Drivers and riders from every NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series categories spent time with fans in 2024 at the Prestage Fan Fest. (Photo courtesy Texas Motorplex)

By Mike Haag, Raceday San Antonio

ENNIS, Texas – NHRA drag racing fans will have an opportunity to meet their favorite racer and get their autograph on Thursday, October 9, at the Stampede of Speed and Texas Fall Nationals Prestage Fan Fest.

More than 50 of the biggest names in NHRA drag racing from the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle classes will attend the event, which will be held at Railyard Park just south of the historic town square in Waxahachie, Texas. The autograph session is scheduled from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public. The JEGS All-Star participants will join the festivities allowing fans to meet and greet some of the best sportsman racers from across the country.

“This is the largest free driver autograph session of the season, and we appreciate our competitors taking the time to visit with our amazing fans,” said Christie Meyer Johnson, Texas Motorplex co-owner. “Two years ago, we added the JEGS All-Star participants and now we have the future stars of the sports and the best sportsman racers signing autographs. The Fanfest has become one of the best fan friendly events in motorsports.”

Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Steve Johnson with Texas Motorplex mascot Oliver the Watusi. NHRA photo

Some of the drivers and riders that will attend the event include Brittany Force, Tony Stewart, Justin Ashley, Ron Capps, Antron Brown, Texans Steve Torrence and Erica Enders, Matt and Angie Smith and many more. These drag racers will be competing October 10-12 at the Texas NHRA Fall Nationals at the Texas Motorplex. In addition, Texas Motorplex mascot Oliver the Watusi will be available for photos, the “voice” of the Stampede of Speed, Joe Castello, will be emceeing and the Texas Motorplex Funny Car will be on display.

“I can’t thank the City of Waxahachie enough for their partnership for this event, and for the Stampede of Speed as a whole,” said Meyer Johnson. “We could not put on such an awesome Fan Fest event for our fans and the local community without their help. Their team exemplifies what it means to be Texas Proud, and I can’t wait for everyone to see what we have been able to create together.”

A complete list of drivers who have planned on attending is below. This list is subject to additions and deletions.

Top Fuel: Antron Brown, Justin Ashley, Clay Millican, Brittany Force, Shawn Reed, Tony Stewart, Tony Schumacher, Ida Zetterstrom, Josh Hart, Cameron Ferre and Doug Foley.

Funny Car: Austin Prock, Jack Beckman, Daniel Wilkerson, Hunter Green, Matt Hagan, Cruz Pedregon, Paul Lee, Terry Haddock, Dave Richards, Joe Morrison, Blake Alexander, Buddy Hull, Spencer Hyde, Alexis DeJoria and Chris King.

Pro Stock: Greg Anderson, Dallas Glenn, Erica Enders, Aaron Stanfield, Greg Stanfield, Jeg Coughlin Jr., Troy Coughlin Jr., Christian Cuadra, Eric Latino, Deric Kramer, Mason McGaha, Chris McGaha, Stephen Bell, Chris Vang and Cory Reed.

Pro Stock Motorcycle: Gaige Herrera, Matt Smith, Angie Smith, Richard Gadson, Jianna Evaristo, Chase Van Sant, Chris Bostick, John Hall, Steve Johnson, Brandon Litten, Marc Ingwersen, Ryan Oehler, Lance Bonham.

Top Alcohol Dragster: Angelle Sampey, Melanie Johnson and Kirk Wolf.

The Stampede of Speed and Texas Fall Nationals will also feature a variety of special events in addition to the Pre-Stage Fan Fest.

Gaige Herrera won the Battle for the Saddle at the 2024 Texas NHRA Fall Nationals. NHRA photo

The Stars of Texas three-day music festival will be held October 3-5, and will feature headliners Pat Green, Chris Young and Clint Black and many more opening acts. There are a few new fan experiences this year including the Jack Daniels Airstream bar, El Bandido Yankee Tequila mobile bar, and the NEFT Vodka 2-story bar with an observation deck on top.

The NHRA Texas Fall Nationals Countdown race will kick off with JEGS Friday Night Live on October 10. In addition to the cash bonuses for Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle drivers, each of the #1 Qualifiers will also get a $1,000 Gift Card from JEGS.

For more information on the Pre-Stage Fan Fest or the Stampede of Speed visit www.stampedeofspeed.com. The Texas NHRA Fall Nationals, the fourth Countdown playoff race, will be contested from October 8-12 at Texas Motorplex. For tickets and additional information, visit www.nhra.com or www.texasmotorplex.com.