By Mike Haag | Raceday San Antonio
ENNIS, Texas — Four-time NHRA Top Fuel world champion Antron Brown ended Shawn Langdon’s 17-round and four-race winning streak Sunday and capped a dominant performance with his second victory of the season at the 41st annual Texas NHRA FallNationals at Texas Motorplex.
Brown powered his 12,000-horsepower Matco Tools dragster to a 3.706-second run at 335.75 mph in the final round to defeat rookie Maddi Gordon, who fouled at the starting line. The victory was Brown’s 83rd career triumph and fourth at Texas Motorplex, where he celebrated his first professional victory in 1999 while competing in Pro Stock Motorcycle.
The win came at a critical point in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season. Sunday’s race marked the fourth of six events in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs. Brown, who last won at Bristol, moved into third place in the standings with two races remaining.
“It’s really intense right now,” Brown said. “We knew we had our work cut out for us. We qualified fourth, and when we went up against Leah, they had been dropping bombs all weekend long. She wasn’t shy on that tree. She was .034, but that Matco horsepower came through.”
Brown’s road to the finals was not an easy one. He defeated Dan Mercier with a 3.715-second pass at 337.99 mph in the opening round before running 3.696 at 338.40 to eliminate Leah Pruett in the quarterfinals. He then delivered one of the day’s biggest upsets, defeating points leader Langdon in the semifinals with a 3.720 at 334.32 mph.
The semifinal victory snapped Langdon’s 17-round winning streak and ended his bid for a fifth consecutive national event victory. Langdon, who entered the weekend with eight wins this season, ran 3.738 at 337.89 mph but couldn’t catch Brown, who advanced to his 148th career final round and fourth of the season.
“When we go up against somebody like Shawn Langdon, you’ve got to throw it all out there,” Brown said. “Shawn and I have had some monumental matchups. When you line up against Leah, that’s a showstopper, too. And Maddi, with Rob Flynn, they’re no joke either. To beat the best, you’ve got to show up and try to be the best.”
Gordon, meanwhile, continued her impressive rookie campaign by reaching her third final round of the season. She defeated Shawn Reed, reigning world champion Doug Kalitta and Justin Ashley before her bid for a breakthrough victory ended with a red-light start against Brown.
“In the final, Maddi was pushing it, and that tree was a long tree,” Brown said. “You want to be on time. I know where she’s been. I’ve been there. I’ve done it. You kick yourself in the butt, and you’re beat up. But you wouldn’t be like that if you weren’t trying to win.”
Brown said he briefly thought about shutting off his dragster after seeing Gordon’s red light but decided to complete the run for the fans who packed the Motorplex grandstands throughout the weekend.
“I heard her double-step it, and I saw the red light come on,” Brown said. “I was contemplating so many different things. Should I drive it all the way? I don’t want to tear it up. That’s money in the pocket. But the fans paid good money, and it felt good to put another 335 mph on the board with a 3.70.”
The victory carried additional significance for Brown, whose first career NHRA national event win came at the Motorplex in 1999. He laughed while recalling that his opponents had red-lighted against him during that breakthrough performance, a coincidence that made Sunday’s final-round outcome particularly memorable.
“It’s very, very special,” Brown said. “I remember coming here in 1999 and winning, but everybody red-lighted against me because they feared what was coming on that train. Everybody said I got lucky that day because everybody red-lighted. No, they were scared! They were scared! They needed to be scared! I’m just joking.”
Brown also credited the Motorplex’s racing surface and passionate Texas fans for making the facility one of his favorite stops on the NHRA circuit. He praised the track’s consistency, noting that teams produced exceptional performances throughout the weekend despite changing weather and track conditions.
“I’m going to tell you what’s so special about this racetrack,” Brown said. “It’s not just the family that runs it. It’s the fans that show up. If you look at all of our pits throughout the weekend, there were gobs of people at every pit.”
Another memorable part of Brown’s weekend involved NHRA legend “Big Daddy” Don Garlits, who visited his pit area between elimination rounds. Brown said Garlits closely examined the team’s equipment, watched crew members prepare the dragster and offered some straightforward racing advice.
“He looked at me and said, ‘Son, I’m going to tell you something. Leave first and get to the finish line first,’” Brown recalled. “You’ve got to love the man to death. That’s what this sport has. It tells you how these guys and gals who came up before us, their mindset, how they were humble and worked hard. But you’ve got to have some confidence, too. Big Daddy has always been a big hero of mine.”
Brown said he believes his team is finding its rhythm at the right time. With improved performance from his dragster and growing confidence among his crew, Brown said the team is beginning to show the consistency necessary to compete with the sport’s strongest contenders.
“We just want to peak at the right time every year,” Brown said. “We thought we were going to peak right before the Countdown, but it just didn’t work out that way. We’re peaking right now, halfway through the Countdown, so it feels really good to get that going.”
Despite his semifinal loss, Langdon maintained a 139-point lead over Kalitta in the championship standings, 2,546-2,407. Brown climbed to third with 2,322 points, 224 behind Langdon, followed by Tony Stewart with 2,294 and Pruett with 2,281.
“We’ve got Vegas up next, and there are two more of these Diamond Wallys out there,” Brown said. “We’ve got to take it one round at a time. Our main focus is that we go into those races with confidence. We know we can compete, and we know we can win. Once this team gets some motivation, drive and confidence, we’re a tough competitor.”
The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series resumes Oct. 29-Nov. 1 with the MOPAR NHRA Las Vegas Nationals powered by Dodge at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the penultimate race of the 2026 season.
NIS, Texas — Final finish order (1-16) at the 41st annual Texas NHRA FallNationals at Texas Motorplex. The race is the 18th of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series.
TOP FUEL:
1. Antron Brown; 2. Maddi Gordon; 3. Shawn Langdon; 4. Justin Ashley; 5. Leah Pruett; 6. Will Smith; 7. Doug Kalitta; 8. Tony Stewart; 9. Billy Torrence; 10. Shawn Reed; 11. Tony Schumacher; 12. Josh Hart; 13. Dan Mercier; 14. Jake Sanders; 15. Clay Millican; 16. Spencer Massey.
FUNNY CAR:
1. J.R. Todd; 2. Matt Hagan; 3. Ron Capps; 4. Jordan Vandergriff; 5. Alexis DeJoria; 6. Austin Prock; 7. Jack Beckman; 8. Paul Lee; 9. Cruz Pedregon; 10. Blake Alexander; 11. Spencer Hyde; 12. Dave Richards; 13. Chad Green; 14. Terry Haddock; 15. Hunter Green; 16. Daniel Wilkerson.
PRO STOCK:
1. Dallas Glenn; 2. Matt Hartford; 3. Greg Anderson; 4. Troy Coughlin Jr.; 5. Jeg Coughlin; 6. Erica Enders; 7. Matt Latino; 8. Chris Vang; 9. Deric Kramer; 10. Cody Anderson; 11. Jerry Tucker; 12. Kenny Delco; 13. Eric Latino; 14. Stephen Bell; 15. Aaron Stanfield; 16. Greg Stanfield.
PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE:
1. Matt Smith; 2. Richard Gadson; 3. Ryan Oehler; 4. Steve Johnson; 5. Gaige Herrera; 6. Joey Gladstone; 7. Chase Van Sant; 8. Angie Smith; 9. Clayton Howey; 10. Malcolm Phillips Jr.; 11. John Hall; 12. Hector Arana Jr; 13. Geno Scali; 14. Marc Ingwersen; 15. GT Tonglet; 16. Chris Bostick.
ENNIS, Texas — Sunday’s final results from the 41st annual Texas NHRA FallNationals at Texas Motorplex. The race is the 18th of 20 in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series:
Top Fuel — Antron Brown, 3.706 seconds, 335.75 mph def. Maddi Gordon, Foul – Red Light.
Funny Car — J.R. Todd, Toyota GR Supra, 3.931, 331.76 def. Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger, 4.050, 316.57.
Pro Stock — Dallas Glenn, Chevy Camaro, 6.478, 212.30 def. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.496, 212.37.
Pro Stock Motorcycle — Matt Smith, Buell, 6.660, 203.08 def. Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 6.654, 203.79.
Top Alcohol Dragster — Shawn Cowie, 5.207, 279.69 def. Alan Bradshaw, Broke.
Top Alcohol Funny Car — Shane Westerfield, Chevy Camaro, 5.479, 266.73 def. Doug Gordon, Camaro, 5.478, 241.27.
Competition Eliminator — Christopher Benham, Spitzer, 7.426, 148.89 def. Monty Bogan, Pontiac G5, 8.447, 127.30.
Super Stock — Jeremy Duncan, Chevy Camaro, 9.213, 139.09 def. Larry Hodge, Chevy Cavalier, 9.717, 131.67.
Stock Eliminator — Chris Knudsen, Chevy Camaro, 10.226, 125.13 def. Paul Stalba, Chevy Corvette, 10.205, 119.68.
Super Comp — Kyle Secrest, Dragster, 8.895, 174.11 def. Tom Stalba, Dragster, 88.911, 174.45.
Super Gas — Kyle Pawuk, Chevy Bel Air, 9.920, 161.98 def. Jeremy Demers, Chevy Corvette, 9.929, 157.55.
Super Street — Ross Ragland, Chevy Camaro, 10.913, 133.28 def. Cary Huber, Chevy Nova, 10.932, 126.45.
Top Dragster — Crystal Peterson-Martinez, Dragster, 6.111, 214.79 def. Dylan Hough, Dragster, 6.163, 223.99.
Top Sportsman — Chanse Bullock, Pontiac GTO, 6.526, 206.01 def. Jim Thorp, Chevy Camaro, 6.218, 230.38.
Outlaw Street — Carson Baker, Chevy Camaro, 3.666, 205.35 def. Clay Cole, Camaro, 3.662, 213.37.
Factory Stock Showdown — Mark Pawuk, Dodge Charger, 7.522, 185.07 def. Lee Hartman, Dodge Challenger, 7.542, 183.32.
Junior Dragster Shootout — Tyler Wells, 8.210, 83.21 def. Abigail Wilson, McIlivan, 7.994, 82.59.
ENNIS, Texas — Final round-by-round results from the 41st annual Texas NHRA FallNationals at Texas Motorplex, the 18th of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series:
TOP FUEL:
ROUND ONE — Will Smith, 3.746, 334.65 def. Josh Hart, 3.778, 338.04; Maddi Gordon, 3.715, 340.08 def. Shawn Reed, 3.743, 331.98; Antron Brown, 3.715, 337.99 def. Dan Mercier, 3.789, 328.44; Doug Kalitta, 3.687, 341.61 def. Tony Schumacher, 3.764, 335.07; Tony Stewart, 3.696, 338.55 def. Spencer Massey, Foul – Red Light; Shawn Langdon, 3.705, 340.37 def. Jake Sanders, 3.808, 324.82; Leah Pruett, 3.684, 338.86 def. Billy Torrence, 3.731, 336.80; Justin Ashley, 3.738, 327.96 def. Clay Millican, 5.406, 122.09;
QUARTERFINALS — Langdon, 3.707, 339.88 def. Smith, 3.743, 333.68; Ashley, 4.222, 257.94 def. Stewart, 4.925, 158.37; Gordon, 3.720, 336.70 def. Kalitta, 4.438, 185.31; Brown, 3.696, 338.40 def. Pruett, 3.735, 335.57;
SEMIFINALS — Gordon, 3.722, 335.07 def. Ashley, 9.567, 78.30; Brown, 3.720, 334.32 def. Langdon, 3.738, 337.89;
FINAL — Brown, 3.706, 335.75 def. Gordon, Foul – Red Light.
FUNNY CAR:
ROUND ONE — J.R. Todd, Toyota GR Supra, 3.940, 329.60 def. Spencer Hyde, Ford Mustang, 3.917, 324.00; Alexis DeJoria, Chevy Camaro, 3.902, 331.56 def. Dave Richards, Mustang, 3.953, 332.84; Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger, 3.918, 332.20 def. Hunter Green, Charger, 9.466, 91.42; Jack Beckman, Camaro, 3.884, 335.12 def. Terry Haddock, Mustang, 4.000, 315.21; Austin Prock, Mustang, 3.883, 331.74 def. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 3.897, 326.61; Jordan Vandergriff, Camaro, 3.877, 338.37 def. Blake Alexander, Toyota Supra, 3.913, 332.47; Paul Lee, Charger, 4.095, 255.87 def. Daniel Wilkerson, Mustang, Foul – Red Light; Ron Capps, GR Supra, 3.922, 330.11 def. Chad Green, Mustang, 3.976, 299.72;
QUARTERFINALS — Hagan, 3.948, 331.37 def. Lee, 11.077, 58.40; Capps, 3.917, 332.67 def. Beckman, 10.111, 85.17; Vandergriff, 3.922, 332.01 def. Prock, Foul – Red Light; Todd, 3.930, 333.75 def. DeJoria, 3.890, 314.66;
SEMIFINALS — Hagan, 3.931, 335.10 def. Vandergriff, 11.821, 72.73; Todd, 3.912, 333.01 def. Capps, 3.933, 330.86;
FINAL — Todd, 3.931, 331.76 def. Hagan, 4.050, 316.57.
PRO STOCK:
ROUND ONE — Jeg Coughlin, Chevy Camaro, 6.509, 211.55 def. Greg Stanfield, Camaro, 6.972, 177.84; Chris Vang, Camaro, 6.500, 210.73 def. Eric Latino, Camaro, 6.498, 212.54; Troy Coughlin Jr., Camaro, 6.477, 211.82 def. Cody Anderson, Camaro, 6.491, 210.83; Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.478, 212.50 def. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.481, 212.40; Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.473, 212.75 def. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 6.496, 210.86; Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.464, 212.87 def. Stephen Bell, Camaro, 6.527, 210.76; Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.495, 212.62 def. Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, Foul – Red Light; Matt Latino, Camaro, 6.481, 212.66 def. Jerry Tucker, Camaro, 6.495, 210.52;
QUARTERFINALS — Hartford, 6.501, 212.98 def. Vang, 20.554, 38.17; Coughlin Jr., 6.505, 211.39 def. M. Latino, 6.539, 212.19; G. Anderson, 6.487, 212.22 def. Enders, 6.511, 212.30; Glenn, 6.482, 212.33 def. Coughlin, 6.503, 211.21;
SEMIFINALS — Hartford, 6.843, 210.69 def. Coughlin Jr., 15.430, 69.66; Glenn, 6.498, 212.22 def. G. Anderson, 6.520, 211.42;
FINAL — Glenn, 6.478, 212.30 def. Hartford, 6.496, 212.37.
PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE:
ROUND ONE — Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.674, 200.65 def. John Hall, Buell, 6.803, 201.32; Angie Smith, Buell, 6.739, 201.97 def. Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 6.925, 180.88; Ryan Oehler, 6.729, 199.35 def. Clayton Howey, Buell, 6.785, 197.04; Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.762, 201.11 def. Geno Scali, Suzuki, 6.822, 200.48; Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 6.694, 201.88 def. Marc Ingwersen, 6.835, 197.10; Joey Gladstone, Buell, 6.772, 200.44 def. GT Tonglet, Buell, 6.886, 196.68; Matt Smith, Buell, 6.693, 201.78 def. Malcolm Phillips Jr., Suzuki, 6.791, 199.16; Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.669, 202.46 def. Hector Arana Jr, Foul – Red Light;
QUARTERFINALS — Oehler, 6.762, 200.52 def. Gladstone, 6.803, 199.50; Gadson, 6.719, 201.13 def. A. Smith, 8.940, 95.65; M. Smith, 6.715, 201.22 def. Van Sant, 6.811, 199.29; Johnson, 6.673, 201.23 def. Herrera, 6.669, 202.68;
SEMIFINALS — M. Smith, 6.718, 200.70 def. Oehler, 6.778, 200.53; Gadson, 6.703, 201.30 def. Johnson, 6.780, 198.59;
FINAL — M. Smith, 6.660, 203.08 def. Gadson, 6.654, 203.79.
ENNIS, Texas — Point standings (top 10) following the 41st annual Texas NHRA FallNationals at Texas Motorplex, the 18th of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series –
Top Fuel
1. Shawn Langdon, 2,546; 2. Doug Kalitta, 2,407; 3. Antron Brown, 2,322; 4. Tony Stewart, 2,294; 5. Leah Pruett, 2,281; 6. Will Smith, 2,261; 7. Maddi Gordon, 2,260; 8. Justin Ashley, 2,227; 9. Billy Torrence, 2,198; 10. Josh Hart, 2,197.
Funny Car
1. Matt Hagan, 2,503; 2. Jordan Vandergriff, 2,405; 3. J.R. Todd, 2,384; 4. Austin Prock, 2,348; 5. Jack Beckman, 2,343; 6. Ron Capps, 2,315; 7. Alexis DeJoria, 2,276; 8. Daniel Wilkerson, 2,207; 9. Chad Green, 2,155; 10. Spencer Hyde, 2,149.
Pro Stock
1. Dallas Glenn, 2,432; 2. Greg Stanfield, 2,418; 3. Matt Hartford, 2,391; 4. Greg Anderson, 2,354; 5. Troy Coughlin Jr., 2,333; 6. (tie) Cody Anderson, 2,250; Aaron Stanfield, 2,250; 8. Jeg Coughlin, 2,248; 9. Matt Latino, 2,228; 10. Erica Enders, 2,208.
Pro Stock Motorcycle
1. Richard Gadson, 2,475; 2. Gaige Herrera, 2,417; 3. Matt Smith, 2,390; 4. Ryan Oehler, 2,334; 5. John Hall, 2,308; 6. Jianna Evaristo, 2,288; 7. Angie Smith, 2,287; 8. Chase Van Sant, 2,242; 9. Steve Johnson, 2,171; 10. Clayton Howey, 2,158.
