Dirt
Erica Enders is
Still Fighting
Y
es, Erica Enders is well aware this isn’t the season
everyone had envisioned coming off back-to-back Pro Stock
world championships. No, she didn’t think the transition to the
new rules for the class, the switch to a new manufacturer, a new
car and a new engine development program would take as long as it has.
And, yes, Enders has heard some of the whispers at the track and read
some of the thoughts from naysayers online who take a bit of delight in
watching her struggles this year. But if you think any of that is going to
keep Enders from pushing forward, then you may just be unfamiliar with
how Enders, the first-ever female event winner and world champion in
Pro Stock, and her Elite Motorsports team operate.
“The easiest thing in the entire world is to quit,” Enders says. “It’s not in
my makeup and it’s not in any of my guys’ makeup, so a lot of it is going
to be proving everybody wrong. We’ve done that every step of the way
throughout my career.
28 | D r a g
I l l u s t r a t e d | DragIllustrated.com
“We hate the fact that we suck, but at the same time we just continue to
dig deep and work hard, and that’s what going to turn the tables for us. I’m
still very optimistic about the program and what’s to come for us. I have
all the faith in the world the great places we’re headed. It’s just going to
take a little time to get there.”
That unflappable demeanor has been a mainstay for Enders ever since
joining the Pro Stock ranks more than a decade ago. But after winning
15 races over a two-year stretch following the move to Elite Motorsports,
Enders’ calm, composed and collected approach has been tested at nearly
every turn in 2016.
It’s a brave, new world of electronically fuel injected engines, shortened
wheelie-bars and a 10,500 RPM rev-limiters in Pro Stock and nothing
has come easy for Enders. A berth in the Countdown to the Championship isn’t a lock approaching the U.S. Nationals and Enders has yet to
even advance to a final round, much less win a race in a year dominated
Issue 112
PHOTO: NHRA / NATIONAL DRAGSTER
By Josh Hachat