NHRA Fall Nationals at Texas Motorplex: A First-Timer's Weekend Guide

The NHRA Texas Fall Nationals runs October 14–18, 2026 at Texas Motorplex in Ennis, TX, as the headline event inside the larger "Stampede of Speed" festival (October 9–18, 2026). If you're going for the first time: qualifying runs Wednesday through Saturday, eliminations are Sunday, and — the one honest note we'll get out of the way early — our Slingshots aren't running that weekend. We're an April-only experience. Come back in spring, or grab a gift card now for a future ride.

What Is the NHRA Fall Nationals / Stampede of Speed?

The Texas NHRA Fall Nationals is an NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series national event — professional and sportsman drag racing across multiple classes, held at Texas Motorplex, the first all-concrete NHRA "super track." The Fall Nationals weekend sits inside a longer festival branded "Stampede of Speed" that Texas Motorplex bills as "The Fastest Ten Days in Texas." The Motorplex draws over 500,000 fans annually across its full February–November season, though that figure is an annual total, not a single-weekend count.

When Is It, and How Long Does It Run?

For 2026, the NHRA portion runs Wednesday, October 14 through Sunday, October 18. Here's the day-by-day structure, per the official Stampede of Speed schedule — always confirm current gate times directly at stampedeofspeed.com before you go, since specific hours aren't published far in advance.

Day	What's Happening
Wed, Oct 14	JEGS All-Stars qualifying + NHRA Fall Nationals Sportsman qualifying begins
Thu, Oct 15	Full-day Sportsman qualifying and JEGS All-Star competition
Fri, Oct 16	JEGS Friday Night Live — NHRA Pro qualifying, day and night under the lights
Sat, Oct 17	Final NHRA Pro qualifying + JEGS All-Stars finals
Sun, Oct 18	NHRA Finals — elimination day, opening ceremonies, nationally televised

Typical schedule structure — confirm this year's exact times at stampedeofspeed.com/schedule before you go.

Getting There and Parking

Texas Motorplex sits at 7500 W Hwy 287, Ennis, TX — about 35–40 minutes south of downtown Dallas on I-45, then west. On the big days (Friday night and Sunday eliminations especially), plan to arrive early: general parking lots fill up and traffic backs up on the approach roads as showtime nears. Thursday and the earlier qualifying days are noticeably lighter if your schedule is flexible. Planning to stay overnight? See our guide to lodging near the track.

Wednesday–Saturday: Qualifying Days

The qualifying days are the quieter, cheaper way to experience the event, and they're genuinely good for first-timers who want to get close to the cars in the pits without eliminations-day crowds. Pit access policies can change year to year — check the current NHRA/Stampede of Speed pit-pass rules before you go if getting up close to the teams is your main goal.

Sunday: Eliminations

Sunday is the big crowd day — opening ceremonies, national TV coverage, and playoff-style eliminations through the day's classes. If you're new to drag racing, know going in that it's loud (hearing protection is worth bringing) and that the best general-admission viewing areas fill up early. Check with the track for this year's recommended arrival time relative to gate opening.

What to Bring and What to Expect

• Hearing protection — nitro cars are genuinely loud at close range
• Sun protection — October in Texas can still run warm, and Motorplex seating is largely uncovered
• Cash and card — confirm current vendor payment norms at the gate
• An early arrival plan for Friday night and Sunday specifically

What Else to Do in Ennis While You're in Town

Ennis is a small town with a real downtown worth a stop between sessions or before you head back — and while we'd love to hand you a set of keys, Ennis Slingshot Experience runs April only, tied to the Ennis Bluebonnet Trails season. If you're here for Fall Nationals in October, the honest move is to plan a return trip in the spring, or grab a gift card now so a Slingshot ride is already booked when the bluebonnets come back.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Stampede of Speed at Texas Motorplex?

It's Texas Motorplex's branded name for its 10-day October festival (Oct 9–18, 2026), which includes the NHRA Texas Fall Nationals as its headline national event.

How long does the NHRA Fall Nationals last?

The 2026 NHRA portion runs five days, Wednesday October 14 through Sunday October 18, with qualifying building toward Sunday's eliminations.

What time do gates open at Texas Motorplex?

Gate times vary by day and aren't published far in advance — check stampedeofspeed.com/schedule or call the track directly (972-878-2641) for this year's exact times before you go.

Planning a Spring Trip Instead?

See everything else Ennis has going on at our Ennis things-to-do hub, or read our full Texas Motorplex guide for the rest of the racing season. And if you're curious what a Polaris Slingshot even is before you book a spring visit, start with our first-timer's guide. When you're ready, book your April ride — or grab a gift card today.

Sources: Texas Motorplex, Stampede of Speed 2026 schedule, City of Ennis.