The look on his face told the story. 

Aaron Stanfield, a driver known to keep his emotions in check to the point where one might conclude he is unshakeable, looked very much like he was in uncharted territory.

That’s because he was. 

On a Monday afternoon at the NHRA U.S. Nationals, Stanfield drove to his fourth Pro Stock win of the season (beating Jeggie Coughlin) and the 12th of his career. Adding a win in the new Factory X division (beating Lenny Lottig) took him into drag racing history as the first driver to win in both a professional and sportsman divisions at Indy. 

The third-gen drag racer pulled off a feat no one else has done at the marquee event. 

Still, he maintained a measure of composure.

“I guess that’s how I was raised; just to smooth out the peaks in the valleys because there was going to be a lot of those in drag racing and this weekend was full of peaks and valleys and we kept it,” Stanfield said. “It was a little bumpy, but we kept it smooth and man, it’s the best way to be and it keeps a calm mind and allows me to do my job.

“It was a roller coaster of emotions the whole entire time. I knew I had two good hot rods and I knew I had a good chance to win, but this race has kicked my butt in the past and it just feels great.”

Stanfield’s victory in Pro Stock restarted an Elite Motorsports streak that was halted last race in Brainerd. The victory in Factory X made the Stanfield’s the first family to put two generations in the winner’s circle. 

“Obviously I was very excited rolling though the staging lanes, but I don’t know if I could gather all my thoughts all at once,” Stanfield said. “Just a very, very big wave of emotions that hit me, for sure.”

“I would say tomorrow we’re going to drink some Outlaw Beer tonight and have a good time in the winner’s circle and it’s back to work tomorrow, and we definitely want that number one on our window at the end of the year.”