Women in Racing News - Horsepower & Heels

News about female racers, women in the pits and other news stories from the motorsports and automotive world.

Erica Enders clinches 2015 Pro Stock Championship

November 2, 2015 // by Horsepower & Heels

She’s had storybook season in 2015, and it seems her fairy tale just continues to re-write itself to an even happier ending.

NHRA Pro Stock racer Erica Enders entered Vegas with a sizable points lead, broke several track records while qualifying No. 1 for the event, clinched the 2015 Championship, and extended her 4 race Vegas streak with a perfect-reaction victory in the finals. It seems as though Erica Enders truly is the “Girl on Fire” in Pro Stock.

Enders clinches the 2015 Championship

All the mathematicians were watching the points tally for the NHRA Toyota Nationals closely, with calculations flying on when Enders would be able to snag that back-to-back championship title in Pro Stock. They knew she needed to leave the event with a 154 point lead to be out of reach from any of her competitors, but that metric could change by how closest competitors Greg Anderson, Chris McGaha, and Drew Skillman fared in relation to her own progress through the elimination rounds.

“We came into the weekend and everyone was talking about the championship — what we have to do, crunching points and all that. My crew chiefs (Rick and Rickie Jones, Mark Ingersoll, and Brian Self) and I decided we weren’t going to talk about that and just take things one round at a time. Our goal was to make it 22 (in a row). It’s an incredible thing to accomplish. The streak we have here is incredible. I’m excited to be part of such a great group like Elite Motorsports.”

In the second round of eliminations, Greg Anderson was eliminated by Elite teammate, Vincent Nobile. McGaha also fell to Butner, and that left just one more key round win for Erica to seal up the points tally in her favor.

“After watching my teammate Vincent beat Greg second round, I got excited, of course, because I knew what could happen,” Enders said. “Then I thought, ‘We have to win this round.’ I fire the car, pull into the waterbox, and all my guys are jumping around, clapping, and I’m just trying to get my composure and get my heart rate down.”

She proceeded to knock out Shane Gray with a round-low pass of 6.596 seconds at 209.39 mph, and finally locked it up. Erica Enders clinches 2015 Pro Stock Championship, her second consecutive championship in the class, one race before the close of the season. She became the 33rd driver in NHRA history to win multiple championships and the ninth in the Pro Stock class. She’s also the first back-to-back champion in NHRA since 2011-12, when Eddie Krawiec won the Pro Stock Motorcycle title, a sight not seen in Pro Stock since Jeg Coughlin Jr. accomplished the feat in 2007-08.

A perfect victory to extend Vegas streak

With the championship sealed up, Enders knew her day was far from over, as she set out to defend her winning streak at the Vegas facility. She defeated Skillman in the semifinals when he left .004-second too soon, setting up a final-round match with Butner. To the disbelief of all who watched, she proceeded to cut a perfect 0.000 reaction enroute to her 6.595 second at 208.97 mph victory over Butner, with a 6.610 second at 209.33 mph effort.

“I knew it was going to be a tough race against a drive like Bo, who I know is hungry for his first win,” Enders said. “To be able to cap the second championship off with another win in Vegas is just crazy. It’s just an incredible day, I’m kind of speechless. Vegas has always been really good to me, and it’s nice to keep our streak going with now 22 consecutive round-wins. It’s mind-boggling.”

Enders has won the last four national events and the last two K&N Horsepower Challenge races in Las Vegas, running her consecutive round-win streak at ‘The Strip’ to 22. The victory marked the ninth win of the season and 21st of her career. Enders has hit her stride, taking the victory in 15 of the last 45 races she’s entered with the Richard Freeman-owned Elite team.

“Finally I feel like I’m home with this group of guys,” Enders said. “I couldn’t have dreamed up a better crew. We truly get along, we have such great chemistry, and most importantly we have fun together. That’s why we’re so successful on the racetrack. Horsepower doesn’t hurt, but we don’t have the biggest budget. We get it done because of the people. It’s been a long road, but I’m glad to be where I’m at. I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.”

Though the championship is hers, Enders and the Elite team don’t intend on resting, and hope to defend their 2014 win at the Finals in Pomona.

Watch video as Erica Enders clinches the 2015 Pro Stock Championship

Erica Enders resets track record in Vegas

October 31, 2015 // by Horsepower & Heels

Erica Enders reset both ends of the track record in the second qualifying session of the NHRA Toyota Nationals on Friday at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, earning her the provisional No. 1 qualifying spot. Enders has the opportunity to clinch the championship in Pro Stock if she can leave Las Vegas with a 151-point lead. She began the race with a 154 point lead, padding that by three based on qualifying points from the first two sessions.

Her 6.559 seconds at 210.28 mph run set track records for elapsed time and speed at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and it was the fastest corrected run in Pro Stock history — taking into account altitude and other factors — at 6.381 seconds at 216.65 mph.

“I’m glad we were able to accomplish it,” Enders said. “Having said that, we’ve got two more important runs tomorrow. We need to scoop up all the qualifying bonus points we possibly can and try to stay on the pole. We need to go into Sunday with our heads down and get to work. We’ve got a lot to accomplish still, and I want to win the race. I want to make it four in a row. I couldn’t be more proud to be their driver; they’re an awesome group of men.”

Las Vegas has been good to Enders, with dominant performances at The Strip over the past two years, sweeping both national events in 2014 and winning here in April. To go along with those two victories, Enders has won the special K&N Horsepower Challenge here the last two years.

“I think we have 18 consecutive round-wins here, and the goal is to get to 22,” Enders said. “Having said that, we go back to taking things one at a time. My guys performed really well here, and my crew chiefs seem to have a good handle on this track and the dry air. Our race car is working. We stumbled onto some stuff in Dallas that we had been working really hard to figure out. As most people watched, they could see our performance change a little bit on Sunday. We certainly translated that to here. I’m excited and cautiously optimistic to be in the position we’re in.”

Enders posted the quickest ET in both qualifying sessions this weekend, but her Q2 pass was the most impressive, netting her the track record in Vegas.

“We made a good run in the first session,” Enders said. “The weather (for Q2) was actually not as good as it was for the first session, so we really just stepped on it. I could not be more proud of my team. Our Elite Performance horsepower is really showing through right when we need it most. Pair that with our excellent teamwork, and my driving has been pretty decent lately. The sky is the limit for us.

Qualifying will continue today at 12:15PM and 3:45PM Pacific Time (UTC-08:00). Eliminations are scheduled to begin at noon on Sunday.

Brittany Force transporter wreckage

October 28, 2015 // by Horsepower & Heels

The Monster Energy transport hauler of NHRA Top Fuel driver Brittany Force was spotted wrecked on the side of Interstate 70 West in Missouri around mile marker 99 heading towards Kansas City.

Brittany Force transporter wreck — Photo Source: Facebook

Witness accounts of the mangled transporter reported on Facebook that the hauler, traveling westbound on I-70 near Boonville, MO to this weekend’s Toyota NHRA Nationals in Las Vegas, took evasive measures when an east-bound traveling vehicle crossed the median into the path of the 18 wheeler. The Monster Energy transporter, carrying Brittany Force’s Top Fuel Dragster and service equipment for the team, struck the railing and lodged itself beneath the concrete support pilings of an overpass.

Brittany’s team driver and the hauler’s occupants are all reported to be ok.

The tractor was found on its side with extensive damage, but it appears that the contents of the trailer may have weathered better in the scary collision. No other details have been released.

[Source: Dragzine.com]

Brittany Force currently sits in the #4 position in points following the Dallas event. She is 207 points behind leader Antron Brown, but the remaining top 5 contenders are close in points.

Video of Brittany Force Transporter Wreckage

Leah Pritchett in Black Magic Top Fuel

October 23, 2015 // by Horsepower & Heels

With just two races left in the 2015 season, NHRA drag racing standout Leah Pritchett will have some “Black Magic” ready for the Halloween weekend in Las Vegas.

The 27-year-old California native will enter the 15th Annual NHRA Toyota Nationals at the “The Strip” at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway debuting new Black Magic Top Fuel livery on her Dote Racing dragster on the Halloween weekend (Oct. 30 – Nov. 1).

“This new Black Magic livery is awesome and brings another great paint scheme for the 2015 season,” said Pritchett, runner-up at this year’s Southern Nationals. “Black Magic® car care products are a sister company to Gumout, but it’s a great tie-in with Halloween in Las Vegas. I’m hoping a little Black Magic potion gives us a strong performance at ‘The Strip.’”

Black Magic Top Fuel Dragster livery

Gumout has been the primary sponsor for the Dote Racing team this season, with Leah Pritchett at the controls, and Black Magic® car care products are among the automotive directory of ITW Global Brands which also manufactures and distributes Gumout and Rain-X brands. Black Magic’s variety of car products include tire, wheel, interior and exterior care.

Leah Pritchett, the Dote Racing team led by crew chief Doug Kuch and tuner Rob Flynn, and the new Black Magic Top Fuel Dragster return to “The Strip” for the first time since last year’s impressive semi-finals finish (losing to event winner Spencer Massey) and qualifying in the fifth position for the 16-driver Top Fuel ladder. The team opted out of the first 2015 Vegas event in April.

“The Strip” has always been lucky for Pritchett, having earned multiple wins as a youngster in the Junior Dragsters and an NHRA Pro Modified national event win in 2011. Most recently, Leah competed in her first road racing event at nearby Pahrump, Nev., (the Spring Mountain Motorsports Resort) in the Formula Ford category.

“I have been coming to Nevada to race since “The Strip” was first opened back in late 1990s,” said Pritchett, who also gives advice to young female racers trying to follow in her footsteps in the Junior Dragsters. “I was winning races there as a teenager and then won in the ProMods (2011) too. Wow, I would love to win my first Top Fuel national event at Las Vegas too.”

Pritchett’s various Top Fuel liveries have proven popular with the drag racing fans this year, earning her “Best Appearing Car” with the Bristol debut of her flashy, all-gold Gumout livery. She also debuted the “Lady in Red” red chrome scheme in Indianapolis for the US Nationals and was another “fan favorite.”

“Now we think this new Black Magic livery will be another favorite for the NHRA fans at Las Vegas,” Leah said. “We have taken a little of the red chrome and the black paint to form an outstanding look for the Dote Racing dragster. Since our strong showing last year at ‘The Strip,’ I think we’ll can have a great weekend with the new Black Magic machine. With Halloween coming up, maybe we get that special potion and I can be the ‘Black Magic Woman’ who takes that NHRA ‘Wally’ trophy in victory lane Sunday.”

Pritchett and the rest of the Top Fuel racers will begin action at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway “Strip” with qualifying set for 1 p.m. PDT on Friday, Oct. 30, 2015. Qualifications are scheduled Friday (Oct. 30 – 1 and 4:30 p.m.) and Saturday (Oct. 31 – 1 and 4:30 p.m.) with final eliminations set for Sunday (Nov. 1) at 11 am PDT.

Eighth historic win for Enders

October 19, 2015 // by Horsepower & Heels

Erica Enders shattered yet another record on Sunday, taking the victory at the AAA Texas NHRA Fall Nationals in Dallas, TX. She bested Angelle Sampey’s 2001 7-race record of the most wins for a female in one season, beating her nearest two rivals in the Mello Yello points to power to a massive 154-point advantage with just two races left. The eighth historic win for Enders marked an NHRA-leading feat for the season, and first victory of her career in Dallas.

“I am so glad we were able to get this eighth win here in my home state,” said Enders, who grew up in the Houston suburbs. “You know, I have been talking about a cowboy hat for months, just waiting to come here and win a cowboy hat, so I’m excited to be able to get that done in front of all of our friends and family. It’s just a huge blessing.”

A cowboy hat is the traditional winner’s gift at the Texas Motorplex, a complex owned by former Funny Car driver Billy Meyer. This year, the winner’s also got a belt buckle to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the event.

The stage was set early for a decisive race, as the top three contenders in the Pro Stock championship chase were paired early, ensuring a shake up in the standings. Though Enders carried a good cushion into round one, a win here would really help distance her from the competition. After qualifying 4th with a 6.480, Erica would face Vieri Gaines in Round 1, taking the win with a career-best 6.467 second E.T. at 214.25 mph. This feat tied as the 8th fastest pass in the history of Pro Stock.

This set up a big match up with bitter rival Chris McGaha, who is third in the points. McGaha had defeated second-ranked Greg Anderson in his opening race. Behind the scenes, this match-up was steeped in conflict and, for both teams, was personal.

“Those first two rounds were very significant,” Enders said. “First round, we watched (McGaha) beat Greg right in front of us and then we crushed his ET by .400s to earn lane choice in our race against him. We didn’t want to give him anything. There is a lot of stuff that goes on behind the scenes that people don’t know about and (McGaha’s) team has been running their mouths. I said from the beginning we’ll let the scoreboard do the talking.”

Enders was 12-2 in career meetings against McGaha entering the second round. With both teams on edge, the two began their burnouts and staging. McGaha entered the beams first, bypassing common courtesy staging and “double bulbing” Enders. But it didn’t seem to rattle the reigning Pro Stock World Champion, who cut an impressive 0.008 reaction at the tree, en route to a new career-quickest E.T of 6.467 seconds at 214.25 mph.

“There’s no need to argue with ignorant people, so when I went up there and he double-bulbed me, I said ‘bring it on, I don’t care,’ and I was able to drill him with a .008-second reaction time and then totally out-run him. I think we sent a big message. I definitely wanted to beat him, and my guys wanted to beat him even more so that was a nice deal for us.”

From there, Enders went on to take the wins against Drew Skillman and Jonathon Gray for the historic victory and the big edge in the NHRA Pro Stock points standings.

“We just have such great team chemistry and great horsepower so I’m a happy girl,” Enders said. “(ESPN top-end reporter) Gary Gerould said in our interview, that we have an eight-round lead with only eight rounds of racing left, and that’s really cool, but I don’t care. I want all the points that we can get. We go into every race wanting to win more than anything in the world and we do our best to step up to the plate. You know, I talk about my guys all of the time but I’ll put my money on them every single Sunday, every single round of qualifying, because they are the best. They bring it and I bring it and together I think the sky is the limit for us.”

Leah Pritchett Open Wheel debut

October 12, 2015 // by Horsepower & Heels

Despite a shortened main event, Leah Pritchett’s open wheel debut proved to be a great experience for the NHRA Mello Yello Top Fuel dragster driver this weekend at the Spring Mountain Motorsports Resort Ranch and Country Club during the VARA Racing “Shootout at the Ranch.”

The veteran drag racer had a smooth transition from her 325-miles per hour, nitro-burning dragster to the open-wheel vintage Formula Ford racecar at the Nevada racing facility. Impressive practice sessions on the 3.4-mile, 30-turn permanent road circuit helped Pritchett improved throughout the weekend behind the wheel of her 1979 Gumout Van Dieman racer.

After qualifying for a fourth row start in the event, Pritchett’s road racing feature was cut short with a car issue. The 27-year-old California native was forced to start from pit lane in the 30-minute main event.

“My first official open-wheel race is in the books,” said Leah. “But wasn’t without some adversity and a less than desired result. A car issue resulting in me missing the rolling start. We got the car fired and I had to begin from pit lane while the field took the green at over 100mph, leaving me to hit the track from the back of the field. But I still wanted to run the race and gain experience.

This meant Leah would be taking the green flag in last position, and would not get the advantage of the rolling start. She didn’t let this discourage her, as Leah quickly went to work and gained three positions, looking comfortable behind the wheel of the open-wheeler.

Unfortunately, Pritchett was forced to park her Formula Ford racer early in the event when car issues continued to plague her Gumout open-wheeler. After such a promising start, the Avon, Ind., driver finished the race watching from the pit area for the rest of the Formula Ford event. Though she had problems, Pritchett views her open wheel debut a success.

“I passed three cars in the first lap, but our Formula Ford had a problem later and I couldn’t finish the race. You gotta love racecars sometimes. But overall, I had a great experience in working with a variety of nice people who really helped me with the transition to road racing. While we didn’t finish as we wanted, I would love to give it a try in the near future again.”

Pritchett, driving for Dote Racing, enjoyed her career best Top Fuel qualifying performance recently at Maple Grove Raceway by take the second position in the NHRA Keystone Nationals. Earlier this season, she was the Top Fuel runner-up in the NHRA Southern Nationals race. Pritchett continues to improve, looking for her first Top Fuel victory in an ultra-competitive class.

Leah is scheduled to return with her Gumout Top Fuel dragster at the NHRA Toyota Nationals at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway “Strip” on Oct. 30-Nov. 1. Qualifying will take place Friday (Oct. 30) and Saturday (Oct. 31) with final eliminations set for Sunday (Nov. 1).

Dina Parise IHRA Pro Mod Champ

October 10, 2015 // by Horsepower & Heels

Dina Parise is the new 2015 IHRA Crower Pro Mod World Champion

IHRA Pro Mod competitor Dina Parise sealed up the 2015 IHRA Crower Pro Mod World Championship at the final race of the season, the IHRA World Finals in Memphis, TN. The popular Nitro Jam standout debuted her Cadillac CTSV Pro Mod named ‘Stella’ at the season opener, encountering new car bugs for the first half of the Crower Pro Mod season. After struggling with dialing in the new car and getting comfortable behind the wheel, Dina was able to push through the difficult times and secured the points lead going into the final race. Once there, it was a battle between her and Bill Lutz, but the former figure skating pro would end up sealing up the championship during eliminations.

Congratulations to Dina Parise and team on their new championship!

Enders on Jay Leno’s Garage

October 7, 2015 // by Horsepower & Heels

Erica Enders and Jay Leno — Story/Photos via NHRA.com

Look for reigning Mello Yello Pro Stock world champion Erica Enders and Elite Motorsports team owner Richard Freeman on the premier episode of Jay Leno’s Garage, Wednesday night at 10 p.m. Eastern on CNBC. Enders will be showing the talk-show host/comedian and car enthusiast the ropes on how to drive a drag racing car.

“It will be a great way to introduce the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series to a new audience,” Enders said. “That was a great experience and a neat opportunity. I grew up watching Jay Leno and always enjoyed him throughout my life, so it was cool to be able to work with him. He shares the same passion for automobiles that we do, and that was pretty evident.”

Leno has a well-known private collection of automobiles, and Enders and Freeman will get the tour of his prized collection when NHRA returns to California for the season-finale in November.

Jay Leno’s Garage began as a YouTube series about cars and motorcycles with a one-hour special airing on CNBC last year, but its popularity has spurned a primetime weekly show that begins this Wednesday.

Enders and Freeman joined Leno after her Bristol win to film the show at Auto Club Dragway in Fontana, Calif. They used the Super Comp car of Division 7 racer Eddie Fischle, along with the support of Frank Hawley.

Enders and Leno cruised around in a new Chevrolet Camaro SS, and the two chatted about their respective careers to begin the show.

“It was fun to be able to drive him around in the Camaro,” Enders said. “We talked a little bit about his life and a little bit about my career. Then we spent the rest of the day teaching him to drive, so it was a neat deal.”

Enders is the perfect choice for driving coach, as she recently set an NHRA record by winning three consecutive final rounds on holeshots.

“It was a neat chance to be able to teach him how to drive a Super Comp car with Frank Hawley,” Enders said. “I ended up getting to make a pass in my buddy Eddie Fischle’s car, and he supplied us the cars for us to teach Jay to drive.”

Leno wanted to make more passes in the car at the end of the day, clearly enjoying his lessons behind the wheel.

“That goes to show how much he enjoyed it,” Enders said.

How do you think Jay will fair behind the wheel of a Super Comp car? Comment below!

13 female racers Drive for Diversity

October 7, 2015 // by Horsepower & Heels

13 female racers will have three days to compete for a spot in the top driver development program, NASCAR Drive for Diversity (D4D), taking place at Langley Speedway in Hampton, Va., Oct. 19-21, 2015. In total, 22 drivers were selected to take part in the combine.

The D4D program, currently in its 12th year, invites promising ethnically diverse and female drivers, ages 14 to 26, from across North America to test their skills over a three-day period in an annual combine order to select the newest members of the program for the following year. Drivers are evaluated on their driving skills and strength and agility exercises. Those identified during the combine will take part in the diversity program for 2016.

“Finding and developing diverse athletes who will represent the future of NASCAR is at the core of our organization’s mission,” said NASCAR Senior Vice President of Racing Operations Jim Cassidy. “Every year, the bar is raised with talented applicants who have the potential and determination to succeed. We’re proud to watch our graduates in the national series and develop more diverse talent to join them in the years to come.”

Rev Racing, the Max Siegel-owned race team, partners with the D4D program to offer racing opportunities in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East (NKPSE) and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series (NWAAS) for one full season, providing drivers with equipment, mentoring, and competition experience.

“We could not be more excited about this year’s NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine to select the 2016 Class of Rev Racing drivers,” said team CEO Max Siegel. “Coming off of our 6th consecutive multiple race winning season, we are focused on continuing to make our program and approach world-class, as we prepare these young drivers to advance into the national series.”

This year, 13 female racers Drive for Diversity, including the youngest combine participant ever at 14 years old, Macy Causey.

Fans can follow the Combine live on Twitter at @NASCARDiversity and @RevRacing.

Women of the 12th annual NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine

Hannah Adair, 21 Tusla, OK
Kayli Barker, 18 Las Vegas, NV
Nicole Behar, 17 Otis Orchards, WA
Macy Causey, 14 Yorktown, VA
Madeline Crane, 17 Meansville, GA
Claire Decker, 20 Eagle River, WI
Natalie Decker, 18 Eagle River, WI
Ali Kern, 22 Fremont, OH
Mariah McGriff, 20 Vail, AZ
Becca Monopoli, 26 Lakeland, FL
Erika Newcome, 20 Pickerington, OH
Hannah Newhouse, 18 Twin Falls, ID
Vanessa Robinson, 25 Las Cruces, NM

Best of luck to each of these ladies as they attempt to make the 2016 Drive for Diversity Program!

Event: CarChix Ladies Only Drag Race

October 6, 2015 // by Horsepower & Heels

CarChix.com is hosting their final Ladies Only Drag Race of the year this Saturday, October 10th at Sikeston Raceway.

Open to all levels of women- from beginner to Pro, the Ladies Only Drag Racing is divided into two 1/8th mile bracket race classes: Street (7.40 & Slower) and Pro (7.39 & Quicker). All cars must pass NHRA tech inspection, and no electronics are permitted (must be covered).

Ladies wanting to compete in the event pay the $15 gate fee (for entrance into the track) and an additional $30 Ladies Only Drag Race registration (at the CarChix tent prior to the start of the race).

Prizes including a cash prizes paid out to 1st and 2nd place racers in each class, and Coach purses to the winners in each class are up for grabs. A PINK VP Racing Fuel Jug will be raffled off to one lucky Car Chix Ladies Only Drag Race entrant, and trophies/awards will be given for Hottest Ride, Best Burnout, Fastest MPH, and Best Reaction Time.

The event is sponsored by JEGS, and all entrants receive a free JEGS Baseball Cap and decal set (while supplies last – first come, first serve).

Ladies Only Drag Race Details

Gates open at: 12pm
Car Chix Driver’s Meeting at PINK Car Chix Booth: 1pm

Open Time Runs Start at: 3 – 4pm
Qualifying Starts at: 4pm
2 Rounds of Qualifying, Eliminations to follow

Spectator Gate Fee: $15.00
Kids Ages12 & Under: FREE

More information is available online at Ladies Only Drag Race Facebook Event or Carchix.com Event Page