BRISTOL, Tenn. (June 8, 2023) – Elite Motorsports Pro Stock standout Aaron Stanfield is looking forward to defending his title this weekend at the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway. We emerged victorious at this event last year after defeating his teammate, five-time world champion Erica Enders, in the final round. He and the other eight Elite Motorsports Pro Stock drivers that make up the largest professional team in drag racing are focused on consistency and innovation as they prepare for the Thunder Valley Nationals. Enders has two wins to her credit at Bristol Dragway and all eyes will be on the champ as she looks to make moves in the points this weekend.
With only a few points separating many drivers in Pro Stock, this is one of the most competitive fields the sport has ever seen and every pass will count as they race for victory at this fan-favorite event. Thunder Valley is nestled in the hills of Tennessee, creating a beautiful backdrop for the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series and a thunderous roar as these powerful machines come to life. Each category will have four qualifying passes which means teams will begin eliminations on Sunday from a position of strength as they utilize data from those four rounds.
Troy Coughlin Jr., the driver of the JEGS.com Camaro, has years of fond memories at Bristol Dragway including celebrating his dad’s first Pro Stock win at the track when Coughlin was just 10 years old. He hopes to continue the family legacy by landing in the winners circle this weekend.
2017 Pro Stock world champion Bo Butner currently holds the track speed record in Thunder Valley (209.26 mph) and he’s looking forward to going rounds in his Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage Camaro. Pro Stock rookie Jerry Tucker is also poised to make some moves as he is currently just 19 points outside of the Top Ten. Tucker is competing in the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge this weekend along with Stanfield, adding an extra layer of intensity to the event.
The Cuadra Boys – Fernando Cuadra Sr. and his sons, Fernando Cuadra Jr., Cristian Cuadra and David Cuadra – are all vying to be the first Pro Stock driver to bring a victory home to Leon, Mexico.
NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series qualifying in Pro Stock will feature two rounds at 4 and 7 p.m. ET on Friday, final qualifying on Saturday at 1 and 4:30 p.m., and eliminations at 12 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Erica Enders
“I love Bristol so much! We’ve had a few weeks off, tested and feel like we are ready to go. In Chicago we made what we thought was a move in the right direction and testing seems to have confirmed that. Bristol seems like the perfect place to turn our season around. We’ve traditionally done well here in the past, my guys have been working their butts off and it’s about time it all pays off.”
Aaron Stanfield
“After winning in Bristol last year our Janac Brothers / JC3 Energy team is fired up to defend our title. I’m also competing in Factory Stock this weekend so it’s an opportunity to double up. We are just going to focus on consistency and take things round by round.”
Troy Coughlin Jr.
“I have so many memories at Thunder Valley. My dad won his first Pro Stock race there when I was 10 and I’ll never forget how cool that was to watch. To win here on Sunday would mean a lot!”
Bo Butner
“The Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage Camaro is ready to perform in Bristol. We’ve been making consistent passes throughout the season and now it’s time to turn up the intensity. I can’t wait to hit the track!”
Fernando Cuadra Sr.
“The Cuadra Boys have been working hard to improve and it’s paying off. We are all looking forward to turning on some win lights in Bristol.”
Fernando Cuadra Jr.
“We love competing at Bristol and I’m looking forward to getting my Corral Boots Mustang on the track. With four qualifying passes, we will start competition on Sunday with a lot of useful data. Things are so close right now in Pro Stock so every pass is an opportunity to advance.”
Cristian Cuadra
“I’m feeling really excited about racing in Bristol. We went testing last weekend and my car is performing really well so we are ready to go some rounds on Sunday.”
David Cuadra
“Bristol is one of my favorite race tracks and I am really excited to race there in Pro Stock. I’m feeling confident about the way I’ve been driving and I know I’ll have a fast race car. I just can’t wait to be there.”
Jerry Tucker
“I am excited about being in the #2Fast2Tasty challenge on Saturday. It’s always more exciting when there is something on the line when you run.”