CONCORD, N.C. (April 23, 2025) – Elite Motorsports is ready to tackle the American Rebel Light NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway, the fifth event of the 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series.
The spring Four-Wide event at zMAX is special for the Cuadra family. In 2024, the four Cuadras—Fernando Sr., Fernando Jr., David, and Cristian—lined up together for the final time in a historic moment, racing side-by-side in the four-wide format during qualifying. That weekend was particularly poignant as it coincided with Fernando Sr., David and Cristian’s birthdays and marked Fernando Sr.’s retirement from both racing and the family business, passing the torch to his three sons, who have since taken over leadership of the Cuadra enterprise.
Coming off a quarterfinal finish at the Las Vegas Four-Wide event, Cristian is hoping to improve on a semifinal finish from 2024 and capture the Cuadra family’s first professional NHRA victory.
“I have really high hopes for Charlotte. The team has been working really hard and did more testing after Vegas. Hopefully that pays off,” Cristian said. “Of course, it’s also my birthday, wo I want to win. I’m really excited. I did well at the Four-Wide at zMAX last year, went to the final quad, so hopefully we can repeat, get to the finals and win it.”
Adding to Elite Motorsport’s roster of drivers, Mike Coughlin a veteran of multiple NHRA categories, will make his debut in the Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage Mountain Motor Pro Stock Series at zMAX, piloting a JHG branded 800-cubic-inch machine.
“I feel really good, I feel ready. It’s been a while since I’ve race a five-speed but I’m comfortable in the car thanks to a lot of help from Erica Enders, my nephew Troy Coughlin Jr. and the entire Elite Motorsports crew, really. They made adjustments to really customize the car to me, so I know I’m prepared,” Mike said. “I enjoy racing at zMAX, it’s one of, if not the nicest facility for drag racing. The goal will be to come out and be competitive, get qualified in the eight-car field and hopefully win a round or two. Hoping for a smooth and fun weekend.”
Jeg Coughlin Jr., driver of the SCAG Power Equipment / Outlaw Light Beer Pro Stock car, comes into the weekend fresh off bracket racing in the Spring Fling at GALOT Motorsports Park. The five-time world champion’s hot rod will have a bit of a new look at this weekend’s Mission Foods NHRA race. Building on last year’s Hardy partnership with Outlaw Light, Jeg Jr.’s SCAG machine will feature country music star Koe Wetzel. Jeg Jr. will be looking for his second win at zMAX but his first in the four-wide format.
Aaron Stanfield, driving the JHG / Melling / Janac Brothers Racing machine, enters the weekend sitting ninth in points thanks in part to a semifinal performance at the NHRA Arizona Nationals. He’s looking for his second win at zMAX Dragway, first in the Four-Wide format.
Greg Stanfield, Aaron’s father and a seasoned Pro Stock veteran, started his season with a strong No. 5 qualifying spot at the NHRA Gatornationals and followed it up with a quarterfinal finish at the NHRA Arizona Nationals. He’s looking for his first win at zMAX and his first victory with the Elite Motorsports camp.
Six-time world champion Erica Enders is looking for her third victory in North Carolina. She’s won in the four-wide format (2018) and in the fall two-wide event (2015). A win this weekend would mark her 50th career national event victory, 49th in Pro Stock.
Troy Coughlin Jr. will be chasing his first victory at zMAX Dragway. The JEGs.com driver was victorious at the pre-season specialty race, the PRO Superstar Shootout and had a strong qualifying showing at the first two events of the 2025 NHRA season, No. 6 in Gainesville, Fla. and No. 5 in Phoenix, before a No. 15 qualifying spot at the NHRA Winternationals.
Pro Stock rookie Stephen Bell made his race day debut at the NHRA Winternationals after qualifying No. 9. He’ll be looking for his first career round win Sunday at zMAX Dragway behind the wheel of his 1320 LLC machine.
The American Rebel Light NHRA 4-Wide Nationals kicks off with qualifying rounds on Friday at 5:15 and 7:45 p.m. and Saturday at 12:30 and 3:00 p.m., followed by eliminations on Sunday at noon with Pro Stock first round at 12:40 p.m. Fans can catch the action on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) Saturday at 10:00 p.m. ET and Sunday at 12:30 p.m. ET with eliminations Sunday at 7:00 p.m. ET and on the NHRA.TV streaming platform.