Pullin’ Quadruple Duty- Aaron Stanfield
Pro Stock, Factory Stock Showdown, Top Dragster, or Super Stock: Which would you choose? Aaron Stanfield is lucky enough to where he doesn’t have to choose.
Aaron Stanfield grew up watching his father, Greg Stanfield, race Pro Stock and knew that was exactly what he wanted to do. When he turned 16, he jumped in a ’98 Camaro and started bracket racing in no electronics.
Fast forward a few years and Stanfield is one busy guy. He follows the NHRA circuit, whether it’s National Events or Divisional Events he is bound to be there. Aaron pilots an ’87 Camaro in Super Stock and a 2018 Miller Dragster in Top Dragster. He also races a 2019 COPO Camaro in Factory Stock Showdown at selected events.
Recently, Aaron got behind the wheel of an ELITE Performance powered Pro Stock Camaro. He claims the Pro Stock car is his favorite, but who wouldn’t think that? He keeps himself busy driving four different classes, with even some bracket racing in between!
Learn more about Aaron Stanfield in the following DragChamp Q&A.
DragChamp Racer Spotlight with Aaron Stanfield
How long have you been racing?
I started racing a ’98 Camaro when I turned 16, bracket racing in no electronics.
How did you get introduced to the sport?
I grew up watching my dad race Pro Stock.
Which class or classes do you compete in? Where do you normally race?
Super Stock, Factory Stock Showdown, Top Dragster, and Pro Stock. I follow the NHRA racing circuit, whether it’s the Mello Yello National Events or Lucas Oil Divisional events. I have two Division 4 Top Dragster Division Championships, one Division 4 Super Stock Division Championship, along with 8 national event final rounds and 5 national event wins. I am a 4-time JEGS All Star qualifier with 1 JEGS All Star win, 7 divisional wins and 4-time sportsman driver of the year.
Tell us about your current race car(s). How long have you owned it, chassis builder, engine, drivetrain, how fast does it run, etc.
The 1987 Chevy Camaro is the Super Stocker that has been raced by my grandfather and father and has been passed down to me.
The 2018 Miller Top Dragster has a 769 Stanfield Racing Engine and runs in the 6.10’s. I also have a 2012 Undercover dragster that I bracket race when I get the chance. It has a 598 Stanfield Engine that runs 4.40s in a 1/8th mile.
I also race a 2019 COPO Camaro, owned by Joe Janac with Janac Brothers Racing. The COPO is a Stanfield prepared car with a Stanfield Racing Engine that runs in the 7.80’s.
The Pro Stock car is a Jerry Haas built, ELITE performance prepared and has an ELITE engine that runs 6.50’s.
Please list your major racing accomplishments.
- 2x Division 4 Top Dragster Division Championships
- 1 Division 4 Super Stock Division Championships
- 8 National Event Final rounds
- 5 National Event Wins
- 4x JEGS All Star Qualifier
- 1 JEGS All Star Win
- 7 Divisional Wins
- 4x Division 4 Sportsman Driver of the Year
What’s on your bucket list, future goals, what do you hope to achieve?
I would like to win a Pro Stock race and to win a world championship.
What is your favorite race car, and why?
Probably the Pro Stock car because it’s such a challenge, but it’s hard for me to pick a favorite because I enjoy each car in their own respective ways.
Who has made the biggest impact on your racing success?
My father has made the biggest impact in my racing success.
How do you balance all the different classes you race?
I have many great people that help me balance the different classes. Racing is definitely a team sport when you race so many different classes.
What do you like the most: Pro Stock, TD, FSS, or SS?
Pro Stock
Tell us how you got introduced to Pro Stock and the excitement of it all.
My father raced Pro Stock when I was growing up and always knew it was something I wanted to do. I was lucky enough to get an opportunity to run a few races in 2014 and 2015 but my most recent opportunity was given to me because of Joe Janac with Janac Brothers Racing, JD and Terrisa Coffman with JC3 Energy, Craig Gualtiere with Roasters Coffee and Tea Company, and ELITE Performance.
Tell us what you do for a living?
I run our family business of Stanfield Racing Engines. We prepare racecars as well as build competitive racing engines.
How do you support your racing, side hustle, sponsor, partner, etc.?
I have the best sponsors in the sport of racing. Janac Brothers Racing (Joe and David Janac), JC3 Energy (JD and Terrisa Coffman) and Roasters Coffee and Tea Company (Craig Gualtiere).
Who do you hate to see in the other lane, and why?
It doesn’t affect me who is in the other lane. Anyone can be beat at any time.
What’s the hardest part of drag racing?
The hardest part of drag racing is achieving perfection. When you’re dealing with thousandths of a second and inches at the finish line, you can go from hero to zero in a very short amount of time. Being able to bring your highest level of competition every time you go up to the starting line.
What’s your most embarrassing moment in a race car?
The most embarrassing moment for me is when I was racing one of my first races in Top Dragster, I mistaked the parachute button with the bump down button, which threw the parachutes out on the starting line and I quickly realized something was wrong as soon as I launched. Then had to be towed the rest of the way down the track with my parachute out.
Are you superstitious? If so, what are they?
I don’t think I am superstitious, but I do have a routine I like to stick to.
Do you love to win or hate to lose?
Although the feeling of winning is among some of the best feelings I’ve ever had, I definitely hate to lose more than I like to win.
Which are you better at the starting line or the finish line?
Starting line, I normally close my eyes at the finish line.
What motivates you to continue racing?
The desire to be the best I can be, and the challenge to achieve perfection.
Name one thing most people don’t know about you?
My first pass down a drag strip was in my father’s engine hauling van when I was 14 years old.
What’s your favorite track on the NHRA tour?
Bristol, Tennessee.
Who would you like to thank, who helps you the most?
Definitely my father, he has always pushed me to be the best I can be. He has helped me achieve anything I have wanted to achieve.
Megan Bohannon is a 25 year old Super Comp racer from Louisville, Kentucky. She races a 2015 American Dragster with a 648 Oakley Motorsports Engine. Growing up at the racetrack, drag racing is all she has known and never plans to give up on it. Megan works with TB Promotions in promoting their races and keeping entries straight, as well as keeping their social media pages updated.
You can reach Megan on Facebook or email at megan@dragchamp.com
You can reach Megan on Facebook or email at megan@dragchamp.com
Click