By: Elite Motorsports
CHANDLER, Ariz. (March 19, 2025) – Sitting third in the Mission Foods NHRA Drag Racing Series points standings, six-time world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. and the SCAG Power Equipment / Outlaw Light Beer team are leading Elite Motorsports as they head into this weekend’s NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird Motorsports Park.
“The 2025 season is in full force as we approach the NHRA Arizona Nationals,” said Jeg Jr. “The rain shortened Gatornationals was a good event for our Elite Motorsports SCAG machine. We worked our way from the 12th spot to a strong semi-final finish where we got nipped buy a mere .0035 seconds. This has given us good momentum as we enter race two and a chance to contend in the first #2Fast2Tasty specialty race of the season.”
With his semifinal finish from the No. 12 qualifying spot at the season opening NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway, Jeg Jr. will have a rematch against his semifinal opponent, reigning world champion Greg Anderson, in 2025’s first Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge. The competitors of the specialty race within a race that takes place during Saturday qualifying, will have a chance to win championship bonus points and a cash prize.
On Sunday, Jeg Jr. will look to earn his fourth win at Firebird Motorsports Park and become the winningest active Pro Stock racer at the facility. Retired Pro Stock legend Bob Glidden holds the top spot with five victories.
“I’ve been fortunate to have great success at Firebird Motorsports Park in my career and I’ll look to add to that legacy on this trip,” Jeg Jr. said.
Last year at the Arizona Nationals, Jeg Jr. secured the No.1 qualifying position by running the top speed (211.33 mph) and low elapsed time (6.517 seconds) of the event. He would go on to make a semifinal appearance along with teammate Aaron Stanfield in the Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage / Melling Performance / Janac Brothers Racing entry. Aaron will be racing for his second victory at the facility just outside of Phoenix, his first came in 2022.
Six-time champion Erica Enders won the 2024 Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge at the Nevada Nationals while she also finished runner-up in the weather postponed Winternationals during Saturday qualifying. A win this weekend would be her third in Arizona (2013, 2020) and also mark her 50th national event victory, 49th in Pro Stock
Coming off a win at the SCAG PRO Superstar Shootout and a quarterfinal finish at the NHRA Gatornationals, Troy Coughlin Jr. and the JEGS.com team sit fifth in points entering the Arizona Nationals. Troy Jr. has yet to win at the facility but was runner-up to Aaron in 2022.
Greg Stanfield with his Janac Brothers Racing machine, led the Elite Motorsports team in qualifying at the season-opener, he entered race day No. 5 but had first round loss to Jeg Jr. He is looking for his first win at Firebird Motorsports Park, his first with Elite Motorsports but his 22nd national event victory, fourth in Pro Stock.
The Cuadra Boys, Fernando Cuadra Jr., Cristian Cuadra and David Cuadra, will be making their 2025 debut at the NHRA Arizona Nationals after business kept them from making an appearance at the Gatornationals. Cristian earned his first No. 1 qualifying position at Firebird Motorsports Park back in 2023.
Also making a debut at the NHRA Arizona Nationals is Stephen Bell. Bell, a seven-time event winner in Factory Stock Showdown, will make his Pro Stock debut at Firebird Motorsports Park. Bell earned his Pro Stock license while testing at Bradenton Motorsports Park ahead of the SCAG PRO Superstar Shootout.
Competition at the NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird Motorsports Park kicks off with four qualifying rounds Friday at 2:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. and Saturday at 12:45 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Eliminations begin Sunday at 11:00 a.m. Television coverage will be on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) with qualifying shows Friday at 8:00 p.m. ET and Sunday at 12:30 p.m. ET. Eliminations will Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET.
