Championship Drag Racing

ACDelco NHRA Gatornationals
Gainesville, FL
(March 16-19)

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Driver Profile

Erica Enders GK Motorsports Chevy Cobalt

Gainesville, Sunday: Pro Stock driver Erica Enders had an impressive showing during Sunday's final eliminations at the 37th running of the ACDelco NHRA Gatornationals.  Enders made it to her second ever professional final, and she did so with her driving.

Enders won her first two rounds on holeshots, winning despite having slower elapsed times. Then she took the win in the semi-final when her opponent Ron Krisher fouled by only .007 of a second.

The second year pro then faced Tom Martino in the final, in hopes of making drag racing history by becoming the first woman ever to win an NHRA Pro Stock National Event.  History would have to wait however, as Enders' Slammers Ultimate Milk Chevy Cobalt jumped off the line and sashayed left and right before Enders quickly brought it back under control.  The result was Enders' second ever professional runner-up finish, which moves her into third place in the National POWERade points standings.

"We knew we needed to be in the .60's to have a shot in the final," Crew Chief, Roy Simmons said. "We swung for the fence and we missed it, it's as simple as that."

In spite of the final round loss, Enders is still very pleased with today's results.

"My guys are heroes," Enders said. "We struggled in qualifying, but they put together three great runs when it counted. They are awesome."

Enders crew feels differently.

"Today was all Erica," Simmons said. "Our car was ok, but she was the hero. Not only did we win those rounds because of her reaction times, but then in the final when the car was all over the place, she recovered like a champ. For those people who still question Erica's driving, I hope they saw what she did here today."

"Overall It's amazing to do this well, especially with all the Slammers folks we had here for the first time," Enders said. "I think the drag racing bug bit a lot of them this weekend, and that is a very good thing. I can't wait to get them to some more races, and I also can't wait to give them that first ever win. They deserve it!"

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