Elite Motorsports rolls into Bristol Dragway this weekend looking to close out the three-race Eastern swing with momentum across multiple categories at the Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals.
The Mission Foods NHRA Drag Racing Series stop in Thunder Valley arrives at an important point in the season for the Elite camp. Greg Stanfield continues to climb in Pro Stock, Aaron Stanfield is adding a full-time Pro Mod role to his already busy Pro Stock schedule, and Erica Enders has a chance to add another Bristol victory to one of the most accomplished careers in Pro Stock history.
Greg Stanfield Building Toward A Breakthrough
Greg Stanfield has quietly become one of the most consistent Pro Stock drivers in the NHRA field through the first eight races of the 2026 season.
The veteran racer and six-time NHRA world champion opened the year with a first-round loss at the Gatornationals, but the Janac Brothers Racing Pro Stock entry has not suffered an early race-day exit since. Stanfield has stacked up six semifinal appearances, including four in a row, and claimed the No. 1 qualifying position at the inaugural Potomac Nationals in Maryland, his first top qualifier since 2009.
That consistency has moved Stanfield to third in the Pro Stock championship standings, 189 points out of the lead.
Now he heads to Bristol, a track that carries extra meaning for the Stanfield family.
“Bristol is one of my favorite tracks. I know it is for Aaron too. That’s where I grew up. There’s a lot of family out there,” Greg said. “Hopefully it will be good weather, the track surface is good, and we can turn on some win lights on Sunday. We’ve gotten in a habit of getting close so far this season. I’m really looking forward to being able to capitalize, get the job done on Sunday and celebrate in the winner’s circle.”
Aaron Stanfield Pulling Double Duty
Aaron Stanfield’s weekend just got a lot busier.
Elite Motorsports and Modern Racing Inc. announced that Stanfield will take over the ProFlow Pumping Solutions/Modern Racing/Elite Motorsports Pro Modified entry for the remainder of the 2026 JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Elite Motorsports season.
Stanfield will continue racing full-time in NHRA Pro Stock with Elite Motorsports, meaning he will wheel both the JHG / Melling / Janac Brothers Pro Stock car and the ProFlow Pro Mod machine at Bristol.
“It’s an honor to get the call to represent ProFlow Pumping Solutions, Modern Racing, and Elite Motorsports for the rest of the year,” Aaron said. “Pro Mod is an absolute blast and incredibly competitive. Coming off the big win in Bradenton earlier this year, I feel confident we can give this team a great showing at Bristol along with the rest of the season.”
Stanfield already has a strong Bristol résumé. He won Pro Stock at Bristol Dragway in 2022 after defeating teammate Erica Enders in the final and was also the No. 1 qualifier that weekend. Last year, he qualified fourth and advanced to the semifinals.
“I always look forward to racing at Bristol Dragway. It’s one of my favorite tracks,” Aaron said. “And of course we want to park a JHG car in the winner’s circle, it’s a home race for them. I’m looking forward to having Jason and Nikki Johnson and all their crew out at the track. It always makes for a good time, but it’ll be even better if it ends with one of those diamond Wallys.”
Elite Pro Stock Program Has Plenty Of Firepower
The Elite Motorsports roster will be loaded again at Bristol.
Stephen Bell and the 1320 LLC team return to NHRA Pro Stock competition after a month off, giving the Elite group another strong entry in the category.
Enders also enters the weekend chasing a major Bristol milestone. The Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage / Melling Performance / R+L Carriers driver is looking for her fourth career Bristol Dragway victory, which would tie the most by any Pro Stock driver, past or present.
The Eastern swing can define the direction of an NHRA season. For Elite Motorsports, Bristol represents a chance to convert recent consistency into trophies. With Greg Stanfield’s consistency, Aaron Stanfield’s expanded double-duty role, Bell’s return, and Enders’ history at Thunder Valley, Elite Motorsports has several paths to the winner’s circle this weekend.
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