ENDERS MAKING THE RIGHT MOVES
Sun, 2009-02-22 11:00
Ford’s new slogan encourages consumers to drive one today.
Erica Enders remembers when she got her first opportunity “to drive one today”.
She was standing in the staging lanes with friend and fellow Pro Stock driver Richie Stevens when a concerned crew chief for Ford racer Jim Cunningham approached her in the staging lanes at O’Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis, just last year.
“Mark walked up to me and asked if I wanted to drive,” Enders recalled. Ford’s new slogan encourages consumers to drive one today.
Erica Enders remembers when she got her first opportunity “to drive one today”.
She was standing in the staging lanes with friend and fellow Pro Stock driver Richie Stevens when a concerned crew chief for Ford racer Jim Cunningham approached her in the staging lanes at O’Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis, just last year.
“Mark walked up to me and asked if I wanted to drive,” Enders recalled.
Without hesitation, she obliged and made the next qualifying session.
Enders learned a long time ago, a quick reaction will pay winning dividends in drag racing. There was only one concern for the obviously talented driver. She hadn’t launched in a Pro Stock in almost 16 months when she accepted the offer.
“It was crazy to get in there after so long and it was also crazy to be in front of all those people at the U.S. Nationals,” Enders revealed. “Of course, I had butterflies that first time. I was so happy though and like they say it’s just like riding a bike. You get back into in and it all comes back to you but nothing replaces seat time and I’m stoked to be driving.”
Enders is even more stoked with the potential of the Cunningham Motorsports Ford team, which will receive vital Ford parts direct from the factory.
“The new parts from Ford should be here next week,” Enders said. “Then the blocks and heads and stuff, so we’ll get to work with that and hopefully do some testing before Gainesville. We’re going to make some improvements and we get the new stuff from Ford this summer. The beginning of the year is like R&D for us, with learning the new parts and everything.”
Ford isn’t providing factory backing, but their assistance in the
development of new parts and encouragement of Cunningham’s Pro Stock
team is enough incentive for Enders to get excited.
“Ford getting back in and getting involved is so awesome,” Enders said. “I’m so proud to be driving the only Ford in Pro Stock. It’s really incredible considering what’s going on out there. I’m very, very proud to be driving that car.”
She’s driving a car that requires more than just finesse to commandeer.
“These cars are a true challenge to drive,” Enders added. “I’ve driven a lot; I haven’t driven as long as some other people but I drove Juniors for nine years, Super Comp and Super Gas for five years, and an Alcohol Funny Car, that was a handful.
“This is freaking hard, it’s a true challenge. You learn so much in every pass and as long as you’re learning you’re not making the same mistakes. I love it. It’s my passion; it’s where my heart is definitely.”
Erica Enders remembers when she got her first opportunity “to drive one today”.She was standing in the staging lanes with friend and fellow Pro Stock driver Richie Stevens when a concerned crew chief for Ford racer Jim Cunningham approached her in the staging lanes at O’Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis, just last year.
“Mark walked up to me and asked if I wanted to drive,” Enders recalled. Ford’s new slogan encourages consumers to drive one today.
Erica Enders remembers when she got her first opportunity “to drive one today”.She was standing in the staging lanes with friend and fellow Pro Stock driver Richie Stevens when a concerned crew chief for Ford racer Jim Cunningham approached her in the staging lanes at O’Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis, just last year.
“Mark walked up to me and asked if I wanted to drive,” Enders recalled.
Without hesitation, she obliged and made the next qualifying session.
Enders learned a long time ago, a quick reaction will pay winning dividends in drag racing. There was only one concern for the obviously talented driver. She hadn’t launched in a Pro Stock in almost 16 months when she accepted the offer.
“It was crazy to get in there after so long and it was also crazy to be in front of all those people at the U.S. Nationals,” Enders revealed. “Of course, I had butterflies that first time. I was so happy though and like they say it’s just like riding a bike. You get back into in and it all comes back to you but nothing replaces seat time and I’m stoked to be driving.”
Enders is even more stoked with the potential of the Cunningham Motorsports Ford team, which will receive vital Ford parts direct from the factory.
“The new parts from Ford should be here next week,” Enders said. “Then the blocks and heads and stuff, so we’ll get to work with that and hopefully do some testing before Gainesville. We’re going to make some improvements and we get the new stuff from Ford this summer. The beginning of the year is like R&D for us, with learning the new parts and everything.”
Ford isn’t providing factory backing, but their assistance in the
development of new parts and encouragement of Cunningham’s Pro Stock
team is enough incentive for Enders to get excited.“Ford getting back in and getting involved is so awesome,” Enders said. “I’m so proud to be driving the only Ford in Pro Stock. It’s really incredible considering what’s going on out there. I’m very, very proud to be driving that car.”
She’s driving a car that requires more than just finesse to commandeer.
“These cars are a true challenge to drive,” Enders added. “I’ve driven a lot; I haven’t driven as long as some other people but I drove Juniors for nine years, Super Comp and Super Gas for five years, and an Alcohol Funny Car, that was a handful.
“This is freaking hard, it’s a true challenge. You learn so much in every pass and as long as you’re learning you’re not making the same mistakes. I love it. It’s my passion; it’s where my heart is definitely.”
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