The Champions’ Dinner took place on Wednesday, October 9, in the upscale Champions Club. This year, the event celebrated the 2023 NHRA Texas Fall Nationals winners: Leah Pruett (Top Fuel), Matt Hagan (Funny Car), Erica Enders (Pro Stock), and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle). All four champions attended to commemorate their 2023 achievements as part of the 4th annual Stampede of Speed festivities.
The evening featured a cocktail hour, a plated dinner with entrées and desserts selected by the drivers, individual photo opportunities with the champions, a Q&A session hosted by NHRA announcer Joe Castello, and a post-dinner concert on the lawn behind the luxury suites.
The meal started with a Fall Salad featuring cranberries, pecans, carrots, cucumbers on a spring mix with champagne vinaigrette dressing. The main course selected by Pruett and Hagan will feature a steak medley of Filet and T-bone steaks, with gruyere mashed potatoes, roasted hot honey asparagus, and an assortment of dinner rolls. The dessert selections were made by the Pro Stock winners Enders and Herrera who selected peach cobbler with ice cream and Oreo cheesecake trifle to wrap up the meal.
Drag Illustrated contributing photographer Randy Curtis captured drag racing’s stars on the red carpet.
This story was originally published on October 14, 2024. 
