After two seasons of pro stock championship efforts, Elite Motorsports ventured into unfamiliar territory in 2016 and the results were not what they or their corporate partner Mopar wanted. Expectations were high for Jeg Coughlin jr. and Erica Enders as they always are but the results never materialized in the manner that the team wanted and rather than continue on the path that they were on, both sides agreed to end the relationship at the close of the 2016 season.

If anything the season tested the competitive will and spirit of both Coughlin and Enders. Racing from an unfamiliar position of being down on performance, at times by significant amounts, the pair made the most of what they had and did record round wins and some late inning finishes via their raw driving talent. Alan Johnson got a win for Mopar at the Mile High Nationals in Denver which will stand as the bright spot for the company’s pro stock efforts in 2016.

The Chevrolet program at Elite had notable successes and Vincent Nobile ended the season in a fine and highly competitive race car, so the development work on that front should allow Coughlin and Enders to hop right into contenting rides.

The release really says it all below. One thing we’re interested in is Mopar’s expansion in sportsman racing. We’re in the process of digging into that to see what they actually mean.

Here’s the full release from Elite Motorsports and Mopar –

WYNNEWOOD, Okla. (Nov. 16) – Elite Motorsports and Mopar have announced that they will end their partnership at the end of the 2016 racing season.

“I want to thank everyone at Mopar and Dodge, from the top executives to the engineers on to the people helping us at the races for their hard work and dedication,” said Elite Motorsports team owner Richard Freeman. “My guys should be commended. They basically worked around the clock with pretty much zero days off for the entire season, busting their butts to try and give Erica and Jeggy competitive racecars. We look forward to a fresh start into 2017.”

“We thank the entire Elite Motorsports team, including owner Richard Freeman and drivers Erica Enders and Jeg Coughlin Jr. for serving as superb ambassadors of our brand,” said Pietro Gorlier, Head of Parts and Service (Mopar), FCA – Global. “The drivers and team handled themselves with professionalism and class, constantly working hard to break into the winner’s circle. We commend them for their dedication and never-quit attitude, and wish the team, Erica and Jeg nothing but success in their future endeavors.

“For 2017, we will continue our relationship with Don Schumacher Racing in both NHRA Funny Car, which has culminated in four championships in six years, and also in Top Fuel, and we will expand our presence in the NHRA Sportsman ranks.”

Elite Motorsports drivers and multi-time world champions Jeg Coughlin Jr. and Erica Enders both competed with Mopar-backed Dodge Darts in 2016.

“We really wanted to light up the scoreboards this year with our Magneti Marelli offered by Mopar/JEGS.com Dodge Dart but we couldn’t quite get it running where it needed to be,” Coughlin said. “Like Richard, I salute everyone at Mopar and thank them for the effort. We wish them well in 2017 and beyond.”

Enders shared her teammate’s sentiments. “Mopar has been wonderful to work with,” she said. “It seems we were chasing it all year and never really got the cars where we could challenge for wins. Hopefully, we can start writing a new chapter and everyone will move forward into a better situation, including Team Mopar. We wish them nothing but the best because they’ve been great partners.”

Enders won the 2014 and 2015 Pro Stock titles with Elite Motorsports, while Coughlin finished top of the class in 2000, 2002, 2007, 2008 and 2013, prior to his time with Elite Motorsports.