DALLAS (Sept. 18) – Husky Liners Pro Stock driver Erica Enders-Stevens had a solid start to the Countdown to the Championship, but she’s looking for more at the AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals this weekend at Texas Motorplex.
Enders-Stevens reached the semifinals in Charlotte, showing that her Cagnazzi Racing team’s brief layoff did nothing to impede its competitive fire. She gained ground on all but three drivers in the Countdown and moved up to seventh in the Pro Stock standings.
“It’s the second race of the Countdown and is just as important as the other five,” Enders-Stevens said of the Dallas race. “I’m ready. My family and friends are going to be there, and it’ll be an exciting weekend all the way around.”
Enders-Stevens is a Texas native, having been born and raised in Houston. Though she currently lives in New Orleans with husband Richie Stevens, she considers Texas her home state and smiles a little wider when she gets to go home.
Plus, she’s looking for a little redemption from the Dallas race in 2012, when she lost in the final to good friend Allen Johnson.
“I’m a Texas girl through and through, and I’m excited to be going back to my home state to try to take back a win we let slip through our fingers last season,” Enders-Stevens said. “We runner-upped to Brutus (Johnson) in the final when we had an electrical issue and gave the race to him.”
That was with the team’s Chevrolet Cobalt, which has since been replaced by a bright-yellow Husky Liners Camaro that has captured the imagination of her many fans. Of course, Enders-Stevens likes her race car, too, and is hoping to get back to victory lane for the second time this season.
“We’ve certainly got a race car that’s capable of winning if we remain consistent,” Enders-Stevens said. “It’s just getting the car down the racetrack every time, and I hope to drive it to the winner’s circle from there.
“Yes I’m confident in my car and myself. I’m ready to go. I’m glad to be back in my home state.”
Qualifying for the AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals gets under way at 2:15 p.m. CDT on Friday from Texas Motorplex and continues at 11:15 a.m. on Saturday. Eliminations will be at 11 a.m. on Sunday. ESPN News will broadcast the qualifying show at 11:30 p.m. EDT on Saturday and ESPN2 will air the eliminations show at 8:30 p.m. on Sunday.