Kevin Kinsley brings Toby Keith Foundation's Wild Child to Old School Showdown Saturday at the Texas Motorplex.

Kinsley will be joined by a full cast of veteran racers and top-notch entertainment at Texas Motorplex this weekend during the first ever Old School Showdown. Gates open Saturday at 8 a.m. for the second of three days of NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing series action, but the Showdown starts with opening ceremonies at 4:30 p.m.

Kinsley will be piloting his Wild Child Toby Keith Foundation/Crewkids Ford Mustang in a Ford vs. Ford match race with current AA/FC Champion and record holder John Hale’s Nitro Boss Mustang. Kinsley’s nitro-burning nostalgia car has been a massive project for the award-winning painter, fabricator and innovator from Kennedale, Texas.

Kinsley won’t be racing as much Top Alcohol now that he has the Wild Child.

“I don’t want to take anything away from the alcohol racing days and it was a blast winning at tracks like the Motorplex and in Houston,” Kinsley said. “But I wish I had done this (build a nostalgia Funny Car) 10 years ago. This car is so much fun. Just backing it up from the burnout is over-the-top fun.

“I’ve been drag racing and driving top fuel drag boat since the 80s but this is the first car my wife and I have owned. Having your own deal is way cool and I think this has rejuvenated my crew because we are having more fun than ever.

Kinsley said that while the team is still in its infancy, they plan on giving Hale all the competition possible at the Motorplex this weekend.

“We want to give John Hale a run for his money this weekend,” Kinsley said. “They run very well and that’s what makes him a champion but we are going to give it everything we have. I think I will miss some of the high-quality competition in the alcohol classes but this is a very competitive category of cars too. These cars are all about putting on a show, running well and having fun with the fans, but the racers doing this are all very competitive.”

Photo by Dave A. Vance / Fall Nationals winners Michael Phillips, Jason Line, Cruz Pedregon and Bob Vandergriff pose with Grand Marshall and Miss Texas Kendall Morris.

Dave A Vance, Special to the EDN

The 26th Annual AAA Texas NHRA Fall Nationals came to an end at Texas Motorplex this past Sunday, and there was a lot to take in as a racing fan.

Bob Vandergriff achieved his much-desired first national win of his career in the Top Fuel category after qualifying eighth in his C&J Energy Services dragster.

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Bob Vandergriff

Bob Vandergriff, Jason Line and Michael Phillips were also winners in their respective categories at the second of six races in the NHRA Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship, the six-race playoffs to determine the world championships.

Pedregon held off an impressive line-up of cars to reach the final round, driving his Toyota Camry past Todd Simpson, Bob Tasca and Melanie Troxel on his way to a final round matchup with Ron Capps. In the final Pedregon drove to an impressive 4.200 seconds at 302.48 mph past Capps to secure his first win of the season and 29th of his career. The win also propelled Pedregon from fourth to third in the point standings, just seven points behind leader Mike Neff with four races left in the season.

“I think this is probably the best race car I’ve ever had,” said Pedregon. “I felt a little more pressure on myself that here we had such a great car that if we don’t come out of here with a win, boy, we’re really going to be hurting. But it was great to win finally.”

Funny Car points leader Neff lost in the first round to second-place driver in the standings Matt Hagan. Hagan was unable to get around Melanie Troxel in the second round though and only four points separate first-place Neff from Hagan.

In Top Fuel, Vandergriff raced to his first win in his 14th final round appearance, ending the longest streak of final round appearances before a win in NHRA history. Vandergriff powered his dragster to a 4.243 at 238.44 to hold of hometown favorite Spencer Massey in the final round.

Massey’s final round appearance moved him to the top of the Top Fuel standings, just seven points ahead of second-place driver Antron Brown, who fell to Massey in the semifinal round of eliminations. Massey is the 41st different driver in NHRA history to lead the points in Top Fuel.

In a repeat matchup from the Pro Stock final round in Charlotte just one week previous Jason Line and Kurt Johnson met again in the finals, but this time it was Line who powered his Pontiac GXP to a 6.633 at 208.46 to get his fifth win of the season and 26th of his career. The win also helped strengthen Line’s lead to 112 points over second-place driver and KB Racing teammate Greg Anderson, who lost in the first round.

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Phillips held off rookie rider and Mac Tools U.S. Nationals winner Hector Arana Jr. when he rode his Suzuki to a run of 6.979 at 194.96 to secure his first win in over a year and move up to the seventh spot in the point standings. Arana Jr. moved to the third spot in the standings with his runner-up finish to Phillips.

Del Worsham

Cruz Pedregon (Funny Car), Jason Line (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also were qualifying leaders in their divisions at the second of six races in the Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship, NHRA’s playoffs.

Worsham, who led the points standings for the majority of the regular season and has earned two Funny Car victories at the famed all-concrete Texas drag strip, powered his Al Anabi Racing dragster to a 3.869 second run at 318.54 mph to lead the 16-car field. Qualifying continues Saturday with sessions at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. for Sunday’s 11 a.m. eliminations.

“To lead a session comes with bonus points, and depending on the weather tomorrow, that could possibly stand for the No. 1 spot, which comes with extra points also,” Worsham said. “We had a pretty disappointing first round in Charlotte, so it’s nice to rebound like that. Everybody on the team just did a great job.”

Worsham, who entered this event third in the standings after coming into the playoffs as the top seed, needs a big weekend to gain some ground on new series points leader Antron Brown, who won the playoff-opener at Charlotte last weekend and has won four of the last five races. Brown struggled in the first two qualifying sessions here in his Matco Tools dragster and was 14th with a 4.638 at 181.42.

“If you had told me at the beginning of the season that I would be less than two rounds out of first place at the second race of the Countdown, I would have said give it to me right now,” Worsham said. “But to be leading the points nearly the entire season, then come out of Charlotte in (third) place and lose that cushion that we had, it was a bummer. But this is a tough team that has won championships before, and they know what they’re doing. They’ve been here before and I haven’t, so I’m just going to follow their lead.”

Seven-time world champ Tony Schumacher was second in his U.S. Army dragster with a 3.880 at 315.27, while Brandon Bernstein was third in his Copart dragster, posting a 3.882 at 312.35. Two-time world champion Pedregon posted a 4.086 at 307.86 in his Snap-on Tools Toyota Solara to take the qualifying lead in Funny Car.

“The run felt good,” said Pedregon, currently fourth in the Countdown standings. “It was smooth, and it didn’t shake or wobble one bit. We were watching the track temperature, which was dropping ever so slightly, and so this time I’d say we were on the aggressive side. There are times when the car just goes out there and runs on its own, but on this one we were pressing a little bit because it was cooling down. If we’re going to climb back into this championship, we’re going to need every point that we can get.”

A couple of non-Countdown teams anchored second and third as Brainerd winner Johnny Gray was second with a 4.141 at 303.78 in his Service Central Dodge Charger and Jon Capps, brother of Ron, was third in his Paul Smith-owned Chevy Monte Carlo with a 4.152 at 296.44. Alexis DeJoria made her much anticipated Full Throttle Series debut behind the wheel of her Patron Toyota and posted a 4.281 at 294.37 for 14th on her first run and then experienced a small engine explosion and fire on her second run. She’ll start from scratch tomorrow to try and qualify for her first Funny Car race as 18 cars are entered for 16 starting spots.

In Pro Stock, Line set both ends of the track record to take the top spot with a performance of 6.553 at 211.20 in his Summit Racing Equipment Pontiac GXP.

“We got all the one-two qualifying points, and that’s all you can ask for,” Line said. “It gives us a little room to try things that we normally wouldn’t do, and I think that we learned a couple of things on the run. Looking at tomorrow’s weather forecast, I would say that there’s a good chance that our numbers will hold up. And if they do, that will be good for me. I don’t think that I’ve ever qualified No.1 four times in a row.”

Line’s teammate, Greg Anderson, was second in his Summit Pontiac with a 6.559 at 210.67 and 2009 world champ Mike Edwards was third with a 6.568 at 211.03 in his Penhall/Interstate Batteries Pontiac.

Hines led Pro Stock Motorcycle with a track record time of 6.859 at 194.74 on his Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson. His teammate, Charlotte winner and series leader Eddie Krawiec, claimed the track record speed of 195.79 and was second with a 6.867 on his identically prepared V-Rod.

“Conditions aren’t really that different from Charlotte last weekend,” Hines said. “The temperature is up a little and the sun is out, but the atmospheric stuff is right in our window. Our Eagles are soaring right now and we’re out here to prove a point. Eddie and I have had a chip on our shoulder the last few races, and we’re tired of people saying stuff. We’re gunning for the No. 1 and 2 spots. We’re trying to be like those KB Racing guys. They’re putting up all kinds or crazy numbers, and we want to be like them. That was one of the best runs I’ve made in a long time. Matt’s got the clutch dialed in really nice, and we’re learning a lot from the high-speed video camera that we bought earlier this year. We made some changes to our wheelie bars that we’re really starting to notice. We’ve always been able to run up front, but we’ve never been able to run up front with good 60 foot times, and now we’re putting the whole package together.”

* * *

ENNIS, Texas — Friday’s results after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the 26th annual AAA Texas NHRA Fall Nationals at Texas Motorplex, 18th of 22 events in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series and second of six races in the Countdown to the Championship, NHRA’s playoffs. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday’s final eliminations.

Top Fuel — 1. Del Worsham, 3.869 seconds, 318.54 mph; 2. Tony Schumacher, 3.880, 315.27; 3. Brandon Bernstein, 3.882, 312.35; 4. Larry Dixon, 3.888, 313.51; 5. Bob Vandergriff, 3.910, 315.78; 6. Doug Kalitta, 3.917, 316.52; 7. Troy Buff, 3.942, 301.60; 8. Spencer Massey, 3.966, 304.80; 9. David Grubnic, 3.974, 292.20; 10. Shawn Langdon, 3.990, 290.44; 11. Steve Torrence, 3.999, 301.67; 12. Rod Fuller, 4.002, 300.26. Not Qualified: 13. Terry McMillen, 4.094, 232.67; 14. Antron Brown, 4.638, 181.42; 15. Scott Palmer, 4.653, 168.83; 16. Morgan Lucas, 4.975, 145.28; 17. Chris Karamesines, 6.149, 101.15.

Funny Car — 1. Cruz Pedregon, Toyota Solara, 4.086, 307.86; 2. Johnny Gray, Dodge Charger, 4.141, 303.78; 3. Jon Capps, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 4.152, 296.44; 4. Robert Hight, Ford Mustang, 4.154, 304.32; 5. Mike Neff, Mustang, 4.163, 303.50; 6. Jack Beckman, Charger, 4.165, 304.67; 7. Ron Capps, Charger, 4.167, 302.62; 8. John Force, Mustang, 4.173, 301.40; 9. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 4.178, 295.14; 10. Tony Pedregon, Chevy Impala SS, 4.186, 299.40; 11. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 4.187, 299.80; 12. Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.200, 300.40. Not Qualified: 13. Jeff Arend, 4.223, 296.70; 14. Alexis DeJoria, 4.281, 294.37; 15. Melanie Troxel, 4.326, 276.69; 16. Paul Lee, 4.560, 194.02; 17. Todd Simpson, 6.537, 98.95; 18. Terry Haddock, 9.304, 91.45.

Pro Stock — 1. Jason Line, Pontiac GXP, 6.553, 211.20; 2. Greg Anderson, GXP, 6.559, 210.67; 3. Mike Edwards, GXP, 6.568, 211.03; 4. Vincent Nobile, Dodge Avenger, 6.574, 210.67; 5. Ronnie Humphrey, GXP, 6.575, 209.88; 6. Allen Johnson, Avenger, 6.581, 210.44; 7. Erica Enders, Chevy Cobalt, 6.587, 209.98; 8. V. Gaines, Avenger, 6.590, 210.01; 9. Greg Stanfield, GXP, 6.595, 209.30; 10. Ron Krisher, GXP, 6.602, 210.54; 11. Kurt Johnson, GXP, 6.604, 209.17; 12. Rodger Brogdon, GXP, 6.605, 209.46. Not Qualified: 13. Steve Kent, 6.608, 209.10; 14. Warren Johnson, 6.608, 209.04; 15. Chris McGaha, 6.610, 209.17; 16. Larry Morgan, 6.626, 209.23; 17. Shane Gray, 6.658, 208.46; 18. Paul Pittman, 6.755, 205.04.

Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 6.859, 194.91; 2. Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 6.867, 195.79; 3. Matt Smith, Buell, 6.872, 194.35; 4. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 6.886, 195.17; 5. Chip Ellis, Buell, 6.892, 192.99; 6. Hector Arana Jr, Buell, 6.911, 193.18; 7. Angie Smith, Buell, 6.916, 193.54; 8. Michael Ray, Buell, 6.953, 191.00; 9. Hector Arana, Buell, 6.960, 193.21; 10. Shawn Gann, Buell, 6.960, 191.02; 11. Jerry Savoie, Suzuki, 6.971, 191.73; 12. LE Tonglet, Suzuki, 6.978, 191.46. Not Qualified: 13. Bailey Whitaker, 6.992, 190.11; 14. Mike Berry, 7.007, 185.87; 15. Michael Phillips, 7.014, 194.80; 16. David Hope, 7.026, 190.94; 17. Jim Underdahl, 7.044, 192.03; 18. Steve Johnson, 7.045, 192.28; 19. GT Tonglet, 7.140, 189.73; 20. Justin Finley, 7.182, 467.39; 21. Joe DeSantis, 7.225, 183.00.

Miss Texas Kendall Morris

Miss Texas Kendall Morris will be the Grand Marshall at the 26th annual AAA Texas NHRA Fall Nationals at Texas Motorplex on Sept. 22-25.

The Ennis High School graduate is taking a year off from Texas Christian University – where she is a TCU Dean’s Honor List student in Broadcast Journalism – to travel the state as Miss Texas and help bring awareness to her platform issue: Leukemia.

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Carl Meador, owner and crew chief of a Nostalgia Slingshot Dragster, has recently worked with the Motorplex staff and is eagerly anticipating the weekend. The term “Slingshot Dragster” came from the early 1960s, because the driver sits behind the engine and the rear end.

Last year, Meador and his team finished second in the Texas Blown Fuel Association points championship.

“As a racer and member of the Texas Blown Fuel Association, I’d like to express my gratitude to the folks at Super Chevy and the Texas Motorplex for giving us the opportunity to showcase our ‘old school’ approach to drag racing,” Meador said. “The fans will see firsthand what it was like to compete during the earlier days of drag racing when these nostalgia hot rods take to the strip. I want to thank Rick Grindstaff, Keith Breazeal and Chris Graves for the vision to put their dreams in motion and give all of our members an affordable association to compete within.”

Qualifying will begin at Noon on Saturday, June 4. Full event details are listed below and on Super Chevy Show’s website at www.superchevyshow.com.

“One of the exciting aspects about our group is that there are no cookie cutter cars,” Meador said. “All of our race cars are blown and injected, but the duplicates end there and each one has a character unto itself. The same could be said of our owners and drivers, so please come by our pit areas to say hello and check out these cool machines.”

With these cars running more than 175 mph, Meador has great advice for fans who want to feel the action.

“Whatever you do, get to the fences when we fire them up and race down the quarter-mile and we’ll do our best to take you back to the ‘good ole days,’” Meador said.

Gabrielle Stevenson, general manager of the Motorplex, said she is excited to have the Texas Blown Fuel Association add another entertainment element for the Super Chevy Show fans this weekend.

This will be the first year for TBFA to participate in The Super Chevy Show Series.

“These nostalgia dragsters are the perfect car to be roaring down the quarter-mile during the Super Chevy Show at the Motorplex because they blend speed and style and just like some of the cars in the car show ear, they offer us a chance to see a dragster from a golden era in drag racing,” Stevenson said. “Fans love to get up close and see every inch of what make these dragsters capable of those quick times and high speeds. The nostalgia dragsters add a lot to the show.”

The event weekend will officially kick-off Saturday morning with a special car show cruise from Soulman’s Bar-B-Que in Rockwall to the Motorplex. Cruise details are listed on the website at www.superchevyshow.com. The event will also include autocross, a car show, midway displays, the fan-favorite Revell “Build a Car” for kids, and a live band, “The Morticians.”

Super Chevy Show Schedule of Events

June 4-5, 2011

Friday, June 3, 2011 – FAST FRIDAY

6 p.m.:                         Fast Friday gates open

7 p.m.:                         Test-n-Tune

12 a.m.:                       Secure track

Saturday, June 4, 2011

7 a.m.:                         Racer gates open / participant parking

7 a.m.:                                     Meet at Soulman’s (691 East Interstate 30, Rockwall) for cruise

8 a.m.:                                     Cruise to Texas Motorplex from Soulman’s Bar-B-Que in Rockwall

8 a.m.:                         Spectator gates open

8 a.m.:                         Tech opens / VP Fuel Station opens

9 a.m.:                         Car show registration & Setup (9 a.m. – 3 p.m.)

10 a.m.-2 p.m.:           Autocross presented by Equipe Rapide

10 a.m.:                       Open Time Trials for all race classes

10:30 a.m.:                  Quick 8 presented by Royal Purple Qualify #1

10:30 a.m.:                  Car show judging seminar

11 a.m.:                       True Street challenge cruise

11:30 a.m.:                  Quick 8 presented by Royal Purple Qualify #2

12 pm.:                        PRO SHOW- Texas Blown Fuel Association Qualify #1

12 p.m.:                       BONUS bracket race & 5^th Gen Camaro Shootout presented by Speedtek Performance

12-2 p.m.:                    FREE Revell “Build a Car” for kids at the Car Show Tent

1-3 p.m.:                      Live band “The Morticians” play in the car show tent area

1:45 p.m.:                    PRO SHOW- Texas Blown Fuel Association Qualify #2

3:15 p.m.:                    PRO SHOW- Texas Blown Fuel Association Round #1

Following Pro: BONUS bracket finals

3:30 p.m.:                    Car show special awards

4 p.m.:                                                  Quick 8 (Elec. & No Elec.) presented by Royal Purple

4:45 p.m.:                    PRO SHOW- Texas Blown Fuel Association SEMI-FINAL

5:30 p.m.:                    Quick 8 (Elec. & No Elec.) presented by Royal Purple FINAL

6 p.m.:                         PRO SHOW- Texas Blown Fuel Association FINAL

7 p.m.:                         Secure track

Sunday, June 5, 2011

8 a.m.:                         Racer gates open / tech for new arrivals

8 a.m.:                         Spectator gates open

8:30 a.m.:                    RFC service in car show tent

10 a.m.-2 p.m.:           Autocross presented by Equipe Rapide

9:30-11 a.m.:               Open Time Trials for all race classes

10:30 a.m.:                  Car show judging seminar

11:00 a.m.:                  “Run for the Money” – dial-in run

11:30 a.m.:                  Bracket race round one (DriveDuracell.com Bracket 1 (Elect.) presented by Royal Purple, Bracket 2 (No Elect.) presented by Royal Purple, DOT, 5^th Gen Camaro Shootout presented by Speedtek Performance)

12-2 p.m.:                    FREE Revell “Build a Car” for kids at the Car Show Tent

3:30 p.m.:                    Car show series event awards

5 p.m.:                         Secure track

CLASS INFORMATION

Saturday Bonus Race – ¼ mile, .5 Full Tree – (Electronics- Cross-Talk ON, NO Electronics- Cross-Talk OFF)

*Winner: $1,152

*R/U: $414

*Semi: $184

*¼: $92

Entry: $40

*based on a 64 car field

Saturday’s bonus race will feature Electronic and Non-Electronic racers running in separate categories until the final round. Electronic winner and the Non-Electronic winner will face-off for the win and to runner-up final.

Saturday QUICK 8 presented by Royal Purple  - ¼ mile, .5 Full Tree – (Electronics- Cross-Talk ON, NO Electronics- Cross-Talk OFF)

*Winner: $240

*R/U: $144

*Semi: $48

Entry: $100

*based on an 8 car field

The Quick E class of 8, and Quick NoE class of 8 will be determined based of f the 2 runs made Saturday at12pm. A Qualifier list will be posted at 3pm and the Top 8 of each will then go to Race Control to pay and enter for the QUICK 8 Saturday night Show. If a Top 8 does not pay to enter, then the next alternative will have the option to pay to enter the Quick class, etc until both classes have 8 racers.

Saturday & Sunday 5^th Generation Camaro Shootout presented by Speedtek – 1/4mile, .5 Full Tree, Cross-Talk OFF

Winner: TROPHY

R/U: TROPHY

Entry: $35/day

Show your Student ID for $5 OFF

Sunday DriveDuracell.com Bracket 1 (Elect.) presented by Royal Purple – 1/4mile, .5 Full Tree, Cross-Talk ON

*Winner: $1,152

*Runner-Up: $414

*Semi: $184

*¼: $92

Entry: $60

*based on a 64 car field

Time and schedule permitting, first round buybacks will be available for Bracket 1 – $40.

Sunday Bracket 2 (No Elect.) presented by Royal Purple – 1/4mile, .5 Full Tree, Cross-Talk OFF

*Winner: $1,008

*Runner-Up: $362

*Semi: $161

*¼: $80

Entry: $60

*based on a 56 car field

Time and schedule permitting, first round buybacks will be available for Bracket 2 – $30.

Sunday D.O.T. – 1/4mile, .5 full tree, Cross-Talk OFF (DOT Street Tires and Mufflers required.)

*Winner: $576

*Runner-Up: $207

*Semi: $92

*¼: $46

Entry: $60

*based on a 32 car field

Time and schedule permitting, first round buybacks will be available for D.O.T. – $20.

Payout Information: All payouts will be available in Race Control Suite 208, the day of the race once we reach the payout rounds.

NOTE: All classes must be Chevy bodied -or- Chevy powered.

PRICE SHEET

Sportsman Racer Entry Fees

Friday Test ‘n’ Tune Run-Card:                       $15

Saturday Quick 8 (Electronics):                      $100

Saturday Quick 8 (No Electronics):                 $100

Saturday Bonus Race:                                     $40

Saturday 5^th Gen Camaro Shootout:               $35 Show your Student ID for $5 OFF

Sunday “Run For The Money”:                       $20

Sunday Bracket Race:                                     $60

Sunday 5^th Gen Camaro Shootout:                  $35 Show your Student ID for $5 OFF

Racer Full Event Combo:                                $115

Saturday True Street Challenge:                    Racers who purchase a Drag Race entry will be eligible to also compete in the True Street Challenge (If their car meets the class rules.) All True Street Participants will also be able to compete in Sunday’s DOT Race at NO ADDITIONAL FEE.

Restricted Area Crew Pass:                            $40      (valid Friday – Sunday)

Extra Pit Vehicle Parking Pass:                       $30

Bracket 1 Buyback                                         $40

Bracket 2 Buyback                                         $30

DOT Buyback                                                $20

Car Show Fees

Car Show (2-day judged class):                       $45

Show & Shine (2 day not-judged):                  $35

Additional Participants

Swap Meet                                                      $45

Car Corral                                                       $45

Autocross ONLY (Sat & Sun or Sun Only)        $35

Autocross ONLY with Student ID                     $30
(Any other participant is welcome to join in the autocross at no additional fee)

Spectator Pricing:

Adult          Children (11-15)

Friday               $5                      FREE

Saturday            $20                    $5

Sunday              $15                     $5

Weekend           $30                    $10

The Texas Motorplex hosts MOPARS this weekend.

EDN News Service, edi...@ennisdailynews.com

Top Fuel racing icon “Big Daddy” Don Garlits has wowed crowds, brought countless innovations to the world of drag racing and has certainly been a fan-favorite for the decades he has been involved with championship drag racing.

A visit from the star is just one reason to be at Saturday’s MOPARS event at Texas Motorplex. Ronny Young will be driving his famous Blue Max Funny Car Saturday, as well, giving fans and racers alike the chance to see two legends on a historic track in one day.

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Texas Motorplex will host Thundering Thursdays in an attempt to attract locals to the Texas Motorplex.

Tye Chandler, spo...@ennisdailynews.com

One week from today, the Texas Motorplex is kicking off an event that could be the talk of Ellis County racing fans in the months to come.

On May 12, the track will host the first of its nine Thundering Thursday events this summer. The event centers around street-legal racing and a high school championship racing series, but it will also have special food deals, games, a car show, live music and even fireworks at some of the events. To get momentum rolling for Thundering Thursdays, all Ellis County residents will be admitted free to the series debut on May 12.

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The action on the track has just gotten quicker and faster and the opportunity to feel the thundering power of 8,000-horsepower vehicles on the all-concrete track is now available to the public.

Tickets for the 26th annual AAA Texas NHRA Fall Nationals are now on sale.

Seven-time Top Fuel champion Tony Schumacher, Funny Car’s real-life cowboy Matt Hagan, Pro Stock’s three-time series champion Greg Anderson and the youngest champion in NHRA history, Pro Stock Motorcycle’s LE Tonglet, will be defending their Motorplex victories in the second of six NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Countdown to the Championship playoff events.

Click here to buy tickets or call (800) MOTORPLEX to order tickets over the phone.

TEXAS MOTORPLEX

Ennis, Texas (April 17)

Top Alcohol Dragster

W: Forrest Fair (’04 Monden) – 5.489, 256.41.

R/U: James Thompson (’09 Monden) – 5.533, 264.96.

Semi’s: David Brounkowski; Gord Gingles.

Top Alcohol Funny Car

W: Tony Bartone (’09 Ford) – 5.589, 261.78.

R/U: Steve Burck (’02 Camaro) – 8.367, 101.69.

Semi’s: Lee Callaway.

Super Comp

W: Joel Covington (’04 Mullis) – 8.929, 172.32 (8.90 dial).

R/U: Joe Collier (’00 Undercover) – 8.930, 162.78 (8.90 dial).

Semi’s: Richard Pierson.

Super Gas

W: Jeff Lopez (’63 Corvette) – 9.917, 153.67 (9.90 dial).

R/U: Chris Burrell (’66 Fairlane) – 9.951, 146.35 (9.90 dial).

Semi’s: Alan Claunch; Bill Dennis.

Super Street

W: Craig Pfanenstiel (’67 Camaro) – 10.904, 142.79 (10.90 dial).

R/U: Jason Owens (’68 Camaro) – 10.902, 145.02 (10.90 dial).

Semi’s: Brandon Harris; Glen Knapp.

Competition Eliminator

W: Keith Hall (’09 Cavilier) – 8.470, 161.11 (8.98 dial).

R/U: Adam White (’04 FED) – 6.904, 193.63 (7.41 dial).

Semi’s: Dennis Smiley; Joey Tanksley.

Super Stock

W: Randall Klein (’56 Nomad) – 11.208, 115.62 (11.18 dial).

R/U: Gary Stinnett (’92 Camaro) – 9.380, 145.66 (9.39 dial).

Semi’s: Randy Hopkins.

Stock Eliminator

W: Jimmy Hidalgo (’02 Firebird) – 10.622, 120.48 (10.61 dial).

R/U: Steven Hall (’67 Mustang) – 10.674, 118.08 (10.67 dial).

Semi’s: Bill Hatcher.

Top Sportsman

W: Monte Green (’95 Probe) – 6.988, 197.25 (6.97 dial).

R/U: Todd Stewart (’67 Camaro) – 7.351, 175.50 (7.32 dial).

Semi’s: Donald Boyd; Michael Cobb.

Top Dragster

W: Jimmy Lewis (’08 Undercover) – 6.783, 185.05 (6.75 dial).

R/U: Nick Brener (’07 American) – 6.774, 193.18 (6.73 dial).

Semi’s: Jenifer White; Howard McCullar.

Sportsman Motorcycle

W: Lisa Bennett (’95 Suzuki) – 8.039, 160.52 (8.01 dial).

R/U: Derek Dorey (’03 Trac/Razor) – foul.

Semi’s: Rickey Bobby Kay.