The drag racing community received devastating news on Saturday, March 8, when word spread that longtime track specialist and event official T.J. Bailey was killed when a severe storm with powerful straight-line winds touched down at the Texas Motorplex in Ennis, Texas. Bailey and his family were camping at the track in anticipation of this week’s TX2K25 presented by Summit Racing Equipment, which will proceed as planned in Bailey’s memory. 

Bailey, 42, dedicated his life to drag racing. Known as “El Prepé” by his close friends, he was a track prep specialist and starting line official who worked a variety of events and series, from Tyler Crossnoe’s Outlaw Street Car Reunion to NMCA and NMRA events. He found a home at the Texas Motorplex, the new home of TX2K as of last year. The untimely and tragic passing hit the TX2K community hard. 

“It’s with a heavy heart that I’m making this post,” TX2K’s Peter Blach said in a Facebook post on March 9. “Early this morning, friend, leader, track expert, husband, father, and TX2K family member TJ Bailey lost his life in a tragic accident. TJ was one of the few good ones. From the moment he joined our TX2K car family, we knew how special he was. Words can’t describe the sadness we all feel, our hearts and prayers are with his family.

“We are dedicating TX2K25 to TJ and his memory,” the post continued. “TJ will never be forgotten and will always be a part of the TX2K family.”

Blach also noted that TX2K made its first of multiple planned donations to a Venmo account set up to benefit Bailey’s wife, Cassie, and their two sons, who were all also involved in the accident but were hospitalized and released. The event also plans to hold a moment of silence in Bailey’s honor. 

TX2K is known as one of the biggest events in the street car movement, offering roll racing, drag racing, and a substantial vendor midway. Originally held at Houston Raceway Park, the event moved to the Texas Motorplex last year following Houston’s closure. It was a move from one beloved Texas drag racing institution to another, and most importantly, it kept the event alive when its racers and fans wondered what might come next. 

The drag racing portion of the event includes several classes. Heavyweight, X58, Exhibition, 2JZ vs. The World, Street Car, and Stick Shift utilize the Pro Tree, while GTR Unlimited, GTR 68, and DCT use a Sportsman Tree. From imports to domestics and Italian supercars to American muscle cars, TX2K is a car lover’s dream. Entries include everything from near-stock street cars to super-tuned, 2,500-horsepower machines. 

Reigning event winners include Casey Hoong in Heavyweight, Marcelo Duran in GTR 68, Eric LaFerriere in 2JZ, Brett LaSala in Street Car Elite, Marlin Istre in Street Car Pro, James Schauer in Street Car Champ, and Jonathan Atkins in Stick Shift Challenge. 

Drag racing action kicks off with qualifying on Tuesday and continues with additional qualifying on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Eliminations start Sunday at 10 a.m. 

Roll racing starts with practice on Wednesday morning and rolls into qualifying that afternoon. Roll race eliminations will take place Friday morning. 

To catch up on highlights and full replays from TX2Ks of years past, check out FloRacing’s archives here: https://www.floracing.com/collections/tag/tx2k/video

Starting Tuesday, March 11 at 1 p.m. ET, tune in to FloRacing’s live coverage of TX2K25 here: https://www.floracing.com/events/12952896-2025-tx2k25