In what is widely recognized as one of the biggest free driver fanfest events on the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, the Texas FallNationals Pre-Stage FanFest presented by Red Line Synthetic Oil will once again feature biggest names in NHRA drag racing Thursday, October 15, at Railyard Park in downtown Waxahachie. The 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 from 6-9 p.m. The Pre-Stage Fan Fest presented by Red Line Motor Oil 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 Ron Capps, Maddi Gordon, Justin Ashley, Antron Brown, Greg Anderson, Dallas Glenn, Cody Anderson, Shawn Langdon, J.R. Todd, Jack Beckman, Jordan Vandergriff, Texans Billy Torrence and Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion Richard Gadson along with Matt Smith, Angie Smith, and more are scheduled to sign autographs at this free event held for the sixth 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.
“We appreciate so many of our drivers and riders taking the time to spend time with the fans before the race. This is the largest free driver autograph session of the season,” said Christie Meyer Johnson, Texas Motorplex co-owner. “When we added the JEGS All-Star participants three years ago that really made the event even more massive and we are highlighting the future stars of the sports and the best sportsman racers. The downtown Waxahachie businesses have also realty embraced the event and we are proud to continue to bring thousands of fans to Waxahachie.”
This free event will feature food trucks, live music and displays from Drag Race Bracket Bonanza, the 1000 Round Win Club, JEGS, VP Racing Spirits, Red Line Synthetic Oil, as well as activities for the whole family from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. The “voice” of the Stampede of Speed, Joe Castello, will be emceeing and various race cars will also 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 partial list of the confirmed drivers who have planned on attending is below and as always, this list is subject to additions and deletions.
Top Fuel
Shawn Langdon, Justin Ashley, Shawn Reed, Tony Schumacher, Clay Millican, Josh Hart, Maddi Gordon, Antron Brown, Will Smith, Spencer Massey, Billy Torrence, Jasmine Salinas, Scott Farley, and Scott Palmer
Funny Car
Jordan Vandergriff, Jack Beckman, Daniel Wilkerson, J.R. Todd, Matt Hagan, Cruz Pedregon, Ron Capps, Chad Green, Terry Haddock, Dave Richards, Spencer Hyde, Jeff Arend, Chris King, Hunter Green, Alexis DeJoria, Jim Campbell, Jeff Diehl, Buddy Hull, and Paul Lee
Pro Stock
Deric Kramer, Mason McGaha, Chris McGaha, Chris Vang, Greg Anderson, Dallas Glenn, and Eric Latino
Pro Stock Motorcycle
Richard Gadson, Matt Smith, Angie Smith, Chase Van Sant, Chris Bostick, Mark Ingwersen, Blaine Hale, Ryan Oehler, Clayton Howey, and Malcom Phillips
Top Alcohol Dragster
Angelle Sampey
For more information on the Pre-Stage Fan Fest or the Stampede of Speed, visit www.stampedeofspeed.com. The Texas NHRA FallNationals, the fourth Countdown playoff race, will be contested from October 14-18 at the Texas Motorplex.
This story was originally published on October 5, 2026. 
