SEATTLE, WA — The Pro Stock field for the NHRA Northwest Nationals this weekend at Pacific Raceways is so insanely close that Elite Motorsports driver Erica Enders is only .008-second off the quickest qualifying time but sits No. 7.
The top eight are less than a hundredth of a second apart, as Enders and Jason Line had identical elapsed times of 6.509 seconds, with Enders getting the higher position based on a faster speed, 212.16 mph to 212.06 mph.
“It’s the closest field that I can remember,” Enders said. “I’ve been racing a long time, and to have the top eight separated by a hundredth of a second is crazy.”
The close competition means race day should be extremely competitive, with drivers likely to be the difference between winning and losing, and the 2014 Pro Stock World Champion wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Tomorrow is going to be a driver’s race, and to be quite honest I’m perfectly fine with that,” Enders said. “I’m excited about the opportunity to race in Seattle again. It’s been really nice to hear how excited all the fans have been to have us back.
“I’m hoping for a long race day tomorrow. It’s going to be crazy, crazy competitive.”
Enders and her Elite team are racing in Seattle for the first time, as they skipped Sonoma and Seattle last year. Enders is racing in Seattle for the first time since 2013.
Enders is a four-time winner in 2014, and she’s currently second in the Pro Stock points standings with three races remaining before the Countdown to the Championship begins. She kicks off Seattle’s race day against No. 10 qualifier Bo Butner, whose top pass was 6.518 seconds at 212.33 mph.
“He’s a good leaver and his car has been running good,” Enders said. “We’ll all have to be on our game tomorrow, but I have a lot of confidence in myself and my crew. We’ll be ready.”