The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series returns to Texas Motorplex from October 9-18, headlined by the sixth Stampede of Speed and the 41st Texas NHRA FallNationals.

The FallNationals, on October 14-18, is round 18 of 20 and the fourth Countdown event, sharpening the title fight during NHRA’s 75th anniversary season.

Last season’s Dallas winners in all four pro classes converted those victories into championships, underlining this event’s decisive influence on the standings.

FS1 carries Sunday eliminations from 4 p.m. ET on October 18, complementing the sport’s expanded digital footprint through the ongoing FloRacing partnership.

Friday opens with two pro qualifying sessions and JEGS Friday Night Live, including the Battle for the Saddle and more than $40,000 in bonus awards across all pro classes.

Quickest runs at night pay $15,000 in Top Fuel and Funny Car, $7,500 in Pro Stock, and $5,000 in Pro Stock Motorcycle. Fans are urged to wear black and yellow for the themed bash.

Saturday’s VP Racing Spirits Final Qualifying awards the Speedy Armadillo trophy. VP Racing’s Ida Zetterstrom and the Mad Scientist mascot will present honors and spotlight Twisted Sisters Texas Whiskey’s motorsports debut.

Sunday’s eliminations reward execution under pressure. In a tight Countdown phase, lane choice, turnaround discipline, and reaction-time margins will likely decide class outcomes.

The 75th season also salutes Texas Motorplex owner Billy Meyer, honored among NHRA’s Top 75 Drivers, underscoring the venue’s place in drag racing history.

In Top Fuel, Doug Kalitta arrives with four wins and the regular-season crown. Teammate Shawn Langdon rides a three-race streak, with Antron Brown, Leah Pruett, Maddi Gordon, and Tony Stewart in pursuit.

Matt Hagan leads Funny Car, with Jordan Vandergriff second. Veterans Ron Capps, J.R. Todd, and Jack Beckman remain firmly in contention as tuning windows narrow.

Pro Stock features Dallas Glenn, last year’s Dallas winner, currently third behind Matt Hartford and leader Greg Stanfield. Greg Anderson, Jeg Coughlin Jr., Troy Coughlin Jr., and Erica Enders add depth.

Richard Gadson fronts Pro Stock Motorcycle after a strong regular season, but Gaige Herrera, Matt and Angie Smith, John Hall, Ryan Oehler, and Chase Van Sant keep the pressure high.

Support categories include the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown, and Right Trailers Outlaw Street, with the JEGS Allstars beginning October 16.

Fans get a 10-day build-up with concerts, divisional racing, and NHRA FanFest. Pro qualifying runs Friday and Saturday, with eliminations Sunday, plus a Friday qualifying spotlight on outright pace.

Visual Summary

Nicholas Rivera

Nicholas Rivera delivers NHRA Top Fuel and Funny Car news, including eliminator-round results and reaction-time stats. He brings track-side interviews, contender profiles, and championship-point breakdowns straight from drag-racing’s biggest national events.