Category Archives: Erica Enders

Erica Enders emotional as race against retiring pro Allen Johnson looms

Erica Enders emotional as race
against retiring pro Allen Johnson looms
POMONA, Calif. (Nov. 11) — Two-time Pro Stock champion Erica Enders found herself getting emotional as the race day ladder for the 53rd annual Auto Club NHRA Finals came together and she realized she’d be facing retiring pro and fellow champion Allen Johnson in the opening round of Sunday’s eliminations. Continue reading Erica Enders emotional as race against retiring pro Allen Johnson looms

Erica Enders concludes 2017 season with renewed optimism for bigger things ahead

Erica Enders concludes 2017 season with renewed optimism for bigger things ahead
POMONA, Calif. (Nov. 8) — Returning to the site of her biggest single triumph — the 2014 title-clinching, final-round victory against Jason Line — Erica Enders is prepped to finish the year at this weekend’s 53rd annual Auto Club NHRA Finals with firm designs on a brighter future. Continue reading Erica Enders concludes 2017 season with renewed optimism for bigger things ahead

Nothing but positive Vegas memories for multi-time champ Erica Enders

Nothing but positive Vegas memories
for multi-time champ Erica Enders
LAS VEGAS (Oct. 25) — In her championship years of 2014 and 2015, Erica Enders was untouchable at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, winning six straight events, including both the spring and fall national events and consecutive K&N Filters Horsepower Challenges.

The spunky Texan is hoping to recapture some of that magic this weekend when she returns to her favorite racetrack for the 17th annual NHRA Toyota Nationals, the penultimate race of the 2017 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Continue reading Nothing but positive Vegas memories for multi-time champ Erica Enders

Even in adversity Erica Enders finds encouragement after quarterfinal finish in Dallas

Even in adversity Erica Enders finds encouragement after quarterfinal finish in Dallas
DALLAS (Oct. 15) – Two-time NHRA Pro Stock world champion and proud native Texan Erica Enders, driver of the bright red Melling Performance/Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro, raced to a second-round finish today in eliminations of the AAA Texas NHRA Fallnationals at the Texas Motorplex.

With only two events remaining in the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series in Las Vegas and Pomona, Calif., Enders is optimistic she’ll visit the winner’s circle again this season, but she also laments on a very close loss to Greg Anderson Sunday. Continue reading Even in adversity Erica Enders finds encouragement after quarterfinal finish in Dallas

Weeks of exhaustive testing finally paying dividends for Pro Stock champ Erica Enders

Weeks of exhaustive testing finally paying dividends for Pro Stock champ Erica Enders
DALLAS (Oct. 14) — Ever since her Elite Motorsports race team began to experience a performance downturn a few months ago, two-time Pro Stock world champion Erica Enders has been testing the wheels off Richard Freeman’s Melling Performance/Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro.

It appears all of that extra work, along with some reconfigured parts dreamed up by car builder and crew chief Rick Jones, are paying off big for the 22-time national event winner. Continue reading Weeks of exhaustive testing finally paying dividends for Pro Stock champ Erica Enders

Two-time Pro Stock champ Erica Enders dreams of a ‘white hat’ day in her home state

Two-time Pro Stock champ Erica Enders
dreams of a ‘white hat’ day in her home state
DALLAS (Oct. 8) — Two-time Pro Stock champion Erica Enders scratched a huge entry off her personal bucket list during her 2015 visit to Texas Motorplex when she won the annual AAA Texas NHRA Fallnationals, thereby completing a sweep of the races in her beloved home state of Texas.

As is tradition at the event, Enders was outfitted with a cowboy hat in the winner’s circle and she picked a black one for a very specific reason. Continue reading Two-time Pro Stock champ Erica Enders dreams of a ‘white hat’ day in her home state

For second race in a row, points leader Bo Butner sends Erica Enders home

For second race in a row, points leader
Bo Butner sends Erica Enders home
ST. LOUIS (Oct. 1) — They may be good friends off the track, but two-time Pro Stock champion Erica Enders is getting tired of meeting up with current points leader Bo Butner on race day.

For the second playoff race in a row, Butner eliminated Enders in the quarterfinal round of competition. This time it was at the sixth annual AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway
Motorsports Park.

“We encountered an all-too-familiar issue against Bo — tire shake,” Enders said. “I did my best to drive through it but got it a little out there on the edge. I guess the positive out of it is I still have a racecar that’s not waded up.”

The race against Butner started equally but Enders’ Melling Performance/Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro soon got wildly out of shape, forcing her to push in the clutch and surrender the run. Butner stayed under power and crossed with a 6.561 at 211.66 mph, well ahead of Enders’ 8.408 at
117.33 mph. Continue reading For second race in a row, points leader Bo Butner sends Erica Enders home

Upset-minded two-time world champ Erica Enders ready to wreak havoc

Upset-minded two-time world champ
Erica Enders ready to wreak havoc
ST. LOUIS (Sept. 30) — Currently sixth in the Championship to the Countdown playoff standings, two-time Pro Stock world champ Erica Enders knows a third career victory at Gateway Motorsports Park would propel her up the rankings at the midway point of this year’s title chase. She also knows knocking off a few of the drivers ahead of her would throw a huge wrench in the fight for the sport’s top prize.

“I’m looking forward to tomorrow,” Enders said. “With just four Sundays left in the Countdown, we’ve got a lot of work to do to see if we can move up in the points. Part of that is knocking off the drivers ahead of us in the points so I say line ’em up and let’s go. We’ve worked our way to the top of the mountain twice before so we know what it takes. The plan is to keep chasing it until it’s over.” Continue reading Upset-minded two-time world champ Erica Enders ready to wreak havoc

Back-to-back champ Erica Enders, a back-to-back winner in St. Louis, wants more

Back-to-back champ Erica Enders, a
back-to-back winner in St. Louis, wants more
ST. LOUIS (Sept. 26) — Gateway Motorsports Park has always been a favorite track for two-time Pro Stock world champion Erica Enders, dating back to her adolescence when she raced a Junior Dragster at the facility. Her warm feelings for the track have only strengthened since she’s turned pro, one of many reasons she’s excited to return for this weekend’s sixth annual AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals. Continue reading Back-to-back champ Erica Enders, a back-to-back winner in St. Louis, wants more

Two-time Pro Stock world champion Erica Enders has 50/50 race day in Reading

Two-time Pro Stock world champion
Erica Enders has 50/50 race day in Reading
READING, Pa. (Sept. 24) — The second race of this year’s Countdown to the Championship playoffs ended up just like the first one for two-time Pro Stock champion Erica Enders with the most decorated female in class history going one-up, one-down in eliminations at the 33rd annual Dodge
NHRA Nationals.

Starting race day as the No.9 qualifier, Enders scored a mild upset against eighth ranked driver Chris McGaha by way of a holeshot, meaning her superior reaction time from behind the wheel negated McGaha’s quicker run. She once again left ahead of opponent in the quarterfinals but didn’t quite have enough oomph to stay ahead all the way through the finish line. Continue reading Two-time Pro Stock world champion Erica Enders has 50/50 race day in Reading

World champ Erica Enders dealing with ‘unhappy’ car as Reading turns to eliminations

World champ Erica Enders dealing with
‘unhappy’ car as Reading turns to eliminations
READING, Pa. (Sept. 23) – Two-time Pro Stock world champ Erica Enders only made one decent pass in qualifying for the 33rd annual Dodge NHRA Nationals, but the ever-hopeful Texan says she’s confident team owner Richard Freeman has the crew in place to turn their fortunes around during Sunday’s eliminations at Maple Grove Raceway. Continue reading World champ Erica Enders dealing with ‘unhappy’ car as Reading turns to eliminations

Pro Stock ace Erica Enders focused on flying high in Pennsylvania air

Pro Stock ace Erica Enders focused
on flying high in Pennsylvania air
READING, Pa. (Sept. 19) – As the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series’ Countdown to the Championship playoffs continue with this weekend’s 33rd annual Dodge NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway, two-time Pro Stock world champion Erica Enders has her sights set on gaining traction in championship points by taking her bright red Melling Performance/Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro to another winner’s circle. Continue reading Pro Stock ace Erica Enders focused on flying high in Pennsylvania air

Erica Enders opens 2017 playoffs with quarterfinal showing at NHRA Carolina Nationals

Erica Enders opens 2017 playoffs with
quarterfinal showing at NHRA Carolina Nationals
CONCORD, N.C. (Sept. 17) — Two-time world champion Erica Enders went one-up, one-down Sunday at the first of six races in the 2017 Countdown to the Championship, the 10th annual NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMax Dragway. Continue reading Erica Enders opens 2017 playoffs with quarterfinal showing at NHRA Carolina Nationals

Melling Performance pro Erica Enders excited about eliminations in Charlotte

Melling Performance pro Erica Enders excited about eliminations in Charlotte
CONCORD, N.C. (Sept. 16) — Throughout her record-setting career, two-time Pro Stock champion Erica Enders always has done her best work in pressure-packed situations. When others wilt, she blossoms, which is one of the many reasons she’s excited about the first of six race days left in the 2017 season. Continue reading Melling Performance pro Erica Enders excited about eliminations in Charlotte

Two-time Pro Stock champion Erica Enders says ‘Don’t bet against us’

Two-time Pro Stock champion Erica Enders says ‘Don’t bet against us’
CONCORD, N.C. (Sept. 13) — Erica Enders’ two Pro Stock championships both came in the 10-year-old playoff era so she has intimate knowledge of how the six-race Countdown to the Championship works. With the first playoff race taking place this weekend at zMax Dragway, Enders and her Melling Performance/Elite Motorsports crew know it’s time to put up or shut up. Continue reading Two-time Pro Stock champion Erica Enders says ‘Don’t bet against us’

Erica Enders starts chase for third championship after Indy

Erica Enders starts chase for
third championship after Indy
INDIANAPOLIS (Sept. 4) – Two-time NHRA Pro Stock world champion Erica Enders has been to the winner’s circle at the sport’s biggest race – the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals – in 2015, but she could not return to the hallowed ground at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis this year as the fan-favorite racer bowed out in the opening stanza of eliminations.

Enders, a Houston native and the most acclaimed female racer in the history of Pro Stock, qualified her Melling Performance/Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro in the No. 11 position (6.604 seconds, 209.10 mph). In round one, Enders’ bright red racer had an untimely performance lapse and she was defeated by Chris McGaha, 6.703, 206.99 to 6.660, 206.42.

“We slowed way up,” Enders said. “Until we sort out our issue, we are on a hope and a prayer every time. It’s really an unfortunate situation to be in, especially at Indy.”

Before the 63rd running of the U.S. Nationals, the NHRA mandated a new Goodyear rear tire for Pro Stock competition. The change in how the race car maintains its valuable traction affected some of the factory hot rod teams more than others.

“It’s just more changes and it’s throwing us for a loop, and we have to work on it,” Enders said. “Pro Stock has a had a lot of significant changes in the last three years, but we just have to keep working at it and do our best to just roll with the changes. Rick and Ricky (Jones, crew chiefs) will get it figured out – They always do.”

Despite a disappointing showing in Indy, Enders locked in the No. 6 position in the NHRA playoffs, the Countdown to the Championship, which begins at the next event in Charlotte and continues through five more events concluding in Pomona, Calif. in November.

“After we get back from Indy, we are going testing again,” Enders said. “You know, at some point after all of this hard work and money spent we are bound to figure something out. Our Melling Performance/Elite Motorsports team is resilient and certainly knows how to win championships. We’ll get things straightened out. Continue reading Erica Enders starts chase for third championship after Indy

Two-time Pro Stock world champ Erica Enders remains bullish on her chances in Indy

Two-time Pro Stock world champ Erica Enders remains bullish on her chances in Indy
INDIANAPOLIS (Sept. 3) — Erica Enders has been to the top of the drag racing world twice, finishing as Pro Stock world champion in 2014 and 2015. She’s the most decorated female racer in class history and she even has a victory at the sport’s biggest race — the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals — in 2015.

Maybe that’s why she sounds so bullish on her chances of winning drag racing’s crown jewel for a second time Monday when eliminations begin at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indy. Continue reading Two-time Pro Stock world champ Erica Enders remains bullish on her chances in Indy

Melling Performance extends successful partnership with Erica Enders and Elite Motorsports

Melling Performance extends successful
partnership with Erica Enders and Elite Motorsports
INDIANAPOLIS (Aug. 30) – Following a very successful five-race stint as title sponsor of two-time Pro Stock world champion Erica Enders and her Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro, Melling Performance announced a contract extension through the end of the 2017 season with the most acclaimed female driver in Pro Stock history. Continue reading Melling Performance extends successful partnership with Erica Enders and Elite Motorsports

Native Houstonian Erica Enders heads to U.S. Nationals with her heart firmly in Texas

Native Houstonian Erica Enders heads to
U.S. Nationals with her heart firmly in Texas
INDIANAPOLIS (Aug. 28) — The annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals is drag racing’s biggest event, but native Houstonian Erica Enders admits it will be hard to focus on the task at hand when the weekend arrives considering the epic devastation in her hometown.

“My heart is broken,” Enders said. “It’s impossible to get your mind around this catastrophe. I watch the news and see so many areas I know and they are under 10 feet of water. Most of the people I grew up with around the Cypress area have gotten some level of flooding. It’s going to take months
to recover.

“It’s kind of spooky because 12 years ago this week Richie (Stevens, husband) escaped to Indy after Katrina wiped out his hometown (New Orleans). Now here we are heading back to Indy and my hometown is wiped out. I feel so helpless but we are definitely going to do all we can to raise awareness to help the people of Houston.”

To that end, Enders and her sister Courtney Enders-Lambert are arranging a grassroots campaign to help those affected by Hurricane Harvey. They hope to be collecting donations and dry goods at the U.S. Nationals.

Although under the circumstances, her racing endeavors seem secondary, Enders has a few reasons to be optimistic about her chances of success at this year’s “Big Go.” The Melling Performance/Elite Motorsports team has tested extensively since the last NHRA tour stop in Brainerd, Minn., and she has a long history of success at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis.

“We went straight to Tulsa with my car and my teammate Jeg Coughlin’s car and tested for three straight days,” Enders said. “We made probably 40-50 passes, working 15-plus hours every day. Jeg is taking over now and the team will be in St. Louis testing some more with Vincent Nobile and Alex Laughlin. We will arrive at Indy with lots of new data for all four Elite cars.

“I remember going to Indy in 1994 when they had the inaugural Junior Dragster championships and we were runner-up. Then you take it all the way to 2015 when I won in Pro Stock. That catapulted us to three Countdown wins and we won our second championship going away. Indy’s an historic place and we love being a part of it all.”

Pro Stock drivers can make five qualifying runs, beginning at 7:15 p.m., Friday. There will be two more sessions at 2:30 and 6:15 p.m., Saturday, and another two at 11:30 a.m. and 3:15 p.m., Sunday. Eliminations are slated to start at noon, Monday.

FOX Sports 1 will air live qualifying from 12-2 p.m. and 5-7 p.m., Sunday, and the first round of eliminations live from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Monday. The main FOX Network takes over from there, airing the remainder of eliminations live from 1-4 p.m., Monday. (All times are local and subject to change.)

Progress made with quarterfinal run at Brainerd for two-time champ Erica Enders

Progress made with quarterfinal run at
Brainerd for two-time champ Erica Enders
BRAINERD, Minn. (Aug. 20) — Although she was unable to capture her third career Brainerd win at this weekend’s 36th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, Erica Enders says progress is being made with her Melling Performance/Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro, as witnessed by her race day performance.

After qualifying with a 6.665-second quarter-mile pass at a top speed of 206.42 mph, Enders managed to improve her best time of the event twice on Sunday, first beating teammate Jeg Coughlin Jr. with a 6.659 at 207.78 mph and then running a 6.648 at 207.66 mph in a close loss to Tanner Gray. Continue reading Progress made with quarterfinal run at Brainerd for two-time champ Erica Enders