Elite Motorsports owner Richard Freeman leaks plans for NHRA Pro Stock World Champion to go Top Fuel racing
Richard Freeman went on the WFO Radio Podcast with Joe Castello early Wednesday to discuss everything Elite Motorsports as we approach midseason and prepare for the upcoming NHRA Championship Countdown. The owner of an eight-car Pro Stock team has played an important role in the category’s recent rebirth, but the discourse took an unexpected turn when he disclosed his plans to expand Elite Motorsports into the Top Fuel category.
“I don’t think it’s a secret that my interest is Pro Stock. “I love it and don’t want to leave,” Freeman added. “We are considering expanding again into Top Fuel. I have two brand new trailers and two new PDRC cars on order, and we will create the infrastructure while we figure out the cash. I will make it plain that we will not make that move until the necessary finance is in place.”
The details of the jump are still in the early phases, and nothing official has been announced other than the ambition to develop a program.
“My plan would be to have Erica [Enders] behind the wheel of a Top Fuel Dragster and continue to drive Pro Stock,” said Freeman.
“Right now, the regulations prohibit a driver from competing in two professional categories, but I’ve had numerous discussions with the NHRA about making this option available. We still have some issues there, but they have promised to collaborate with us to make it happen, and that is what we will do.”
Enders, a six-time NHRA Pro Stock World Champion, has casually expressed an interest in new challenges, but no plans have been confirmed.
“When there is an announcement to be made, we will make it,” Enders informed the audience. “We are absolutely considering extending our program, but let me be clear: I love and am passionate about Pro Stock and would never give it up to race a dragster. It’s a terrific commercial opportunity and a chance for us to continue to expand the Team Elite empire. But, for the time being, there is no announcement other than that we are putting it together, and I am always up for a new challenge.”
The details of how the squad will look are still unknown, but with Freeman’s connections to other Top Fuel clubs, the possibilities are unlimited.
“Alignment with another team is essential. We have a lot of relationships with various teams, including our present teammates, through JHG [TSR Nitro] and SCAG [Justin Ashley],” Freeman explained. “We also have a great friendship with the Torrence Family, so who knows the avenue we will go down.”
Elite Motorsports will continue to grow in the Pro Stock program, as announced last week with the signing of Rookie of the Year candidate Sienna Wildgust, but we will have to wait and see what Nitro intentions are when more information is released.
