The Texas NHRA FallNationals: Where Speed Meets Drama
The final day of professional qualifying at the Texas NHRA FallNationals is heating up—literally. With temperatures soaring, the Texas Motorplex is a cauldron of high-stakes racing, strategic tuning, and unexpected twists. But here's where it gets controversial: as teams battle for position, the line between pushing the limits and risking it all becomes razor-thin. Let’s dive into the day’s highlights, where every pass could be a game-changer.
JEGS Allstars Finals Set the Stage
Before the day’s main qualifying rounds kicked off, the JEGS Allstars semifinals determined the final-round matchups. Here’s who’s facing off later today:
- Comp: Monty Bogan vs. Josh Lee
- Super Stock: Larry Leazer vs. Jeremy Duncan
- Stock: Landon Emmons vs. Steve Foley
- Super Comp: Tanner Thorp vs. Bradley Snowball
- Super Gas: James Perry vs. Charles Kenopic
- Super Street: Donald Webb vs. John Leibham
- Top Dragster: Mark Grame vs. Blake Peavler
- Top Sportsman: Dennis Dowson vs. Curt Fredrich
And this is the part most people miss: the Top Alcohol semifinals, which ran last night, have already set their final-round matchups:
- Top Alcohol Dragster: Matthew Cummings vs. Joey Severance
- Top Alcohol Funny Car: Brian Hough vs. Jim Whiteley
Team standings? The West squad has clinched the Regional (Top Alcohol) title, while Division 2 secured the other championship—even before the final rounds.
Top Fuel Q3: Consistency vs. Risk
With temperatures climbing, improvements were scarce, and teams focused on race-day tune-ups. Josh Hart solidified his position with a 3.793, matching Tony Schumacher’s time but at a higher speed. Hart’s take? “We’re all about consistency and finding our racecar again. The team’s working tirelessly to make it happen.” Bold move or safe play? You decide.
Justin Ashley snagged bonus points for the third straight session with a 3.800, while Ida Zetterström, fresh off her St. Louis final-round appearance, skipped a full pass but remains in the field thanks to her Friday 3.78. Meanwhile, Shawn Langdon and crew chief Brian Husen pushed the limits—and smoked the tires. Local favorite Steve Torrence struggled with staging, losing his run but staying in contention.
Rookie Kyle Satenstein, after sitting out Friday, made a solid debut with a 3.94, securing his spot—for now.
Funny Car Q3: The Heat is On
At a borderline track temperature of 117 degrees, finding the right setup was a challenge. It took until the final pair for a three-second run to appear, with Jimmy Prock tuning his son Austin to a 3.99 after analyzing earlier data. Dickie Venables and Tim Wilkerson showed their expertise midway through the session, with J.R. Todd and Daniel Wilkerson posting 4.01 and 4.03 runs, respectively. Jack Beckman squeezed in with a 4.02.
Prock’s points lead over teammate Beckman has widened to 24 markers, thanks to a 6-2 advantage in session bonuses. The bump spot? Chris King holds it at 4.157, leaving Blake Alexander on the outside looking in with one session left.
Pro Stock Q3: Anderson Closes the Gap
Greg Anderson’s Friday night 6.49 was untouchable today, but he still clocked a 6.532—just .04 seconds off his previous run—for his third straight low e.t. and another three bonus points. Teammates Dallas Glenn (6.556) and Cory Reed (6.557) also scored bonuses. Anderson’s perfect nine bonus points have slashed Glenn’s lead from 25 to just 19 points.
Here’s a twist: David Cuadra holds the bump spot with a 6.554 from Q2, matched by his twin brother Cristian. But David’s superior speed (210.61 mph vs. 210.26) keeps him in the field—and Cristian out—with one run remaining.
Final Thoughts: What’s Your Take?
As the day wraps up, the question remains: Is consistency the key to victory, or does taking risks pay off in the end? Do you think Anderson can overtake Glenn, or will the points leader hold on? Let us know in the comments—we’re eager to hear your thoughts!
