Erica Enders capped off her historic 2012 season – one where she won four times, becoming the first woman to win the NHRA Pro Stock category – with a change: her name. She married long-time boyfriend and fellow Pro Stock driver Richie Stevens in the off-season, and now has her sights set on a different ring: an NHRA championship ring.
“Last year was a dream year for me and I’m very blessed,” said Enders-Stevens. “The competitiveness in me wants to capitalize on that this year and do even better. Our sights are set on the championship. We’ve definitely got the team, the car and power to do so. We’re very excited about this year and plan to do better than last year.”
Enders-Stevens, who finished fourth in points last season, had a rough season opener last weekend at the NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, California. After qualifying third for the event, she suffered a first-round loss thanks to a rare engine problem on her GK Motorsports Chevy Cobalt. She’s glad to be heading to Firebird International Raceway this weekend for the NHRA Arizona Nationals.
“I’m really excited to be a part of the new Mello Yello Drag Racing season,” said Enders-Stevens. “Phoenix is a home town for me. I have a lot of family there. We performed well in Phoenix last year. It was definitely a race we should have won and I want to go back and get it!”
She’ll have plenty of competition for the Arizona Nationals Wally, including current points leader Vincent Nobile, winner at the Winternationals, 2012 Pro Stock champ Allen Johnson and his new teammate, four-time Pro Stock champ Jeg Coughlin Jr., and perennial favorites Jason Line and Greg Anderson.
Follow the action leading up to the NHRA Arizona Nationals at www.nhra.com.
Quotes in this piece provided by the NHRA.
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