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Enders just misses 4th consecutive victory

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Enders just misses 4th consecutive victory
Photo: Erica Enders Racing/Geiger Media

Elite Motorsports driver and current NHRA Pro Stock points leader Erica Enders just misses 4th consecutive victory with a runner-up finish at the 4th Annual AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals on Sunday at Gateway Motorsports Park.

After qualifying in the No. 3 spot, Enders continues to prove unstoppable at the tree, with another stellar driving display in St. Louis.  Last week, she became the first driver in NHRA history to win three consecutive finals on holeshots when she won in Charlotte, and looked to be on track to extend that historic marker this weekend,  leaving first on all her opponents, including reaction times of .002, .002, and .003 in her last three rounds.
“I’m super comfortable in the car,” Enders said. “I know what I’m capable of, I know what my guys are capable of, and that gives me peace of mind. I’m able to go out there and do my job. We’re going to leave with our heads held high, go to Reading, and try to continue to spread the points on those KB boys.”
Enders began her day by blitzing Alex Laughlin with a pass of 6.586 seconds at 210.87 mph, to his losing 6.819 second at 200.23 mph run.   Crew chiefs Rick and Rickie Jones and Mark Ingersoll made improvements on her Transportation Impact Camaro for her second round matchup against Elite teammate Vincent Nobile.  Enders left with a .002 light advantage and made a pass of 6.620 seconds at 211.66 mph to get the win over Nobile, who ran a 6.561 second at 210.31 mph E.T.
Another incredible .002 light gave Enders a holeshot on semifinal opponent Bo Butner, who made the quicker pass, a 6.520 at 212.43 mph, but Enders’ 6.524-second pass at 212.06 mph was enough to hold him off and put her in the final round.

Enders just misses 4th consecutive victory

In the final, Enders again had an unbelieveable .003 light, but her car went into uncharacteristic tire shake.  All she could do was abort the run and watch teammate Drew Skillman get his first career victory with a pass of 6.529 at 211.63 mph.
“Of course we want to win, but today was Drew’s day,” Enders said. “It was just meant to be for him. If I have to lose, I’m glad it’s to my teammate, so we’re still able to share the winner’s circle under the Elite Motorsports banner.”
By racing to the final round, Enders extended her points lead to 113 over KB Racing driver Greg Anderson, who lost in the second round.
“It was a great points day,” Enders said. “The competitor side of us allows us to be frustrated when we don’t win, but we’ll go back and go through our notes, and one of us will stay and test tomorrow. It’s a great day. A.J. helped us a lot by beating Greg second round, and I was able to put another 40-point spread on him.  That’s all that matters. We’ve got to keep pace. I really wanted to win four in a row and have eight for the season and have those records, but God has a bigger plan, and I’m OK with that. We’ve got our eye on the big prize.”

Second round loss for Alexis Dejoria

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second round loss for Alexis DeJoria
Photo: Alexis DeJoria Racing

NHRA’s Alexis DeJoria, driver of the Patrón XO Café Incendio Toyota Camry Funny Car, struggled in qualifying for the second consecutive weekend at the 4th Annual AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals in St. Louis, MO.   She was able to regroup and recover on eliminations day, but bowed out in the second round

Lackluster Qualifying Position

After a 4.073 run in her second qualifying attempt, Alexis DeJoria was unable to make her way cleanly down the track in qualifying.   That 4.073 second pass was good enough at the time for the sixth provisional spot, but was bumped back into the 12th position before racing began on Sunday.

Second round loss for Alexis DeJoria

Her first round match up would be against Tommy Johnson Jr., who had eliminated her just one week prior in Charlotte.   DeJoria was ready for a chance to return the favor, and the pair left together at the tree.   She would charge ahead by the finish line, running her first three second pass on the weekend and defeating Tommy Johnson Jr, 3.966 second E.T at 292.77 mph to his losing 4.332 second E.T. at 211.49 mph.

Second round loss for Alexis DeJoria
Photo: Alexis DeJoria Racing

In the second round she would face Ron Capps.   Although she posted another consistent light, traction issues returned and the Patrón XO Café Incendio Toyota Camry Funny Car fell to tire smoke before half-track against Ron Capps, resulting in a second round loss for Alexis DeJoria.

“Very much like our last weekend in Charlotte, we did not qualify the best but we got in the show and that is all that matters,” said DeJoria. “In the first round, we ran our best time of the entire weekend and won the round. We went into the second round and shook the tires. I still feel like we can do something in these last few races. We are just trying to find that consistency. I have to just keep sticking to my guns and work on my part and hope the best. I have the upmost faith in my team and I know we will have something for them in Reading.”

Alexis entered the weekend 7th in points for the Countdown to the Championship.   She leaves the event in the same position, 204 points outside of the leader, teammate Del Worsham (unofficial results).

Brittany Force throws the first pitch

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Brittany Force throws the first pitch at St. Louis Cardinals home game

Brittany Force throws first pitch
NHRA fuel dragster driver Brittany Force throws the first pitch at the St. Louis Cardinals game, September 24, 2015 Photos by Bill Greenblatt/UPI

Thursday evening,  NHRA Top Fuel driver Brittany Force took the mound at Busch Stadium for the ceremonial first pitch before the Cardinals defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 7-3.     Beforehand, Brittany Force, the 2013 NHRA Rookie of the Year, was nervous but excited.

“I was nervous about it all day and really have been nervous since we decided to do it. I had a bad experience throwing out the first pitch once before. I told myself I would never do that again. I decided to give it another try at the Cardinals game. We had a busy day before the pitch with a press conference and media interviews,” said Force. “We actually got down on the field for a few minutes and then we had some time to wait. I asked the Cardinals staff if there was a place I could practice. I just wanted to calm my nerves. I went into the hallway and practiced throwing a few pitches with Marc Gewertz who is one of the National Dragster photographers. I am so glad he helped me out. It calmed me down and he gave me some good pointers.”

 

As Force took the field she thought about how her racing cBrittany Force throws the first pitchareer played a major role in not just affording her this opportunity but also putting her in position to make a solid pitch.Waving to the crowd, five-time Top Fuel finalist Brittany Force throws the first pitch – a nice straight pitch right to catcher Travis Tartamella a recent call up by the Cardinals.

“I think the biggest cross-over from racing to baseball was the importance of practice. I get in my race car for about ten minutes before we run and I just go over my routine. Going through the motions just makes me more comfortable. That is the same process I did for the game last night,” said Force.     “Everyone with the Cardinals was so nice. Will Patterson from the Cardinals let me get down on the field earlier in the day. He said the Cardinal fans would be awesome and he was right. Some time you climb in your race car whether it is first round or final round and there are some runs you are so nervous but I just tell myself it will be over in four seconds. You just have to do the best job that you can. The pitch turned out really well.”

Avalon Biddle earns European Women’s Cup

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Avalon Biddle Podium
Dave Jackson Photography

With one race remaining, 23-year old Auckland motorcycle racer Avalon Biddle has cinched the first ever 2015 European Women’s Cup Championship.  After qualifying an off-paced 24th position at Jerez in Spain (which later was discovered to be a rear suspension issue), Biddle only had to complete 10 laps to secure the Women’s Cup and Championship.   She rode safe, completing her necessary laps cautiously, finishing 19th at Jerez.

“I knew I only had to complete the 10 laps in order to have enough of a points lead to win the Women’s Cup. On the grid my mind was fluttering with every imaginable outcome for the race but cleared immediately as we rolled up to the red lights. I decided to ride as safe as possible but still managing to mix it up with a few of the guys.  I will never forget looking down with a trophy in hand and seeing my mum all the way from NZ, as well as Julie Nelson and also my boyfriend Jake who have been such amazing support all season.”

2015 European Women’s Cup Championship

Avalon Biddle in Jerez
Dave Jackson Photography

Biddle has dominated the inaugural FIM Women’s championship, run within the European Junior Cup races.  Women racers compete as part of the PATA European Junior Cup on identical race prepared Honda CBR 650F motorcycles at all 8 European rounds of the FIM Superbike World Championship. Female riders score points in both EJC and the Women’s Cup, with the highest point scoring female being appointed as the 2015 FIM Europe Women’s European Cup winner.

Her significant points lead that sealed up the championship early, was the result of five impressive wins (Aragon, Donington, Portimao, Misano & Jerez),  in the eight race series.   The other two races, she posted DNFs, and still has one race left to contest in the series.

She currently sits in the 23rd overall European Junior Cup points, and has impressed many with her consistency on her Honda CBR650F machine.   Her prize for the overall Women’s Cup winner is a new Honda CBR 600 RR, prepared to European Superstock 600 specification.

The final round of this season’s championship will take place at Magny-Cours in France on October 2nd.

 

 

Dale Gummow returns as Event Coordinator for Perth Motorplex

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Dale Gummow
Photo: Perth Motorplex

Perth Motorplex announced that they have hired Dale Gummow as Event Coordinator for Drag Racing, Burnout and Special Events at their Kwinana Beach, Australia facility.

Dale previously worked for Perth Motorplex office in 2009, and returns to the drag racing event coordination gig in a full-time capacity with renewed spark and enthusiasm.

“Drag racing fills a large part of my life, and nothing gives me greater pleasure than to return to do what I love – the behind the scenes work, the organisation and build up to events,” Dale expressed in the Perth announcement of her position.  “I am so grateful to be back working at the Motorplex along side some very talented people and together I am sure we will have a fantastic season,” said Dale,

Gummow is a female drag racing veteran who has not only worked in the industry, but also competed in both Modified Bike and Modified Eliminator class events.      She was also selected the esteemed 2014/15 Igglesden Award for greatest contribution to drag racing by a female, successful over one hundred applicants who were in contention for the award.

Perth Motorplex is very pleased with their selection, having chosen Gummow over numerous other candidates vying for the position.

“We were very humbled to have received so many applicants for the position, but there was one whom perfectly gelled with the position,” said Drag Racing Manager, Rod Britton.

Differing from her previous assignment at Perth Motorplex, where as Event Administrator  she spent much of her time in the office,  Dale’s Event Coordinator role will take on aspects of Drag Racing Manager, including hands-on event support.

With over seventy scheduled dates for drag racing, burnouts and special events in 2015/16, Dale will dig right in and begin work with the venue starting Tuesday, 29 September 2015.

Female Racers seek votes to race NASCAR event

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TGannis and Bell for Dover ridewo Female Racers Compete for NASCAR Xfinity Seat

Stock car racers Cassie Gannis and Mackena Bell have been selected as finalists in an online contest for VROOM Brands.    The drivers are competing for a chance to win a seat in the upcoming NASCAR Xfinity Series Hisense 200 at Dover International Speedway.    Each driver is asking fans to vote for them online by selecting their favorite finalist, liking the Vroom Brands Facebook page, and sharing the contest with others.   The racer with the most votes will get the chance to showcase their talent behind the wheel at the HiSense 200 race on October 3rd.

>> To vote, visit http://fans.vote/v/ACjecYd3j9o <<

Voting takes place September 23- 26th.

Best of luck to our favorite NASCAR Racing Women!

On the Edge with Dina Parise

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DIna Parise, DJ Safety

Former Ice Capades and current IHRA Pro Mod Star Dina Parise sat down on camera for the first Horsepower & Heels VIDEO interview.  She talks about her career, the switch from professional ice figure skater to the world of drag racing, her experience in the racing world, and MUCH more!

One of the most colorful female racers out on the drag racing circuit, Dina Parise is one of our favorites!  She currently is the Crower Pro Mod class points leader in the IHRA Nitro Jam Drag Racing series.

Learn about Dina and her beautiful 3,000 HP 2013 Cadillac CTSV Pro Mod ‘Stella’

 

Erica Enders lands new long-term sponsor

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Enders signs sponsorship with Transportation ImpactShe kicked off the Countdown to the Championship with a convincing victory at the NHRA Carolina Nationals,  but reigning Pro Stock world champion and points leader Erica Enders and her Elite Motorsports race team weren’t done working.    They continued their good fortune into weekday meetings, where they have just announced a major associate sponsorship deal with Transportation Impact.
The privately-held logistics company specializes in helping some of the largest companies in the world drastically reduce their shipping costs. Transportation Impact, an Inc. 5000 company based in North Carolina, was founded in 2008 by Keith Byrd and Travis Burt and has quickly earned a reputation as one of the top small-package negotiation and parcel-auditing firms in the shipping industry.
“We are excited to team up with Erica and the Elite Motorsports team,” Transportation Impact Co-Founder Travis Burt said. “Both our team and theirs have a championship mentality. We both work hard each day to be better than we were yesterday, and we at Transportation Impact have little doubt that this partnership will help both sides reach new heights.”
Elite Motorsports owner Richard Freeman, who spearheaded Enders’ ascension to becoming the first female champion in Pro Stock history, is thrilled to sign a long-term deal with Transportation Impact that he believes will help his team achieve its future objectives.
“I’m humbled and grateful that everyone at Transportation Impact thought enough of what we’re doing to come on board and give us some tremendous support,” Freeman said. “Since Erica joined us a year and a half ago, we’ve won the championship, we’ve won 13 national events, including the last three in a row, been No. 1 qualifier 11 times, and put up an 89-28 race day record. That’s better than anyone in the sport and we’re proud of what we’ve accomplished.  At the same time, we feel like we want to do so much more, and having companies like Transportation Impact lend support will help us reach all of our long-range goals. We are firing this deal up right now so they can ride with us to what we hope will be a successful championship defense.”
 Enders admits she’s riding along on a euphoric high at the moment, and having a new sponsor recognize the team’s potential adds a lot to her current situation, on many levels.
“It’s been an incredible month and having Transportation Impact come on board today just makes it that much better,” she said. “We scored a really big win in Brainerd (Minn.), and that kind of set up this run we’re on. Then we get to Indy, the biggest race in our sport, and we get another win that ties me with my No. 1 idol, Shirley Muldowney, with 18 career wins. Now we come to North Carolina and get another win to kick off the playoffs and sign an incredible new marketing partner. I need to pinch myself.   I’m so blessed to be driving this car and to have such an awesome group of people behind me making it happen, and that now includes everyone at Transportation Impact. We spent some time at their facility, and I told everyone we met we’re going to do everything we can to get them a championship this year.”
With new partner Transportation Impact along, Erica and the Elite team head to the next stop in the playoff series, the 4th Annual AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals held at Gateway Motorsports Park outside of St. Louis, MO, Sept. 25-27.

Pippa Mann’s Indy 500 helmet up for auction

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Justin Wilson Children Memorial Auction

Indy Car driver Pippa Mann has donated her race worn helmet from the 2015 IndyCar season as part of the Justin Wilson Memorial Auction.

Justin Wilson Memorial Auction

The eBay charity auction features helmets worn by IndyCar drivers at Sonoma Raceway, as well as many more items added for auction through October 26th when the charity fundraiser ends. All of the proceeds will go to the Wilson Children’s Fund, which was created after Justin Wilson lost his life on August 24th.

Pippa Mann HelmetThe helmet donated by Pippa Mann was worn at the 2015 Indy 500, and at every race this season where she drove the Dale Coyne Racing 18 car. The auction for her helmet will end on Monday 28th October at 10.20pm ET.

Race fans are also able to donate to support Justin’s wife and two young daughters via www.wilsonchildrensfund.com

 

Record-breaking weekend for Enders

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Erica Enders Charlotte win Pro StockNHRA defending Pro Stock champion Erica Enders added another national event victory to her resume this weekend during the 8th Annual NHRA Carolina Nationals, her first win at the Charlotte, NC area zMax Dragway facility.    The win captured several historical milestones for the current points leader, and keeps her a front-runner for the Countdown to the Championship.

Enders began the weekend with consistent qualifying efforts, landing the No. 3 spot for Sunday’s eliminations with a best pass of 6.536 seconds at 211.83 mph.   She would take on V. Gaines in the opening round, taking the early lead off the starting line and never looking back, with a 6.565 second pass at 211.10 mph to defeat Gaines 6.645 at 209.33 mph.

Erica Enders ZMax dragwayIn round 2, Enders would dispatch Chris McGaha with the fastest pass of the round – a 6.588 at 210.11 mph, taking the advantage at the tree yet again.  Though McGaha would run the second-fastest time of the round- a 6.620 at 210.18 mph,  it wasn’t enough to catch Enders.   She would earn lane choice into round 3.  However, something went amiss on the Elite Motorsport Chevrolet Camaro during the run, and the team returned to the pits, thrashing to prepare for their semifinal match-up with veteran racer Allen Johnson.

“In the second round we had an issue with our clutch and were able to barely make it up for the semifinals against (Allen Johnson),” Enders said.

The team got her to the line for the semifinals, and Erica’s uncharacteristic 0.031 second reaction time left her chasing Johnson, who posted a 0.010 second reaction.    She chased him down to the finish line, running a 6.586 second at 210.31 mph pass to his losing 6.611 at 209.59 mph, passing him by just 18 inches at the stripe.    The margin of victory was 0.0048 seconds, but it was just enough to land Enders in her third consecutive final, where she would face Vincent Nobile.

It’s just a confidence booster in getting in the race car up there when my crew chief (Rick Jones) said, ‘Hey, look up in the right corner of your windshield. What does that say? It says No. 1. There is a reason for that.’  Just having them stand behind me even when I might not be there mentally that day it pumps me up. They are there for me. My guys are who make me a better driver.”

Enders would take the hole-shot win against Nobile in the final, running a slower 6.581 second, 210.97 mph  to his losing 6.575 sec at 211.13 mph performance.

That is pretty neat,” Enders said of winning in Charlotte. “Back when I drove for Cagnazzi (Racing), this was one of the facilities that they had never won at. It was obviously a goal of ours. Coming in this weekend, I had runner-upped three or four different times here, a couple at the Four-Wide Nationals and one at the regular race. This was actually the place where the win lights malfunctioned and we thought we got our first win against Greg Anderson, but then they were like, ‘Sike, you don’t get it,’ and took the trophy over to him.”

History for Enders in Charlotte

Erica Enders winningest womanNot only did she land her first win at the zMax Dragway facility, but she crossed off quite a few more milestones in the process.   The win marked the third straight victory for Enders, the second hole-shot victory in a row, and ties marks set by Sampey (2002) and Muldowney (1977) for the most consecutive wins by a female racer.    In addition, her class-leading seventh victory of the season ties Sampey’s 2001 season effort for the most female racer wins in one season.   It also marked her 19th-career professional win in Pro Stock, a feat by which she passes Shirley Muldowney on the all-time female racer win list for the No. 2 position.  She trails only Angelle Sampey (41 wins) for the winning-est female racer in drag racing history.

It’s a true blessing, and to be able to pass Shirley — it was crazy in Indy to tie her. Angelle is a friend of mine, lives about 20 minutes from my house (in New Orleans). She is by far the winning-est female in NHRA drag racing, so it’s definitely cool to put my name alongside of theirs, a true honor.”

Enders, who entered the countdown as the No. 1 seed, retains the No. 1 position and increases her lead in the Countdown to the Championship by 83 points going into race No. 2.

Yeah, it’s pretty incredible,” Enders said. “My PR guy was telling me some stats on the way down the hallway and that is pretty surreal. I feel like I’m in a dream. I just don’t know what I’ve done to deserve such a great group of guys and to work for such an awesome team owner. We have fun together and that is what makes it so cool. We are able to be successful and have fun. Nobody said that you had to be miserable while you are doing it.”

The Elite Motorsports team packs up and heads to the next stop on the Countdown tour, the 4th Annual AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals held at Gateway Motorsports Park outside of St. Louis, MO, Sept. 25-27.