ENNIS, Texas (Sept. 29, 2026) – The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series is headed to the famed Texas Motorplex for a Texas-sized event for the sixth annual Stampede of Speed and the main event of the 10-day extravaganza, the 41st annual Texas NHRA FallNationals, which takes place Oct. 9-18 at the famed facility as part of NHRA’s 75th anniversary season.
The NHRA FallNationals takes place Oct. 14-18 and marks the 18th of 20 events in the 2026 NHRA season and the fourth of six races in the Countdown to the Championship. The race has always been a pivotal playoff and with the stakes as high as ever, every NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series championship contender knows how important it is to perform well in Dallas.
That was the case just a year ago when all four drivers who won the NHRA FallNationals finished as world champions. Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), Austin Prock (Funny Car), Dallas Glenn (Pro Stock) and Richard Gadson (Pro Stock Motorcycle) won the highly coveted NHRA FallNationals cowboy hat and the Wally trophy, emphasizing the magnitude of the annual stop at legendary Texas Motorplex.
This year’s race will once again be broadcast on FS1, with elimination coverage beginning at 4:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, Oct. 18, and it’s a weekend loaded with big moments during NHRA’s milestone 75th anniversary season.
The action kicks off in a big way on Friday with two qualifying rounds and the thrilling “JEGS Friday Night Live,” featuring the popular “Battle for the Saddle.” More than $40,000 in bonus money is on the line for drivers 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.
For the must-see night session, fan are encouraged to wear black and yellow as part of a special “Black and Yellow Bash,” another fun aspect of “JEGS Friday Night Live”.
Like Friday Night’s action, fans will enjoy VP Racing Spirits Final Qualifying during the second qualifying session on Saturday afternoon (and fourth overall). VP Racing Spokesperson Ida Zetterstrom will be joined by the VP Racing Mad Scientist mascot to represent the brand and their Twisted Sisters Texas Whiskey debuting at its first motorsports event, the NHRA FallNationals. All four pro classes will be competing for a “Speedy Armadillo” trophy during VP Racing Spirits Final Qualifying, where Zetterstrom will present the awards. Eliminations will commence on Sunday, where winners will be crowned at the legendary facility during another memorable stop at Texas Motorplex.
As NHRA’s year-long celebration of its 75th anniversary season, fans will be treated to incredible racing from the 340-mph nitro-burning machines as well as a tribute to Texas Motorplex owner Billy Meyer, as he is honored as one of NHRA’s Top 75 Drivers.
Last season, Top Fuel’s Kalitta earned his third Dallas victory and then won his second world title. This season, Kalitta has four wins as well as the regular season title, but his teammate Shawn Langdon has been red-hot with seven wins. He’s currently on a three-race win streak, while taking on the likes of Antron Brown, Leah Pruett, rookie standout Maddi Gordon and motorsports legend Tony Stewart.
Prock picked up his first Dallas win last year before rolling to his second consecutive Funny Car title. This season, four-time world champion Matt Hagan currently leads the points, with Jordan Vandergriff sitting second. Former world champions Ron Capps, J.R. Todd and Jack Beckman are also firmly in the mix as one of the closest Funny Car points battles in recent years heads to Dallas.
Pro Stock standout Glenn won for the first time in Dallas last year en route to the world title. He won the regular season title and currently sits third, behind Matt Hartford and current points leader Greg Stanfield. Others to watch include Greg Anderson, Jeg Coughlin Jr. Troy Coughlin Jr., as well as Texan Erica Enders.
Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Gadson won over Brayden Davis last season on his way to his first world title. Gadson won the regular season championship and remains in the points lead early in the Countdown, facing off against a field that includes Gaige Herrera, Matt and Angie Smith, John Hall, Ryan Oehler and Chase Van Sant.
The Texas NHRA FallNationals will also feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, which begins on Wednesday, Oct. 14, as well as the finale in Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown and Right Trailers Outlaw Street.
Fans will also be treated to the JEG’s Allstars event, which pits sportsman racers from across the country against each other, beginning on Friday, Oct. 16. The unique specialty race is back as a highlight of the 2026 Stampede of Speed at Texas Motorplex and is one of the most highly-anticipated sportsman events of the year.
Leading into the race weekend, fans can take part in several events during the massive 10-day Stampede for Speed. That includes the Stars of Texas Music Festival (October 9-11), the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series divisional race (October 12-13) and the popular NHRA FanFest presented by Red Line Oil at Railyard Park in downtown Waxahachie (Thursday, October 9), where fans can meet and get autographs from the top stars in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and the JEGS Allstars.
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, as well as the winner’s circle celebration on Sunday after racing concludes, where fans can congratulate the winners.
Fans with reserved tickets with a pit pass get access to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction. They can see their favorite teams in action in the pits, get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers and more. They can also visit NHRA’s Manufacturers Midway with interactive displays, merchandise and food.
NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 4:15 and 7 p.m. CT on Friday, Oct. 16, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, Oct. 17 at 12 and 2:30 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 12 p.m. CT on Sunday, Oct. 18. Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 11 a.m. ET on Sunday, leading into eliminations at 3 p.m. ET.
To purchase tickets to the Texas NHRA FallNationals at Texas Motorplex, call 800-668-6775 or visit tickets.texasmotorplex.com. For info about NHRA, visit www.nhra.com.
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 JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Elite Motorsports and NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown™ 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 more than 100 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.
