![Ennis September 2017 30 (Texas Motorplex)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/74/Ennis_September_2017_30_%28Texas_Motorplex%29.jpg)
The Texas Motorplex is a quarter mile
drag racing
Drag racing is a type of motor racing in which automobiles or motorcycles compete, usually two at a time, to be first to cross a set finish line. The race follows a short, straight course from a standing start over a measured distance, most c ...
facility located in
Ennis
Ennis () is the county town of County Clare, in the mid-west of Ireland. The town lies on the River Fergus, north of where the river widens and enters the Shannon Estuary. Ennis is the largest town in County Clare, with a population of 25,27 ...
,
Texas
Texas (, ; Spanish language, Spanish: ''Texas'', ''Tejas'') is a state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. At 268,596 square miles (695,662 km2), and with more than 29.1 million residents in 2 ...
,
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...
, south of downtown
Dallas
Dallas () is the List of municipalities in Texas, third largest city in Texas and the largest city in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, the List of metropolitan statistical areas, fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States at 7.5 ...
. Built in 1986 by former
funny car
Funny Car is a type of drag racing vehicle and a specific racing class in organized drag racing. Funny cars are characterized by having tilt-up fiberglass or carbon fiber automotive bodies over a custom-fabricated chassis, giving them an appea ...
driver Billy Meyer, the Motorplex was the first
National Hot Rod Association
The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) is a drag racing governing body, which sets rules in drag racing and hosts events all over the United States and Canada. With over 40,000 drivers in its rosters, the NHRA claims to be the largest motorspo ...
(NHRA) "super track." It annually hosts the Texas NHRA FallNationals each October, when hundreds of professional and amateur drag racers compete for over $2 million in prize money. Past winners have included
John Force
John Harold Force (born May 4, 1949 in Bell Gardens, California) is an American NHRA drag racer. He is a 16-time NHRA and 1 time AHRA Funny Car champion driver and a 22-time champion car owner. Force owns and drives for John Force Racing (JFR) ...
,
Kenny Bernstein
Kenneth Dale Bernstein (born September 6, 1944) is an American drag racer and former NASCAR and IndyCar team owner. He is nicknamed the "Bud King" for his success in the Budweiser King funny car and dragster. He has also been nicknamed the ...
, and
Tony Schumacher Tony Schumacher may refer to:
* Tony Schumacher (drag racer) (born 1969), American drag racer
* Tony Schumacher (kayaker) (born 1976), Australian sprint canoeist
* Tony Schumacher (German author) (1848–1931), German children books author
* Ton ...
.
History
The Texas Motorplex was the first all-concrete stadium-style drag racing facility ever constructed. Built in 1986, The Texas Motorplex has been the place of many drag racing milestones and world record performances. The Billy Meyer-owned facility hosts a number of racing and car show events between March and November each year and also features the Champions Club – an facility – that serves fully catered events throughout the year.
Texas Motorplex Milestones
Nov. 1985: Billy Meyer signs an agreement to host an NHRA event the following September, before ground was broken on the facility.
Jan. 1986: Ground breaks for the Texas Motorplex – designed to be the first post tension, all-concrete, quarter-mile facility specifically created for drag racing.
Sept. 25, 1986: Darrell Gwynn runs 5.280 to set Top Fuel E.T. record with the first national event pass on the track.
April 1997: The Texas Motorplex becomes the first non-NHRA-owned track to host two national events.
1997: The Texas Motorplex opens the Divisional 4 Hall of Fame, becoming the only track to host a hall of fame.
1997: The Texas Motorplex becomes the first facility to build a permanent hospitality structure to host fans in a VIP atmosphere; originally known as The Top Eliminator Club and now known as the Champions Club.
April 9, 1988: Eddie Hill turns in the first four-second quarter mile pass – a 4.990 run.
Oct. 19, 1997: Cory McClenathan makes the first pass in the 320 mph-range – a 321.77 run.
Oct. 24, 1998: Gary Scelzi, John Force, Warren Johnson and Larry Kopp lead the quickest qualifying field in NHRA history.
Oct. 23, 1999: En route to his first, NHRA championship, Top Fuel driver Tony Schumacher earns his first national event victory.
Oct. 23, 1999: John Force clinched his ninth NHRA Funny Car championship by defeating Tommy Johnson Jr. in the quickest side-by-side race in Funny Car history.
Sept. 23, 2004: The Texas Motorplex becomes the first NHRA track in the country to have starting line balcony seating in the tower suites.
Sept. 26, 2004: Greg Anderson clinches his second consecutive NHRA Pro Stock title at the Texas Motorplex. Anderson clinched the title faster than any other driver in NHRA history.
Current Track Records
Top Fuel: 3.784 seconds by Brandon Bernstein (Sept. 2010); by Spencer Massey (Sept. 2011).
Funny Car: 4.062 seconds by Matt Hagan (Sept. 2010); by Jack Beckman (Sept. 2011).
Pro Stock: 6.553 seconds by Jason Line (Sept. 2011); by Jason Line (Sept. 2011).
Pro Stock Motorcycle: 6.774 seconds, 202.55 mph. Matt Smith, October 9, 2021.
#NHRA #FallNats #NHRApsm
External links
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Texas Motorplex
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NHRA Division 4 drag racing venues
Motorsport venues in Texas
Buildings and structures in Ellis County, Texas
Tourist attractions in Ellis County, Texas