WYNNEWOOD, Okla. — Elite Motorsports officers introduced that after funding is acquired, Tony Stewart will drive the crew’s Prime Gasoline dragster within the 2026 Mission Meals NHRA Drag Racing Collection season.
Six-time Professional Inventory world champion Erica Enders and drag racing phenom Aaron Stanfield can even check and license within the dragster as crew proprietor Richard Freeman seems to be to additional develop Elite Motorsports’ footprint within the NHRA.
“Having Tony as our driver, including one other Prime Gasoline entry, we’re taking good care of the game and opening up potentialities, that’s why we’ll have Erica and Aaron get licensed within the automotive as properly,” Freeman stated. “First issues first although, we have to get this system funded, however letting everybody know our intentions, that can assist.”
Freeman bought the Prime Gasoline operation from Josh Hart earlier this month.
“Tony is a superb driver, everyone knows he can drive something,” Freeman added. “He’s nice for drag racing, not simply as a crew proprietor, however behind the wheel. We’re excited that via our advertising alliance with Tony Stewart Racing we’re creating a chance for Tony to maintain a Prime Gasoline seat and an opportunity to race alongside his spouse, Leah [Pruett].”
“I stated from the very starting that I used to be simply holding Leah’s seat heat and that it was hers as quickly as she was prepared to return again,” Stewart stated. “Nicely, she’s coming again in 2026 and that Direct Connection Dodge//SRT Prime Gasoline dragster goes to have her identify on it, not mine. And as a lot as I wished to proceed driving, TSR just isn’t able so as to add a second Prime Gasoline automotive. However with Richard shopping for Josh Hart’s crew and our current alliance, I can nonetheless work as an proprietor and a driver to assist each our organizations develop.”
The 2026 season will probably be Stewart’s third behind the wheel of a Prime Gasoline dragster. The three-time NASCAR Cup Collection Champion and former IndyCar champion earned the NHRA Rookie of the Yr award in 2024 and in 2025 he broke via for the primary Prime Gasoline win of his profession on the NHRA 4-Vast Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Stewart now has two Prime Gasoline victories to his identify in addition to the 2025 NHRA common season championship title.
