There are more plans, more work to be done for Erica Enders and her evolving Pro Stock race team as she closes out a topsy-turvy 2006 NHRA season and refuels for a more concentrated drive next year.

“We’re all competitive,” said Enders, a 22-year-old driver from Houston competing in her second full season in the NHRA pro ranks. “We want to win and we’re working our butts off to get there.”

Getting there has been a challenging trip. A change in teams, a series of DNQs – did not qualify – and a new sponsorship package have followed Enders and her crew on an up-and-down adventure through the Pro Stock fast lane.

There are more plans, more work to be done for Erica Enders and her evolving Pro Stock race team as she closes out a topsy-turvy 2006 NHRA season and refuels for a more concentrated drive next year.

“We’re all competitive,” said Enders, a 22-year-old driver from Houston competing in her second full season in the NHRA pro ranks. “We want to win and we’re working our butts off to get there.”

Getting there has been a challenging trip. A change in teams, a series of DNQs – did not qualify – and a new sponsorship package have followed Enders and her crew on an up-and-down adventure through the Pro Stock fast lane.

But the Enders’ camp is certain it has narrowed the chase. Better finishes and that elusive first Pro Stock victory are near.

“We feel really optimistic (about ’07),” said Gregg Enders, Erica’s father and team manager. “But it’s competitive. It’s the toughest competition, in my mind. It’s a tough field, but it’s what Erica wanted to do, and we feel we can do this.”

The Enders made some bold moves this year, leaving the Victor Cagnazzi operation and joining the Don Schumacher Racing empire at midseason. Enders denied rumors about communication problems with Cagnazzi’s team, opting for the switch to a DSR-supported Dodge Stratus when the tour entered the Western State summer swing.

Enders Racing eventually bought the assets to Schumacher’s Mopar SRT team after the U.S. Nationals over the Labor Day weekend. Ten days later, they signed a primary sponsorship deal with Revive-USA, a Dallas-based food, nutrition, and beverage company making its first venture into the NHRA. The sponsorship deal is good for the rest of the season with a three-year option.

Under the arrangement, Houston-based Enders Racing will be affiliated under the DSR umbrella through associate sponsorship deals, show cars and personal appearances.

David Nickens, who was hired by Schumacher earlier in the season to replace Bob Glidden, will tune for Enders. His engine shop is conveniently located in the Houston suburb of Conroe.

“I love David, and the fact he’s in our hometown works out great for all of us,” Erica Enders said. “He’s worked extremely hard on his engine program and now that he’s close to debuting his own engines, we’re confident we’ll be right back in the mix.

“This has turned into a transition year for us, but it’s what we wanted, ultimately. It’ll be good to have some warm-up time for 2007.”

 

 

 

Enders debuted the Revive-USA Dodge Stratus R/T at the O’Reilly Fall Nationals near Dallas recently, but failed to qualify for the 16-car show. Knowing more work has to be done during her transition season, Enders has failed to qualify in her last six races.

Despite the pains of change, Gregg Enders insists he wanted more control over the racing operation and the direction of his daughter’s career.

“I can’t really speak for other teams but in the case of Erica’s program, it was her desire from the racing standpoint to own and operate her own team,” he said. “We had a partner with Victor. We had a great run over there, but there were things we couldn’t do under Victor’s umbrella.”

Under the DSR deal, Enders Racing will share expertise and be able to pursue endorsements and other marketing opportunities. A book and a move sequel about Enders’ career also are in the works, the elder Enders said.

Schumacher and Enders are able to share resources but operate separately.

Just as Melanie Troxel has done for Top Fuel, Enders has brought added attention to an already star-filled Pro Stock division.

 

At the age of 21, Erica Enders was the subject of a Disney Channel original movie, “Right On Track,” which chronicled her successful Jr. Dragster Racing start along with that of her sister Courtney.

She began racing at age 8 and by the time she was 9, earned her first NHRA “Wally.” She left the Jr. Dragster division with 37 event wins to become the first driver to graduate from the program and earn a full-time ride in the pro ranks.

She then graduated from the Frank Hawley Drag Racing School with her Super Comp license on her 16th birthday. Then in her first Super Comp race, she made it to the finals against the defending champion and eventually won five races in her rookie year.

Two years ago, Enders became the 35th woman in NHRA history to earn a national event victory when she won at Houston in Super Gas.

Enders began competing in the Pro Stock class in 2005, following a succession of rides in the sportsmen ranks, including Super Gas, Super Comp and Top Alcohol Funny Car.

In 42 career Pro Stocks races, she has qualified No. 1 once, and has reached two finals, three semifinals and six quarterfinals. Her career-best elapsed time is 6.670 seconds (Chicago, 2005) with a top speed of 207.56 mph (Englishtown, N.J., 2006).

“It’s a tough class, but it’s a fun class and it’s a huge sense of accomplishment if you do this well,” Gregg Enders said. “You’re driving one-handed, shifting and being really busy in the car. … You can’t just throw fuel and clutch at this. This is more finesse, and everybody is challenged by that.”

The Pro Stock category fits Enders’ speed and style. Just last year as a rookie, she became the first woman in NHRA history to qualify in the upper half of a Pro Stock field and became the first lady to reach a final round in the category.

“I’ve always wanted to be a professional driver and the opportunity came about for me to drive in Pro Stock,” she said. “I just love it. They say it’s a driver’s class and I wanted to give it a shot.”

She also wants to make her own mark in the category.

 

“Not a lot of females have competed in Pro Stock and I wanted to be the first to win a championship,” said Enders, who is on track to finish her degree in business administration at Texas A&M. “They say that there is a reason why women haven’t been successful in this class and I want to prove them wrong.

“Racing is what I plan to do for the rest of my life. I love it so much. I wouldn’t change my life for anything.”