RACE ONE OF SIX IN NHRA COUNTDOWN IN THE BOOKS FOR ELITE MOTORSPORTS

READING, Pa. (Sept. 14, 2025) – The Elite Motorsports camp wrapped up the NHRA Reading Nationals, the first of six races in the NHRA Countdown to the Championship, Sunday at Maple Grove Raceway.

Aaron Stanfield in his matte black Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage / Melling Performance / Janac Brothers Racing machine and Erica Enders in her red JHG / Melling / SCAG Power Equipment entry, qualified No. 2 and 3, respectively, and made quarterfinal appearances at the first race in NHRA’s six-race playoffs.

Stanfield’s 6.505-second pass at 211.59 mph earned him a matchup with No. 15 qualifier Brandon Miller in the first round, Aaron would lay down a solid 6.548-second pass at 210.28 mph to take down Miller’s 6.632 at 207.05 and earn lane choice in the next round.

Racing against Eric Latino in the quarterfinals, Stanfield’s JHG / Melling hot rod had tire shake at the hit and, despite leaving the starting line first and pedaling it, crossed the finish line in 6.725-seconds at 208.49 mph that wasn’t enough for Latino’s 6.625 at 210.14.

Enders, coming off her 50th national event victory at the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, earned the No. 3 qualifying spot off a 6.506-second pass at 210.28 mph. In the first round, Enders took on Kenny Delco. Delco handed Enders the victory when he went -.011-seconds red on the tree, Enders would have a stout 6.540-second run at 210.28 mph to give her lane choice in the second round.

Enders lined up against Cody Coughlin in the quarterfinals and despite having the fourth quickest reaction time of the round, lost on a holeshot. Her .048-second reaction time with her 6.549-second pass at 210.11 mph wasn’t enough to defeat Coughlin’s 6.564 run at 207.91 with a .025 reaction time.

The Mission Foods NHRA Drag Racing Series continues with the NHRA 4-Wide Carolina Nationals, race two of six on the NHRA Countdown to the Championship, at zMAX Dragway Sept. 19-21.

ERICA ENDERS, Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage/Melling Performance/SCAG Power Equipment
Qualifying: No. 03
6.506 seconds at 211.36 mph
Race Results: Beat Kenny Delco; Lost to Cody Coughlin

AARON STANFIELD, Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage/Melling Performance/Janac Brothers Racing
Qualifying: No. 02
6.505 seconds at 211.69 mph
Race Results: Beat Brandon Miller; Lost to Eric Latino

JEG COUGHLIN JR., SCAG Power Equipment/Outlaw Mile Hi Light Beer
Qualifying: No. 07
6.526 seconds at 209.69 mph
Race Results: Lost to Eric Latino

TROY COUGHLIN JR., JEGS.com
Qualifying: No. 11
6.543 seconds at 210.41 mph
Race Results: Lost to Cody Coughlin

GREG STANFIELD, Janac Brothers Racing/The Rod Shop
Qualifying: No. 13
6.550 seconds at 209.62 mph
Race Results: Lost to Greg Anderson

MIKE COUGHLIN, Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage Mountain Motor Pro Stock
Qualifying: No. 04
6.296 seconds at 222.91 mph
Race Results: Lost to John Montecalvo

JACKIE FRICKE, Top Alcohol Dragster,
Qualifying: No. 1
5.188 seconds, 227.6 mph
Race Results: Lost to Daniel Dietrich

VINCENT NOBILE, Mountain Motor Pro Stock
Qualifying: No. 6
6.322 seconds, 222.11 mph
Race Results: Lost to John Pluchino

MIKE FERRELL, Super Stock SS/DA
Qualifying: No. 63
10.040 seconds, OV/UN -0.16
Race Results: Beat David Thomas; Lost to Jamie Schoenly

TORI IACONO, Super Comp
Race Results: Beat Howie Smith; Lost to David Long