An Opportunity for Students to Engage with Local Racing Culture
One of the greatest benefits of the University of Dallas’s location to student life is its proximity to low-cost opportunities for students to get off campus and engage with the local culture.
One particularly exciting way to do this is to visit the Texas Motorplex in Ennis, Texas for their annual event “The Stampede of Speed.” It is a ten-day event which leads up to and includes the 39th annual National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Texas Fall National Competition.
The event begins on Wednesday, Oct. 9. The event will include races from Top Fuel drivers Buddy Hull, Kebin Kinsley and eight-time Top Fuel world champion Tony Schumacher, as well as Funny Car driver Terry Haddock and Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Ryan Oehler’s “El Bandito Mustangs.”
A drag race is a full sensory experience that students are sure to be impressed by: the roar of engines, the sting of nitro in your eyes and nose, and the “blink-and-you’ll-miss-it” speed of stock cars reaching over 300 miles per hour in under four seconds.
A drag race is an experience most UD students are completely unfamiliar with, and this event is an unforgettable way to get a first glimpse of racing culture.
If fans want to get a better look at the action of a drag race, they can move from the stands into the pits for a perfect view to watch the team crews tune up cars in between runs. It is also a great opportunity to meet the drivers, many of whom stand at the ropes of their pits and take time to meet fans and sign autographs.
A practical way of optimizing your drag race experience is to show up for qualifying events on Friday or Saturday, Oct. 11 through Oct. 12..On those days, more cars will come down the track than the day of the official race.
It’s also a good idea to wear closed-toe shoes, and expect to bring the smell of a racetrack home with you. If possible, you’ll want to bring some form of hearing protection along, but this can also be purchased at the track on the day of the race.
Students who are interested in getting more information about drag racing events near them can visit texasmotorplex.com and follow the Texas Motorplex on social media platforms such as @texasmotorplex on Instagram and @tmplex on X. There, one will find updates on weather delays and other helpful information on the day of the race.
While the DFW area is never short on activities for students, the “Stampede of Speed” is a fantastic choice for those who want something exhilarating and unique to the area. As UD students gear up for midterms, the “Stampede of Speed” is an excellent way for students who want to take their minds off their studies to experience something entirely different to what they’re used to.