Championship Drag Racing

Torco Racing Fuels NHRA Nationals
Richmond, VA
(October 13-15)

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Driver Profile

Erica Enders GK Motorsports Chevy Cobalt

Richmond, prerace: Pro Stock racer Erica Enders is excited about this weekend's inaugural Torco Racing Fuels NHRA Nationals after an impromptu test session on the way to the track produced some big numbers for her Revive-USA Dodge Stratus R/T.

With co-crew chief Terry Adams filling in for an under-the-weather Enders, the Revive-USA race team posted a slick 6.67-second pass right out of the trailer in Rockingham, N.C., which matched up well with the other top teams at the facility. Adams' time was second quickest of the day. He followed three-time champion Jeg Coughlin's 6.66 and was slightly quicker than Tommy Lee's 6.69 and Dave Connolly's 6.70.

"Testing numbers don't mean a bunch but it's still nice to see that we hung with the big boys," Enders said from her Houston home. "You're never sure what the other teams are trying out but usually when it gets close to a race you tend to think people are trying to do what they want to do at the race itself.

"For instance, we tested last week here in Houston but we were only working on getting the car to launch better. I never went past third gear. This time the guys wanted to run it out the back and obviously they've come across a tune-up the car likes. It's exciting and I can't wait to get in there Friday in Virginia. Hopefully, I'll feel better by then."

It's been a whirlwind for Enders and her father Gregg since they bought their own racing operation at the beginning of September. They've relocated all of their assets to their hometown of Houston and bagged a new major sponsor in Revive-USA, a Dallas-based food, nutrition, and beverage company.

In the power department, Enders has retained crew chief and engine builder David Nickens, another Houstonian, who has been working around the clock to find the group more horsepower.

"These last three races are a flat-out test session for us," Gregg said. "Don't misunderstand me; we still want to win and we feel we'll have a chance to do just that, but the primary goal at this point is to prepare our team and driver for a championship run next year."

Reaching as high as third place, Erica has been in the POWERade top 10 after 14 of 20 races this year. She continues to be the best female racer in class history and her runner-up finish earlier this season in Gainesville was the second of her career. She was also top qualifier in Topeka, Kan., another first for female Pro Stock drivers.

"The next step is to get a win and that's what all this hard work is all about," Erica said. "We're finally living a dream my dad and I have had for years. Now we need to get this car into the winner's circle."

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