With five races complete in the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season, Elite Motorsports is rolling into Route 66 Raceway carrying confidence, momentum, and multiple opportunities to add more trophies to its growing collection. The Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals marks a pivotal point in the season for the powerhouse organization as Top Fuel, Pro Stock, Pro Mod, and Competition Eliminator programs all prepare for battle in Joliet, Illinois.
The Chicago-area event also represents an important return for Pro Stock competition after the category was absent from the 2025 Route 66 Nationals. With championship-caliber talent spread throughout the Elite Motorsports camp, the team arrives in the Windy City positioned to make serious noise across multiple categories.
Tony Stewart Returns To Chicago As Defending Route 66 Nationals Winner
For the first time in his NHRA Top Fuel career, Tony Stewart enters an NHRA national event as the defending winner. That accomplishment alone speaks volumes about how quickly Stewart has adapted to drag racing’s premier category.
Stewart captured the 2025 Route 66 Nationals victory while driving for Tony Stewart Racing during Leah Pruett’s hiatus from competition. Now driving the R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster for Elite Motorsports, Stewart has already added another victory to his résumé by winning the NHRA Winternationals earlier this season, just the third race for the newly formed Elite Motorsports nitro program.
“Since we didn’t race in Vegas this spring, this is the first time I’ve gotten to come into a race as the defending event winner. I’ve got to tell you, it feels pretty good,” Stewart said.
The NASCAR Hall of Famer credits the rapid success of the Elite Motorsports Top Fuel operation to the chemistry and experience assembled around him, including crew chiefs Mike Green and Joe Barlam.
“I think a lot of that also has to do with how this team is doing this year, though. Brand new team at Elite, Richard Freeman, Mike Green, Joe Barlam, they’ve really put together an outstanding group. Through the first five races, we already have a win, and we’re going rounds on Sundays,” Stewart explained.
After an early exit at the Southern Nationals in Georgia, Stewart believes the team is ready to rebound quickly.
“Last week in Georgia, I’ll call it a fluke. That is not and will not be the norm for this team. With how hard these R+L guys work, the time they put in, and all the experience from Mike and Joe, we know we’re onto something good, and it’s exciting.”
Stewart’s love for racing in Chicago extends beyond NHRA competition. During his NASCAR career, Stewart earned victories at Chicagoland Speedway in 2004, 2007, and 2011.
“I love racing in Chicago, always have. There’s been a revitalization of motorsports in the city over the last handful of years, and it’s exciting to see,” Stewart said. “I’m looking forward to being back and strapping into my R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster and hopefully getting the job done for a second time.”
The team also spent additional time testing after the Southern Nationals, giving Stewart confidence heading into the weekend.
“We took a day after the Georgia race to test, and I think the whole team is coming into the Route 66 Nationals feeling really good about the weekend.”
Jeg Coughlin Jr. Looks To Extend His Route 66 Raceway Legacy
When it comes to Route 66 Raceway success, nobody in NHRA professional competition has been more dominant than Jeg Coughlin Jr.
The five-time NHRA Pro Stock world champion owns six victories at the Joliet facility, with wins spanning from 2002 through 2018. Now, with Pro Stock returning to the event after a one-year absence, Coughlin sees another opportunity to strengthen his already impressive legacy at the track.
“It is great to be racing back in the Chicago area. The Midwest tracks have always been home tracks for me,” Jeg Jr. said.
Coughlin believes the JEGS Pro Stock team has steadily improved over the opening quarter of the season and expects that progress to continue this weekend.
“We’ve had great success at the Route 66 Raceway Nationals in the years past, and I like the momentum our team has been building in the last couple races,” he said. “I feel like we should have a quicker and more consistent car from the time we unload Friday through Sunday’s eliminations, and would love nothing more than to be the last one standing holding that coveted Wally.”
Elite Motorsports Expands Across Multiple NHRA Categories
The depth of the Elite Motorsports organization continues to grow as the team fields entries across multiple NHRA classes.
In Pro Stock, the organization will feature six-time world champion Erica Enders, Aaron Stanfield, Greg Stanfield, Jeg Coughlin Jr., and Troy Coughlin Jr. Stewart represents the team’s growing Top Fuel operation, while Mason Wright carries the banner in Pro Mod competition.
Elite Motorsports will also continue expanding its Competition Eliminator program with Mike Lomas and Royce Lee Freeman returning for their second national event appearances of the season. Lomas made his Elite Motorsports debut at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte, qualifying eighth before suffering a first-round exit. Freeman qualified third at the same event before advancing to the second round.
As the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series heads deeper into the 2026 season, Elite Motorsports continues proving it has the personnel, resources, and momentum necessary to contend for victories and championships across multiple categories.
You might also like
Chris King Ready For 2026 NHRA Season Debut In Chicago
Chris King is ready to make his 2026 NHRA debut. The Chicago native is excited to race at Route 66 Raceway in front of his friends and family.
