Top Fuel’s Doug Kalitta Shines Again at Stampede of Speed Texas NHRA FallNationals

Doug Kalitta tightens his grip on the NHRA Top Fuel title fight. He leads by 86 points with three races left after a productive Texas NHRA FallNationals during the Stampede of Speed.

The 40th anniversary event supplies scale and scrutiny. Kalitta’s run of three straight final-round appearances, including a St. Louis win, sustains momentum into Texas Motorplex.

Kalitta’s 12,000-horsepower Mobil DELVAC 100th Anniversary dragster responds well to the venue’s concrete surface. The team targets a stable window, favouring repeatable tune-ups over risk.

The championship message remains simple: maximise points each round. Kalitta stresses execution over hype, mindful that swings in the Countdown can undo any margin quickly.

Presentation matters at this 40th running. A special navy cowboy hat marks the milestone, adding ceremony to a weekend designed to reward precision as much as spectacle.

Opposition is robust. Justin Ashley pursues, while Shawn Langdon, Tony Stewart, reigning champion Antron Brown, and Clay Millican represent persistent threats across qualifying and race day.

Brittany Force confirms she will retire from full‑time racing after this season, sharpening the narrative threads around the final stretch.

Friday sets the tone with two qualifying sessions, followed by JEGS Friday Night Live. The Battle for the Saddle adds more than $40,000 in bonuses for the top qualifiers across categories.

Fans congregate for the Black and Yellow Bash to extend the program into the evening. The intention is clear: increase engagement without diluting the sporting core.

Recent winners underscore the breadth of contenders. Ashley won Top Fuel in 2024, Matt Hagan triumphed in Funny Car, Jeg Coughlin in Pro Stock, and Gaige Herrera in Pro Stock Motorcycle.

In Funny Car, Hagan targets a sixth FallNationals win and trims the gap to points leader Austin Prock after St. Louis. Jack Beckman remains relevant, and Cruz Pedregon’s Reading win reinforces depth.

Pro Stock remains kinetic. Greg Anderson leads key metrics and won last season at Texas Motorplex, but Dallas Glenn fronts the 2025 standings with six wins, shadowed by the evergreen Jeg Coughlin.

Beyond the professional ranks, the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series runs from October 8, featuring Top Sportsman, Holley EFI Factory X, and a Jr. Dragster Shootout.

The JEGS Allstars returns to the Motorplex, inserting an interregional contest within the programme. It deepens the weekend while preserving clear competitive priorities.

Trackside features include Nitro School, meet‑and‑greets, live music, and the SealMaster Track Walk. Drivers receive introductions before eliminations, with a winner’s circle celebration to close.

Reserved tickets with pit access allow fans to track turnaround work between rounds and collect autographs. Qualifying began Friday afternoon, with evening runs scheduled.

Final eliminations are set for 10 a.m. Sunday, placing emphasis on early adaptability as temperatures and density altitude shift.

This is the 18th event of the 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. Two playoff rounds remain after Texas, magnifying the strategic weight of each incremental point.

Kalitta’s approach remains measured. If the performance window stays consistent, the points lead can be managed; if conditions drift, restraint may prove as valuable as aggression.

Visual Summary

Nicholas Rivera

Nicholas Rivera delivers NHRA Top Fuel and Funny Car news, including eliminator-round results and reaction-time stats. He brings track-side interviews, contender profiles, and championship-point breakdowns straight from drag-racing’s biggest national events.