NHRA Countdown: What To Watch For At Texas Motorplex

After a week off, the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series continues its trek through the six-race Countdown to the Championship at Texas Motorplex in Ennis, Texas, this weekend. 

The Texas NHRA FallNationals marks the fourth of six races in NHRA’s playoffs.

Here’s what to watch for this weekend: 

Can Anyone Slow Antron Brown?

Antron Brown has been on a mission since the NHRA’s Countdown to the Championship began at Pennsylvania’s Maple Grove Raceway in September. 

Brown, who entered the playoffs fifth, scored back-to-back victories at Maple Grove and zMAX Dragway in Concord, N.C. and immediately vaulted to the top of the standings.

The three-time champion lost in the second round to eventual winner Tony Schumacher at Illinois’ World Wide Technology Raceway in the third Countdown event. 

Brown holds a 34-point advantage over Justin Ashley and is 60 digits ahead of Shawn Langdon, with defending champion Doug Kalitta and Steve Torrence trailing by 87 and 88 points, respectively.

While safe for now, Brown’s hunt for a fourth title isn’t close to being over, especially with points-and-a-half at stake in the season-ending In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals in Pomona, Calif. next month. 

Beckman’s Time To Charge?

Austin Prock and John Force Racing have been NHRA Funny Car’s premier team this season and points reflect that.

After finishing the regular season with a 348-point cushion over Bob Tasca III, Prock’s title lead was diminished considerably — to 39 markers following the Countdown points reset.  

However, wins in back-to-back weeks at Maple Grove and zMAX Dragway re-upped the team’s gap over second.

Two weeks ago at WWTR, however, John Force’s fill-in driver, Jack Beckman, made his presence felt with a victory. 

Beckman is now 112 points behind Prock with three races remaining. The former champion may be behind in the standings, however, his ultra-consistent Countdown (two final round appearances, one semifinal appearance, one victory) may be a catalyst for a charge. 

Who Gains An Advantage In Pro Stock?

NHRA’s Pro Stock category has featured the same four drivers in the semifinals at each of the three races during the Countdown—Dallas Glenn, Aaron Stanfield, Erica Enders and Greg Anderson. 

Glenn, who entered the six-race postseason as the No. 1 seed, has been the superior driver among the group with two victories. 

He holds a 31-point lead over Stanfield and is 90 markers clear of Enders and 116 ahead of Anderson. Stanfield is the only other driver to win since the Countdown started when he topped Elite Motorsports teammate Enders in the finals at Maple Grove.

Glenn and Stanfield are eyeing their first NHRA Pro Stock championships. Enders is the defending race winner at Texas. 

Is It Matt Smith’s Time, Again?

As Gaige Herrera looks to defend his breakthrough championship from last year, he’ll have to battle with teammate Richard Gadson and six-time Pro Stock Motorcycle champion Matt Smith.

Smith snagged a win at the Carolina Nationals, while Herrera answered back a week later with a win of his own at WWTR. 

Herrera holds a 34-point advantage over Smith. Gadson is 65 points behind his teammate.

Smith last won at Texas in 2021.