Erica Enders and Aaron Stanfield Power JHG/Melling to NHRA Carolina Final Quad

Erica Enders and Aaron Stanfield reach the final quad at the Four-Wide Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway, banking semifinal points that reinforce JHG/Melling’s Countdown campaign with four events remaining.

Stanfield climbs to fourth in Pro Stock standings, Enders rises to seventh, reflecting the Countdown’s intensified points weighting and the value of four-wide advancement through identical-lane, reaction-critical eliminations.

The final features 2024’s quartet. Dallas Glenn wins 6.554s at 209.95 mph, Anderson posts 6.562s at 209.01 mph. Enders records 6.572s, as Stanfield’s shake yields 13.390 at 65.73 mph.

Enders calls the weekend positive, citing a compromised night qualifying run that left her chasing performance. Execution at the tree compensated, with repeated holeshots against Greg Anderson shaping her progression.

Qualifying seventh, Enders clears a quad with Jeg Coughlin Jr., David Cuadra, and Anderson via a .029 light and 6.562 at 209.52.

In the semi she repeats the pattern, leaving on .037 and posting 6.574 at 209.59 to edge Anderson again.

Stanfield qualifies eighth and advances from a loaded opener featuring Greg Stanfield, Troy Coughlin Jr., and Glenn with 6.545 at 209.56, trailing Glenn’s 6.529.

He controls the semifinal, winning the quad over Glenn, Cody Coughlin, and Matt Hartford with 6.559 at 209.36 after a sharp .021 reaction.

The final’s tire shake suggests an aggressive setup window or changing track, with clutch management constrained by four-wide staging rhythms. Choosing to push the clutch preserved hardware but ended contention.

From a team perspective, dual final-quad appearances validate JHG/Melling power and processes, but converting chances into round wins remains priority amid evolving auto racing industry trends and ever-tighter reaction margins.

Four-wide rules advance first two finishers per quad, with lane choice driven by elapsed time. That structure elevates starts and repeatability, rewarding disciplined staging and conservative power delivery under heat.

Attention shifts to World Wide Technology Raceway, September 26–28, for the NHRA Midwest Nationals, where Enders historically thrives and both drivers can consolidate gains in the Countdown.

With performance escalating, safety disciplines remain central, from cockpit procedures to personal gear, underscoring the importance of racing suits and the benefits of custom fire suits across prolonged Countdown demands.

Visual Summary

Nicholas Rivera

Nicholas Rivera delivers NHRA Top Fuel and Funny Car news, including eliminator-round results and reaction-time stats. He brings track-side interviews, contender profiles, and championship-point breakdowns straight from drag-racing’s biggest national events.