Texas Motorplex facts for kids

Texas Motorplex

Texas Motorplex grandstands

The Texas Motorplex is a special place in Ennis, Texas, about 40 miles south of Dallas. It's a quarter-mile track where super-fast cars called drag racers compete. Built in 1986 by a former racer named Billy Meyer, it was the first "super track" for the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA). Every October, the Motorplex hosts the AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals. Hundreds of professional and amateur drag racers come to compete for big prize money. Famous winners include John Force and Tony Schumacher. What makes this track unique is that its entire racing surface, from start to finish, is made of concrete.

History of the Texas Motorplex

The Texas Motorplex was the first drag racing track ever built like a stadium, completely out of concrete. It opened in 1986 and has seen many amazing moments and world records in drag racing. The owner, Billy Meyer, hosts many racing events and car shows there from March to November each year. The Motorplex also has a special area called the Champions Club, which is a large building used for catered events all year round.

Cool Moments at Texas Motorplex

• November 1985: Billy Meyer signed a deal to host an NHRA event even before the track was built!
• January 1986: Construction began on the Texas Motorplex. It was designed to be the first all-concrete, quarter-mile track just for drag racing.
• September 25, 1986: Darrell Gwynn set a new Top Fuel E.T. (Elapsed Time) record with the very first national event run on the track.
• April 1997: The Texas Motorplex became the first track not owned by NHRA to host two national events in one year.
• 1997: The Motorplex opened the Divisional 4 Hall of Fame, becoming the only track with its own hall of fame.
• 1997: It was the first track to build a permanent VIP area for fans. It was first called The Top Eliminator Club and is now known as the Champions Club.
• April 9, 1988: Eddie Hill made history with the first-ever four-second quarter-mile run, finishing in 4.990 seconds.
• October 19, 1997: Cory McClenathan was the first to reach speeds over 320 miles per hour, hitting 321.77 mph.
• October 23, 1999: Top Fuel driver Tony Schumacher won his first national event here, on his way to becoming a champion.
• October 23, 1999: John Force won his ninth NHRA Funny Car championship at this track.
• September 23, 2004: The Texas Motorplex was the first NHRA track to have special balcony seating right at the starting line.
• September 26, 2004: Greg Anderson won his second straight NHRA Pro Stock title here, faster than any other driver in NHRA history.

Fastest Times at the Track

These are the current fastest records set at the Texas Motorplex:

• Top Fuel:
  • Fastest time: 3.784 seconds by Brandon Bernstein (September 2010)
  • Fastest speed: 324.05 mph by Spencer Massey (September 2011)
• Funny Car:
  • Fastest time: 4.062 seconds by Matt Hagan (September 2010)
  • Fastest speed: 309.63 mph by Jack Beckman (September 2011)
• Pro Stock:
  • Fastest time: 6.553 seconds by Jason Line (September 2011)
  • Fastest speed: 211.20 mph by Jason Line (September 2011)
• Pro Stock Motorcycle:
  • Fastest time: 6.828 seconds by Hector Araña Jr. (September 2011)
  • Fastest speed: 196.10 mph by Eddie Krawiec (September 2011)