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Texas NHRA FallNationals Sunday preview

Championship Sunday at the Texas Motorplex marks the close of the Stampede of Speed with the Texas NHRA FallNationals.
18 Oct 2026
Kayla Zadel
News
Dallas

Championship Sunday at the Texas Motorplex marks the close of the Stampede of Speed with the Texas NHRA FallNationals.

Cooler conditions throughout the weekend brought down national records and produced the quickest Pro Stock field in history, but as we move into Sunday, the urgency has intensified for several teams as the points battles continue at the fourth of six Championship races in the Countdown. Many drivers say a championship is won or lost in Dallas, and it could prove true as some could extend their points lead while others’ dreams could be dashed.

Shawn Langdon will lead the Top Fuel field into Sunday, looking for his fifth consecutive win. His teammate Doug Kalitta is nipping at his heels on the leaderboard and was very consistent during qualifying. Only Tony Stewart separates Langdon and Kalitta in the second spot on the qualifying sheet, and he’s third in the championship points. If one of the Kalitta Air teammates goes out in the early rounds, Stewart could make hay while the sun shines and gain those precious points.

In Funny Car, hopes of an all-3-second field were dashed, but the class still looks strong heading into Sunday. Jack Beckman holds the No. 1 spot and has made it clear he won't go down without a fight for the championship. Matt Hagan and Cruz Pedregon follow in second and third, respectively. If Hagan gets eliminated early, Beckman, Jordan Vandergriff, and Austin Prock could capitalize on the day.

Texas native Terry Haddock will get to race in his home state - he bumped into the field during the last qualifying round.

For the first time in history, Pro Stock has posted an all-6.40 field. Dallas Glenn sits atop the record-breaking field and set the national e.t. record in Q3 with a 6.434. Although Greg Stanfield is No. 1 on the Championship leaderboard, Glenn still has a chance to catch him, as he’s only 71 points behind.

Just like the three classes above, Sunday has many championship implications riding on it for Pro Stock Motorcycle. Gaige Herrera secured the no. 1 qualifier award and is currently chasing his Vance & Hines teammate Richard Gadson (only 32 points behind) in the Championship.

Also looking strong during qualifying was Joey Gladstone, and one to keep an eye on. He won the “Battle for the Saddle” - Saturday edition - and is qualified second. Matt Smith is in third, followed by his wife Angie Smith in fourth.

Eliminations will continue for the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, while Factory Stock Showdown and Right Trailers Outlaw Street will begin their eliminations.

2025 EVENT WINNERS

Doug Kalitta, Top Fuel; Austin Prock, Funny Car; Dallas Glenn, Pro Stock; Richard Gadson, Pro Stock Motorcycle

MOST EVENT VICTORIES (active drivers) 

Tony Schumacher, 6, Top Fuel; Matt Hagan, 5, Funny Car; Greg Anderson, 6, Pro Stock; Gaige Herrera, 2, Pro Stock Motorcycle

TRACK RECORDS

Top Fuel - 3.636 seconds by Steve Torrence, Oct. '23; 343.70 mph by Tony Stewart, Oct. '26
Funny Car - 3.813 seconds by Austin Prock, Oct. '24; 338.60 mph by Robert Hight, Oct. '17
Pro Stock - 6.457 seconds by Greg Anderson, Oct. '15; 214.59 mph by Anderson, Oct. '15.
Pro Stock Motorcycle - 6.627 seconds by Gaige Herrera, Oct. '23; 204.16 mph by Herrera, Oct. '23

NATIONAL RECORDS

Top Fuel - 3.623 seconds by Brittany Force, Sept. '19, Reading; 346.95 mph by Shawn Langdon, Sept. ‘26, Martin
Funny Car - 3.793 seconds by Robert Hight, Aug. '17, Brainerd; 341.68 mph by Austin Prock, Nov. '24, Pomona
Pro Stock - 6.434 seconds by Dallas Glenn, Oct. '26, Gainesville; 215.55 mph by Erica Enders, May '14, Englishtown 
Pro Stock Motorcycle - 6.627 seconds by Gaige Herrera, Oct. '23, Dallas; 205.04 mph by Matt Smith, July '21, Sonoma

SCHEDULE

Sunday, Oct. 18
NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series eliminations begin at 12:00 p.m.

TELEVISION

Sunday, Oct. 18: FOX Sports 1 (FS1) will televise two hours of qualifying coverage at 2:00 p.m. ET
Sunday, Oct. 18: FOX Sports 1 (FS1) will televise three hours of finals coverage at 4:00 p.m. ET

TICKETS

Tickets available online at tickets.texasmotorplex.com or call 800-668-6775