In Pro Stock history, just one driver has ever won at Texas Motorplex for three consecutive years. At this weekend’s 39th annual Texas NHRA FallNationals, reigning world champion Erica Enders has the opportunity to tie the great driver Warren Johnson with a victory, which would also improve her chances of winning the championship.
Third-place finisher Enders has won the Texas NHRA FallNationals twice in a row, and each victory has helped her win two titles in a row. Although her triumph last year made her the most successful woman in motorsports and is still a memorable one for Enders, the six-time world champion couldn’t have time for another triumph.
In her Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage/Melling Performance/Scag Power Equipment vehicle, she is still vying for her 50th career national event victory and her first since the Gainesville season opener. In addition, Enders is competing for her crew chief, Mark Ingersoll, who underwent a double lung transplant last week and is currently recuperating.
Enders is thinking about it a lot going into the crucial race in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs, but she would be happy to win at her home track for a number of reasons.
Enders stated, “I am just focused on the task at hand.” “To be honest, we have to go out there and win here. I also think Vegas is a pretty excellent track, so maybe we’ll do well in these next two races and get past our 50th. However, there are a lot of different aspects to this approach. We have a lot on our hearts, a lot on the table, and a lot going on. We simply need to focus and put our heads down.
A victory puts us back in the running. The (same) four drivers—points leader Dallas Glenn, Aaron Stanfield, Greg Anderson, and Enders—have appeared in each of the Countdown’s first three semifinals. Taking a step in front of someone can be challenging because of that. It would be fantastic to win three straight and to accomplish it for Mark, since we have won here the past two years in a succession.
This year’s race will once again be televised on FS1, with elimination coverage starting at 4 p.m. Last season, Leah Pruett (Top Fuel), Matt Hagan (Funny Car), Enders (Pro Stock), and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all won NHRA victories in Dallas.
Sunday, October 13. It is the 18th of 20 races in the 2024 season and the fourth of six in the Countdown to the Championship.
“Friday Night Live,” which gives the Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle stars over $40,000 in additional money, kicks off a playoff matchup the size of Texas. The quickest qualifier in Pro Stock will receive $7,500, while the quickest qualifier in Pro Stock Motorcycle will receive $5,000. The low qualifier under the lights on Friday night will earn Top Fuel and Funny Car stars $15,000 in bonus money each.
One of the many reasons Enders enjoys racing at Texas Motorplex is that start to the weekend. However, as she attempts to advance up the rankings, the intensity will be at an all-time high. Following consecutive victories, Glenn has regained the lead in the standings, now leading Enders’ teammate Stanfield of Elite Motorsports by 31 points. Anderson is behind by 116 points, while Enders is 90 points behind. Enders is aware that she needs to improve. However, she is eager to take on the task at a place she has always loved.
“I adore Texas, and it’s no secret that I adore it and am a proud Texan,” Enders remarked. “The Meyer family’s contributions to our sport are truly amazing.
It’s that quintessential Texas hospitality, and I enjoy coming in here and feeling so grateful and welcome. There is nothing like this race. I enjoy being here because Friday night is usually so much fun for the “Battle of the Saddle,” and of course, winning the race and receiving the Corral Boots and the cowboy hat is always fairly amazing.
Following a good start to his first experience in the Countdown to the Championship, Richard Gadson is still in the running for the Pro Stock Motorcycle title. Before getting tripped in the second round in St. Louis, Gadson, a contender for the 2024 NHRA Rookie of the Year award, made it to two final rounds to start the playoffs.
On his RevZilla/Mission Foods/Vance & Hines Suzuki, the rookie is still in the middle of the championship mix going into this weekend’s race in Dallas. He is currently third in points, 65 points behind teammate and current world champion Herrera. In addition to facing players like Matt Smith, who is 34 points behind Herrera, Chase Van Sant, the 2023 NHRA Rookie of the Year, Angie Smith, Hector Arana Jr., the Reading champion, and Jianna Evaristo, Gadson will try to make a move in Dallas.
At the beginning of the season, Pruett of Top Fuel gave up driving her dragster and handed the wheel to her husband, the legendary motorsports figure Tony Stewart. Stewart, who finished second this season, will be aiming for his first Top Fuel victory in his career. He will face the current champion Doug Kalitta, past champion Shawn Langdon, star Justin Ashley, and points leader and three-time champion Antron Brown.
Hagan is the current Funny Car champion, and he won his fourth title in large part because of his performance at the 2023 Texas NHRA FallNationals. He will have to pass Austin Prock, the Funny Car points leader and a class rookie, Bob Tasca III, J.R. Todd, Ron Capps, and Jack Beckman, who is driving for John Force, if he hopes to go back-to-back in Dallas.
The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, which starts racing on Wednesday, October 9 and features some of the best drivers in the sport, will also be an exciting event at the Texas NHRA FallNationals.
. In addition to the Jr. Dragster Shootout and the thrilling new Holley EFI Factory X category, the weekend will feature a jet dragster exhibition following Friday’s nitro qualifying.
Additionally, fans will be treated to the JEG’s Allstar event, which features the greatest drag racing competition with gentleman racers from all across the nation. The unique specialty race is returning as a main highlight of the 2024 Stampede of Speed, one of the year’s most anticipated sporting events, following a successful inaugural year at the renowned Texas Motorplex in 2023.
The Nitro Alley Stage, the primary entertainment center in the pits, will offer Nitro School, meet and greets, music, and much more for fans to enjoy throughout the weekend. At Texas Motorplex, race fans can take part in the popular SealMaster Track Walk and other special pre-race festivities that honor and introduce each of the drivers competing for the coveted Wally on Sunday. After racing closes on Sunday, fans are encouraged to congratulate the Texas NHRA FallNationals event winners at the winner’s circle party, the last must-attend event of any NHRA event.
As usual, fans get access to the world’s most potent and sensory-rich motorsports attraction. In addition to getting signatures from their favorite NHRA drivers, fans can watch their favorite teams play and service their hot cars in between races. They can also go to the NHRA’s Manufacturers Midway, where race merchants and sponsors provide a pleasant environment with interactive displays, food, and entertainment.
Two rounds of qualifying for the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series will take place on Friday, October 11 at 4:15 and 7:00 p.m. CT, with the remaining two rounds taking place on Saturday, October 12 at 12:00 and 3:00 p.m. On Sunday, October 13, at 12:00 p.m. CT, the final eliminations will take place. On Sunday, FS1 will broadcast qualifying action at 2:00 p.m. ET, followed by eliminations action at 4 p.m.