Upset-minded two-time World Champ Erica Enders ready to wreak havoc

ST. LOUIS, MO — Currently sixth in the Championship to the Countdown playoff standings, two-time Pro Stock world champ Erica Enders knows a third career victory at Gateway Motorsports Park would propel her up the rankings at the midway point of this year’s title chase. She also knows knocking off a few of the drivers ahead of her would throw a huge wrench in the fight for the sport’s top prize.

“I’m looking forward to tomorrow,” Enders said. “With just four Sundays left in the Countdown, we’ve got a lot of work to do to see if we can move up in the points. Part of that is knocking off the drivers ahead of us in the points so I say line ’em up and let’s go. We’ve worked our way to the top of the mountain twice before so we know what it takes. The plan is to keep chasing it until it’s over.”

Slotted seventh in the elimination field of the sixth annual AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals after a best pass of 6.550 at 210.83 mph, Enders will begin her quest for glory against good friend Allen Johnson, who qualified 10th with a 6.560 at 209.65 mph. Enders and Johnson have not squared off against one another this year.

“Today was fair at best,” Enders said. “That last run was a step in the right direction. The first session of the day, all of our team cars blew the tires off so we basically came back here and changed everything. We turned right around and every single one of us went right down the runway so that is definitely a step in the right direction.

“We get to go to bed tonight knowing that at least our race cars go down the track. That’s always a comforting feeling because you know you have a chance.”

Enders won her 22nd career race earlier this year in Epping, N.H., proving her Melling Performance/Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro is capable of going the distance. She also is a two-time winner at this facility, having won consecutive Pro Stock trophies here in 2012 and 2013.

“It’s been a struggle for about 10 races now, really ever since we won that race up there in Epping,” Enders said. “We continue to work on it. We’ve made about 125 test runs since Indy just trying to figure it out so it’s not for a lack of effort or check writing for that matter.

“I’ve got the best guys in the business in my opinion and I wouldn’t go to battle with anyone else. Like I said, it’s easier to go to bed Saturday night knowing you’ve got a good run under your belt instead of not knowing what the heck is going on. It definitely improves morale and gives us a little confidence going into tomorrow. It’s going to be tough out there tomorrow racing on a nice, warm track.”

Pro Stock eliminations begin at noon, Sunday, and will air live from 1-4 p.m., Sunday, on FOX Sports 1. (All times are local and subject to change.)