Second-ranked driver Justin Ashley regrouping for final two races of the 2025 season.
Elite Motorsports announced Friday that it has hired championship crew chief Mike Green to shape its Top Fuel program that’s centered on Tony Stewart, effective immediately.
Green’s departure from Justin Ashley’s organization—which, like several Elite Motorsports Pro Stock teams, carries SCAG sponsorship—throws a curveball in the Top Fuel Countdown to the Championship picture. Ashley is the No. 2-ranked title contender, 114 points behind leader Doug Kalitta with only two events remaining in the season.
Richard Freeman, Elite Motorsports owner, purchased the R+L Carriers Dragster that Josh Hart still is using to compete among the class’ top 10. The plan for Hart is to move to John Force Racing, while Freeman searches for funding to provide a full-time schedule for Stewart (who owns his own team with wife Leah Pruett in Top Fuel and Matt Hagan in Funny Car). Elite Pro Stock racers Erica Enders and Aaron Stanfield will be testing and cross-licensing in the dragster, as well.
Green’s on-track debut with Elite in NHRA competition will be the season-opening Gatornationals next March 6-8, at Florida’s Gainesville Raceway.
“I’m excited to be joining Elite Motorsports and to help them build their Top Fuel program,” Green said in a prepared statement. “With talent like Tony Stewart, Erica Enders, and Aaron Stanfield being in the mix, this was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. I look forward to being part of Elite and Richard’s vision to grow the sport.”
The press release from Elite Motorsports said Green was “being let go” from Ashley’s team. In his upcoming interview with Autoweek, Ashley is expected to confirm that Green was dismissed two races early because he informed the team he was joining Elite next year. Tommy DeLago, who tuned Matt Hagan to his first of four Funny Car championships in 2011, will finish the year as crew chief for Ashley.
Green said in Friday’s statement, “I’ve enjoyed working with Justin these past years. He’s a brilliant driver, and I’m disappointed I won’t have the opportunity to see him through to the end of the 2025 season. I wish him and the guys all the best of luck. I’ll be rooting for them. Now I’m looking ahead to 2026.”
Together this season Green and Ashley earned four victories in the past 10 events, including Race 2 of the six-race playoffs. He guided Tony Schumacher in 2014 to his eighth and most recent championship. Green also has worked with Darrell Gwynn, Cruz Pedregon, Cory McClenathan, Tommy Johnson Jr., and Austin Prock.
Freeman said, “We had conversations with a handful of potential crew chiefs over the past several weeks, all great options. But when Mike and I talked after the Dallas event, it felt like a natural fit for both of us. We’re excited to have him on board. He’s a hall-of-fame-caliber crew chief who has proven he’s capable of putting together a program to win championships. That’s what we’re after. He’s known for elevating those around him, and we have that same growth mentality here at Elite Motorsports.”
Category: General Sports
