{"id":55110,"date":"2025-10-12T09:25:23","date_gmt":"2025-10-12T14:25:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/?p=55110"},"modified":"2025-10-12T10:38:48","modified_gmt":"2025-10-12T15:38:48","slug":"meyer-familys-texas-motorplex-legacy-stampeding-into-next-generations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2025\/10\/12\/meyer-familys-texas-motorplex-legacy-stampeding-into-next-generations\/","title":{"rendered":"Meyer Family’s Texas Motorplex legacy Stampeding into next generation(s)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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An aerial view of the Texas Motorplex. Photo courtesy of the Texas Motorplex<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

By John Sturbin, Raceday San Antonio<\/em><\/p>\n

ENNIS – Drag racing Hall of Famer Billy Meyer and his Texas Motorplex are aging gracefully this weekend, while playing host to what has morphed into the sport\u2019s longest cocktail party.<\/p>\n

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Billy Meyer, left, congratulates Steve Torrence after he won the Top Fuel race at the 2018 AAA Texas Fall Nationals. Photo by Mark Rebilas<\/p><\/div>\n

The fifth annual Stampede of Speed is inexorably rolling toward its top end _ Sunday\u2019s eliminations of the 40th<\/sup> annual Texas NHRA Fall Nationals. After 10-days and nights of drag racing mixed with Texas-themed live music, menus and family-friendly events throughout Ellis County, attention-spans are re-focusing on \u201cThe Billyplex.\u201d   <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, it\u2019s not quite Jerry\u2019s World,\u201d said Meyer, 71, referencing the AT&T Stadium home of the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington\u2019s trendy Entertainment District. \u201cBut we\u2019ve been able to help the community.\u201d<\/p>\n

Indeed, Meyer\u2019s status as a visionary was secured when the Motorplex made its NHRA national event debut September 25-28, 1986 as big-time drag racing\u2019s first stadium-style, fan-and-corporate friendly facility _ complete with 176 restrooms. Additionally, the Plex\u2019s racing surface was revolutionary – the world\u2019s first single-pour, post-tension all-concrete quarter-mile.<\/p>\n

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Billy Meyer. Photo courtesy of Division 4 Hall of Fame<\/p><\/div>\n

Those elements combined to elevate expectations of comfort and convenience for fans and speed and consistency for competitors. In retrospect, the folks living in and around laid-back Ennis were not quite prepared for all the attention.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, it\u2019s kind of comical,\u201d Meyer said. \u201cOur relationship in Ennis has been up-and-down over the years because they didn\u2019t want to grow. And now that they\u2019re in more of a growth-mode with a new generation of people living here\u2026they did this big survey just last year, spent a fortune on how to build a city. And it came back and said you just need to get involved with the Texas Motorplex, because nobody knows anything about Ennis except that\u2019s where the Texas Motorplex is. Now they understand that we need to have a relationship and a partnership, so that\u2019s a blessing.\u201d<\/p>\n

As in, praise be MERP. The Stampede of Speed is a product of the Texas Major Events Reimbursement Program (MERP). Administered by Gov. Greg Abbott\u2019s tourism office, MERP uses estimated increases in specific tax revenues to help local governments attract and fund major events. Local governments apply to the state to create a trust fund for a specific event, which is then funded by state and local contributions based on an estimated increase in tax receipts (including hotel occupancy, sales and liquor taxes) generated by the event.<\/p>\n

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The Texas Motorplex opened in 1986 and was the first-ever all concrete dragstrip. Photo courtesy of the Texas Motorplex<\/p><\/div>\n

The fund is used to reimburse eligible costs associated with an event, with strict guidelines and deadlines for participation and disbursement requests. The recurring program has developed into a godsend for the Motorplex, currently playing host to the one-and-only NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series national event booked for the Lone Star State. Currently the fourth of six Countdown to the Championship races, The Plex has retained that pivotal position on the recently revealed 2026 schedule.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, it (MERP) changed everything for us to introduce the Stampede of Speed,\u201d said Christie Meyer Johnson, Billy\u2019s daughter as well as Motorplex co-owner and general manager. \u201cIt\u2019s just been a game-changer, because it makes people recognize us as a major league sport. It\u2019s been really important for us and NHRA to see there are other things we can do to bring more people to Texas. The whole point is to bring people to Texas for tax dollars, obviously.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The Texas Motorplex was the first dragstrip to feature stadium-style seating along with a permanent hospitality\/VIP structure (The Champions Club). Photo courtesy of the Texas Motorplex<\/p><\/div>\n

A post-event, online economic impact report completed by the Office of the Governor on the inaugural Texas NHRA Fall Nationals\/Stampede of Speed conducted from Oct. 2-10, 2021 listed primary and secondary direct spending at $25,802,150 generating tax revenue of $1,660,036. However, the report also stated the data was \u201cinconclusive in determining the actual economic impact of the event.\u201d Neither a positive nor a negative impact was determinable, according to the report, since the tax information provided showed both increases and decreases in taxes collected.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe last time I looked at it, it was close to $20-million for what it brings into the state,\u201d Meyer Johnson said. \u201cWe\u2019ve seen numbers from $12-million to $15-million to $20-million over the years. It\u2019s wild to think that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meyer Johnson said the Stampede fits neatly into re-defining the Motorplex as a multi-purpose facility. \u201cWe\u2019re not just a drag strip anymore,\u201d said Meyer Johnson, 40. \u201cPeople just want to be entertained. We\u2019ve had to be creative and the Stampede of Speed brings in things that younger generations like. That way they\u2019ll be introduced to drag racing and hopefully come back for the NHRA Fall Nationals. That\u2019s the reason we did the whole 10-day event. We\u2019re constantly trying to come up with something kind of off-the-wall, change the rules a little, trying to be creative.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Elon Werner interviews NHRA Top Fuel driver Steve Torrence and NHRA Pro Stock driver Erica Enders at the Stampede of Speed Media Day event held at the Champions Club. Photo courtesy of the Texas Motorplex<\/p><\/div>\n

The Motorplex\u2019s full 2025 schedule began in March and will run through December, including visits by the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, the Import Face Off and Texas Radial Roundup and T&E Street Car Showdown. All those event weekends revolve around the Stampede and Fall Nats.<\/p>\n

\u201cObviously, our one big event makes good money,\u201d Billy Meyer said. \u201cBut we wanted to have a fulltime staff and a drag racing facility open all the time for the locals to race. We have three (NHRA) Divisional races, so we try to accommodate the sport. The fulltime staff is 28 or so here every day. It\u2019s just gotten to be a big family with so many people that have been here forever.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The nostalgic Stampede of Speed Funny Car made its debut for this year’s Texas NHRA Fall Nationals. Photo courtesy of the Texas Motorplex<\/p><\/div>\n

Along that line, the 40th<\/sup> anniversary program has served as a celebration of the Meyer Family.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat the Meyer Family has done not only here but for the entire sport is something very, very special,\u201d said Houston native Erica Enders, 42, a six-time NHRA Pro Stock world champion. \u201cYou travel the country going to a million different racetracks and not many, if any, do what the Meyer Family does. It definitely means a ton to me. Grew up racing here. To become a pro and to have won here multiple times is definitely really neat.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love everything about it. I love the Stampede of Speed, a week-long event that\u2019s really put drag racing on the map.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Ron Capps and drag racing legend Don Prudhomme, along with Billy Meyer. These three drivers have had great success while racing at the Texas Motorplex. Photo courtesy of the Texas Motorplex<\/p><\/div>\n

Similarly, four-time NHRA Top Fuel world champion Steve Torrence of Kilgore can relate to working in a family business. In the real world, Torrence is an employee of Capco Contractors. Founded by Billy Torrence, Steve\u2019s father and periodic Top Fuel teammate, Capco is a construction company specializing in the oil and gas industry.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m trying to take over the reins of that business and carry on that family legacy,\u201d said Torrence, 42. \u201cI enjoy seeing the same thing transpiring in a different industry and business but something I\u2019m passionate about and keeping the Texas Motorplex legacy going.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn fact, I was involved with Billy and Christie and the governor when we were presenting all of this (Stampede program) to the State of Texas at the Capitol. I had my car down there in front of the governor\u2019s mansion and got Governor Abbott in there and started the car up. Proud to be part of making it all happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Oliver the Watusi bull has become the official mascot and a fan favorite at the Texas Motorplex. Photo courtesy of the Texas Motorplex<\/p><\/div>\n

There is every reason to believe the Motorplex will remain Meyer Family property well into the next generation. Billy Meyer already has turned over day-to-day operation of the facility to his daughter.<\/p>\n

\u201cChristie calls me five times a day because I\u2019m the one – remember, I\u2019m 71-years-old – so I\u2019m the one with the 55-year knowledge of drag racing. I\u2019m just a good sounding board for her. And I do a lot of the sponsorship stuff. But she\u2019s the general manager and operator of it. So I only have to take phone calls.\u201d<\/p>\n

Politely correcting her father, Meyer Johnson said – ahem<\/em> – she might call him more like \u201cfive times a week\u201d rather than five times a day for advice and\/or counsel.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, this wasn\u2019t my original plan,\u201d said Meyer Johnson, who graduated from Baylor University in Waco with a Bachelor of Science degree in home economics. \u201cI was a teacher and wanted to follow in my mom (Deborah)\u2019s footsteps. And then one day my dad said, \u2018Do you want to learn the business?\u2019 I said, \u2018Sure.\u2019 So he put me in the concession stand, the souvenir stand and said, \u2018OK, learn every job.\u2019 I sold food, I sold tickets, I sold t-shirts, I\u2019ve been a starter on the starting line and the only thing I can say I haven\u2019t done is prep the track.<\/p>\n

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Billy Meyer and his daughter Christie Meyer-Johnson are celebrating the track’s 40th anniversary season. Photo courtesy of Elon Werner<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been here since about 2007, 2008 and feel like over the course of time he\u2019s given me enough time to observe and see and learn.\u201d<\/p>\n

Among her mentors, Christie said, are former GMs Ryan Haas and Elon Werner, who now is serving as the track\u2019s communications specialist.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have a lot of incredible mentors along with my father to be there for me when I need help, when I have questions, when I need some history, some advice on how to handle situations,\u201d Meyer Johnson said. \u201cBut here I am. This is three years now that I\u2019ve been in this role and very fortunate to do this and follow in my dad\u2019s footsteps. I love my mom but apparently teaching wasn\u2019t for me and being the GM of a drag racing facility is. It\u2019s been good. I\u2019m really grateful.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd my children (daughter Charlee, 13, and son Sam, 11) are here. They\u2019re working. They want to do this.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The Stampede of Speed parade and cattle drive has become a fan favorite event in the nearby town of Waxahachie. Photo courtesy of the Texas Motorplex<\/p><\/div>\n

In his role as grandfather, Billy Meyer is excited by that probable line of succession. \u201cThere\u2019s really no reason not to be,\u201d Meyer said. \u201cTexDot is doing highway improvements, putting in service roads and overpasses at both ends of the property. That\u2019ll help the value of the property quite a bit. Most racetracks, ultimately\/sometimes, end up being sold because of the property value. But the Indy 500 (at Indianapolis Motor Speedway) is still there. Wrigley Field is still there (in Chicago). So, I\u2019m probably one of those kind of guys that thinks there\u2019s no reason to ever sell it.\u201d<\/p>\n

The smell and taste of nitromethane has been fueling Meyer since age 16, when he became the youngest person to earn a Funny Car license. Still in his teens, Billy left his Waco home in 1972 six weeks after graduation from Richfield High School to pursue a fulltime racing career.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy mom (Betty) called me \u2018Wild Bill\u2019 and my dad (Paul J.) called me \u2018Wide Open,\u2019^\u201d Billy said. \u201cThat kind of fits my personality. I live large. I love every day and try to get the most out of everything I\u2019ve tried. I just happen to have a pretty competitive personality.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Billy Meyer was inducted into the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame on March 12, 2020. Photo courtesy of the Texas Motorplex<\/p><\/div>\n

Meyer was inducted into the International Drag Race Hall of Fame on March 12, 2020. The HOF is housed at The Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing in Ocala, Fla. But because Billy\u2019s competitive career ended in 1987, his driving record largely has been overlooked by a generation of fans. Meyer won 12 NHRA Funny Car national events, 11 in the IHRA and that rival sanctioning body\u2019s 1980 World Championship during a career that spanned a decidedly less-corporate drag racing landscape from 1970 to 1987.<\/p>\n

Fittingly, Meyer donned a fire suit, protective gloves and helmet for the first time in 37 years twice this weekend before sliding into the cockpit of the official Stampede of Speed Dodge Charger Funny Car. Friday night\u2019s starting line burnout was added to Billy\u2019s resume as practice.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs soon as I got out of the car (Friday night), I wanted to do it again. I knew there\u2019d be a new crowd (Saturday),\u201d Meyer said. NHRA officials were only too pleased to insert \u201cBilly\u2019s Burnout\u201d into Saturday\u2019s schedule. So, shortly before noon, Meyer laid down some serious, hot rubber.<\/p>\n

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A variety of racing events have been held over the years at the Texas Motorplex including racing semi trucks. Photo courtesy of the Texas Motorplex<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cIt was better than I thought it would be and it really meant a lot to have Ron Capps and Jack Beckman on the starting line,\u201d said Meyer, acknowledging that pair of current Funny Car stars. \u201cAnd I could hear the crowd cheer before they started the car.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meyer has been openly emotional during various Stampede appearances, proud to be recounting 40 national event weekends. \u201cWell, looking at my lifestyle, I didn\u2019t think I\u2019d live that 40 years because I was still racing when I built it,\u201d Meyer said. \u201cI cried (during a recent pre-event news conference) up there on the stage because it\u2019s cool to be able to do something for 40 years and to make it a family tradition.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meyer Johnson said she grew to appreciate the track\u2019s enduring identity as she reviewed photos, film footage and newspaper stories compiled over the decades for a \u201cLegacy of Speed\u201d booklet that has become a popular SWAG item.<\/p>\n

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Night of Fire has been a fan-favorite event that was first held on July 4, 1987. Photo courtesy of the Texas Motorplex<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cThe identity hasn\u2019t changed,\u201d Meyer Johnson said. \u201cWe were the first (all-concrete facility) and we\u2019re trying to continue to change the sport of drag racing and get people interested. We\u2019re so fortunate that we have this relationship with the drivers and with sponsors and local partners in Ennis and Waxahachie.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, celebrating the 40th<\/sup> means a lot. I was 2-years-old when my dad built the track and I never dreamed that _ I turned 40 last November _ that I\u2019d be standing here in this position and be here with my kids and watch them learn and be involved in the work. It means the world.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, life is short. I mean, God\u2019s given us this platform for a reason and we can use it to share his love with others. And to provide a safe place for families. That\u2019s really important to me. Obviously, we see what\u2019s happening in the news. This is a place where people can come and hopefully forget about the world for a few hours and be here together for an affordable price with the people they love.\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy and Christie Meyer Johnson genuinely believe the Texas Motorplex is about making lifetime memories. \u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d Meyer Johnson said. \u201cIt\u2019s about people. For 40 years I like to say we\u2019re \u2018cemented in history.\u2019 And hopefully, our place is cemented in people\u2019s memories.\u201d<\/p>\n

Editor’s note: To see what were some of the 40 greatest moments at the Texas Motorplex, click here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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