ELITE MOTORSPORTS SENDS A PAIR TO SEMIFINALS AT THUNDER VALLEY NATIONALS

Aaron Stanfield

By: Elite Motorsports (Photos Courtesy Elite Motorsports)

BRISTOL, Tenn. (June 08, 2025) – Aaron Stanfield and David Cuadra rallied to semifinal finishes for Elite Motorsports Sunday at the Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway.

Stanfield and the Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage / Melling Performance / Janac Brother’s Racing team started race day from the No. 4 qualifying spot thanks to a 6.666-second pass at 204.08 mph. After winning the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge on Saturday, Stanfield opened eliminations with a victory against Mason McGaha. The JHG / Melling machine laid down a 6.676-second run at 204.70 mph to defeat McGaha’s 6.749 at 204.88.

In the second round, Stanfield squared off against Cody Coughlin who had trouble from the start coasting to 18.279-seconds at 43.53 mph while Stanfield made a clean 6.709 pass at 204.17 to face rival Dallas Glenn in the18th semifinal round of his career.

The JHG / Melling hotrod would have tire shake against Glenn. Stanfield would cross the finish line in 7.362-seconds and 153.51 mph while Glenn went straight down track in 6.671 and 206.23.

“It’s been a good weekend for Elite Motorsports. It really started back in Epping, a semifinal appearance for Erica and I, and then yesterday winning the #2Fast2Tasty Challenege,” Stanfield said. “Obviously would have liked to bring home the win today, keep the Thunder Valley Nationals title in the Elite camp for another year [Elite Motorsports has won the event the past three consecutive years], but we’re keeping our heads up. This whole team has been working hard, trying new things, testing and it’s paying off. We’ll be back in the winners circle soon. It’s only a matter of time.”

David Cuadra, driving the Cuadra Tequila / Cuadra Belts / Cuadra car, rallied to the second semifinal appearance of his career that started with a first-round battle against twin brother Cristian Cuadra. David, the No. 6 qualifier (6.669 at 204.94) laid down a 6.671-second pass at 204.91 mph for his second win against Cristian who had a .001-second reaction time but rattled the tires.

In the second round, Cuadra raced against Deric Kramer and took the victory on a holeshot. With a .008-second reaction time and 6.725-second pass at 203.95 mph Cuadra got the best of Kramer who had a .040 reaction time and 6.713 run at 204.88.

In the semifinals, Cuadra had a monster matchup against reigning six-time world champion and eventual event winner Greg Anderson. Cuadra’s 6.699-second pass at 204.82 mph just wasn’t enough for Anderson’s 6.644 at 206.01.

“I feel like I had a great weekend from having had that long break, it just feels great. I think my car ran really good all weekend,” Cuadra said. “I’m excited. I’m really happy, but I really want to get into the finals and get a Wally in Pro Stock. I mean, that’s the dream. Today definitely gives us a whole lot of confidence, though. My reaction times almost surprised me. Being double zero that first time, I just kept going. I’m really confident that I’m getting to that next level. My car is running phenomenal, so I know one day everything’s going to line up and we’re going to make it to the final.”

Next on the Pro Stock Mission Foods NHRA Drag Racing Series schedule will be the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park, June 26.29.