Defending Dallas race title still has meaning for ‘Texas girl’ Erica Enders

DALLAS, TX — Erica Enders put a stranglehold on her second consecutive NHRA Pro Stock title by winning last year’s AAA Texas NHRA Fallnationals, which takes place again this weekend at Texas Motorplex near Dallas. Although she’s realistically out of the hunt for this year’s championship, defending her race title still has significant meaning for the Lone Star State native.

“I’m a Texas girl through and through,” said Enders, who grew up in Houston and has raced at Texas Motorplex since she was 8 years old. “I always love being home and the Motorplex was pretty much my second home track next to Houston Raceway Park, so yes, this race is very important to me.

“We were on such a roll last year and winning this race put us in a really good position to clinch our second championship with just two races left. We were able to get it done the following race in Las Vegas so obviously the win in Texas was pivotal.

“I loved getting the cowboy hat and belt buckle they give the winners also. That had always been on my drag racing bucket list.”

Enders and her championship race team at Elite Motorsports made the decision to switch to an Elite Motorsports/Mopar Dodge Dart after 2015 and the learning curve has been significant. After winning a record nine races in 2015, Enders hasn’t scored a victory this year, but the ever-confident driver hasn’t let it dampen her spirits too much.

“The nature of this sport is full of peaks and valleys,” Enders said. “Believe me, I’ve experienced it all out here and compared to years I’ve had in the past, this season hasn’t been that bad.

“Certainly you get used to winning and even dominating at times. That’s why we all work so hard. But every driver, every champion out here has experienced years like this. The good news is our team hasn’t fallen apart and I know we’ll come back better than ever. Right now, we’re just focused on finishing the year strong.”

Pro Stock qualifying sessions are scheduled for 4:15 and 7:15 p.m., Friday, and 12:45 and 3:45 p.m., Saturday. Eliminations start at noon, Sunday. FOX Sports 1 will broadcast qualifying action live from 7:30-8:30 p.m., Friday. Eliminations will air live from 2-5 p.m., Sunday. (All times listed in ET).

“I’m going to have fun this weekend,” Enders said. “We’ll have lots of friends and family around, including a bunch of people from Oklahoma, which is where our shop is located, so it’ll be a good time. And we’ll do our best to race hard also.”