Current and four-time Pro Stock champion Erica Enders is the 2021 recipient of the Mike Aiello Award.

CompetitionPlus.com owner and publisher Bobby Bennett made the surprise presentation at the close of qualifying Saturday during the NHRA FallNationals at Texas Motorplex at Ennis, near Dallas.

The honor, commonly referred to as “The Spirit of Drag Racing Award,” recognizes someone who has persevered and remained positive in spite of hardship.

Justin Ashley won the Top Fuel trophy at the Texas Fall Nationals last October and he felt like the biggest city slicker at Texas Motorplex. 

He’s from New York’s Long Island. He doesn’t say “Y’all” – and he certainly never had sat in a genuine cowboy’s saddle or work a cowboy hat – all of which comes with winning this event at Ennis, Texas, south of Dallas. In fact, he didn’t have a clue which end of the cowboy hat goes in the front and which goes in the back. 

Ron Capps, the reigning NHRA nitro Funny Car world champion, isn’t about to surrender his title to his competition without a fight.

The veteran brought the fight to his fellow drivers and walked away as the winner of the Texas NHRA FallNationals at the Texas Motorplex near Dallas Sunday.

In a season full of great accomplishments, Erica Enders added another – the Texas two-step.

After winning the Houston race in the spring, the Texas native captured the title at the Texas NHRA FallNationals at the Texas Motorplex near Dallas Sunday.

The eyes of Texas were upon five-time and reigning champion Matt Smith and aggressive newcomer Joey Gladstone in the Pro Stock Motorcycle class at Sunday’s Texas NHRA Fall Nationals. They had been trading leads for the past few Countdown to the Championship races. 

But Hector Arana Jr., of East Northport, N.Y., ultimately commanded the attention at Texas Motorplex, south of Dallas.  Though unqualified for the Countdown, ineligible for a title because finances have relegated him to part-time status, Arana earned his 16th victory in just his fifth start this year. 

Final round-by-round results from the 37th annual Texas NHRA FallNationals at Texas Motorplex, the 20th of 22 events in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series:

Point standings (top 10) following the 37th annual Texas NHRA FallNationals at Texas Motorplex, the 20th of 22 events in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series -

Sunday's final results from the 37th annual Texas NHRA FallNationals at Texas Motorplex. The race is the 20th of 22 in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series: