Erica Enders, driving for the Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage / Melling Performance / SCAG Power Equipment Pro Stock team, captured her milestone 50th NHRA national event win on Monday at the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals held at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. This victory also marked her 49th win in the Pro Stock category and ended a challenging season-long winless streak.
Enders defeated Matt Hartford in the final round with a flawless 6.564-second run at 209.95 mph, surpassing Hartford’s 6.609-second pass at 209.04 mph. This triumph stands as Enders’ fourth U.S. Nationals win, reinforcing her position as the most successful female driver in NHRA history at this prestigious event. It was her first victory of the year, breaking a 30-race drought for the six-time world champion.
Overcoming One of the Toughest Years in Her Career
Reflecting on the difficulties faced throughout the 2024 season, Enders described the ongoing struggle behind the scenes. She compared the current challenges to those experienced in 2016, when the team underwent a manufacturer change, admitting that this year’s struggles felt more unexpected given the momentum carried from the previous season.
That monkey’s been on our back since Gainesville season opener in 2024, and it’s been grueling. The only thing I can relate it to is our 2016 season when we changed manufacturers. The reason why this year’s more painful is because it was unexpected. We didn’t have anything crazy going on. We left last year, doing well, collectively as a team, and we came out this year and the scoreboard did not tell us what the dyno was telling us. It has been super challenging,
Enders said.
Enders also admitted that the mental toll was significant during this period, with doubts about her confidence and equipment creeping in. However, she credited her team and inner circle for their unwavering belief in her abilities, enabling her to push through the tough times.
It’s mentally tough, you lose confidence in yourself and your equipment, but my guys didn’t lose confidence in their abilities or in me, and without them, I wouldn’t be here. I kind of wondered if I still had it,
Enders continued.
And my team owner, Richard Freeman, he likes to yell and cuss at me and tell me how stupid I am for thinking that, but I really did think it, and it took a lot of overcoming, and a lot of help from my inner circle. Without my dad, my sister, my family and the boys that stand behind me, I wouldn’t be here.
Key Matchups on the Road to Victory
Enders secured the No. 3 qualifying position, recording a 6.516-second pass at 211.39 mph, the best qualifying performance of her season. This earned her a first-round matchup against teammate Greg Stanfield, representing Janac Brothers Racing / The Rod Shop. Both drivers delivered their fastest runs of the weekend, with Enders narrowly beating Stanfield’s 6.542-second effort due to her quicker 6.513-second time at 211.10 mph.
Advancing to the second round, Enders faced another teammate, Aaron Stanfield, Greg’s son. Despite both drivers achieving a strong reaction time off the starting line, Aaron Stanfield’s engine encountered a malfunction, ending his run early. Enders took the win with a 6.540-second pass at 211.00 mph.
The semifinals pitched Enders against Dallas Glenn, the regular-season champion. Glen committed a red-light foul at the start, giving Enders an advantage. She crossed the finish line in 6.566 seconds at 211.00 mph, advancing to the final round for the 84th time in her career.
Reflecting on a Career-Defining Milestone
Emotions ran high for Enders as she celebrated the significance of her 50th national event win. She looked back to her early days in the sport, recalling her first final round at the inaugural Junior Dragster Nationals in 1994, drawing a parallel between her youthful aspirations and her current achievement.
We finally got number 50, Enders said.
As a little girl in 1994 rolling under that arch right there, for my first final round at the inaugural Junior Dragster Nationals, the feelings are very, very similar. And here we are, 30 something odd years later. To get my 50th here at Indy, at the US. Nationals, I don’t know a better book that can be written, and I thank the good Lord for that.
Looking Ahead to the NHRA Countdown to the Championship
The victory at Indianapolis sets the stage for the upcoming NHRA Countdown to the Championship, the six-race playoff series of the Mission Foods NHRA Drag Racing Series. The first event of the Countdown will take place at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pennsylvania, from September 12-14, featuring the 40th annual NHRA Reading Nationals.
