lot of space for our fans to spread out and enjoying great racing action. I want to thank Governor Abbott and his staff for the support they have shown us since we started racing in May. We have had over a dozen events with fans and could not be more excited to host a national event for North Texas.”
NHRA ANNOUNCES REMAINDER OF 2020 MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES
ENNIS, TX – NHRA announced today the remainder of the 2020 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season. In collaboration with all stakeholders, NHRA plans to hold six national events to complete the 2020 season. The Texas Motorplex will be hosting the AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals, October 14-18 at the famed motorsports facility located just south of Dallas/Fort Worth. The track is celebrating its 35th anniversary and will be hosting a wide variety of classes and events throughout the week.
The 2020 NHRA season has looked very different due to the global pandemic. NHRA has worked closely with its partner tracks and race teams to construct a schedule that will honor its rich racing history.
“We have been racing under a special order from the Governor of the Great State of Texas since the end of May and our COVID numbers in our area are rapidly decreasing,” said Texas Motorplex owner Billy Meyer. “We are providing a variety of safety measures throughout the facility to ensure fans, racers and sponsors have a positive experience. Our number one goal is to host an exciting event from October 14-18.”
AAA Texas Fall Nationals Expects Championship Field In October
Wide Variety of Classes Makes Motorplex Event One of Biggest of Season
ENNIS, TX – The world renowned Texas Motorplex will be celebrating its 35th year of showcasing the fastest sport in the world, the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, and following the reorganization of the NHRA schedule the event will feature additional classes along with the traditional playoff atmosphere. Tickets for the October 14-18, NHRA AAA Texas FallNationals are on sale now following a highly successful renewal period and until July 1st each order will receive a commemorative 35th anniversary coin. As one of the last four races of the season title hopes are on the line and fans will be thrilled with exciting racing action.
The FallNationals will feature five days of racing action with all the top pro classes including Top Fuel and Funny Car as well as Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle racing Saturday and Sunday. Wednesday and Thursday will feature a National Open for sportsman competitors from across the country. Friday will be highlighted by the “Friday Night Live” featuring jet cars, nostalgia Funny Cars as well as a wide assortment of NHRA classes along with continued sportsman qualifying. Additionally, this will be the final event for Top Fuel Harleys so the championship will be on the line and will be crowned in front of the Texas Motorplex crowd.
Motorplex Set to Start Racing with Historic Lone Star Nationals
Fans offered PPV option to watch entire race weekend
ENNIS, TX – The Texas Motorplex will be one of the first sporting venues in the state to host events following Governor Abbott’s new 
directives on public gatherings and sporting events. The Keurig Dr Pepper Lone Star Nationals presented by Driven Automotive Protection, a primarily participant only event, will be held May 21-23. The event will be an opportunity for race teams to test as well as race for one of the largest cash purses ever offered to Alcohol Funny Cars and Dragsters. The Mid-West Pro Mods will also be competing showing off their 200 mph door-slammer speed.
“First we want to assure everyone that we are taking all necessary safety precautions to keep our employees, competitors and fans safe during this event,” said Andy Carter Texas Motorplex General Manager. “We know racers have been staying at home for over two months and we just want to give them one of the first opportunities to get back on the track. We have set up a program for fans to watch from home from their mobile devices, computer or even smart TV. The Lone Star Nationals will feature a great assortment of race cars and the track will be in great shape.”
Texas Motorplex AAA Texas FallNationals Tickets on Sale Now After Record Renewal Period
ENNIS, TX – The world renowned Texas Motorplex will be celebrating its 35th year of showcasing the fastest sport in 
the world, the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, and the upcoming International Drag Racing Hall of Fame induction of track founder and owner Billy Meyer with a season long Hall of Fame celebration. Since 1986 Texas Motorplex, located between Ennis, Texas and Waxahachie, Texas has featured the most exciting racing and biggest names in professional drag racing. Tickets for the October 15-18, AAA Texas FallNationals are on sale now following a highly successful renewal period and while supplies last each order will receive a commemorative 35th anniversary coin. The fourth of six Countdown championship playoff events, the FallNationals, is where title hopes are on the line, and champions are won.
“We had one of the most successful ticket renewal periods we have every experienced,” said Andy Carter general manager of Texas Motorplex. “More of our long-time FallNationals ticket holders either upgraded their orders to areas like the Champions Club with starting line seats or they added tickets to their previous packages. We had an amazing race last year with Kilgore’s own Billy Torrence getting the win in Top Fuel before going on to win his second consecutive Top Fuel world championship.”
Fans who buy any adult ticket with pit pass for any day of the FallNationals will receive one Texas Motorplex 35th Anniversary Commemorative Coin to be redeemed at the Texas Motorplex souvenir stand during the FallNationals. This promotion is limited to one coin per household while supplies last.
Texas Racing Legend Billy Meyer to be Inducted into International Drag Racing Hall of Fame
Waco, TX – Among the 2020 inductees into the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame announced this week by “Big Daddy” Don Garlits and the Hall of Fame selection committee is Texas Funny Car driver and racetrack developer Billy Meyer who, in his career on the NHRA pro tour, appeared in 22 final rounds and hoisted the trophy 12 times and his IHRA career appeared in 13 final rounds and won 8 trophies. Meyer will share the podium at the March induction ceremonies in Gainesville, Fla., with fellow legends Lee Beard, Roy Hill, Larry Minor and Don Enriquez.
“This is quite an honor for me and everyone that supported me throughout my racing career, especially my wife Deborah,” said Meyer. “I fell in love with drag racing as a teenager and never looked back. Winning Indy (1982) was a career highlight and we chased the NHRA championship a lot of years (finishing second in 1980, 1982 and 1984). Winning the IHRA championship (1980) and working with Hal Needham and Burt Reynolds was also equally as thrilling. When I got out of the seat, I turned my attention to the Texas Motorplex wanting to assist in taking the sport to the next level. I have given a lot of my life to drag racing and I am honored to be recognized by the International Hall of Fame.”
AFTER EARLY SLIP REIGNING TOP FUEL WORLD CHAMP STEVE TORRENCE BACK ON TRACK HEADING TO AAA TEXAS NHRA FALLNATIONALS
ENNIS, TX – It was a shocking start to the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship for reigning Top 
Fuel world champ Steve Torrence. But the talented Texan has more than made up for it at the past two races, looking back in championship form as he heads to his NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series home track with another world title on his mind.
Torrence started the six-race playoffs with a first-round loss – his first opening-round loss since February and first in the Countdown to the Championship since 2016 – but those concerns immediately went by the wayside. He rebounded with a final round appearance in St. Louis and a victory on Monday in Charlotte, regaining the points lead in his 11,000-horsepower Capco Contractors dragster and putting Torrence back on track for a possible second straight title heading to Texas Motorplex for this weekend’s 34th annual AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals.
“You have to go rounds and you need to win races,” said Torrence, who has nine wins in 2019. “I think we need to win two more races to be pretty solid and have an opportunity to win another championship. We’ll just do the best we can do. I’m looking forward to going to Dallas. It’s a good time right now having the momentum going back-to-back. We need to try to go there and carry this momentum and see if we can be successful.”
Race Week Festivities Highlight AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals
DALLAS, TX – Since its very first race in 1986, Texas Motorplex in Ennis, Texas, has been bringing high speed and 
exciting motorsports action to North Texas. As the longest running major motorsports venue in the Metroplex Texas Motorplex continues to raise the bar on fan-friendly events as well as record setting performances. Racing action will begin on Friday October 17 and run through Sunday October 20 but prior to and during the event fans will be treated to additional festivities both on and off the track.
“We look at the AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals as one of the premiere motorsports events in the state. We have the quickest and fastest race cars and no one can compete with our fan access,” said Andy Carter, Texas Motorplex general manager. “Also with the Thursday night free FanFest in downtown Ennis featuring over 20 drivers and riders, including 16-time Funny Car champion John Force, two-time champion Robert Hight and reigning Funny Car champion J.R. Todd as well as our pit access you will not get a better fan experience.”
Featured Race Week Events Include:
Pre-Stage FanFest, October 17 – The City of Ennis and Texas Motorplex are partnering for the sixth annual Pre-Stage FanFest between 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. in Downtown Ennis. Main Street and Knox Street (200 NW Main Street) will be blocked off for fans to wander between NHRA pro and sportsman cars, food trucks, music and more. Professional racers will be available for autographs during the event from 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Cory McClenathan to Be Named Texas Motorplex Legend at FallNationals
ENNIS, TX – Three-time Texas Motorplex Top Fuel winner and 34-time Top Fuel NHRA national event winner Cory 
McClenathan will be honored at the upcoming 34th annual AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals as the first recipient of the Texas Motorplex Legend award. McClenathan who announced he will race the final three NHRA Mello Yello Series national events of the 2019 season and then retire last appeared at the FallNationals in 2018. He has 18 starts, two No. 1 qualifiers, five finals, three wins and 32-15 record at the NHRA super-track located just south of Dallas. McClenathan will be racing a Top Fuel dragster owned by Dexter Tuttle and sponsored by Revchem Composites and Nordic Boats.
Most notably McClenathan was the first driver to exceed 320 mph when his McDonald’s sponsored Top Fuel dragster blazed down the all-concrete track at a speed of 321.77 mph in 1997. That run was voted the Top 5 all-time Motorplex Moment. Ironically, McClenathan is recognized in the No. 9 all-time Motorplex Moment which was Don Prudhomme’s last professional victory as a driver. McClenathan was in the opposite lane against Prudhomme during that race in 1994.
“Cory McClenathan is a big part of the record setting history of Texas Motorplex and the AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals,” said Andy Carter, Texas Motorplex General Manager. “We are thrilled he is closing out his amazing career with another race in Ennis. We are honored to recognize him as the first Texas Motorplex Legend award recipient. We will have a special presentation for him during opening ceremonies and he will forever be recognized in the Texas Motorplex Champion’s Club.”
TOP FUEL STAR BRITTANY FORCE AIMS FOR ANOTHER CLUTCH PERFORMANCE AT AAA TEXAS NHRA FALLNATIONALS
ENNIS, TX – Brittany Force knows what a win at Texas Motorplex can do for championship aspirations. The Top 
Fuel standout performed well in the pressure moments of the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship stop at the track two years ago, using that victory to HELP claim the first world championship in her NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series career.
Right in the middle of the title mix through two of six playoff races in the 2019 season, Force will aim for her second win in Dallas at the 34th annual AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals, Oct. 17-20. She has enjoyed another banner year in her 11,000-horsepower Advance Auto Parts dragster, sitting just 48 points back of the lead heading to a crucial point in the season.
“If you look at the season, we’ve done well in cooler conditions or those prime conditions,” Force said. “But this team is always positive, even when we’ve had bad days. When you make a mistake, you use it to push harder and come back better. We’ve been in these situations before and been through the pressure, and come out on top. There’s no reason we can’t do it again.”
