GAINESVILLE, FL — After picking up right where she left off at the end of the 2014 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season, defending Pro Stock champion Erica Enders-Stevens is looking to continue her hot streak and capture her first victory of 2015 at this weekend’s Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Auto-Plus Raceway.
“My mentality is positive, optimistic, and excited about the races to come,” Enders-Stevens said. “I think that we have a lot to look forward to. As long as we figure out what happened in the final round in Phoenix and learn from it, we’ll be good to go.
“This new fuel and tire combination is a challenge that we’ve had to work to overcome so far. I’m confident in my guys, though, that we’re going to get there and we’ll be all right in the end when it matters.”
Sitting second in the points standings, just 21 points behind fellow Elite Performance companion Rodger Brogdon, Enders-Stevens isn’t concerned with how the first two races have gone for her and her team. In fact, she couldn’t be happier with how well things are working out for everyone at Elite Motorsports.
“Going into Gainesville, usually the weather is conducive for some record-setting runs,” Enders-Stevens said. “You can bet your bottom dollar that we’ll be swinging for the fences this weekend.
“I’ve got all the faith in the world in my guys, but the most important part is to just go out there and have fun. It’s still early in the season, and as long as we’re learning and enjoying ourselves, what better place is there to be than racing together.”
Qualifying sessions are scheduled for 12:45 and 3:45 p.m. ET, Friday, and noon and 3 p.m., Saturday. Eliminations will start at approximately noon Sunday, with both qualifying and elimination action broadcast on ESPN2 on tape-delay basis.