ENNIS, Texas – Photos from Friday’s racing action at the Stampede of Speed NHRA Texas Fall Nationals at the Texas Motorplex. All photos are provided courtesy of the NHRA.
Author: Mike Haag
Mike Haag
Mike Haag has covered motorsports in San Antonio and South Texas for more than 39 years. In addition to covering motorsports for the San Antonio Express-News for nearly 28 years, Mike also has co-hosted TrackSmack with Dawn Murphy for 19 race seasons. In addition to being a writer, Mike taught high school English and Journalism for 30 years before retiring in May, 2020.
Shawn Langdon brings four consecutive victories and a 116-point Top Fuel championship lead to the Texas NHRA FallNationals, where he hopes to extend his winning streak and move closer to a second world title.
With just three races remaining in the NHRA Countdown to the Championship, title contenders face a pivotal weekend at the Texas Motorplex. Here are 20 storylines to watch as the championship battles intensify at the Texas FallNationals.
By Mike Haag | Raceday San Antonio ENNIS, Texas – NHRA stars, including Texas racers Billy Torrence and Spencer Massey, will meet fans during the Texas Fall Nationals Pre-Stage FanFest on Thursday, Oct. 15, at Railyard Park in downtown Waxahachie. More than 50 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series drivers and riders are scheduled to participate in the free event, presented by Red Line Synthetic Oil, from 6-9 p.m. The family-friendly FanFest will feature live music, food trucks, race cars, interactive displays and one of the largest driver autograph sessions on the NHRA tour. The autograph session portion of the…
By Mike Haag | Raceday San Antonio Shawn Langdon is peaking at the right time. He is just not winning Top Fuel drag races. He is putting himself in position to win the 2026 NHRA Top Fuel championship. Langdon rolled to his fourth consecutive victory Sunday, defeating first-time finalist Will Smith in the final round of the NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals at World Wide Technology Raceway. The victory was Langdon’s eighth of the season and the 30th Wally trophy of his career. More importantly, the victory gave the Kalitta Motorsports driver a commanding lead in the point standings.…
Photos of the racing action on Sunday at the NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals at World Wide Technology Raceway. All photos are provided courtesy of the NHRA.
By Mike Haag, Raceday San Antonio The NHRA Countdown to the Championship reaches its halfway point this weekend and the championship battles are close in all four classes as the drivers get ready to compete at the 15th annual NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals at World Wide Technology Raceway. Sunday’s eliminations mark the third of six Countdown races, leaving three events after St. Louis to decide the 2026 Mission Foods NHRA Drag Racing Series world champions. Shawn Langdon, Matt Hagan, Greg Stanfield and Richard Gadson arrive at the St. Louis-area track leading Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and…
Courtesy of the NHRA Landmark, multi-year agreements will enable largest reach for NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series events in NHRA’s 75-year history INDIANAPOLIS – NHRA officials announced it has reached new, landmark multi-year media rights agreements for the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series with three standout distributors – FOX Sports, The CW Network and FloSports – positioning NHRA to enjoy the largest household reach in its 75-year history. Starting during the 2027 season, NHRA will have a total reach of more than 125 million households, giving NHRA its biggest-ever media presence. FOX Sports and The CW will carry…
By Reid Spencer, NASCAR Wire Service KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Joey Logano doesn’t mind that rain has played havoc with qualifying for three of the first four races in the NASCAR Cup Series Chase presented by Mobil 1. With rain wiping out both practice and time trials for Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway (3 p.m. ET on USA, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio), Logano will start on the pole for the fourth postseason race. “I’ll take rain,” said Logano, who earned the top starting spot through a combination of his victory last Saturday at Bristol Motor Speedway and…
Courtesy of Werner Communications DALLAS – Two well-known Texas companies heavily involved in the motorsports business will be joining forces to make this year’s Stampede of Speed even more spectacular for racers and fans. VP Racing Spirits will debut its Grand Tour Collection during the Stars of Texas Music Festival. VP Racing will also ensure its industry-leading racing fuels are available to competitors throughout the NHRA Divisional Race and the NHRA Texas Fall Nationals, taking place October 9-18. NHRA fans attending the Stampede of Speed will have the opportunity to experience the brand’s first destination-inspired spirit, Twisted Sisters…