For 40 years the biggest names in NHRA drag racing have descended on Texas Motorplex making historic runs and wowing fans in the grandstands. Once again, these stars will be out of their 12,000-horspowered Top Fuel dragsters, Nitro Funny Cars, door-slamming Pro Stockers or two-wheel land rocket Pro Stock Motorcycles to mix and mingle with fans at the annual Texas Fall Nationals Prestage Fan Fest on Thursday, October 9, from 6 – 9 p.m. The Pre-Stage Fan Fest is a free, family-friendly event that will feature a driver autograph session from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. with an epic line up of NHRA drivers and riders.
Over 50 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series drivers and riders including fan favorites Brittany Force, Tony Stewart, Justin Ashley, Ron Capps, Antron Brown, Texans Steve Torrence and Erica Enders, Matt and Angie Smith and more are scheduled to sign autographs at this free event held for the fifth consecutive year at Railyard Park just south of the historic Waxahachie town square. The JEGS All-Star participants will once again join the festivities allowing fans to meet and greet some of the best sportsman racers from across the country.
“This is the largest free driver autograph session of the season, and we appreciate our competitors taking the time to visit with our amazing fans,” said Christie Meyer Johnson, Texas Motorplex co-owner. “Two years ago, we added the JEGS All-Star participants and now we have the future stars of the sports and the best sportsman racers signing autographs. The Fanfest has become one of the best fan friendly events in motorsports.”
Reigning 2024 Texas Fall Nationals champions Austin Prock, Antron Brown, Greg Anderson and Gaige Herrera will be in attendance as well as local driver Buddy Hull. Austin, Texas, residents Alexis DeJoria and 8-time world champion Tony Schumacher along with Temple, Texas’ Terry Haddock will represent the Lone Star State. Some of the biggest names in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will join the Texas contingent including 2025 NHRA championship contenders Dallas Glenn, Richard Gadson, Aaron Stanfield, Josh Hart will be on-site from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. signing at this free event which begins with food trucks, live music and activities for the whole family from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. Texas Motorplex mascot Oliver the Watusi will be available for photos, the “voice” of the Stampede of Speed, Joe Castello, will be emceeing and the Texas Motorplex Funny Car will be on display.
“I can’t thank the City of Waxahachie enough for their partnership for this event, and for the Stampede of Speed as a whole,” said Meyer Johnson. “We could not put on such an awesome Fan Fest event for our fans and the local community without their help. Their team exemplifies what it means to be Texas Proud, and I can’t wait for everyone to see what we have been able to create together.”
A complete list of drivers who have planned on attending is below and as always, this list is subject to additions and deletions.
Top Fuel
- Antron Brown
- Justin Ashley
- Clay Millican
- Brittany Force
- Shawn Reed
- Tony Stewart
- Tony Schumacher
- Ida Zetterström
- Josh Hart
- Cameron Ferre
- Doug Foley
Funny Car
- Austin Prock
- Jack Beckman
- Daniel Wilkerson
- Hunter Green
- Matt Hagan
- Cruz Pedregon
- Ron Capps
- Paul Lee
- Terry Haddock
- Dave Richards
- Joe Morrison
- Blake Alexander
- Buddy Hull
- Spencer Hyde
- Alexis DeJoria
- Chris King
Pro Stock
- Greg Anderson
- Dallas Glenn
- Aaron Stanfield
- Jeg Coughlin Jr.
- Greg Stanfield
- Troy Coughlin Jr.
- Cristian Cuadra
- Eric Latino
- Deric Kramer
- Mason McGaha
- Chris McGaha
- Stephen Bell
- Chris Vang
- Cory Reed
- Matt Latino
Pro Stock Motorcycle
- Gaige Herrera
- Matt Smith
- Angie Smith
- Richard Gadson
- Jianna Evaristo
- Chase Van Sant
- Chris Bostick
- John Hall
- Steve Johnson
- Brandon Litten
- Marc Ingwersen
- Ryan Oehler
- Lance Bonham
Top Alcohol Dragster
- Melanie Johnson
- Angelle Sampey
- Kirk Wolf
The Stampede of Speed and Texas Fall Nationals will also feature a variety of special events in addition to the Pre-Stage Fan Fest.
Stars of Texas Music Festival, October 3-5
The three-day music festival will feature headliners Pat Green, Chris Young and Clint Black as well as amazing opening acts. New fan experiences this year include the Jack Daniels Airstream bar, El Bandido Yankee Tequila mobile bar, and the NEFT Vodka 2-story bar with an observation deck on top.
NHRA Texas Fall Nationals, October 10-12
The Countdown race will kick off with JEGS Friday Night Live. In addition to the cash bonuses for Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle drivers, each of the #1 Qualifiers will also get a $1,000 Gift Card from JEGS.
For more information on the Pre-Stage Fan Fest or the Stampede of Speed visit www.stampedeofspeed.com. The Texas NHRA Fall Nationals, the fourth Countdown playoff race, will be contested from October 8-12 at Texas Motorplex.
This story was originally published on September 30, 2025. 
