Drag racing playoffs coming to Texas Motroplex in Ennis this weekend

Brayden Garcia
Michael Conroy/AP

The National Hot Rod Association is making a pit stop in North Texas this weekend, the latest race for the drag racing playoffs.

Texas Motorplex in Ennis is hosting the Texas NHRA Fall Nationals this weekend that will see competitors race upwards of 330 mph down the track. Racing fans can expect drag racing events on Thursday-Sunday.

The Texas race is the fourth race of six in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series. After this weekend, the NHRA will travel to Las Vegas and finally to Pomona, Calif., for the championship finale.

Drag racing and NASCAR are both sports about fast vehicles, but the two share multiple differences beyond car sizes.

In drag racing, it’s essentially an acceleration contest between two competitors who race in a straight line down the track to see who can finish first. While NASCAR is similar in how a race is won, the drivers are competing in an endurance test as a race can last several hours and over a hundred laps.

This weekend is sure to be adrenaline filled ride as racers continue on the playoff track. Here’s everything you need to know about the Texas NHRA Fall Nationals this weekend:

Weekend event schedule

There will be dozens of races over the weekend from different drag racing classes.

Thursday:

  • 6 to 9 p.m.- Fanfest in downtown Waxahachie and autograph session open to the public

Friday schedule:

  • 1 p.m.- Midway opens

  • 2:30 p.m.- First pro stock qualifying session (motorcycle and car)

  • 3:30 p.m.- First nitro qualifying session (funny car and top fuel)

  • 5:30 p.m.- Junior dragster shootout time trial

  • 7:05 p.m.- Second pro stock qualifying session (motorcycle and car)

  • 8 p.m.- Second nitro qualifying session (funny car and top fuel)

Saturday schedule:

  • 10 a.m.- Midway opens

  • 11 a.m.- Junior dragster shootout eliminations round 1

  • Noon- First pro stock qualifying session (motorcycle and car)

  • 1 p.m.- First nitro qualifying session (top fuel and funny car)

  • 3 p.m.- Junior dragster shootout eliminations round 2

  • 4 p.m.- Second pro stock qualifying session (motorcycle and car)

  • 5 p.m.- Second nitro qualifying session (top fuel and funny car)

Sunday schedule:

  • 10 a.m.- Midway opens

  • Noon- Nitro eliminations round 1

  • 1 p.m.- Pro stock eliminations round 1

  • 2 p.m.- Nitro eliminations round 2

  • 2:30 p.m.- Pro stock eliminations round 2

  • 3:35 p.m.- Nitro eliminations semi finals

  • 3:50 p.m.- Pro stock eliminations semi finals

  • 4:45 p.m.- Pro stock eliminations finals

  • 4:50 p.m.- Nitro eliminations finals

  • 5 p.m.- Winner’s circle on starting line

For the full weekend event schedule, visit the NHRA website.

Where to buy tickets

Ticket prices vary on the day you choose to go. The racetrack is only a quarter-of-a-mile long, leaving seating on both the north and south sides of the track.

Friday adult tickets range from $20 to $60 depending on which side of the track you want to sit. Kids tickets for Friday range between $12 and $23.

Saturday adult tickets range from $45 to $78, while child tickets for those aged 12 and under range between $18 and $31. Sunday adult tickets range from $45 to $84 and child tickets cost between $18 and $34.

Tickets can be purchased online at the Texas Motroplex website.

Parking and how to get there

The Texas Motroplex is located at 7500 US Highway 287 and is nearly an hour drive from Fort Worth.

Those traveling from Fort Worth can hop on Highway 287 and head south. Eventually, drivers will need to take exit 403 which will take them right to the Texas Motroplex.

Parking passes for the event weekend cost $20 per vehicle and can be purchased when buying your admission tickets.

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