CHANDLER, Ariz. (March 23, 2023) – Troy Coughlin Jr. is coming into the NHRA Arizona Nationals with the Pro Stock points lead thanks to a stupendous showing in Gainesville. After picking up a win and a No. 1 qualifier in the season opener, his JEGS.com Camaro is in a prime position to lead the pack this weekend at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park. He will compete alongside his seven Elite Motorsports teammates as they battle it out in the ultra-competitive NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Pro Stock category. This will be the last NHRA event held at this iconic southwest stop on the tour, so every driver wants to get the final prize.
Coughlin will also get to compete in the first Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge wherein competitors who met each other in the semifinals at the last event on the tour will race for redemption in a rematch to take place during Saturday qualifying. The winners will not only receive a bonus purse, but they will also receive extra bonus points, meaning there’s a lot more than pride on the line in these rematches. Coughlin will face Dallas Glenn in this race-within-a-race.
Pro Stock standout Aaron Stanfield won the NHRA Arizona Nationals in 2022 against Coughlin. He’s looking for a repeat performance this weekend in his Janac Brothers / JC3 Energy Camaro.
Elite Motorsports Pro Stock rookie Jerry Tucker is looking forward to his second Pro Stock event after giving an impressive performance in Gainesville. Not only did he qualify for the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals in a saturated field, but he also took out the reigning Pro Stock world champion, his teammate Erica Enders, in the first round of eliminations. He’s eager to turn on more win lights this week in Arizona.
Five-time world champion Enders is ready for redemption after a mechanical issue resulted in an uncharacteristically early exit for her in Gainesville. She has two wins to her name at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park and she is focused on getting a third this weekend in her JHG / Melling Performance Camaro. The driver of the other Camaro sponsored by Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage, Bo Butner, has yet to get a Pro Stock win in Phoenix. He knows that this will be his last chance to score a victory at this facility and the stakes are high.
The Cuadra Boys – Fernando Cuadra Sr., Fernando Cuadra Jr. and Cristian Cuadra – are each hungry for a first Pro Stock victory. C. Cuadra achieved a new personal best elapsed time in Gainesville a couple of weeks ago, demonstrating how focused he is on improving his performance behind the wheel.
Driver Quotes
Erica Enders
“I’m really looking forward to Phoenix, it’s like a second home track for me. I’m extra motivated and I know exactly what my team is capable of. In the past, that has proved to be a deadly combo.”
Aaron Stanfield
“We are ready to redeem ourselves at Phoenix after an early exit at the first race. Phoenix was good to us last year and we are looking to go back to back!”
Troy Coughlin Jr.
“I’m most excited about having two races in one weekend since we are competing in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge. We have our work cut out for us with Dallas as he can drive really well. Team yellow and the group at Elite have a great mindset right now and they’ve been working hard to give me a great car. If I do my job and stay focused on the process going in, we should have a nice weekend.”
Bo Butner
“We’ve always enjoyed racing in Phoenix and it’s going to be tough to say goodbye to this track. But we want to put on a great performance for these fans this weekend and our JHG Camaro is ready for action!”
Fernando Cuadra Sr.
“We are excited to compete in Phoenix this weekend. Our Corral Boots Mustang is performing well and I continue to learn new things as a driver. This team is great and we are ready to put on a wonderful show for our fans!”
Fernando Cuadra Jr.
“For Phoenix, my expectations are really high – especially after not qualifying in Gainesville. We found a lot of issues in the car and the engine that all the guys at the shop figured out. So we are ready to get better results this weekend.”
Cristian Cuadra
“I achieved a new personal best elapsed time in Gainesville so we feel good about things as we head to Phoenix.”
Jerry Tucker
“It was incredible to qualify and turn on a win light in Gainesville, so we’re going to take that momentum into Phoenix. I feel like the season is off to a great start. I’m getting more comfortable behind the wheel thanks to everyone in the Elite Motorsports camp.”
Aaron Stanfield tests his Janac Brothers Camaro in Florida prior to the Gatornationals. (Photo credit: Elite Motorsports)
Troy Coughlin Jr. piloting his JEGS Camaro. (Photo credit: Elite Motorsports)
Fernando Cuadra Sr. is back in black for the 2023 season in his Corral Boots Mustang. (Photo credit: Elite Motorsports)
Fernando Cuadra Jr. fires up his Corral Boots Mustang for a test session in Florida. (Photo credit: Elite Motorsports)
Cristian Cuadra stages in his Corral Boots Mustang. (Photo credit: Elite Motorsports)
Bo Butner approaches the line in his JHG Camaro during testing. (Photo credit: Elite Motorsports)
New to the Elite Motorsports Pro Stock team this season is Jerry Tucker. (Photo credit: Elite Motorsports)
Mason Wright will make his Pro Mod debut this weekend in his Elite Motorsports machine. (Photo credit: Elite Motorsports)
David Cuadra prepares to launch his new Top Sportsman machine. (Photo credit: Elite Motorsports)