NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Everything is bigger in Texas, including the impact of a drag race like the NHRA Texas FallNationals. The Texas Motorplex Stampede of Speed brought plenty of surprises and a load of moments that will forever be emblazoned on the memory of those in attendance and watching from afar. Here are a just a few of the things we learned in the Lone Star State.

TWISTS AND TURNS ABOUND IN THE COUNTDOWN

Welp, Texas did not disappoint in terms of “What is even HAPPENING?!” Sunday was a rollercoaster before eliminations even began. Jack Beckman, No. 2 in the standings and running for championship points for John Force, woke up with vertigo-like symptoms, and it was announced that he would not make the call for first round. That was a real stunner, the magnitude of which we were all only beginning to grasp, when a bus ran into a nearby power pole and generated a surge of electricity that briefly knocked out the timing system and the Texas Motorplex connection to the outside world (at least via internet). Back on track and a short while later, another wave of what-the-heck washed over the facility as runaway points leader Austin Prock (shown above exiting his AAA Funny Car) broke on the starting line in the semifinals and sent Ron Capps ahead to the final. Matt Hagan, the No. 2 qualifier, answered the call every round and scored his first win since Chicago. Although Hagan joked that Prock would have to get locked in a closet to not win the season title, he moved up to No. 3 in the standings and is 168 points back from first. “So you’re saying there’s a chance….”

A DIFFERENT APPROACH CAN NET DIFFERENT RESULTS

In observance of Yom Kippur, Justin Ashley – who entered the event No. 2 in the standings behind Antron Brown – made only one qualifying run over the course of the weekend, ultimately forfeiting the best conditions and potential bonus points that could be important in the Countdown to the Championship. From a less spiritual angle, it was a risky move to commit to in the thick of the championship chase; had Ashley not made a good run, he could have DNQ’d. But he ripped off a pass that was solid enough to get him into the field, and starting from the No. 12 position, Ashley and his team sent Brown home in the first round and built quickly from there to score their first win of the Countdown. With the victory, Ashley – who finished fourth in the standings the last three years – reclaimed the points lead. To excel at this race, particularly under such unique circumstances, is a far cry from Ashley’s performance in last season’s playoffs, when he entered the Countdown as the No. 1 seed and immediately fell out of sync.

JEG COUGHLIN JR. HAS JOINED THE CHAT

Most of the Pro Stock chatter as-of-late has been centered around four drivers and their stories: the old-school rivalry between six-time world champ Erica Enders and Greg Anderson, a five-time champion and the most winning driver in the history of the class; and the new fierce and respectful battle brewing between next-gen drivers Dallas Glenn and Aaron Stanfield. Before Dallas, the four had been the only semifinalists during the Countdown, and the championship points lead had traded hands between Glenn and Stanfield while the veterans nipped at their heels. Jeg Coughlin Jr., though, broke up the foursome when he made his way to the semifinals (Stanfield and Enders both saw their day end in the second round). Anderson defeated Glenn on one side of the semifinals ladder, and Coughlin sent Matt Hartford home on the other side to generate the 23rd Greg vs. Jeg final in history. Coughlin made it a double-up for the Scag Power Equipment team when he knocked out Anderson by .002-second. It was the 88th career win for Coughlin and his 69th in the class of naturally aspirated factory hot rods, and although he may not have a clear-cut road to a championship for himself this year, he can certainly continue to impact the outcome of the season as Elite Motorsports teammate Erica Enders fights with those at the top.

HE’S STILL SIGNING HIS NAME ON HISTORIC MOMENTS

Just when you thought Gaige Herrera had checked off all the milestones, he comes to Dallas and knocks off yet another. In winning the final round at the NHRA Texas FallNationals, Herrera became the quickest person in NHRA history to achieve 20 national event wins. He’s obviously not the first guy to earn 20 trophies, and he has a long, long way to go if he’s going to notch the biggest milestone and surpass the most winning driver in NHRA history (that would be the one and only John Force, who currently has 157 wins), but Herrera hasn’t wasted any time. What’s next?

THE ALLSTARS COMPLETE THE STAMPEDE OF SPEED

There are some absolutely phenomenal venues and races on the NHRA tour, and each has its own unique characteristics that make it special – but there is nothing like the Stampede of Speed at Texas Motorplex. The week-long event puts the extra in extravaganza, from music to drag racing and amazing fan experiences leading up to the NHRA Texas FallNationals. One of the highlights the last couple of years has been the addition of the JEGS Allstars, an event that brings together the best racers in 10 categories from each of NHRA’s seven geographic regions to compete for team and individual honors. It’s a massively good time, and to see the spotlight shone on Lucas Oil Series racers as they compete for one of the most coveted titles in Sportsman drag racing is a very cool experience. They say everything is bigger in Texas, and bringing the best of the best to town for an enormously enjoyable time just feels right. Congratulations to each of the drivers who earned a spot to race in the JEGS Allstars, and a hearty congrats to each of the winners. You are officially and forever part of NHRA history.