NHRA MIDWEST NATIONALS: ELITE MOTORSPORTS QUALIFYING REPORT

October 3, 2026 scmotorsportsmedia Drag Racing, Elite Motorsports, Midwest Nationals, NHRA, NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series

Pro Stock #1 Qualifier: Troy Coughlin Jr.

Troy Coughlin Jr. and JEGS Lead Pro Stock into Race Day

By: Elite Motorsports

MADISON, Ill. (Oct. 03, 2026) – Troy Coughlin Jr. and the midnight JEGS Pro Stock team secured their first No. 1 qualifying posiiton of the season Saturday at the NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals at World Wide Technology Raceway just outside of St. Louis.

Troy Jr. and the JEGS boys laid down a 6.473-second pass at 211.69 mph on Friday night that held up for his fourth career No. 1 qualifier, first since the Gatornationals in 2023.

“It’s a lot of fun to see everybody’s work pay off,” Troy Jr. said. “It takes cycles—everything comes and goes. To see the perseverance, persistence, and consistency that these JEGS guys all possess, and their attitudes in the process, it’s fantastic. Struggle brings growth; they’re stepping stones for growth. The fruits of their labor are starting to show.”

After winning the opening race of the NHRA Countdown to the Championship in Martin, Michigan and snapping a 41-race winless streak, Troy Jr., who started the Countdown 10th, entered the Midwest Nationals weekend fifth in the Pro Stock points standings, just 105 out of the lead. In addition to the eight points for his No. 1 starting sport, the six-time Pro Stock national event winner earned seven bonus qualifying points over the four rounds of qualifying.

“We’re definitely going to make a run for the championship. Whether we were 10th or 5th, we were going to be gunning for it. Right now, we’re going to put our best foot forward every lap that we make and just be consistent and persistent, kind of as we’ve been the past month or so,” Troy Jr. said. “Confidence for tomorrow’s eliminations is at an all-time high for certain. But on race day, anything goes—you’ve got to be ready. You’ve got to take it one lap at a time, focus on the task at hand, and enjoy our day.”

Eliminations at the NHRA Midwest Nationals at WWT Raceway are slated to begin at 10 a.m. with Pro Stock first round at 11 a.m. Troy Jr. and his midnight JEGS team will start eliminations with a match up against Chris Vang.

TROY COUGHLIN JR., JEGS Pro Stock Car
Qualifying: No. 9
6.493 seconds, 212.36 mph
Q1: 6.498 at 210.64
Q2: 6.473 at 211.69
Q3: 6.474 at 211.30
Q4: 6.500 at 210.90
Bonus Qualifying Points: 7
First Round Opponent: Chris Vang

GREG STANFIELD, Janac Brothers Racing Pro Stock Car
Qualifying: No. 2
6.474 seconds, 210.93 mph
Bonus Qualfying Points: 7
First Round Opponent: Mason McGaha

STEPHEN BELL, 1320 LLC Pro Stock Car
Qualifying: No. 12
6.510 seconds, 209.65 mph
First Round Opponent: Matt Hartford

ERICA ENDERS, Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage / Melling Performance / R+L Carriers Pro Stock Car
Qualifying: No. 9
6.491 seconds at 2101.63 mph
First Round Opponent: Cody Anderson

AARON STANFIELD, Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage / Melling Performance / Janac Brothers Racing Pro Stock Car
Qualifying: No. 4
6.481 seconds, 211.49 mph
Bonus Qualifying Points: 2
First Round Opponent: Deric Kramer