by Chris Martin

Billy Meyer’s Texas Motorplex opened its gates on the weekend of August 2-3, 1986 after sustaining a rainout on its originally scheduled maiden voyage of July 19-20. To say expectations were high is to say now that the Denver Broncos will be hardpressed to three-peat. The track contained all of the elements which drag race buffs take for granted when world beating national-event sites are discussed.

The first of the what would be many three-story, half-hexagonal sponsor suites buildings on the NHRA tour debuted immediately behind the starting area, a launch site that introduced competitors to a then one-of-a-kind all-concrete race course. Meyer’s facility also had the then largest seating capacity with permanent aluminum bleachers constructed to hold upwards of 29,000-plus fans. The facility sported a permanent racer’s lounge, permanent restrooms and snackbars, and then state-of-the-art electronic scoreboards. One could go on and on about the Motorplex, but suffice to say it was drag racing’s first super facility, preceding noble efforts at Baytown, Texas and Topeka, Kansas.

Not only is the Motorplex the first big super site, but it still holds up well to the aforementioned race venues. Over the years, Meyer has upgraded the plant and kept it one of the highlights of the tour, despite in recent years having to share a little of the wealth with some copies of his plant. However, what really keeps it high on anybody’s must-attend list is performance, in particular nitro performance, and that happened right after the August 1986 match race. If there is one race where the cliche, "Ya’ never know what’s gonna happen" applies, it’s the Texas Motorplex.

Submitted for your approval would be the first race at the plant in August 1986. The featured action was a best of three match between local favorite and future Motorplex history maker, Eddie Hill, and ex-NFL quarterback Dan Pastorini in the Coors Light dragster. In addition, the new track owner put his 7-11/ Chief Auto Parts Mustang against Mike Dunn in Joe Pisano’s Olds Firenza and hired in Pro Stock ace Warren Johnson to take on Bruce Allen in the Levi Garrett/Reher-Morrison Camaro.

The two nitro races wound up in a 1-1 tie, while Johnson clipped Allen two straight before an estimated open nighter of 22,000 fans. What guaranteed future success both on and off the track were the times posted on the revolutionary concrete surface.

Hill ran the fifth quickest elasped time ever with a 5.395, just four-thousandths below Gary Beck’s 5.391 record turned in 1983. Beck ran two .39s, the record at the Winston Finals at Orange County Int’l Raceway, Don Garlits ran a 5.37 at the Bakersfield in May of 1986, and Darrell Gwynn logged a 5.34 at Englishtown, New Jersey during the ‘86 Summernationals in July. A 5.395 was quite an effort.

Both Meyer and Dunn logged 262.08 and 262.00 top speeds respectively, which compared well to the 264.86 turned by Don Prudhomme at the ‘85 Winston Finals. While Allen got trimmed by Johnson, he hit the weekend’s high point with the best speed ever for a Pro Stock, clocking a 187.34-mph charge.

Anyone with a faint knowledge of pro drag racing had to be excited by the prospects of what would take place when the Motorplex hosted its first national event, the NHRA Chief Nationals on Sept. 25-28 of that year. Their anticipation was well rewarded because the inaugural Chiefs produced the kind of action that moved the Motorplex right to the top of "the quickest and fastest tracks" list.

Below is a listing of just some of the great occurences that have given the Texas Motorplex the reputation it enjoys. No, I am not trying for a totally comprehensive list, just one that crashes the memory bell and sheds the proper light on what may be the country’s most fabled dragstrip.

Photos by Jeff Burk

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