NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Erica Enders saw the makings of a turnaround to her 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season begin to unfold last weekend in Denver. The two-time defending Pro Stock world champion knows that not building off that momentum surge would not only be a huge disappointment, but also a huge blow to her chances of competing for a third straight world title.

 

Enders qualified a season-best second in Denver in her Mopar Performance/Elite Dodge Dart GT, and also earned a round win at the first race of the famed Western Swing.

 

It was a major step forward in what has been a frustrating year in the redesigned Pro Stock class for the Houston native and her Elite Motorsports team, but Enders knows plenty of work remains beginning at this weekend’s 29th annual Toyota NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway. She remains outside of the top 10 in the points standings and after winning 15 races over the past two seasons, Enders is still looking for her first of 2016 heading into wine country.

 

“We definitely need to make up some ground in the points,” said Enders, who sits in 11th place and is nine points out of 10th. “With four races left before the Countdown starts, we are the one car sitting on the outside looking in, but only by a few points. I'm looking forward to heading to Sonoma, the second stop on the Western Swing, and making up some ground. If we have truly turned the corner, it's coming at a perfect time.”

 

Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Jack Beckman (Funny Car), Chris McGaha (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were last year’s winner of an event that will be televised by the FOX national broadcast network for the first time. It is the 15th of 24 events during the 2016 season and will mark a pivotal one for Enders.

 

It may not be a must-win race, but it could be a crossroads event for the talented Enders, who has 21 career Pro Stock wins. If she has turned the corner and takes another step forward in Sonoma, it could prove to be a thrilling finish for Enders and her Elite Motorsports team.

 

This season has very much been a work in progress for Enders, as adjusting to the new Pro Stock class, which features fuel-injected engines, flat hoods, 10,500 RPM rev-limiters and shortened wheelie-bars, has not been easy. But if Denver signifies the start of Enders’ turnaround, she will be ready to make things interesting in the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship. To do that, though, Enders knows she needs to perform in what is expected to be quick conditions in Sonoma.

 

“We're certainly pleased with our performance gains (in Denver),” Enders said. “It shows that our hard work is paying off. Having said that, we still have a long way to go. We'll load up and go to Sonoma definitely with our heads held high because of the gains made here. I'm looking forward to racing at sea level again, or closer to sea level, and kicking (butt) in Sonoma.”

 

Conditions will certainly be far different in Sonoma, which means significant adjustments to Enders’ Dodge Dart GT, but Enders is feeling good vibes coming from the race last weekend. She has been impressed with how hard her team has continued to work through the struggles and Enders believe the team built a significant amount of momentum in Denver.

 

“I think with the gains we made in Denver we can definitely carry those to Sonoma and continue to work on making the car better, making better runs, and me driving awesome,” Enders said. “That definitely is the goal in Sonoma: To pick up where we left off in Denver and go in an even more upward direction.”

 

The class has been dominated by teammates Jason Line and Greg Anderson in 2016, with points leader Line winning seven times and Anderson adding six more. But the duo failed to win for the first time this season in Denver, as veteran racer and 2012 champ Allen Johnson claimed his first win of the season. Enders is one of many in the class who hopes that opens the floodgates, but she will also have to deal with the likes of defending event winner McGaha, teammate and five-time world champion Jeg Coughlin, Bo Butner, who is third in points, Drew Skillman, Shane Gray and Vincent Nobile.

 

Enders, though, has a number of firsts in mind for the weekend, including picking up her first win of 2016 and her first victory at scenic Sonoma Raceway.

 

“I've never won at Sonoma before, but it's one of my favorite tracks on the tour,” Enders said. “Where it's located, being in wine country, sure doesn't hurt. I'm definitely excited to race there. It's been a goal of mine to win at Sonoma for some time because of it being one of my favorite stops. We're looking forward to going back there.”

 

Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 4:30 and 7 p.m. on Friday, July 29, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, July 30, at 1:10 and 5 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, July 31.

 

To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call 800-870-RACE (7223). Tickets also are available online at www.sonomaraceway.com. Kids 12 and under are admitted free on Saturday, July 30, in general admission areas with a paid adult (advance only).