Weekends in the fall in Texas are usually reserved for football, but drag racing shares the Texas weekends with fans in the stands, stadium lights, burnt rubber, the smell of high-octane gasoline in souped-up cars that when the keys turn the ignition, the engines are as loud as a runaway freight train and feels like King Kong himself is pounding on your chest.
These are race days at the Texas Motorplex.
Built in 1986, The Texas Motorplex has been the place of many drag racing milestones and world record performances.
It is a local fan favorite and a favorite of drivers for the all-concrete race surface and its ideal weather conditions.
The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) events at Texas Motorplex commonly yield national records.
Season championship titles are commonly clinched, and race fans get a great speed show.
“This place is awesome,” said Mark McClaskey, a former racer who now coaches his 22-year-old son.
“My son grew up racing juniors here, so it’s like a home track. He’s been racing here since he was a little kid. This is family time,” said McClaskey.
Located off U.S. Highway 287 in Ennis, Tx, The Dallas Express traveled to the popular racetrack for the 8th Annual Hood 2 Hood Racing Picnic.
Created and presented by Ethan Williams, owner, and creator of Hood 2 Hood Racing, the Hood 2 Hood Racing Picnic is where car enthusiasts and racing lovers come together with family and friends to eat good food, enjoy a friendly family atmosphere, and of course, race fast cars.
“Hood 2 Hood Racing is a local racing community formed to provide races,” said Williams.
“It’s a forum to communicate and have fun seven days a week, 24 Hours a day. What started as a small chat group for fun; has now grown and developed into a whole racing family and more,” Williams continued.
Williams, a Dallas native who grew up in Oak Cliff at the Good Haven Apartment complex, has had a love of cars since a young age.
“My father was a local small drag racer and local mechanic. I developed a liking for cars at a young age, and mild performance builds,” said Williams.
Hood 2 Hood racing is designed to bring people who love cars and racing together and create a community that enjoys the rush of speed racing through their veins.
“My favorite memory of racing is year in and year out being able to bring other racers together for a fun annual event and being able to host an event that can create lifelong friendships, and fellowships amongst racers is definitely a memorable moment,” Williams concluded.
