WYNNEWOOD, Okla. — Elite Motorsports, the largest professional team in the Mission Foods NHRA Drag Racing Series, will field a seven-car lineup heading into the 75th Anniversary season of the NHRA.
For the first time, Elite Motorsports will have a Top Fuel dragster compete in the full 20-race season with motorsports icon Tony Stewart at the wheel and R+L Carriers as the primary sponsor. Veteran crew chiefs Mike Green and Joe Barlom will lead the Top Fuel program.
“It’s been an interesting and busy few months getting ready for NHRA’s 2026 season. I think everyone’s pretty anxious, it’s a new Top Fuel program for Elite which means a new crew trying to get their bearings, new parts, new programs and then the added factor that I’m racing against my own team. It took some getting used to, my trailer and gear being at the Elite shop down the street,” said Stewart. “Mike Green and Joe Barlam really took advantage of testing, not just to figure out the car, but to figure out our routine, get the guys all on the same page and make sure we’re as ready as possible for the season opener. I won’t say we’re going to be perfect but if we can replicate some of what we did at testing we’ll definitely be ready to hold our own.”
Six-time world champion and winningest female in motorsports history Erica Enders returns to the seat of the Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage / Melling Performance / R+L Carriers machine. The future Hall of Famer is coming off her 50th national event victory in 2025.
“Everyone at Elite Motorsports is excited to get the 2026 NHRA season started. Last year did not go the way any of us wanted but that only motivated us to work harder. There have been a lot of changes, a lot of testing and a lot of progress. Things are coming together and we are looking forward to seeing where we stand, when the scoreboard lights up,” said Enders. “The most important thing to me is the health of my boys. I think it’s safe to say, with all hands on deck, we will rise like we always do.”
Aaron Stanfield led the Elite Motorsports stable of Pro Stock cars in 2025 coming in fourth in the standings thanks to two runner-up finishes. The multifaceted driver will continue to handle driving duties of the JHG / Melling Performance / Janac Brothers machine with Mark Ingersoll and Chase B. Freeman as crew chiefs.
“I’ve been ready to get back to competing in Pro Stock since Vegas in the fall. The season coming to an abrupt end because of the weather was unfortunate but I’m excited for 2026. Elite has been working hard this off season. After testing, we can see that the hard work is starting to pay off. It was a long week and everyone really just put their heads down and kept grinding. It was great to be back out with everyone,” said Stanfiled who is fresh off a Pro Mod victory in Drag Illustrated’s Winter Series World Series of Pro Mod event at Bradenton Motorsports Park.
Jeg Coughlin Jr., a five-time Pro Stock world champion, is back for more in 2026. This will be Jeg Jr.’s 24th full professional season and marks a return to his family roots. He’ll be sporting the yellow and black of JEGS on his hot rod alongside nephew Troy Coughlin Jr. Jeg Jr., who will have Mark Ingersoll and Chase B. Freeman as crew chiefs.
Joining Jeg Jr. representing the yellow and black of JEGS is Troy Coughlin Jr. who will be in the predominantly black Pro Stock hot rod.
Veteran racer Greg Stanfiled returns for his second season with Elite Motorsports. The five-time Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series champion will continue to represent Janac Brothers Racing for the full 2026 season. He picked up a memorable victory in 2025 at Sonoma Raceway when he defeated his son, Aaron, in the finals.
“It’s been a busy offseason. Not sure calling it an ‘off’ season is even really fair. Elite has been working hard on the Pro Stock program, trying some new things, lots of testing. After we had everyone out at the PRO test last week, I think we’re looking good, or at least headed in the right direction,” Stanfield said. “It’s hard not to be excited about the start of the season. Janac Brothers, a long time supporter, is back stronger than ever with us and I’m hoping we can get them a few more Wallys. But we won’t really know how we stack up until that first race. It should be exciting, it won’t be easy, but I’m optimistic.”
Entering his sophomore season behind the wheel of a Pro Stock car, Stephen Bell will once again run a partial season under the Elite Motorsports banner. The seven-time Factory Stock Showdown winner laid down his career best speed of 211.20 mph and elapsed time, 6.518-seconds, at the Seattle Northwest Nationals in 2025. He’ll look for more success under crew chief Anthony Lum in 2026.
Elite Motorsports will also field a Pro Mod program with Mason Wright as the driver of the ProFlow Plumbing Solutions Camaro as well as two Competition Eliminator entries run by Royce Lee Freeman and, the newest addition to the Elite family, Mike Lomas who will feature The Financial Guys on the side of his car.
