NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Thousands of fans descended on Railyard Park in downtown Waxahachie, Texas, for the annual Pre-Stage Fan Fest with over 100 of the sportsman and professional racers for free autographs and photos in advance of the NHRA Texas FallNationals. The event has grown to include many of the JEGS Allstar participants from across the country as well as almost all the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series participants in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle classes. 

“We are so thankful to all the drivers who came to Railyard Park to spend time with fans before the start of the Texas FallNationals,” said Christie Meyer Johnson, Texas Motorplex co-owner. “Every year this event grows and we appreciate the fans turning out in record numbers again this year. The city of Waxahachie has done an amazing job working with us to make this one of the biggest fan fests in the country for NHRA drag racing.”

In addition to drivers signing for fans Andy Ross performed on the main stage filling the night-time sky with rock-n-roll songs. Several organizations took advantage of the captive audience to highlight their initiatives. The National Breast Care Foundation, who will be on Buddy Hull’s Funny Car and Camrie Caruso’s Pro Stock through a relationship with True Brands, had a booth talking about breast cancer early detection and support. Waxahachie Care, one of the busiest food pantries in Ellis County, had a display to raise awareness about food insecurity and to talk to fans about getting involved in supporting the charity. Track sponsor El Bandido Tequila displayed one of their high-performance Mustangs and gave away free merch to fans. Two local Jr. Dragsters were on display along with two Porsche’s through a sponsorship relationship with Funny Car driver Jeff Diehl.

‘The crowd tonight was amazing and participating in events like this gets me excited for race weekend,” said Josh Hart, driver of the R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster. “I looked like all the Top Fuel teams were at the Fan Fest as well as the Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle drivers and riders. There are a lot for Drag Racing fans in Texas and we are looking forward to putting on a good show for them at the Texas Fall Nationals this weekend.”

For more information on the NHRA Texas FallNationals and Stampede of Speed visit www.stampedeofspeed.com. The Texas NHRA FallNationals, the fourth Countdown playoff race, will be contested from October 11-13 at Texas Motorplex.