Elite Motorsports heads to Maryland International Raceway for the inaugural NHRA Potomac Nationals presented by JEGS with renewed confidence after Aaron Stanfield delivered the team’s first Pro Stock victory of the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.
Fresh off a breakthrough weekend at Route 66 Raceway outside Chicago, Elite Motorsports now looks to build on its recent gains as the NHRA tour visits another brand-new facility during the sanctioning body’s 75th anniversary season.
Aaron Stanfield Delivers Breakthrough Win For Elite Motorsports
Aaron Stanfield’s victory at the Route 66 NHRA Nationals marked a major turning point for Elite Motorsports. The Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage / Melling Performance / Janac Brothers Racing driver battled through a stacked Pro Stock field to secure the long-awaited win.
Stanfield entered race day as the No. 7 qualifier before defeating Matt Hartford, teammate Jeg Coughlin Jr., his father Greg Stanfield, and six-time world champion Greg Anderson en route to the winner’s circle.
The victory was Elite Motorsports’ first Pro Stock win since Erica Enders captured the 2025 U.S. Nationals, and it was Stanfield’s first triumph since the 2024 Nevada Nationals.
“For Elite Motorsports, that was a special win. Hopefully, it kind of sets the tone for the rest of the year. But you’re only as good as your last race, so we have to keep our heads down and keep grinding,” Stanfield said.
Stanfield acknowledged the team has made noticeable gains but understands there’s still work ahead if Elite wants to consistently battle for wins and championships.
“We’ve definitely made some performance gains, but I don’t feel like everyone else had the best weekend,” Stanfield said. “So, I still think we have some work to do, but it’s definitely a huge step in the right direction. It’s a huge confidence boost for the team and myself as a driver.”
The emotional impact of the victory also resonated deeply throughout the Elite camp after a frustrating stretch of races.
“Losing’s not fun, it turns out, and we’ve got some very competitive guys and girls on our team, and we take it very personally when we’re not doing well,” Stanfield said. “I do think the win allows everybody to take a breath and maybe see some light at the end of the tunnel.”
Elite Motorsports Flexes Depth In Pro Stock
The Route 66 Nationals showcased just how much depth Elite Motorsports still possesses in Pro Stock competition. The team locked down three of the four semifinal positions during eliminations in Chicago.
That performance earned Aaron Stanfield, Greg Stanfield, and Erica Enders spots in the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge during qualifying at Maryland International Raceway.
Jeg Coughlin Jr. believes the recent performance gains have the organization pointed firmly in the right direction as the team prepares for another new NHRA facility.
“It’s always a fun experience racing at a new facility. Everyone is relatively on the same playing field,” Coughlin said. “We have made some performance strides at Elite, and we are fresh off a No. 1 qualifying effort and #2Fast2Tasty win with Erica Enders and an impressive win with Aaron Stanfield in Joliet, Illinois, so I think we’re all looking forward to hitting Maryland International Raceway.”
Erica Enders Looking To Continue Elite Resurgence
Six-time Pro Stock world champion Erica Enders also made major progress during the Route 66 Nationals weekend. After securing the No. 1 qualifying position, winning the #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, and advancing to the semifinals, Enders climbed from seventh to fifth in the NHRA Pro Stock points standings.
The winningest female driver in motorsports history remains fully confident in Elite Motorsports’ ability to return to championship form.
“I believe we are taking steps in the right direction, and I look forward to redeeming myself in Maryland,” Enders said. “It should have been an all-Elite final at Route 66 Raceway, and that’s on me. Aaron did a fantastic job for our team, and I can promise you it’s our goal to make sure Elite is victorious again.”
Enders also emphasized the team’s determination to fight through adversity after a difficult stretch over the past year and a half.
“I’ve been doing this a long time. Pro Stock goes in cycles, and it had just not been our cycle the last year and a half,” Enders said. “We will never quit, we will never give up. I have the best team in the world, and I would go down in flames with them, before I’d stand next to anyone else.”
JEGS Adds Extra Meaning To Potomac Nationals
The weekend also carries additional significance for the Coughlin family and Elite Motorsports with JEGS serving as presenting sponsor of the inaugural NHRA Potomac Nationals.
Founded in 1960 by drag racing icon Jeg Coughlin Sr., JEGS remains one of the most recognizable names in the performance aftermarket industry.
“Excited to head to the inaugural Potomac Nationals presented by JEGS at Maryland International Raceway this weekend and experience one of the East Coast’s fastest tracks,” Jeg Jr. said. “Having JEGS as the event sponsor, will add an additional element to perform and come home victorious on Sunday.”
Troy Coughlin Jr. echoed those sentiments heading into the weekend.
“There’s definitely added motivation to drive my best for my team and the people of JEGS,” Troy Jr. said. “Everyone at Elite has been grinding hard and we’re ready to get after it. I’m hoping there’s a JEGS celebration in the winners circle this weekend.”
You might also like
Team Kalitta Dominates Early 2026 NHRA Season Heading To Potomac Nationals
The Kalitta Motorsports camp had dominated in 2026. The team has a chance to keep the points leads in both nitro categories this weekend.
