ELITE MOTORSPORTS IS READY TO CONQUER THE DRAGSTRIP AT NHRA FINALS IN POMONA

POMONA, Calif. (November 8, 2023) – The 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Pro Stock season will not soon be forgotten by drag racing fans. The competition has been ferocious all year long. We’ve seen seven different winners over the course of the season with no single driver earning more than four event victories. Elite Motorsports, the largest team in professional drag racing, has experienced a dramatic season full of highs and lows. But through it all, the Elite Fleet has remained steadfast in its pursuit of excellence. As the season wraps up this weekend at the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals at famed In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip, Elite Motorsports standout Erica Enders is once again at the top of the points standings. After experiencing a rocky start to the season, the five-time Pro Stock world champion has worked her way back from No. 15 in the standings to her current position demonstrating that she has not only the skill but also the persistence required to go the distance in NHRA drag racing. In fact, persistence has been the key to the success of the Elite Motorsports team this season among all of its talented drivers. 
Enders, who recently became the Winningest Woman In Motorsports, earned her fourth win of the season two weeks ago in Las Vegas. While she currently holds the lead, all points this weekend count for points-and-a-half, meaning Enders will have a target on her back as she enters the final race of the season. Fortunately, the driver of the Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage / Melling Performance / SCAG Power Equipment Camaro thrives best when the pressure is on. While Enders has the full support of her Elite Motorsports teammates, she knows that they want to win the final event of the season just as badly as she does. It’s going to be an exciting weekend full of crazy drag racing action where anything could happen.
Under the watchful eyes of Mark Ingersoll, Tim Freeman, Chase Freeman and the rest of the group, the Elite Motorsports Pro Stock teams will work together to engineer and launch nine finely tuned automobiles in Pomona.
Jeg Coughlin Jr. ties Enders in Pro Stock world championships but has one more in the sportsman ranks. Jeg Jr. came out of retirement to race with the Elite Fleet during the final two events of the season in order to break in a new RJ Race Cars-built Camaro under the SCAG Power Equipment banner. The skilled Pro Stock veteran hasn’t missed a beat since returning to the field. He landed a semifinal finish in Las Vegas and he’s eager to add to that success this weekend. 
Troy Coughlin Jr. has one thing on his mind going into this event – turning on as many win lights as possible behind the wheel of his JEGS.com Camaro. The talented driver has two wins to his season but has yet to win a Pro Stock victory at the iconic Pomona Dragstrip. His teammate Aaron Stanfield recently won his third FlexJet Factory Stock Showdown world championship and he has his sights set on landing his Janac Brothers / Melling Engine Parts Pro Stock Camaro in the winners circle.
2017 Pro Stock world champion Bo Butner would like nothing more than to earn an NHRA Finals victory in his Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage Camaro. JHG has been a phenomenal supporter of the drag racing community as a whole.
Elite Motorsports newcomer Jerry Tucker is looking back on his rookie season behind the wheel of his Outlaw Mile Hi Light Beer Camaro and enjoying every minute of his professional journey. He’s been improving consistently and wants to put on a great show for the fans this weekend.
The Cuadra Boys, featuring patriarch Fernando Cuadra Sr. and his sons, Fernando Jr. and Cristian, are ready to apply all of the skills they’ve developed throughout the season to earn their first Pro Stock victory. David Cuadra will be competing in Top Sportsman where he already has one national event win this year. 
In its first foray into the Top Fuel ranks, Elite Motorsports is sponsoring Spencer Hyde in his Top Fuel debut behind the wheel of the Elite Motorsports dragster operated by the Paton Racing Team.
All of the racing action for the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals kicks off with sportsman competition tomorrow, November 9. Professional competition will commence on Friday, November 10 with two qualifying rounds at 12 and 3 p.m. PT, followed by two more qualifying passes on Saturday at 12 and 3 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. PT on Sunday. 
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Driver Quotes
Erica EndersIt’s hard to believe that we are back in Pomona again. I would have never guessed, after our challenging start, that we would be contending for our 6th World Title. It goes to show you what is possible when you never give up. I am fortunate to work with some of the most brilliant men in motorsports and they continue to show me why they are champions. We will attempt to make this another dream weekend. Eight possible runs, one more race, to show the world that we are Elite for a reason.”
Aaron Stanfield“While consistency is good and it’s helped us maintain a solid position in the points, this team is bound and determined to get a win this weekend! My guys have worked tirelessly and I know we’ve got a car that can get the job done. It would be awesome to shake up the standings in a big way in a city that does everything big. Can’t wait to hit the track!”
Troy Coughlin Jr.“Pomona is a majestic place for drag racing! Myself and the men on Team Yellow would be honored to leave with a gold man! My goal is to stay focused on the process of making nice smooth laps and try and turn four win lights on!”
Bo Butner“Heading into this last race of the year, we’re excited. We see it as one last opportunity to put the JHG Chevy in the winners circle in 2023. To end this season like that would really mean a lot to us, and it would give us a little momentum going into the off-season.” 
Jerry Tucker“I can’t believe my rookie year in Pro Stock is coming to a close. I’m ready to give it my all this weekend in Pomona. The positive progress we’ve seen over the past few races is great motivation to finish the season strong and put on a great performance for the fans. Keep a close eye on the Outlaw Mile Hi Light Beer Camaro this weekend. I think it’s time we give everyone a classic long smokey burnout!”
Jeg Coughlin Jr.“This will be my first time back at Pomona since February of 2020 and I couldn’t be more excited. Our performance with this new car in Vegas was spectacular and we look forward to fine-tuning at “sea level” conditions in Pomona. It felt great to work with the entire team and represent SCAG Power Equipment, JHG and our Elite partners.”
Fernando Cuadra Sr.“We are going to finish out the season putting our best foot forward. I’m so proud of my family and all that they’ve accomplished this year. We are having fun and always learning.”
Fernando Cuadra Jr.“I’m excited to return to Pomona, but it’s hard to believe the season is already coming to an end. It’s been a crazy year full of ups and downs. This crew is incredible and I’ve gained a lot of confidence as a driver. Hopefully, we can put it all together and finish the season with a great performance.”
Cristian Cuadra“I’m thrilled to be in the Top Ten coming into the Finals. Because we are competing for points and a half, anything can happen this weekend. We’ve got to be on our game in order to keep our position. The pressure is going to be intense but we are just going to focus on what we can control.”
Spencer Hyde“I’m super excited to make my NHRA Top Fuel debut in Pomona this weekend. Especially to do it with help from Elite Motorsports, the largest professional team in drag racing. I’m a bit nervous, but I also have all the confidence in the world in the Paton Racing team. I know they will give me a car that will go from A to B and I hope we can surprise a few people this weekend by making some solid runs in the 3.70’s.”
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