CONCORD, N.C. (Sept. 19, 2024) – Aaron Stanfield and the Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage / Melling Performance / Janac Brother’s Racing Pro Stock team enter this weekend’s NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway with a target on their backs thanks to a nine point lead in the Pro Stock world championship battle.
Stanfield, whose previous best season was 2022 when he won three races and finished fourth in points, is having a breakout year. With 15 of 20 races contested and one of six races completed in the NHRA Countdown to the Championship, Stanfield already has five wins in seven final round appearances. All five victories have come in the last seven races beginning with the Virginia Nationals, Summit Nationals is Norwalk, Ohio, Sonoma Nationals out in Northern California, the prestigious U.S. Nationals and the most recent event, the Pep Boys Nationals in Reading, Pennsylvania.
“It’s all about momentum, and we’ve got it right now. It’s all about keeping it rolling. It’s full throttle now. We have to keep going out there, pulling up and doing what we’ve been doing,” Stanfield said. “I know the equipment I have, and I know how hungry my guys are to win. We have a shot. I am incredibly grateful to Elite Motorsports, JHG, Melling, Joe Janac and all of our partners. It’s an incredible opportunity I have in front of me, and I hope I can take advantage of it well.”
The NHRA Carolina Nationals are the second of six races in NHRA’s playoffs and are the second visit the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series makes at the Bellagio of drag racing, zMAX Dragway. At the spring Four-Wide Nationals, Stanfield and the JHG / Melling team led Elite Motorsports with a runner-up finish after qualifying No. 3. In past years, Stanfield has secured a No. 1 qualifying position (2021) and visited the winners circle at the Carolina Nationals in 2022.
“I know what my competitors are capable of,” said Stanfield about the other 12 teams qualified for the Countdown to the Championship. “It’s going to be tight; it’s going to be a dogfight to the end. We may have the points lead now, but it’s far from over.”
Erica Enders and her JHG / Melling / SCAG Power Equipment team are at the top of the list of those hunting for the 2024 Pro Stock title. The six-time and reigning world champion is currently sitting third just 25 points behind Stanfield. Enders is looking for her second win of the season and 50th national event victory of her career, 49th in Pro Stock, as she enters the Carolina Nationals, an event she won in 2015.
Jeg Coughlin Jr. and the SCAG / Outlaw Mile Hi Light Beer team are well within striking distance of the top spot sitting fifth in points, 114 back from the lead. Jeg Jr. has three wins under his belt in 2024 and is hoping to add a second Carolina Nationals win to his resume, he won in 2013.
Troy Coughlin Jr. and the JEGS.com / White Castle team sit just behind Jeg Jr. in sixth, 131 points back. Troy Jr. has one win to his name this season, he picked up the Wally at the New England Nationals in New Hampshire early in the summer. He’ll be looking for his first win at zMAX Dragway.
Cristian Cuadra, representing the Corral Boots, Columbia Impex and Cuadra brands, will once again carry the torch for Cuadra Boys Racing this weekend with older brother Fernando Jr. and twin David away on business. Cristian sits seventh in points, just six behind Tory Jr. as he looks for the first Pro Stock victory of his career.
Rounding out the six Elite Motorsports teams in contention for the Pro Stock world championship is Jerry Tucker and the Outlaw Mile Hi Light Beer / SCAG team who are six points behind Cristian in eighth. Tucker, just in his sophomore season, has earned two No. 1 qualifying position this season. The first of his career came at the Las Vegas Four-Wide event and the second came just three races ago in Brainerd, Minnesota.
The NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway, race two of the Countdown to the Championship, will begin competition with four rounds of qualifying Friday at 4:00 and 6:30 p.m. and Saturday at 12:30 and 3:00 p.m. Eliminations will be Sunday at noon with first round of Pro Stock at 1:00 p.m. Television coverage of the event will air on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) with qualifying shows Friday at 7:00 p.m. ET and Sunday at 1:30 p.m. ET. Eliminations will air Sunday at 3:00 p.m. ET.