Category: NHRA

ENNIS, Texas (Oct. 11, 2024) – Only one driver in Pro Stock history has ever won at Texas Motorplex three years in a row. Defending world champion Erica Enders has the chance to match legendary driver Warren Johnson with a victory at this weekend’s 39th annual Texas NHRA FallNationals, which would also enhance her championship prospects in the process.

Enders, who is third in points, has won the Texas NHRA FallNationals in back-to-back years, with each win helping carry her to two straight championships. Last year’s victory made her the winningest female in motorsports and remains a special win for Enders, but another victory couldn’t come at a better time for the six-time world champion.

She remains on the hunt for her 50th career national event win and is looking for her first victory since the season-opener in Gainesville in her Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage/Melling Performance/Scag Power Equipment car. Enders is also racing for her crew chief, Mark Ingersoll, who is recovering after a double lung transplant last week.

That puts a lot on Enders’ mind heading into the key race in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs, but a victory at her home track would be welcomed for a variety of reasons.

“I am just focused on the task at hand,” Enders said. “We’ve got to go out there and we need to win here, honestly. Vegas is a really great track to me as well, so hopefully these next two races we’ll do some good and maybe get that 50th off our back. But, you know, mindset coming in here is, it’s kind of a lot of things. There’s a lot going on, there’s a lot on the table, and there’s a lot on our hearts. So, we just have to put our heads down and focus.

“A win puts us right back in the mix. The first three races of the Countdown, it’s been the (same) four drivers (points leader Dallas Glenn, Aaron Stanfield, Greg Anderson and Enders) every semifinal. That kind of makes it hard take a step in front of somebody. We’ve won here the last two years in a row, so that would be pretty awesome to get three in a row and to do it for Mark.”

Last season, Leah Pruett (Top Fuel), Matt Hagan (Funny Car), Enders (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all collected NHRA wins in Dallas and this year’s race will again be broadcast on FS1, with elimination coverage airing at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday Oct. 13. It is the fourth of six races in the Countdown to the Championship and the 18th of 20 races during the 2024 season.

A Texas-sized playoff showdown starts with “Friday Night Live,” which offers more than $40,000 in bonus money to the stars in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle. The low qualifier under the lights on Friday night will net Top Fuel and Funny Car stars $15,000 each in bonus money, with $7,500 going to the quickest qualifier in Pro Stock and $5,000 in Pro Stock Motorcycle.

That kickoff to the weekend is one of the many reasons Enders loves racing at Texas Motorplex. But the intensity will be at a fever pitch as she looks to make a move in the standings. After back-to-back wins, Glenn is back in the points lead, holding a 31-point advantage over Enders’ Elite Motorsports teammate, Stanfield. Enders is 90 points back and Anderson trails by 116 points, and Enders knows she has work to do. But she’s looking forward to the challenge at a facility she has always cherished.

“I love it and it’s no secret that I’m extremely fond of Texas and I’m a proud Texan,” Enders said. “What the Meyer family does for our sport is pretty awesome. I love coming in here and feeling so welcome and blessed, and it’s that typical Texas hospitality. This race is different than any other. Friday night, it’s super fun for the “Battle of the Saddle,” and then obviously winning the race and getting the cowboy hat and the Corral Boots is always pretty epic, too, so I love it here.”

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Richard Gadson remains in hot contention after a strong start to his first experience in the Countdown to the Championship. A candidate for the 2024 NHRA Rookie of the Year, Gadson advanced to a pair of final rounds to open the playoffs before being tripped up in the second round in St. Louis.

Still, the first-year rider in still in the thick of the championship mix on his RevZilla/Mission Foods/Vance & Hines Suzuki, entering this weekend’s race in Dallas third in points and 65 points behind teammate and reigning world champion Herrera. Gadson will look to make a move in Dallas, while also contending with the likes of Matt Smith, who is 34 points back of Herrera, 2023 NHRA Rookie of the Year Chase Van Sant, Angie Smith, Reading winner Hector Arana Jr., Angie Smith and Jianna Evaristo.

Top Fuel’s Pruett stepped out of her dragster at the start of the season and headed driving duties over to her husband and motorsports legend Tony Stewart. Stewart has a runner-up finish to his credit this season and will be looking for his first career Top Fuel win. He’ll be up against points leader and three-time champion Antron Brown, standout Justin Ashley, former champ Shawn Langdon and reigning champion Doug Kalitta.

Hagan is the reigning Funny Car champion, and his 2023 Texas NHRA FallNationals was a major reason he grabbed his fourth title. If he wants to go back-to-back in Dallas, he’ll need to get by Funny Car points leader and class newcomer Austin Prock, Bob Tasca III, J.R. Todd, Ron Capps and Jack Beckman, who is driving for John Force.

The Texas NHRA FallNationals also will feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, which includes some of the sport’s top drivers and begins racing on Wednesday, Oct. 9. The weekend will include the exciting new Holley EFI Factory X category and the Jr. Dragster Shootout, as well as a jet dragster exhibition after nitro qualifying on Friday.

Fans will also be treated to the JEG’s Allstar event, which pits sportsman racers from across the country against each other for the ultimate drag racing battle. After a successful first year at the famed Texas Motorplex in 2023, the unique specialty race is back as a major highlight of the 2024 Stampede of Speed as one of most highly-anticipated sportsman events of the year.

Fans will be invited all weekend long to the Nitro Alley Stage, which is the main entertainment hub in the pits, hosting Nitro School, meet and greets, music and much more. Race fans at Texas Motorplex can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that introduce and celebrate each of the drivers racing for the prestigious Wally on Sunday and includes the fan favorite SealMaster Track Walk. The final can’t-miss experience of any NHRA event is the winner’s circle celebration on Sunday after racing concludes, where fans are invited to congratulate the Texas NHRA FallNationals event winners.

As always, fans can get a pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. Fans can see their favorite teams in action and servicing their hot rods between rounds, get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers, and more. They can also visit NHRA’s Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create an exciting atmosphere that includes interactive displays, merchandise, food, and fun.

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 4:15 and 7:00 p.m. CT on Friday, Oct. 11, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 12:00 and 3:00 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 12:00 p.m. CT on Sunday, Oct. 13. Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 2:00 p.m. ET on Sunday and as well as action from eliminations at 4 p.m.

To purchase tickets to the Texas NHRA FallNationals at Texas Motorplex, call 800-668-6775 or visit tickets.texasmotorplex.com. Children 12 and under are admitted free in general admissions areas with a paid adult. For more information about NHRA, visit www.NHRA.com.

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About Mission Foods

MISSION®, owned by GRUMA, S.A.B. de C.V., is the world’s leading brand for tortillas and wraps. MISSION® is also globally renowned for flatbreads, dips, salsas and Mexican food products. With presence in over 112 countries, MISSION® products are suited to the lifestyles and the local tastes of each country. With innovation and customer needs in mind, MISSION® focuses on the highest quality, authentic flavors, and providing healthy options that families and friends can enjoy together. For more information, please visit https://www.missionfoods.com/

About NHRA

NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 20 national events featuring the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+, NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown™, NHRA Holley EFI Factory X and Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage NHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock at select national events. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and NHRA Street Legal™. NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Street® program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League® for youth ages 5 to 17. With 110 Member Tracks, NHRA allows racers to compete at a variety of locations nationally and internationally. NHRA’s Youth and Education Services® (YES) Program reaches over 30,000 students annually to ignite their interest in automotive and racing related careers. NHRA’s streaming service, NHRA.tv®, allows fans to view all NHRA national events as well as exclusive features of the sport. In addition, NHRA owns and operates three racing facilities: Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park; and In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Southern California. For more information, log on to www.NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

CHEVROLET IN NHRA
2024 TEXAS NHRA FALLNATIONALS
TEXAS MOTORPLEX
ENNIS, TEXAS
TEAM CHEVY RACE ADVANCE | NOTES & STATS
OCTOBER 11-13, 2024

CHEVROLET CONTINUES THE HUNT FOR A CHAMPIONSHIP IN FUNNY CAR AND PRO STOCK AT THE TEXAS NHRA FALLNATIONALS

Notes:

• The fourth of six events in the Countdown to the Championship, Team Chevy heads to Texas Motorplex for the Texas NHRA FallNationals Oct. 11-13.
• Capturing his first win behind the wheel of a Funny Car since returning to competition and giving Chevrolet a strong hold on first and second, Jack Beckman, who is racing on behalf of John Force, moved Force up to second in the point standings after his St. Louis win just 105 back from teammate Austin Prock.
• Beckman currently has a round win-loss record of 12-4 in the five races he’s competed in since returning to competition after four years.
• With two wins in three events during the Countdown to the Championship and seven victories this season in 10 final round appearances, Prock holds strongly the championship standings lead over Beckman and seeks a return to the Winner’s Circle in Dallas this weekend.
• Prock, who has shown he’s a natural behind the wheel of a Funny Car in his first season in the category, has a staggering round win-loss record of 44-10. Additionally, he’s captured 12 No. 1 qualifiers in 2024.
• Racing to Round 2 at World Wide Technology Raceway in St. Louis, Brittany Force has been fast in qualifying, earning her third No. 1 qualifier recently at Charlotte 2. Force currently sits eighth in Top Fuel standings, just 173 points behind the leader.
• Racing to his fifth win of the 2024 season, Dallas Glenn currently leads the Pro Stock points chase over Aaron Stanfield by 31 points. Glenn, who captured the fifth victory at World Wide Technology Raceway, looks to head to Dallas to expand his lead while only 116 points separate the top-four.

Quotes:

AUSTIN PROCK, DRIVER OF THE AAA/CORNWELL TOOLS CHEVROLET CAMARO SS FUNNY CAR:

“I’m excited to get back into the seat of our AAA Chevy Camaro SS. (It’s a) big weekend ahead with the Stampede of Speed. We always love heading to Dallas with the Myer family. They have a great facility for us racers and fans and we are looking for a strong start to this last 3-race dash to end The Countdown.”

JACK BECKMAN, DRIVER OF THE PEAK ANTIFREEZE AND COOLANT CHEVROLET CAMARO SS FUNNY CAR:

“There is no greater motivation for the next race than winning the previous race! After what our Peak Chevy team was able to do for John (Force) in St. Louis, every man on that team is ready and prepared for a repeat. As if I needed any extra incentive, Dallas holds special meaning for me. I attended the very first national event they held there, in 1986. My USAF buddy and I drove 500 miles, one way, in his Chevy Chevette. Dallas was also the site of (what I thought was) my last event win, back in 2020. Now, with a renewed passion for driving, a team fresh from winning, and my 87-year-old father less than an hour’s drive…I can’t wait!”

BRITTANY FORCE, DRIVER OF THE HENDRICKCARS.COM CHEVROLET TOP FUEL DRAGSTER:

“Closing in on the end of the season as we head to Dallas, Texas this weekend. The Texas Motorplex is a race track our team is very familiar with and we have previous wins here. With four qualifying runs, we plan to qualify top five and earn bonus points along the way. We are sitting eighth in points and still have a good chance to continue moving up.

This event is a unique one on our circuit beginning with a fan fest on Thursday in downtown Waxahachie, then a chance for a team to win extra cash on Friday night. The fans pack always pack the Motorplex and I’m excited to get this weekend started!”

How to Watch:

The Texas NHRA FallNationals from the Texas Motorplex air first with Friday and Saturday qualifying on Sunday, Oct. 13 at 2 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1 (FS1). Sunday’s finals air following, also on FS1, at 4 p.m. ET. Coverage streams live throughout the weekend on NHRA.tv, and is available via AppleTV, Android TV, and Roku devices.

TEAM CHEVY BY THE NUMBERS:

1,460: Round wins for John Force (1st all-time).

626: Round wins for Robert Hight; 13th all-time. Cruz Pedregon (Funny Car), sits 12th, with 633.

167: Number of career No. 1 qualifiers for John Force (1st all-time).

169: Number of Chevrolet Racing Funny Car wins since 1967.

84: Number of career No. 1 qualifiers for Robert Hight (6th all-time). Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel) is fifth with 88.

89: Number of Chevrolet Racing Funny Car wins with the Camaro SS body.

49: Number of career No. 1 qualifiers for Brittany Force.

28: Number of NHRA championships Chevrolet holds as a manufacturer since entering the first in 1966. This is the seventh-consecutive award and ninth in 11 seasons. No other manufacturer has won it more than Chevrolet.

26: Wins by John Force in a Chevrolet-bodied Funny Car.

20: Chevrolet career Top Fuel wins in NHRA.

16: Number of Chevrolet career wins by Brittany Force.

7: Number of Funny Car driver championships.

2: Number of Top Fuel driver championships.

About General Motors

General Motors (NYSE:GM) is driving the future of transportation, leveraging advanced technology to build safer, smarter, and lower emission cars, trucks, and SUVs. GM’s Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC brands offer a broad portfolio of innovative gasoline-powered vehicles and the industry’s widest range of EVs, as we move to an all-electric future. Learn more at GM.com.

ENNIS, Texas (Oct. 8, 2024) – Three-time Funny Car champion Ron Capps is no stranger to winning NHRA Mission Food Drag Racing Series races, especially recently at the Texas Motorplex, home of the 39th annual Texas NHRA FallNationals, which is the main event of the 10-day Stampede of Speed. This weekend, Capps will be looking to make a splash to open the second half of the Countdown to the Championship playoffs.

Capps and his 11,000-horsepower NAPA Auto Care Toyota GR Supra team have three wins at the legendary facility and after four final round finishes this season, Capps, who is fourth in points, hopes this weekend’s Texas NHRA FallNationals is where he breaks through for his first win of the year.

“The old cliché of ‘everything’s bigger in Texas’ definitely holds true for us in the NHRA,” Capps said. “The FallNationals is what I call a momentum weekend and it always has been. It’s either going to put you in the place you want to be with two races left to go in the Countdown to the Championship, or it can be the place that takes you completely out of the hunt.”

Last season, Leah Pruett (Top Fuel), Matt Hagan (Funny Car), Erica Enders (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all collected NHRA wins in Dallas and this year’s race will again be broadcast on FS1, with elimination coverage airing at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday Oct. 13. It is the fourth of six races in the Countdown to the Championship and the 18th of 20 races during the 2024 season.

A Texas-sized playoff showdown starts with “Friday Night Live,” which offers more than $40,000 in bonus money to the stars in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle. The low qualifier under the lights on Friday night will net Top Fuel and Funny Car stars $15,000 each in bonus money, with $7,500 going to the quickest qualifier in Pro Stock and $5,000 in Pro Stock Motorcycle.

Capps picked up wins in Dallas in back-to-back seasons in 2021 and 2022, victories that paved the way for back-to-back world championships as well. He is currently fourth in the Funny Car points standings, following his recent runner-up finish in St. Louis to Jack Beckman, who is racing in place of John Force, and is 194 points out of first.

If Capps wants to be in the championship hunt, he’ll need to get past points leader Austin Prock, who has seven wins on the season and won the first two races in the playoffs. Beckman sits second (105 points back) and Bob Tasca III in third (-159), thanks to his three wins this season. Reigning champion and defending Texas NHRA FallNationals winner Hagan rounds out the top five, and Capps knows he has work to do to stay alive in the title hunt and also pick up his long-awaited first victory of the season.

“In the years we won the championship and had good seasons where we battled for the title, the Dallas race at Texas Motorplex was always one that was sort of a make it or break it for us, and a lot of other teams as well,” said Capps, who has 76 career victories. “So for us, we’re looking to this race to build on the momentum our NAPA Auto Care team has after coming off another final round in St. Louis.”

Top Fuel’s Pruett stepped out of her dragster at the start of the season and headed driving duties over to her husband and motorsports legend Tony Stewart. Stewart, a four-time winner at Texas Motor Speedway, has a runner-up finish to his credit this season and will be looking for his first career Top Fuel win. He’ll be up against points leader and three-time champion Antron Brown, standout Justin Ashley, former champ Shawn Langdon and reigning champion Doug Kalitta.

Enders, a Texas native, has three wins at the Texas Motorplex. She’s looking for her first win since the season-opener while trying to track down points leader Dallas Glenn, who has back-to-back wins, teammate Aaron Stanfield and longtime rival Greg Anderson.

Herrera won the Texas NHRA FallNationals last year, setting class records in the process, en route to the world title. He’s back in the points lead after his St. Louis win. The six-time champ Matt Smith is in second, while others to watch include John Hall, Angie Smith, 2023 NHRA Rookie of the Year Chase Van Sant, Richard Gadson and Jianna Evaristo.

The Texas NHRA FallNationals also will feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, which includes some of the sport’s top drivers and begins racing on Wednesday. The weekend will include the exciting new Holley EFI Factory X category and the Jr. Dragster Shootout, as well as a jet dragster exhibition after nitro qualifying on Friday.

Fans will also be treated to the JEG’s Allstar event, which pits sportsman racers from across the country against each other for the ultimate drag racing battle. After a successful first year at the famed Texas Motorplex in 2023, the unique specialty race is back as a major highlight of the 2024 Stampede of Speed as one of most highly-anticipated sportsman events of the year.

Fans will be invited all weekend long to the Nitro Alley Stage, which is the main entertainment hub in the pits, hosting Nitro School, meet and greets, music and much more. Race fans at Texas Motorplex can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that introduce and celebrate each of the drivers racing for the prestigious Wally on Sunday and includes the fan favorite SealMaster Track Walk. The final can’t-miss experience of any NHRA event is the winner’s circle celebration on Sunday after racing concludes, where fans are invited to congratulate the Texas NHRA FallNationals event winners.

As always, fans can get a pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. Fans can see their favorite teams in action and servicing their hot rods between rounds, get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers, and more. They can also visit NHRA’s Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create an exciting atmosphere that includes interactive displays, merchandise, food, and fun.

Leading into the race, fans can take part in several events as part of the 10-day Stampede for Speed festival. That includes the Champions’ Dinner (October 9, 6 p.m.) and the Pre-Stage Fan Fest at Railyard Park in downtown Waxahachie (October 10, 6 p.m.), where fans can meet and get autographs from all the top stars in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and the JEGS Allstars participants.

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 4:15 and 7:00 p.m. CT on Friday, Oct. 11, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 12:00 and 3:00 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 12:00 p.m. CT on Sunday, Oct. 13. Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 2:00 p.m. ET on Sunday and as well as action from eliminations at 4 p.m.

To purchase tickets to the Texas NHRA FallNationals at Texas Motorplex, call 800-668-6775 or visit tickets.texasmotorplex.com. Children 12 and under are admitted free in general admissions areas with a paid adult. For more information about NHRA, visit www.NHRA.com.

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About Mission Foods

MISSION®, owned by GRUMA, S.A.B. de C.V., is the world’s leading brand for tortillas and wraps. MISSION® is also globally renowned for flatbreads, dips, salsas and Mexican food products. With presence in over 112 countries, MISSION® products are suited to the lifestyles and the local tastes of each country. With innovation and customer needs in mind, MISSION® focuses on the highest quality, authentic flavors, and providing healthy options that families and friends can enjoy together. For more information, please visit https://www.missionfoods.com/

About NHRA

NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 20 national events featuring the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+, NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown™, NHRA Holley EFI Factory X and Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage NHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock at select national events. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and NHRA Street Legal™. NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Street® program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League® for youth ages 5 to 17. With 110 Member Tracks, NHRA allows racers to compete at a variety of locations nationally and internationally. NHRA’s Youth and Education Services® (YES) Program reaches over 30,000 students annually to ignite their interest in automotive and racing related careers. NHRA’s streaming service, NHRA.tv®, allows fans to view all NHRA national events as well as exclusive features of the sport. In addition, NHRA owns and operates three racing facilities: Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park; and In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Southern California. For more information, log on to www.NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

ENNIS, Texas (Oct. 7, 2024) – Eight-time world champion Tony Schumacher is back in the world title hunt and heading to one of his favorite tracks on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series tour, a combination that could bode well for the longtime Top Fuel star.

Fresh off his victory in St. Louis, Schumacher is ready to roll at this weekend’s 39th annual Texas NHRA FallNationals at legendary Texas Motorplex, an event that caps off the Stampede of Speed.

Now living in Texas, Schumacher plans to take in all of what the spectacular 10-day event has to offer and he hopes to close it out with a second straight victory in his 11,000-horsepower Leatherwood Distillery/Waltrip Brewing Co. dragster for JCM Racing.

Schumacher is sixth in the Top Fuel points after his first victory in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs since 2014, sitting 103 points back of first as he seeks his seventh career victory at Texas Motorplex. No other Top Fuel driver has more than three, meaning the facility, which also is the site of his first career Top Fuel victory, has treated Schumacher very well over the years.

“I love that place. It’s where I won my first race and one of the places where it set us up for our first championship (in 1999),” Schumacher said. “There will be tons of friends and family there, and it’s going to be a great time. We’ve won there before and I love going to that race. The Meyer family are just great and it’s a really cool place. We’ll be there for a couple weeks and we’ll be prepared, that’s for sure.”

Last season, Leah Pruett (Top Fuel), Matt Hagan (Funny Car), Erica Enders (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all collected NHRA wins in Dallas and this year’s race will again be broadcast on FS1, with elimination coverage airing at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday Oct. 13. It is the fourth of six races in the Countdown to the Championship and the 18th of 20 races during the 2024 season.

A Texas-sized playoff showdown starts with “Friday Night Live,” which offers more than $40,000 in bonus money to the stars in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle. The low qualifier under the lights on Friday night will net Top Fuel and Funny Car stars $15,000 each in bonus money, with $7,500 going to the quickest qualifier in Pro Stock and $5,000 in Pro Stock Motorcycle. That leads into final qualifying on Saturday and race day Sunday, where Schumacher looks to continue his momentum from St. Louis.

The team appears to have solved the issues that have plagued them in recent seasons and Schumacher, who has 88 career Top Fuel wins, is ready to pounce. But he’ll need an impressive late-season run if a ninth title is in the cards. Antron Brown is the current points leader, while other top contenders in the top five include Justin Ashley, Shawn Langdon, reigning world champion Doug Kalitta and Texan Steve Torrence.

“I’m really proud of my guys. We hurt ourselves early on (in the Countdown), but we’re closer than we were when we started St. Louis,” Schumacher said. “It’s been fantastic. Let’s face it, we struggled, and we didn’t have a great car and for three years we tried to find our problem. We found it in Brainerd.

“I had said we found it several times before, but it wasn’t the right problem. We found it and I’m so proud of the guys. We just couldn’t get it to go down the track and a couple of races ago, (Neff) found it. They’ve sucked it up and figured it out, and it’s a beautiful thing.”

Hagan is the reigning Funny Car champion, and his 2023 Texas NHRA FallNationals was a major reason he grabbed his fourth title. If he wants to go back-to-back in Dallas, he’ll need to get by Funny Car points leader and class newcomer Austin Prock, Bob Tasca III, J.R. Todd, Ron Capps and Jack Beckman, who is driving for John Force.

Enders, a Texas native, has three wins at the Texas Motorplex. She’s looking for her first win since the season-opener while trying to track down points leader Dallas Glenn, who has back-to-back wins, teammate Aaron Stanfield and longtime rival Greg Anderson.

Herrera won the Texas NHRA FallNationals, setting class records in the process, en route to the world title. He’s back in the points lead after his St. Louis win. The six-time champ Matt Smith is in second, while others to watch include John Hall, Angie Smith, 2023 NHRA Rookie of the Year Chase Van Sant, Richard Gadson and Jianna Evaristo.

The Texas NHRA FallNationals also will feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, which includes some of the sport’s top drivers and begins racing on Wednesday, Oct. 9. The weekend will include the exciting new Holley EFI Factory X category and the Jr. Dragster Shootout, as well as a jet dragster exhibition after nitro qualifying on Friday.

Fans will also be treated to the JEG’s Allstar event, which pits sportsman racers from across the country against each other for the ultimate drag racing battle. After a successful first year at the famed Texas Motorplex in 2023, the unique specialty race is back as a major highlight of the 2024 Stampede of Speed as one of most highly-anticipated sportsman events of the year.

Fans will be invited all weekend long to the Nitro Alley Stage, which is the main entertainment hub in the pits, hosting Nitro School, meet and greets, music and much more. Race fans at Texas Motorplex can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that introduce and celebrate each of the drivers racing for the prestigious Wally on Sunday and includes the fan favorite SealMaster Track Walk. The final can’t-miss experience of any NHRA event is the winner’s circle celebration on Sunday after racing concludes, where fans are invited to congratulate the Texas NHRA FallNationals event winners.

As always, fans can get a pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. Fans can see their favorite teams in action and servicing their hot rods between rounds, get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers, and more. They can also visit NHRA’s Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create an exciting atmosphere that includes interactive displays, merchandise, food, and fun.

Leading into the race, fans can take part in several events as part of the 10-day Stampede for Speed festival. That includes the NHRA Divisional race (October 7-8), Stampede of Speed Shootout (October 8), JEGS Allstars qualifying (October 9), Champions’ Dinner (October 9, 6 p.m.) and the NHRA FanFest at Railyard Park in downtown Waxahachie (October 10, 6 p.m.), where fans can meet and get autographs from all the top stars in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and the JEGS Allstars participants.

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 4:15 and 7:00 p.m. CT on Friday, Oct. 11, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 12:00 and 3:00 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 12:00 p.m. CT on Sunday, Oct. 13. Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 2:00 p.m. ET on Sunday and as well as action from eliminations at 4 p.m.

To purchase tickets to the Texas NHRA FallNationals at Texas Motorplex, call 800-668-6775 or visit tickets.texasmotorplex.com. Children 12 and under are admitted free in general admissions areas with a paid adult. For more information about NHRA, visit www.NHRA.com.

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About Mission Foods

MISSION®, owned by GRUMA, S.A.B. de C.V., is the world’s leading brand for tortillas and wraps. MISSION® is also globally renowned for flatbreads, dips, salsas and Mexican food products. With presence in over 112 countries, MISSION® products are suited to the lifestyles and the local tastes of each country. With innovation and customer needs in mind, MISSION® focuses on the highest quality, authentic flavors, and providing healthy options that families and friends can enjoy together. For more information, please visit https://www.missionfoods.com/

About NHRA

NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 20 national events featuring the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+, NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown™, NHRA Holley EFI Factory X and Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage NHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock at select national events. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and NHRA Street Legal™. NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Street® program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League® for youth ages 5 to 17. With 110 Member Tracks, NHRA allows racers to compete at a variety of locations nationally and internationally. NHRA’s Youth and Education Services® (YES) Program reaches over 30,000 students annually to ignite their interest in automotive and racing related careers. NHRA’s streaming service, NHRA.tv®, allows fans to view all NHRA national events as well as exclusive features of the sport. In addition, NHRA owns and operates three racing facilities: Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park; and In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Southern California. For more information, log on to www.NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

INDIANAPOLIS (Oct. 7, 2024) – Through the first three races in the NHRA Countdown to the Championship playoffs, fans have already witnessed electric moments, huge surprises and major shifts in the points standings as drivers in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series put everything on the line for championship glory.

The second half of the six-race postseason begins this weekend with the main event of Texas Motorplex’s Stampede of Speed, the Texas NHRA FallNationals, starting an epic three-race finish.

Following the annual stop in Dallas, the stars in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle go to The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the Ford Performance NHRA Nationals on Oct. 31-Nov. 3, with all roads leading to Pomona for the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals on Nov. 14-17 at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip.

Here’s how each class stacks up heading to the final three races of the 2024 season.

TOP FUEL

From top to bottom and from the start of the season until now, the level of competition in Top Fuel has been incredible, so it would only make sense for this championship race to come down to the wire for a second straight season. Last year, it was Doug Kalitta taking a winner-take-all final round against Leah Pruett to win his first championship and a similar scenario wouldn’t be surprising in 2024.

There’s a number of different routes the title chase could take as well. Antron Brown, looking for his first championship since 2016, is the current leader after winning the first two playoff races, but he has plenty of company. Justin Ashley, who is after his first world title, is 34 points back, while former world champions Shawn Langdon (-60), Kalitta (-87), Steve Torrence (-88) and Tony Schumacher (-103) are well within striking distance in what could be an epic finish.

Schumacher won in St. Louis – his first playoff win in 10 years – to emphasize there could be several unexpected twists to end the year. Things should become a little clearer after Dallas, but there will likely be a host of contenders fighting for a title down the stretch.

FUNNY CAR

He didn’t win St. Louis, but Austin Prock’s dominant start to the Countdown to the Championship undoubtedly puts his success as the biggest storyline in the class. Before John Force Racing teammate Jack Beckman knocked him off in St. Louis, Prock had won 14 straight rounds, winning in both Reading and Charlotte.

The team has been on another level in 2024, with a run of 3.814-seconds in St. Louis – the quickest run in Funny Car since 2017 – further emphasizing that. Is there any hope for a non-JFR team to win a title? For that to happen, Bob Tasca III would need to get hot in a hurry. He’s 159 points back in third and a Dallas win (and probably Las Vegas, too) seems necessary to make life difficult for Prock.

Beckman’s St. Louis win puts him (and John Force) 105 points back of his teammate and there’s the obvious Hollywood ending there. Beckman winning a 17th title for Force in Pomona would be a magical moment, but getting past Prock and his team will be a tall order.

PRO STOCK

The first half of the Countdown to the Championship has featured a distinct theme: Dallas Glenn, Aaron Stanfield, Erica Enders and Greg Anderson have all advanced to the semifinals at the first three playoff races.

The foursome has firmly separated themselves from the rest of the talented class, but Glenn and Stanfield have started to push it to a two-car race the last two events. Glenn has won them both – beating Stanfield in the finals each time – to take back the points lead and inch closer to a first title. He leads Stanfield by 31 points, while Enders and Anderson are now 90 and 116 points back, respectively.

Do the veterans, who have won the last five championships in the class, have enough to rally back over the final three races? Or is this the first year one of the young standouts finally get past two of the most successful Pro Stock drivers in NHRA history? Should Glenn or Stanfield win Dallas, those questions could be answered.

PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE

This title race has certainly had a different tone than last year when Gaige Herrera won the final five races of the season to roll to his first world championship. He didn’t win either of the first two Countdown races, as Hector Arana Jr. and Matt Smith won in Reading and Charlotte, respectively. Herrera bounced back in St. Louis, moving back into the points lead, but at the halfway mark, this race is anything but a sure thing for the reigning world champion.

Herrera now leads Smith by 34 points in what appears to be a three-bike race going down the stretch. Richard Gadson, who has enjoyed a terrific rookie season, is 65 points back after final-round appearances at the first two races. Arana is 137 points back and has recent success in Dallas and Las Vegas, winning both in 2022, but Herrera will look to close strong like he did a year ago to claim a second straight title.

To purchase tickets to the Texas NHRA FallNationals, the Ford Performance NHRA Nationals or the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals, visit www.nhra.com/tickets. For more information on NHRA, visit www.NHRA.com.

COUNTDOWN TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS STANDINGS

Top Fuel

1. Antron Brown, 2,344
2. Justin Ashley, 2,310
3. Shawn Langdon, 2,284
4. Doug Kalitta, 2,257
5. Steve Torrence, 2,256
6. Tony Schumacher, 2,241
7. Clay Millican, 2,211
8. Brittany Force 2,171
9. Tony Stewart, 2,150
10. Billy Torrence, 2,113

Funny Car

1. Austin Prock, 2,454
2. John Force, 2,349
3. Bob Tasca III, 2,295
4. Ron Capps, 2,260

5.Matt Hagan, 2,249

6. J.R. Todd, 2,191
7. Blake Alexander, 2,176
8. Daniel Wilkerson, 2,162

9.Chad Green, 2,159

10. Alexis DeJoria, 2,145

Pro Stock

1. Dallas Glenn, 2,437
2. Aaron Stanfield, 2,406
3. Erica Enders, 2,347
4. Greg Anderson, 2,321
5. Jeg Coughlin, 2,205
6. Cristian Cuadra, 2,157
7. Jerry Tucker, 2,150
8. Troy Coughlin Jr., 2,143
9. Matt Hartford, 2,142
10. Eric Latino, 2,127

Pro Stock Motorcycle

1. Gaige Herrera, 2,404
2. Matt Smith, 2,370
3. Richard Gadson, 2,339
4. Hector Arana Jr., 2,267
5. Chase Van Sant, 2,248
6. Angie Smith, 2,206
7. John Hall, 2,205
8. Jianna Evaristo,2,170
9. Steve Johnson, 2,127
10. Chris Bostick, 2,096

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About Mission Foods

MISSION®, owned by GRUMA, S.A.B. de C.V., is the world’s leading brand for tortillas and wraps. MISSION® is also globally renowned for flatbreads, dips, salsas and Mexican food products. With presence in over 112 countries, MISSION® products are suited to the lifestyles and the local tastes of each country. With innovation and customer needs in mind, MISSION® focuses on the highest quality, authentic flavors, and providing healthy options that families and friends can enjoy together. For more information, please visit https://www.missionfoods.com/

About NHRA

NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 20 national events featuring the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+, NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown™, NHRA Holley EFI Factory X and Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage NHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock at select national events. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and NHRA Street Legal™. NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Street® program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League® for youth ages 5 to 17. With 110 Member Tracks, NHRA allows racers to compete at a variety of locations nationally and internationally. NHRA’s Youth and Education Services® (YES) Program reaches over 30,000 students annually to ignite their interest in automotive and racing related careers. NHRA’s streaming service, NHRA.tv®, allows fans to view all NHRA national events as well as exclusive features of the sport. In addition, NHRA owns and operates three racing facilities: Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park; and In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Southern California. For more information, log on to www.NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship is ready to Boot Scootin’ Boogie into Dallas this weekend for the Texas NHRA FallNationals!

Odds for championship favorites in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock Car and Pro Stock Motorcycle have been updated with storylines aplenty! Can Jack Beckman win the title for the legend John Force, or will Austin Prock write his own chapter in JFR’s legacy? Will anyone knock Gaige Herrera off his perch in PSM? What about the tight battles in Top Fuel and Pro Stock Car, where it’s anyone’s title to take?

Time to make your calls and PlayNHRA!

PlayNHRA offers fans the opportunity to legally wager on NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series action in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock classes. Please note that opening odds are subject to change. Fans are encouraged to download each available platform in their state to evaluate the best odds being offered.

Ready to PlayNHRA? Click here to get started – with offers across multiple platforms to earn FREE bonus bets when you place your first bet!

PHOENIX (Oct. 4, 2024) – Officials with NHRA, Firebird Motorsports Park and the Gila River Indian Community are excited to announce a multi-year extension for the annual NHRA Arizona Nationals at the popular track, showcasing the incredible support and commitment for NHRA drag racing at the fan-favorite facility.

It also sets the stage for a memorable celebration for next year’s 40th anniversary of the NHRA Arizona Nationals, which takes place March 21-23 as the second race of the 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.

Tickets will go on sale on Oct. 14 for the annual “Duel in the Desert” and the long-term extension ensures the storied history of NHRA drag racing at the track will continue well into the future.

“When we announced last year that we were carrying on the legacy and tradition of over 40 years of motorsports here at the Firebird Motorsports Park, our goal was to prove our commitment to our racing community and show them that we are in this for the long-haul,” Firebird Motorsports Park Track Manager Casey Buckman said.

“Along with our great partners at the NHRA, Gila River Development, and the Gila River Indian Community, we are beyond excited to take this monumental step to secure a multi-year deal for our anchor event, the Arizona Nationals. Our racing community has stuck by Firebird through some very uncertain times over the past few years, and we cannot wait to take this momentum into 2025 and reward them with great events for years to come.”

Renamed Firebird Motorsports Park a year ago, the historic facility enjoyed a memorable grand re-opening last year, with the name referencing back to Firebird International Raceway, the original name of the facility, from 40 years ago. After an outpouring of support from the racing community in the Phoenix area hoping to see NHRA drag racing remain at the facility, the Gila River Indian Community was proactive in its efforts to keep racing at the track, continuing one of the hallmark events on the NHRA tour.

The Arizona Nationals has consistently attracted sellout crowds thanks to its strong local fanbase and enjoyed sellout days on both Saturday and Sunday at the 2024 event. Over the years, the event has become a must-see race for any NHRA fan, delivering record performances and incredible early-season action.

“It is extremely exciting to announce not only a return to Firebird Motorsports Park, but also a long-term extension for the NHRA Arizona Nationals at the historic facility,” NHRA President Glen Cromwell said. “The amazing work from the NHRA fans, the track and the Gila River Indian Community will continue to keep NHRA drag racing in the area for years to come. Last year was a tremendous event with a reimagining of racing at Firebird Motorsports Park, and we’re eager to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the NHRA Arizona Nationals next season, as well as events well into the future.”

The race first became a Southwest fixture in 1985 and will continue its status as a fan-favorite during the 40th anniversary season in 2025. This season, Shawn Langdon (Top Fuel), Austin Prock (Funny Car) and Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) won in Phoenix, with Prock enjoying his first-ever career Funny Car victory in the process.

The rich history at the track includes notable achievements from the sport’s biggest stars. Top Fuel’s Tony Schumacher’s has five Phoenix wins, while Funny Car legend John Force has eight wins at the facility. Top Fuel’s Antron Brown, as well as Funny Car drivers Ron Capps and Matt Hagan, all have three wins at Firebird Motorsports Park, while Greg Anderson’s three wins leads active Pro Stock competitors.

Beginning Oct. 14, fans can purchase tickets to the 40th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird Motorsports Park by visiting www.nhra.com/tickets. For more information about the NHRA, including the 2025 schedule, visit www.NHRA.com.

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About Mission Foods

MISSION®, owned by GRUMA, S.A.B. de C.V., is the world’s leading brand for tortillas and wraps. MISSION® is also globally renowned for flatbreads, dips, salsas and Mexican food products. With presence in over 112 countries, MISSION® products are suited to the lifestyles and the local tastes of each country. With innovation and customer needs in mind, MISSION® focuses on the highest quality, authentic flavors, and providing healthy options that families and friends can enjoy together. For more information, please visit https://www.missionfoods.com/

About NHRA

NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 20 national events featuring the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+, NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown™, NHRA Holley EFI Factory X and Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage NHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock at select national events. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and NHRA Street Legal™. NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Street® program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League® for youth ages 5 to 17. With 110 Member Tracks, NHRA allows racers to compete at a variety of locations nationally and internationally. NHRA’s Youth and Education Services® (YES) Program reaches over 30,000 students annually to ignite their interest in automotive and racing related careers. NHRA’s streaming service, NHRA.tv®, allows fans to view all NHRA national events as well as exclusive features of the sport. In addition, NHRA owns and operates three racing facilities: Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park; and In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Southern California. For more information, log on to www.NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

ENNIS, Texas (Oct. 3, 2024) – After a highly-successful first year at the Texas Motorplex, the popular JEGS Allstars competition returns to the famed facility as part of the track’s Stampede of Speed and Texas NHRA FallNationals on Oct. 9-13.

The historic specialty race celebrates its 40th year in 2024 and continues its status as one of most highly-anticipated events of the year for the standout drivers in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.

Following a memorable Dallas debut last year, this year’s competitors in the JEGS Allstars can look forward to another thrilling weekend as a marquee attraction during the massive Stampede of Speed.

“JEGS is incredibly excited to be a part of the 40th JEGS Allstars at Texas Motorplex,” said David Salin, JEGS Director of Marketing. “This event is particularly meaningful to JEGS as it encompasses the skill and dedication of sportsman racers across the country and reminds us of the great partnership between JEGS and the NHRA.”

The weekend includes several special events, including the driver and team welcome breakfast sponsored by Hoosier Racing Tires on Thursday, Oct. 10 and participating in the Stampede of Speed Pre-Stage Fan Fest later that evening in downtown Waxahachie.

Following the opening ceremonies on Friday, Oct. 11, competitors will take place in a parade before the second qualifying session in Funny Car and Top Fuel as part of the special Friday Night Live at Texas Motorplex. Final rounds in the JEGS Allstars are slated for 2:15 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12 as champions will be crowned to cap off two thrilling days of racing action in the specialty event.

The pit area for sportsman racers will also include six hard-surface roads at Texas Motorplex, creating an even greater racer experience for all Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors at the Texas NHRA FallNationals.

“We’re excited to have the JEGS Allstars back as part of the Stampede of Speed and Texas FallNationals lineup,” Texas Motorplex Co-Owner Christie Meyer Johnson said. “Last year we loved celebrating their accomplishments and hosting so many drivers and teams from across the country. This is another major addition to the event and we’re looking forward to continuing to add some Texas traditions to the JEGS Allstars. Having the JEGS Allstars is a great addition to the Stampede of Speed.”

For 40 years, the JEGS Allstars has brought out the best from across NHRA’s seven divisions for the special race, including competitors from all 50 states and internationally.

The unique event crowns individual champions in 10 separate classes, in addition to the overall team title. Racers qualified for the prestigious event by earning points in their home divisions during year-long battles in the following categories — Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, Competition, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, Super Street, Top Dragster and Top Sportsman.

Like last year, competitors will again enjoy some Texas-sized traditions, including custom t-shirts and decals for drivers and teams, and a custom trophy and custom-made JEGS Allstars belt buckle for the winners, as well as the traditional custom-fit Texas Motorplex cowboy hats for winners as well.

“For decades, JEGS has been honored to be a part of the JEGS Allstars and this year is no different. We are looking forward to seeing the best of the best from each class, division, and region to battle it out for the 2024 Championship,” said Makenna Brown, JEGS Social Media and Partnerships Manager.

The JEGS Allstars event will be shown live on NHRA.tv during the race weekend and also featured on the NHRA on FOX Lucas Oil Sportsman show. A win at the JEGS Allstars remains a huge honor for all racers in the circuit, while it offers race fans at the Texas NHRA FallNationals a unique opportunity to watch the specialty race.

“After a great 2023 JEGS Allstars at Texas Motorplex, it is definitely exciting to see this race get another major spotlight as part of the Stampede of Speed and the Texas NHRA FallNationals,” NHRA Vice President of Racing Administration Josh Peterson said. “We’re thrilled to continue our terrific partnership with JEGS during this event, and we can’t wait to work with them, the Texas Motorplex team and all of the JEGS Allstars competitors to celebrate 40 years of this incredible race.”

To purchase tickets to the NHRA FallNationals and the Stampede of Speed, please visit www.stampedeofspeed.com. For more information on NHRA, please visit www.NHRA.com.

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About JEGS

JEGS Automotive, Inc. (“JEGS”) is a leading DTC, e-commerce retailer and distributor of automotive aftermarket parts and accessories to enthusiast customers, primarily through its online platform (JEGS.com) and third-party online marketplaces. The Company offers over two million different SKUs spanning across 800+ brands including its own private-label product offering, providing a wide variety of automotive parts for a diverse selection of vehicle types and vintages. JEGS operates two locations with approximately 400 employees and is headquartered in Delaware, OH.

About NHRA

Headquartered in San Dimas, Calif., NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 21 national events featuring the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series, NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Type A Motorsports, Flexjet NHRA Factory Stock Showdown™ and Top Fuel Harley Series. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and NHRA Street Legal™. NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Street® program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League® for youth ages 5 to 17. With 120 Member Tracks, NHRA allows racers to compete at a variety of locations nationally and internationally. NHRA’s Youth and Education Services® (YES) Program reaches over 30,000 students annually to ignite their interest in automotive and racing related careers. NHRA’s streaming service, NHRA.tv®, allows fans to view all NHRA national events as well as exclusive features of the sport. In addition, NHRA owns and operates three racing facilities: Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park; and In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Southern California. For more information, log on to www.NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

LAS VEGAS (Oct. 3, 2024) – As the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series nears the finish line, drivers have their sights set on a NHRA world championships as they approach the penultimate event of the year, the 24th annual Ford Performance NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Oct. 31 – Nov. 3.

The Ford Performance NHRA Nationals marks the fifth of six races in the NHRA Countdown to the Championship playoffs and the 19th of 20 races in 2024, as drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will be focused on every captivating round of racing – which could put them a step closer to championship glory.

Loaded with specialty classes and an electric Las Vegas atmosphere where every 330-mph run is critical, the Ford Performance NHRA Nationals is a thrill ride from start to finish. The race, which always draws a massive crowd, opens with a pair of qualifying runs on both Friday and Saturday, leading to a memorable Sunday of eliminations where the intensity will be at a fever pitch in Sin City.

Last season, Mike Salinas (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car), Erica Enders (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock) all won the late-season race in Las Vegas. This year’s race will again be broadcast on FS1, with elimination coverage at 5 p.m. ET on Sunday, Nov. 3.

Top Fuel points leader Antron Brown will look for a Las Vegas victory to strengthen his chances for a fourth world title. It’s his first time leading the points since 2017 thanks to two playoff wins, but he’s facing off against a loaded Top Fuel field, including Justin Ashley, who is just 34 points back in second. Other championship contenders include Shawn Langdon, reigning champion Doug Kalitta, who won the spring race in Vegas, and former champions Steve Torrence and Tony Schumacher, who picked up the playoff victory in St. Louis.

The 2024 Funny Car season has been dominated by John Force Racing’s Austin Prock, who took over driving duties for Hight. Prock has seven wins on the season, including two wins in the Countdown. He currently leads the way in the class and has a 105-point lead over his teammate Jack Beckman, who is racing in place of the 16-time champion John Force. Also in the hunt is Bob Tasca III, who won the Las Vegas Four-Wide event, three-time champion Ron Capps and reigning champion Matt Hagan.

Reigning Pro Stock champion Enders has more wins at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway than any other driver in NHRA history with 10. She picked up a win at the season kickoff in Gainesville but hasn’t returned to the winner’s circle since. If she wants to add another win to her Vegas credit, she’ll need to get past points leader Dallas Glenn, who has five wins on the season, including Charlotte and St. Louis in the Countdown. In second is Aaron Stanfield, who also has five wins this year, while five-time champion Greg Anderson is one spot behind Enders in fourth.

The 2024 season has once again been dominated by Pro Stock Motorcycle’s Herrera. Herrera has eight wins on the season, including most recently in St. Louis, where he took back the points lead. Six-time world champion Matt Smith is hot on his heels, while other standouts in the category include Richard Gadson, Angie Smith, Chase Van Sant, Hector Arana Jr., John Hall and Jianna Evaristo.

The Ford Performance NHRA Nationals also will feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series and the Summit Racing Series E.T. Finals, where national champions will be crowned in several different categories as the culmination of the NHRA Summit Racing Series season. The weekend will also include action in the thrilling Legends Nitro Funny Car class and a spectacular jet dragster exhibition from Team “Muy Caliente” after nitro qualifying on Friday and Saturday.

It’s also the final race of the 2024 season in the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+, Johnson’s Horsepowered Mountain Motor Pro Stock and the new Holley EFI Factory X category.

Fans are invited to the Nitro Alley Stage in the pits, where they can take part in Nitro School, meet and greets, influencer interviews and much more. Vegas race fans can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that celebrate each of the drivers racing for the prestigious Wally on Sunday and includes the SealMaster Track Walk. The final can’t-miss experience of any NHRA event is the winner’s circle celebration on Sunday, where fans are invited to congratulate the Ford Performance NHRA Nationals event winners.

As always, fans get a pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. They can see their favorite teams in action and servicing their hot rods between rounds, get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers and more. They can also visit NHRA’s Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create an exciting atmosphere that includes displays, merchandise, food, and fun.

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 12:00 and 2:30 p.m. PT on Friday, Nov. 1, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 12:00 and 2:30 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11:00 a.m. PT on Nov. 3. Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 3:00 p.m. ET on Sunday with eliminations at 5:00 p.m. ET.

To purchase tickets to the Ford Performance NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, call 800-644-4444 or visit www.lvms.com. Children 12 and under are admitted free in general admissions areas with a paid adult. For more information about NHRA, visit www.NHRA.com.

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About Ford Performance

Ford Performance is based in Dearborn, Mich. It is responsible for Ford’s performance vehicle development and major racing operations globally, including NASCAR, IMSA, SRO British GT, FIA World Rally Championship, Supercars Championship, World of Outlaws, Ultra4, SCORE-International, FIA Rally-Raid, Formula Drift, NHRA, Rebelle Rally, Thailand Super Series and our latest commitment in Formula 1 with RedBull Ford Powertrains. Ford Performance also maintains a constantly evolving fleet of electric performance demonstrators to showcase the limits of electrification technology. In addition, the organization also oversees the development of Ford’s racing engines, as well as the outreach programs with all Ford Clubs and Ford enthusiasts. For more information regarding Ford racing’s activities, please visit Performance.Ford.com or follow @FordPerformance on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Twitter, TikTok and YouTube.

About Mission Foods

MISSION®, owned by GRUMA, S.A.B. de C.V., is the world’s leading brand for tortillas and wraps. MISSION® is also globally renowned for flatbreads, dips, salsas and Mexican food products. With presence in over 112 countries, MISSION® products are suited to the lifestyles and the local tastes of each country. With innovation and customer needs in mind, MISSION® focuses on the highest quality, authentic flavors, and providing healthy options that families and friends can enjoy together. For more information, please visit https://www.missionfoods.com/

About NHRA

NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 20 national events featuring the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+, NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown™, NHRA Holley EFI Factory X and Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage NHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock at select national events. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and NHRA Street Legal™. NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Street® program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League® for youth ages 5 to 17. With 110 Member Tracks, NHRA allows racers to compete at a variety of locations nationally and internationally. NHRA’s Youth and Education Services® (YES) Program reaches over 30,000 students annually to ignite their interest in automotive and racing related careers. NHRA’s streaming service, NHRA.tv®, allows fans to view all NHRA national events as well as exclusive features of the sport. In addition, NHRA owns and operates three racing facilities: Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park; and In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Southern California. For more information, log on to www.NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

ENNIS, Texas (Oct. 1, 2024) — The official start of the Texas NHRA FallNationals at the historic Texas Motorplex begins on October 10 with an epic line up of NHRA competitors at the Pre-Stage Fan Fest in downtown Waxahachie, Texas, including current and former world champions in all four Mission Foods Drag Racing Series categories, as well as nearly two dozen Texas Fall Nationals professional winners.

More than 50 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series stars, including fan favorites Justin Ashley, Ron Capps, Antron Brown, Texans Steve Torrence and Erica Enders, Matt and Angie Smith are scheduled to sign autographs from 7-8:30 p.m. at this free event, which takes place for the fourth consecutive year at Railyard Park, just south of the historic Waxahachie town square. The JEGS Allstars participants will once again join the festivities allowing fans to meet and greet some of the best sportsman racers from across the country as well.

“Every year the Pre-Stage Fan Fest gets bigger and bigger,” said Christie Meyer Johnson, Texas Motorplex co-owner. “We love having so many drivers spend time with the fans before the race starts. Last year we added the JEGS Allstars participants and now we have one of the largest autograph sessions in all motorsports. This year we have added Andy Ross to the main stage to rock out for all our fans in attendance.”

Reigning 2023 Texas FallNationals champions Matt Hagan, Erica Enders and Gaige Herrera will be in attendance, as well as local drivers Buddy Hull and Kebin Kinsley. Austin residents Alexis DeJoria and 8-time world champion Tony Schumacher, along with Temple, Texas’ Terry Haddock will represent the Lone Star State.

Some of the biggest names in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will also join the Texas contingent, including 2024 NHRA championship contenders Tony Stewart, Austin Prock, Dallas Glenn, Aaron Stanfield, J.R. Todd, Shawn Langdon and Josh Hart will be on-site from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. signing autographs.

The free event, which begins with food trucks, live music and activities for the whole family, takes place from 6-9 p.m.

A complete list of drivers who are scheduled to attend:

Top Fuel Tony Stewart  Kebin Kinsley Spencer Hyde  Justin Ashley Krista Baldwin Antron Brown Shawn Langdon  Steve Torrence Billy Torrence Jasmine Salinas Brittany Force Tony Schumacher  Ida Zetterstrom Josh Hart	Funny Car Alexis DeJoria Cruz Pedregon Chad Green Ron Capps Dan Wilkerson Buddy Hull Matt Hagan Dave Richards Jack Beckman J.R. Todd Paul Lee Terry Haddock Chris King Dale Creasy Jr. Bobby Bode Austin Prock
Pro Stock Erica Enders Greg Anderson Dallas Glenn Aaron Stanfield Camrie Caruso Jeg Coughlin Troy Coughlin Jr. Cristian Cuadra Mason McGaha Chris McGaha Jerry Tucker Sienna Wildgust Fernando Cuadra Jr. David Cuadra	Pro Stock Motorcycle Gaige Herrera Richard Gadson Angie Smith Matt Smith Jianna Evaristo Chris Bostick Steve Johnson Marc Ingwersen Chase Van Sant John Hall Ryan Oehler Top Alcohol DragsterAngelle Sampey

For more information on the Pre-Stage Fan Fest or the Stampede of Speed visit www.stampedeofspeed.com. The Texas NHRA FallNationals, the fourth race in the NHRA Countdown to the Championship playoffs, will be contested from October 9-13 at Texas Motorplex. For more information on NHRA, visit NHRA.com.

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About Mission Foods

MISSION®, owned by GRUMA, S.A.B. de C.V., is the world’s leading brand for tortillas and wraps. MISSION® is also globally renowned for flatbreads, dips, salsas and Mexican food products. With presence in over 112 countries, MISSION® products are suited to the lifestyles and the local tastes of each country. With innovation and customer needs in mind, MISSION® focuses on the highest quality, authentic flavors, and providing healthy options that families and friends can enjoy together. For more information, please visit https://www.missionfoods.com/

About NHRA

NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 20 national events featuring the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+, NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown™, NHRA Holley EFI Factory X and Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage NHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock at select national events. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and NHRA Street Legal™. NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Street® program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League® for youth ages 5 to 17. With 110 Member Tracks, NHRA allows racers to compete at a variety of locations nationally and internationally. NHRA’s Youth and Education Services® (YES) Program reaches over 30,000 students annually to ignite their interest in automotive and racing related careers. NHRA’s streaming service, NHRA.tv®, allows fans to view all NHRA national events as well as exclusive features of the sport. In addition, NHRA owns and operates three racing facilities: Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park; and In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Southern California. For more information, log on to www.NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.