NHRA GATORNATIONALS RECAP: ERICA ENDERS TAKES ELITE MOTORSPORTS TO SEMIFINALS

April 20, 2026 On March 8, 2026

2026, Elite Motorsports Team, Erica Enders, Race Recap

ERICA ENDERS, Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage/Melling Performance/R+L Carriers Pro Stock

Qualifying: No. 9
6.547 seconds, 209.79 mph

Race Results:
E1: 6.587 at 208.94 def. Eric Latino 6.633 at 207.56
E2: 6.563 at 208.14 def. Cody Coughlin 6.585 at 209.36
Semis: 6.602 at 208.33 lost to Greg Anderson 6.571 at 209.17

Unofficial Points Standing: 4th, 72

“Definitely a better start to this year than last. We worked incredibly hard in the off season to kind of close the gap, and I absolutely feel like we’re headed in the right direction. We just need some more runs and need some more data, and we’ll be just fine. I’m thrilled. I feel like with the talent we have under the Elite Motorsports awnings, well, they ain’t getting a walk in the park this year. We go to Phoenix and it will be fun to be part of the #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, first one of the year, and see if we can just continue to be directionally correct on our progress.” – Erica Enders

TONY STEWART, R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster

Qualifying: No. 5
3.703 Seconds, 339.96 mph

Race Results: Beat Clay Millican; Lost to Antron Brown

“Overall it was a good weekend. New team, new car, new crew, new sponsor and we were able to qualify well and get our first round win. I improved my career best speed and we laid down some solid laps. We’re off to a great start and I’m excited about the rest of the season. It’s only the first race, we’ve got a long season, plenty of racing, plenty of time to make progress and plenty of time to improve. It was great to be able to host R+L in the new Elite Hospitality, I know I had a good time so I hope they did too.” – Tony Stewart

AARON STANFIELD, Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage/Melling Performance/Janac Brothers Racing

Qualifying: No. 10
6.548 Seconds, 209.88 mph

Race Results: Beat Troy Coughlin Jr; Lost to Matt Hartford

“It’s been a heck of a week. We’ve been working hard. We’ve tested and changed a lot. We know it’s going to pay off and I think we saw glimpses of it through qualifying not just on my car but everyone’s. My dad really had something in qualifying, just couldn’t get it transferred over to race day. Erica getting to the semis is a good sign and we all qualified. We’re headed in the right direction, and we’ll keep at it. I can tell you right now, this isn’t going to be a repeat of last season, we’ve got something for them.” – Aaron Stanfield