{"id":20890,"date":"2018-08-02T11:15:12","date_gmt":"2018-08-02T16:15:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/?p=20890"},"modified":"2018-08-02T11:21:43","modified_gmt":"2018-08-02T16:21:43","slug":"two-time-nhra-pro-stock-world-champ-erica-enders-not-content-heading-to-catspot-nhra-northwest-nationals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2018\/08\/02\/two-time-nhra-pro-stock-world-champ-erica-enders-not-content-heading-to-catspot-nhra-northwest-nationals\/","title":{"rendered":"Two-time NHRA Pro Stock world champ Erica Enders not content heading to CatSpot NHRA Northwest Nationals"},"content":{"rendered":"

Courtesy of the NHRA<\/em><\/p>\n

KENT, Wash. \u2013 It has been a banner 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series<\/a> season for Erica Enders<\/strong>, who has recorded six final round appearances over the last 11 races. But with only one of those finals showings resulting in a win, the two-time Pro Stock world champion is looking for more heading to this weekend\u2019s 31st annual CatSpot NHRA Northwest Nationals<\/strong> at Pacific Raceways<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Erica Enders. NHRA photo<\/p><\/div>\n

The race finishes off the famed three-race NHRA Western Swing, and is also the site of Enders\u2019 second career win in the class. With her Melling Performance\/Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro consistently running at a high level in 2018, Enders knows there is the potential for more victories in the highly-competitive Pro Stock class and she hopes to finish her Western Swing on a good note.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re definitely running better as a whole and I would personally love to stick the car in the winner\u2019s circle in Seattle,\u201d said Enders, who is currently third in Pro Stock points. \u201cIt\u2019s very important to keep going and continue to position ourselves better. I feel like we\u2019ve left a ton on the table. In Denver and Sonoma, I\u2019ve done a way better job of driving, so I am ready for a little redemption and I\u2019m ready to get after it. I want to win another championship and I have the best people in the world around me. The sky is the limit for this group.\u201d<\/p>\n

Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car), and Drew Skillman (Pro Stock) were last year\u2019s winners of the event that will be televised on FOX Sports 1 and the FOX national broadcast network, including live final eliminations on FOX starting at 4 p.m. (ET) on Sunday. It is the 16th of 24 events during the 2018 NHRA season and only two races follow it before the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship, where Enders finds herself in a good position.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Erica Enders. NHRA photo<\/p><\/div>\n

She was the points leader heading into Denver and teammate Jeg Coughlin Jr. picked up his third win of 2018 last weekend in Sonoma, meaning things are going well for Elite Motorsports. But after a red light in a final round and a loss on a holeshot in another, Enders is far from content heading into crunch time of the 2018 season. She was refocused on the starting line to start the Western Swing and that could translate into more victories this season.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s exciting to have been in six finals, but at the same time it\u2019s a little disheartening to only have one win,\u201d said Enders, who has 23 career wins. \u201cBut I think the tide will turn. We\u2019re blessed to be in the position we\u2019re in and we have a consistent, good racecar. We\u2019ve got a tremendous team and I\u2019m confident there are a lot of good things to come. Jeg has been an awesome addition to this program and is such a tremendous driver. I\u2019ve learned a lot from him and we work well together.\u201d<\/p>\n

Enders will face off against a talented group of Pro Stock drivers in a year that has featured nine different class winners, including Denver winner and points leader Greg Anderson. The list also includes Tanner Gray, Vincent Nobile, Chris McGaha, defending world champ Bo Butner, Matt Hartford and Deric Kramer, but Enders has plenty of good memories heading to Pacific Raceways. The most prominent includes her 2012 win, where she shared the winner\u2019s circle with Courtney Force, marking the first time in NHRA history two females won at the same event.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was definitely a really crazy, cool year for me and the start of the next couple years of success,\u201d said Enders, who won world titles in 2014 and 2015. \u201cBut it\u2019s a dogfight in this class and it\u2019s just super competitive right now. But everything fits really well for our entire race program and it\u2019s a great environment, and that trickles down from the top (and team owner Richard Freeman).\u201d<\/p>\n

Top Fuel\u2019s Brown is still seeking his first win of 2018. The three-time world champion is chasing points leader Steve Torrence, who has five wins this year, and must also deal with the likes of Denver winner Leah Pritchett, Clay Milican, Brittany Force and Tony Schumacher.<\/p>\n

Defending Funny Car world champion and event winner Hight heads to Seattle on a good note after winning in Sonoma. After John Force\u2019s win in Denver, John Force Racing will looking for a Western Swing sweep against the likes of Ron Capps, Matt Hagan and J.R. Todd.<\/p>\n

The event features thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series as well, showcasing the future stars of the sport, as well as the Mickey Thompson Tires NHRA Top Fuel Harley Drag Racing Series.<\/p>\n

Those in attendance will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to interact with a few of the most renowned names in drag racing during the NHRA Legends Tour. This will feature meet-and-greets, autograph sessions, and a variety of other activities. Legends scheduled to attend CatSpot NHRA Northwest Nationals include Pat Austin and more.<\/p>\n

As always, fans can interact with their favorite drivers as they\u2019re granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. This unique opportunity gives fans direct access to the teams, allowing them to see firsthand the highly-skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds, and get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers.<\/p>\n

Fans also will want to visit NHRA\u2019s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create a carnival atmosphere, with interactive displays, simulated competitions, merchandise, food and fun for the entire family.<\/p>\n

Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 3 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, Aug. 4, at 1:30 and 4:00 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 5.<\/p>\n

To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call 253-639-5927. Tickets also are available online at www.pacificraceways.com<\/a>. Kids 12 and under are free in general admission areas with a paid adult. To honor the Salute to First Responders, military and first responders can save 20 percent on general admission tickets at the gate. For more information about the NHRA visitwww.NHRA.com.  <\/a>;<\/p>\n

CATSPOT NHRA NORTHWEST NATIONALS<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

WHAT:<\/strong> 31st annual CatSpot NHRA Northwest Nationals, the 16th of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Drivers in three categories – Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock – earn points leading to 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championships. The NHRA Lucas Oil Series also will be featured at this event.<\/p>\n

WHERE:<\/strong> Pacific Raceways, Kent, Wash. The track is located 10 miles east of Interstate 5 on Highway 18. From I-5, use Exit 142A (Auburn exit) and travel east 10 miles on Highway 18, following the signs to the track. From other points, use Highway 18 and exit S.E. 304th St. or S.E. 312th St.<\/p>\n

COURSE:<\/strong>   Championship drag strip; Track elevation is 280 feet above sea level; Track direction is east to west.<\/p>\n

WHEN:<\/strong> Friday through Sunday, Aug. 3-5<\/p>\n

SCHEDULE:<\/strong> 
\nFRIDAY, Aug. 3- LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying
\nMELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 3:30 and 5:30 p.m.<\/p>\n

 SATURDAY, Aug. 4- LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations 
\n MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 1:30 and 4 p.m.<\/p>\n

SUNDAY, Aug. 5 – Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m. 
\nMELLO YELLO SERIES eliminations begin at 11 a.m.<\/p>\n

TELEVISION:<\/strong> 
\nFriday, Aug. 3, FS1 will televise one hour of live qualifying coverage at 7 p.m. (ET).
\nSaturday, Aug. 4, FS1 will televise one and a half hours of qualifying coverage at 10 p.m. (ET).
\nSunday, Aug. 5, FOX will televise three hours of live finals coverage at 4 p.m. (ET).<\/p>\n

2017 EVENT WINNERS:<\/strong>   
\nAntron Brown, Top Fuel; Robert Hight, Funny Car; Drew Skillman, Pro Stock.<\/p>\n

MOST VICTORIES:<\/strong> 
\nJohn Force, 8, FC; Bob Glidden, 6, PS; Joe Amato, 5, TF; Warren Johnson, 4, PS; Tony Schumacher, 4, TF.<\/p>\n

TRACK RECORDS:<\/strong>  
\nTop Fuel – 3.685 sec. by Antron Brown, Aug. \u201816; 330.47 mph by Steve Torrence, Aug. \u201816.
\nFunny Car – 3.832 sec. by Del Worsham, Aug. \u201916; 334.15 mph by Jack Beckman, Aug. \u201816.
\nPro Stock – 6.488 sec. and 213.40 mph by Chris McGaha, Aug. \u201815.
\n 
\nNATIONAL RECORDS:<\/strong> 
\nTop Fuel – 3.628 sec. by Clay Millican, Feb. ’18, Pomona, Calif.; 336.57 mph by Tony Schumacher, Feb. \u201818, Phoenix
\nFunny Car – 3.793 sec. by Robert Hight, Aug. ’17, Brainerd; 339.87 mph by Robert Hight, July \u201917, Sonoma, Calif.
\nPro Stock – 6.455 sec. by Jason Line, March \u201915, Charlotte, N.C.; 215.55 mph by Erica Enders, May \u201914, Englishtown N.J.
\n 
\nTICKETS:<\/strong> For tickets call (800) 884-NHRA (6472). Tickets may also be purchased online at http:\/\/www.NHRA.com\/tickets<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Courtesy of the NHRA KENT, Wash. \u2013 It has been a banner 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season for Erica Enders, who has recorded six final round appearances over the last 11 races. But with only one of those finals showings resulting in a win, the two-time Pro Stock world champion is looking […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":676,"featured_media":16487,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[4],"tags":[636,46,6,468],"class_list":["post-20890","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nhra","tag-catspot-nhra-northwest-nationals","tag-erica-enders","tag-nhra","tag-pacific-raceways"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/2018_Enders_Erica_Action.jpg?fit=2250%2C1500","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7hzTZ-5qW","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20890","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/676"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20890"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20890\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20892,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20890\/revisions\/20892"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16487"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20890"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20890"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20890"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}