Aaron Stanfield and JHG/Melling Dominate #2Fast2Tasty Challenge at Bristol Dragway

Aaron Stanfield and the Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage / Melling Performance team earned their first Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge win of the year during Saturday qualifying at the Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway.

Stanfield piloted his JHG / Melling car to a 6.688-second run at 204.85 mph in the final round.

His reaction time of 0.100 seconds gave him just enough edge to beat Matt Hartford by four ten-thousandths of a second. Hartford finished with a slightly quicker 6.685-second pass at 203.55 mph and a strong 0.013-second reaction. Stanfield celebrated at the top end, sharing that it was the closest race of his Pro Stock career so far.

Earlier in the event, Stanfield had a rematch with Elite Motorsports teammate Erica Enders, whom he faced in the semifinals at the New England Nationals. This time, Stanfield got the upper hand with a 6.676-second pass at 204.29 mph, while Enders ran 6.880 seconds at 204.91 mph after losing grip.

The win marked Elite Motorsports’ second Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge victory this season; Jeg Coughlin Jr. claimed the first at the Arizona Nationals. The team is also aiming for a fourth straight Thunder Valley Nationals win, chasing another title in the NHRA Drag Racing Series for 2025.

Stanfield earned the No. 4 qualifying spot on the grid thanks to a 6.666-second run at 204.32 mph. He is set to meet Mason McGaha in the opening round of eliminations on Sunday.

The competition at Bristol continues with eliminations starting at noon. Fans can watch a second qualifying show on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) Saturday at 8 p.m. ET, with full eliminations coverage on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET.

The weekend at Bristol Dragway has featured major moments across several NHRA classes. Tony Stewart earned his first No. 1 qualifying spot in Top Fuel and later secured the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge win.

Stewart posted a final-round time of 3.803 seconds at 324.05 mph, defeating Doug Kalitta and ending Kalitta Motorsports’ win streak this year. Stewart’s top qualifying time came in at 3.755 seconds at 325.77 mph, helping him build on a season that already includes two race wins and five straight final round appearances.

In Funny Car, J.R. Todd delivered a win for his team, posting a 4.004-second run at 326.24 mph against Jack Beckman in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge. Todd’s efforts continued Kalitta Motorsports’ perfect record in the Challenge events for 2025.

Austin Prock matched his qualifying pace from last year, putting down a 3.931-second run at 328.30 mph to grab the No. 1 spot. Prock will face Buddy Hull during eliminations after Hull upset the class’s defending champion in qualifying.

Elsewhere in Pro Stock, Dallas Glenn took the No. 1 qualifier with a quick 6.645-second pass at 205.60 mph. Glenn squares off against Fernando Cuadra Jr. to open Sunday’s eliminations.

Brayden Davis stood out in Pro Stock Motorcycle, qualifying No. 1 with a 6.834-second run at 197.59 mph in just his second NHRA start. Herrera won the class’s Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge at 6.891 seconds and 196.30 mph.

Eliminations for all classes begin at noon on Sunday at Bristol Dragway. Drivers and teams aim to convert strong qualifying efforts and Challenge wins into NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals victories as the event concludes.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.