After 10 months away from driving an NHRA Pro Stock car, Aaron Stanfield will get behind the wheel at the U.S. Nationals (Sept. 4-7) in Indianapolis.

Stanfield is going to be driving one of Allen Johnson’s cars, likely a Dodge Dart.

“I can’t wait,” said Aaron, 20. “I’ve been chomping at the bit these past couple of months. Just the thought about getting to race at Indy is very exciting and I’m ready to see what we can do. I also would really like to thank my sponsors Mopar, CTECH, and Collier Racing for getting me out there on the race track.”

Greg Stanfield, Aaron’s father, has worked as a consultant for Johnson, the 2012 NHRA Pro Stock world champion,  since the Topeka (Kan.) national event May 22-25, and he will serve as his son’s crew chief at Indy. Greg began competing in the Pro Stock class in 2002, winning three national events and finishing a career-best second in the point standings in 2010.

Prior to the U.S. Nationals, Aaron said he will do some testing Aug. 31-Sept. 2 at Gateway Motorsports Park in St. Louis.

“We are going there just so I can knock the rust off,” said Aaron, who last drove a Pro Stock car Nov. 2, 2014 at the Toyota Nationals in Las Vegas. “I didn’t have much time to get ready last year and I have confidence that with this test session I will be able to get comfortable back behind the wheel.”

Following the test session, Stanfield will fly back home to Shreveport, La., so he can go to school on Sept. 3 at Louisiana State University Shreveport, and then fly to Indianapolis. Aaron is double majoring in accounting and management.

Aaron has kept active in the Pro Stock scene by working as the clutch person on Aaron Strong’s Camaro. Mike Stanfield, Greg’s brother, also is working on Strong’s crew. The Camaro Strong is running is one he bought from Greg Stanfield and it is the same car Aaron drove last season. Strong competed in Sonoma, Calif., and Seattle so far this season.

“Working on that car was just a little something for me to do during the summer,” Aaron said. “Doing that made me realize how much I like driving. They were great people and I really enjoyed racing with them. I got to get some more experience doing the clutch on the car and it was just a good experience for me.”

A year ago, the younger Stanfield turned some heads in his Pro Stock debut. He competed in four races at Indianapolis, Dallas, St. Louis and Las Vegas, qualifying for all four events.

Aaron Stanfield’s biggest highlight came when he defied the odds at Indy. He qualified No. 8 and then upset five-time world champion Jeg Coughlin in the first round when Coughlin recorded a redlight.

Stanfield’s memorable first race ended when he lost in the second round to two-time world champ Jason Line.

“My main goal at Indy this year is to qualify and I would like to qualify in the top 10,” Aaron said. “I also would like to get some good exposure and get my name out there a little bit. My experience at Indy last year is going to help me, but obviously I still going to be nervous because this will only be my fifth (career Pro Stock) race. I just need to remember to calm my nerves and I’m pretty sure I will be able to do that.”

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