Aaron Stanfield already had a full schedule.
The multi-time world champion was chasing another NHRA Pro Stock title while balancing the expectations that come with driving for one of drag racing’s powerhouse organizations. Now he’ll add another challenge to the list.
Elite Motorsports and Modern Racing announced Tuesday that Stanfield will assume driving duties in the ProFlow Pumping Solutions/Modern Racing/Elite Motorsports Pro Modified entry for the remainder of the 2026 JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series season.
The move follows Mason Wright’s decision to step away from full-time competition as business responsibilities continue to grow away from the racetrack.
For Elite Motorsports, the transition carries very little uncertainty.
Instead of searching for an outside replacement, the organization turned to a driver who already knows how to win in virtually everything he climbs into.
Stanfield’s credentials extend well beyond Pro Stock.
The Louisiana racer has collected world championships across multiple categories and reminded everyone earlier this season that he remains a serious threat in Pro Modified when he captured the $150,000 World Series of Pro Mod title in Bradenton, Fla.
That victory immediately made him an obvious candidate if an opportunity ever surfaced.
Now it has.
“It’s an honor to get the call to represent ProFlow Pumping Solutions, Modern Racing, and Elite Motorsports for the rest of the year,” Stanfield said. “Pro Mod is an absolute blast and incredibly competitive. Coming off the big win in Bradenton earlier this year, I feel confident we can give this team a great showing at Bristol along with the rest of the season.”
Stanfield will make his first appearance in the car at this weekend’s Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway.
The move also closes one chapter for Wright, who helped establish the program while balancing racing with a rapidly expanding business portfolio.
Wright operates Shaneda Machine, Inc. in Odessa, Texas, and said the demands of that business ultimately forced him to make a difficult decision.
“Oilfields run 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and so do the people who work in them,” Wright shared on social media. “That work ethic has carried over into everything I’ve done, including drag racing.”
“But as our businesses continue to grow, they require my full-time attention. This decision allows me to focus on family, our companies, and the future we’re building together.”
The decision was met with support throughout the organization.
Justin Elkes, owner of Modern Racing, praised Wright’s contributions while expressing confidence in the team’s ability to maintain momentum with Stanfield behind the wheel.
“We fully support Mason and wish him nothing but the absolute best as he shifts his primary focus to his family and his rapidly expanding business priorities,” Elkes said.
“At the same time, we are incredibly excited to promote from within our Elite Team alliance by having Aaron Stanfield step in to handle the driving duties for the remainder of the season. His proven talent and recent Pro Modified success make him the perfect fit to step in and keep our momentum moving forward.”
The key phrase may have been “promote from within.”
Elite Motorsports isn’t bringing in a substitute driver unfamiliar with the team’s culture, personnel or expectations. Stanfield already understands all three.
That familiarity should shorten the learning curve considerably as the season moves into its summer stretch.
Richard Freeman views the move as a reflection of the depth Elite Motorsports has built over the years.
He also made it clear that Wright’s departure carries no hard feelings.
“We can’t thank Mason enough for the incredible amount of time, dedication, and resources he’s poured into this program,” Freeman said.
“He’s been a tremendous part of what we’ve built, both on and off the racetrack, and we fully support him as he focuses on his family and businesses. The door will always be open here at Elite Motorsports.”
“If and when Mason is ready to get back behind the wheel, he’ll always have a place with us.”
The timing could work in Stanfield’s favor.
Few drivers enter a Pro Mod seat carrying recent momentum comparable to a six-figure victory in one of the category’s biggest independent events. Bradenton proved he can still compete with the sport’s best Pro Modified racers when given competitive equipment.
Now he’ll have the opportunity to do it on NHRA’s biggest stages while continuing his full-time Pro Stock campaign.
That’s a workload many drivers wouldn’t welcome.
Stanfield has built a career embracing it.
The addition of Pro Mod duties doesn’t guarantee wins, but it immediately gives Elite Motorsports one of the most accomplished and versatile drivers in drag racing competing in two professional categories on the same weekend.
For a team trying to maintain momentum after Wright’s departure, there may not have been a better solution available.
And for the rest of the Pro Mod field, the replacement driver may prove every bit as dangerous as the one he’s replacing.
