![\"Pro](\"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Chris-McGaha-min.jpg\")
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Leading into the NHRA class\u2019 50th anniversary year, there have been many to claim Pro Stock is on its last legs, a theory brought to light with the change from carburetors to electronic fuel injection, differing bodies and waning manufacturer competition. While there are a few Dodge and Ford Pro Stock cars being used in competition these days, they are far outnumbered by the Chevrolet Camaro club, which has garnered all championships since Allen Johnson\u2019s 2012 title year with Dodge\u2019s Mopar performance division.<\/p>\n
Yeah, I\u2019ve been one of those to lament the lower entry lists, the dearth of alternative manufacturer competition for Chevy and the mass exodus of fans from their seats when the door slammers come to the water box to compete. To my mind, Pro Stock has always been the more technical class of NHRA, since it relies on small performance gains to up the competition level.<\/p>\n
There have been years when one team has had power over the others; certainly Gray Motorsports\u2019 engine program with Chevrolet two years ago overpowered the regular winners like Summit Racing\/KB Racing and Elite Motorsports. The latter group had a year away from Chevy during the changeover from carbs to EFI that flummoxed them and required several years spent learning the intricacies of racing an EFI-powered Camaro.<\/p>\n
Elite now stands atop the Pro Stock pyramid, with reigning three-time champion Erica Enders and her red Melling-sponsored Camaro. Her teammate Jeg Coughlin Jr. is the current points leader after earning Pro Stock class victory in the season-opening 60th annual Lucas Oil Winternationals. It was Coughlin\u2019s second straight victory and Elite\u2019s third-consecutive, if you count back to Las Vegas in the fall, when Enders became the sport\u2019s 150th female victor.<\/p>\n
The field at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, Calif. last weekend featured 20 entries, including a pair of Ford Mustangs and two Dodge Dart racecars. Both the Mustangs – for second generation drivers Cristian Cuadra and his brother Fernando Cuadra Jr. – made the 16-car\/driver elimination field; Alan Prusiensky and Tom Huggins failed to make the field, as did last year\u2019s season finale runner-up, Fernando Cuadra, along with newcomer Marty Robertson.<\/p>\n
The class is exceptionally competitive and there are new faces on the horizon, including third-generation racer Mason McGaha, 18, son of Chris McGaha. Mason is expected to make his Chevy Camaro debut in Gainesville this March, the third of 18 Pro Stock competitions on the schedule. While McGaha\u2019s operation is an individual one, Kenny Koretsky\u2019s son Kyle, 30, intends to race a KB Racing-prepared Camaro, also at Gainesville. Aaron Stanfield is in his second year of competition, as Greg\u2019s son looks to burnish Elite\u2019s standing in the class. New blood is good for the sport, whether it\u2019s through generational changes or by category adjustments for some racers.<\/p>\n
![\"Pro](\"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Jason-Line-min.jpg\")
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All of these newcomers and those who have been competing at the high level Pro Stock demands will have to wend their ways through the regulars, even as two of the hottest hands in door-slammer competition prepare to call it a day. Jason Line announced his driving retirement from Pro Stock and intends to hang up his pro helmet at the close of the 2020 season. Even Coughlin Jr., winner of the last two Pro Stock races, will back off the class and, like Line, compete at the Lucas Oil Sportsman level after this year.<\/p>\n
At the top-end Winner\u2019s Circle celebration this past Sunday, I questioned Coughlin Jr.\u2019s rationale. After all, he\u2019s the hottest driver in Pro Stock right now and could, if he and Elite Motorsports keep up their momentum, achieve his sixth Pro Stock championship by the time the tour returns to Pomona in November. Coughlin Jr. has mentioned retirement before, but this time he\u2019s actually named the tour and he intends to keep his promise of leaving Pro Stock at the close of the season, just like Jason Line.<\/p>\n
The Line\/Coughlin duo will definitely be missed by competitors, teammates, fans and we in the media. But there are new entries on the horizon and, in its 50th season, Pro Stock doesn\u2019t look – thank goodness – like it\u2019s going anywhere except up.<\/p>\n
![\"Pro](\"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Coughlin-Jr.-with-trophy-min.jpg\")
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