NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

 Having built a reputation as someone willing to race anything with wheels, Jerry Tucker is throwing his hat into the Pro Stock ring this year as he has agreed to join Elite Motorsports, the largest professional team in NHRA drag racing. Tucker will pilot the eighth Pro Stock machine to join the Elite Motorsports fleet, joining a stacked roster that includes world champions Erica Enders and Bo Butner, as well as Aaron Stanfield, Troy Coughlin Jr., Fernando Cuadra Sr., and his two sons, Fernando Jr. and Cristian.

Tucker, a lifelong resident of Lindsay, Okla., has spent the last 30 years racing everything from Sprint cars to Midgets and has also enjoyed success in drag racing. This will be Tucker’s first foray into Pro Stock, a venture he’s ready to take on under the guidance of his childhood friend, Elite Motorsports owner Richard Freeman.

“Pro Stock is my favorite category, hands down,” said Tucker. “I’ve always wanted to drive one and Elite Motorsports is the best team in the class, so I’m pumped to be joining them. The shift setup; taking off with a clutch on a Pro Tree, will be challenging but I’m up for it and excited to get started.”

Tucker will work on earning his NHRA Pro Stock license in January so he’s ready to start the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season with the rest of his fellow Pro Stock competitors in March when the series kicks off in Gainesville, Fla.

“The really cool thing with Jerry is that we grew up together,” said Freeman. “We’ve been family friends our whole lives and he’s drag raced in several different classes. It’s going to be cool to see him have this opportunity to work with our team and learn from them. We are glad to have him.”

Tucker is one of several new drivers that are expected to contend for Rookie of the Year honors in 2023 beginning with the Camping World NHRA Drag Racing opener, the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, March 9-12, at Gainesville Raceway.