By Mike Haag | Raceday San Antonio
ENNIS, Texas – Dallas Glenn capped a record-setting weekend at Texas Motorplex on Sunday, winning the Pro Stock title at the 41st annual Texas NHRA FallNationals and reclaiming the championship points lead with two races remaining in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.
The reigning world champion defeated Matt Hartford in the final round with a run of 6.478 seconds at 212.30 mph in his RAD Torque Systems Chevrolet Camaro. The victory was Glenn’s fifth of the season, his second consecutive at Texas Motorplex and completed a dominant weekend that included setting the quickest elapsed time in Pro Stock history.
Glenn made history Saturday when he recorded a national-record run of 6.434 seconds at 213.50 mph to earn the No. 1 qualifying position. He carried that momentum into Sunday’s eliminations, posting the quickest elapsed time in all four rounds while defeating Stephen Bell, Jeg Coughlin Jr., KB Titan Racing teammate Greg Anderson and Hartford.
“To know you have the best car going into race day and then go out there and execute four times is incredible,” Glenn said. “I don’t know if I’ve ever run the table in eliminations where I had the fastest car every single round. That’s incredibly hard to do, especially with changing track conditions and quick turnarounds.”
The victory also produced a swing in the championship standings. Glenn entered Sunday trailing Greg Stanfield by 71 points, but Stanfield suffered a stunning first-round loss to Jeg Coughlin Jr. after experiencing severe tire shake. Coughlin advanced with a 6.509-second run at 211.55 mph while Stanfield slowed to 6.972 at 177.84. Glenn capitalized on the opportunity and now leads Stanfield by 14 points, 2,432-2,418, heading into the final two races of the Countdown to the Championship playoffs.
“When he lost in the first pair, I thought, ‘Wow, OK,’” Glenn said. “At that point, even if we just won the first round, it was going to be what I would consider a win as far as points.”
Glenn said his approach has changed considerably since capturing his first world championship in 2025.
“I feel like ever since winning the championship last year, I’ve been a lot calmer and more relaxed,” he said. “This year, I feel super calm and relaxed, like I’m just going up there clicking off time runs, trying to do the best I can and trying to be like a robot.”
Glenn was especially sharp in the final round, recording a .010-second reaction time before pulling away from Hartford, who finished in 6.496 seconds at 212.37 mph.
“I knew my car was fantastic. I knew we had a little bit left in it from the semifinals,” Glenn said. “The crew chiefs did a fantastic job. I don’t feel like I messed anything up. I did my job, cut a good light and tried to make sure Matt Hartford couldn’t sneak around me.”
Hartford advanced to his seventh final round of the season and 28th of his career by defeating Aaron Stanfield, Chris Vang and Troy Coughlin Jr. He remains third in the championship standings with 2,391 points, 41 behind Glenn. Greg Anderson is fourth with 2,354 points after defeating longtime rival Erica Enders in the quarterfinals by approximately 16 inches in their 64th career meeting. Anderson later fell to Glenn in the semifinals, 6.498 to 6.520.
Glenn said the victory was particularly meaningful because of a difficult week for the family of KB Titan Racing co-owner Annie Whiteley.
“This was an emotional weekend for the whole Whiteley family, one of our owners,” Glenn said. “They’ve had a really hard week. Annie lost her sister, so I wanted to go up there and try to win it for her and for the entire KB Titan crew.”
With the championship battle tightening, Glenn leaves Texas carrying both the points lead and considerable momentum into Las Vegas. “To be able to take the points lead back home to North Carolina makes all the hard work, blood, sweat and tears we’ve put in over the last few weeks worth it,” Glenn said.
Pro Stock Motorcycle
In Pro Stock Motorcycle, six-time world champion Matt Smith delivered one of the most dramatic performances of the afternoon, defeating points leader Richard Gadson on a holeshot in the final round to keep his hopes of a seventh championship alive. Smith recorded a 6.660-second pass at 203.08 mph on his Denso Auto Parts Buell, using a remarkable .006-second reaction time to overcome Gadson’s quicker 6.654 at 203.79.
The victory was Smith’s fourth of the season, 46th of his career and second at Texas Motorplex. Smith defeated Malcolm Phillips Jr., Chase Van Sant and Ryan Oehler before meeting Gadson in the final.
“When you’re racing that other camp, you know what they have,” Smith said. “They have the best equipment out here, and you have to get up on the wheel and go.”
Smith said he relied on information gathered during Saturday’s final qualifying session, when he recorded an .008 reaction time while racing Gadson. He returned to those settings for the championship round and improved his reaction time to .006.
“I went back and set my clutch and switch exactly where they were for that run, and I went up there and cut an .006 light,” Smith said. “I knew where I needed to be. I just didn’t know if I had the reaction time to beat him.”
The win moved Smith into third place in the standings with 2,390 points, 85 behind Gadson, who leads teammate Gaige Herrera by 58 points. Gadson reached his eighth final round of the season by defeating Marc Ingwersen, Angie Smith and Steve Johnson. Although Smith gained ground on the championship leader, he acknowledged that eliminating Gadson earlier in the event would have provided a greater opportunity to close the gap.
“Before we left home, I told all our guys and Angie, ‘Look, it’s not over yet,’” Smith said. “We got Gaige out in the second round, but we didn’t get Richard out until the final. He extended his lead a little more than we wanted, but all in all, it’s not over yet.”
One of the biggest surprises came in the quarterfinals when veteran Steve Johnson eliminated Herrera on a holeshot, winning by just .0050 seconds, approximately 18 inches. Johnson recorded a 6.673 at 201.23 mph to defeat Herrera’s quicker 6.669 at 202.68. Johnson, the only professional driver from the inaugural 1987 Texas Motorplex national event still competing, also recorded a career-best 6.674 in his opening-round victory over John Hall before falling to Gadson in the semifinals.
Despite celebrating his victory, Smith raised concerns about the condition of the shutdown area at Texas Motorplex, saying several bumps created dangerous situations for motorcycle competitors traveling at more than 200 mph.
“The shutdown area is scary for us on motorcycles,” Smith said. “We had some close calls today. The track is seasoned, let’s say that. There are a lot of whoop-de-doos down there, almost like a motocross track. These bikes don’t have suspension, and when we hit those bumps at the speeds we’re running, the motorcycle can get out of control.”
Smith said he experienced a particularly frightening moment during the second round and hopes track officials can address the problem before next year’s event.
“At one point, the whole motorcycle was off the ground,” Smith said. “That’s a scary feeling at the speeds we’re running. Trust me, I don’t want to slow down. I want to keep going faster and faster, but there’s a safety issue we need to address.”
Smith, who has undergone two surgeries this year and expects additional procedures following the season, said he remains determined to pursue another championship despite the challenges.
“I’ve seen a lot of things happen,” Smith said. “I’ve seen people count us out before, and we’ve walked away from Pomona with six championships. We’re going to try to make it seven and see what happens.”
The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series returns Oct. 29-Nov. 1 for the MOPAR NHRA Las Vegas Nationals powered by Dodge at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the fifth of six Countdown to the Championship events. With only Las Vegas and Pomona remaining, Glenn will try to protect his narrow Pro Stock points lead while Smith looks to close the gap on Gadson and keep his championship hopes alive.
ENNIS, 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.
