NHRA Archives – Page 13 of 17 – Horsepower & Heels

Leah Pritchett ready to take on the Big GO

September 1, 2015 // by Horsepower & Heels

Top Fuel dragster driver Leah Pritchett has been dreaming of racing at the NHRA U.S. Nationals since she began her racing career at age eight. The 27-year-old Redlands, Calif., native has set her sights on the world’s biggest drag racing event for nearly twenty years when she started competing in her family’s Junior Dragster at the Pomona Raceway. Though she has been to Lucas Oil Raceway many times, even in her Junior Dragster at age 12, she has always wanted to race at the Clermont, Ind., motorsports facility on Labor Day during the hallowed U.S. Nationals. Now in the top drag racing division, Top Fuel, it looks like Pritchett has finally reached her goal.

“I haven’t been able to race on Labor Day yet at Indy,” said Pritchett, who’ll wheel her bright, chrome red Gumout Top Fuel dragster for Dote Racing next week (Sept. 3-7) in the 61^st annual drag racing extravaganza. “I just missed out last year when (former NHRA champion) Antron Brown nipped me by .001 of a second (for the 16^th starting spot).”

Leah Pritchett’s frustration of missing the U.S. Nationals 16-driver Top Fuel lineup in 2014 was especially cruel since it was so close, Brown’s 3.845 to Pritchett’s 3.846 seconds.

“Hey, that’s drag racing,” she explains. “The track conditions are always tough at Indy. With so many race cars there, the track surface becomes very tricky. We’ll have five qualifying runs next weekend for the U.S. Nationals and two will be at night. We need to get the night runs down to put the Gumout dragster into the field this time.”

Leah Pritchett has experience beyond her age

Pritchett, despite her age, is one of the most experienced pro drivers in the NHRA pit area including holding four different professional racing licenses in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Heritage Funny Car and ProMod. Leah is a former Heritage Funny Car world champion and a three-time NHRA national event winner in the wild ProMod division.

“When I was a kid racing in Junior Dragsters, I wanted to drive in the Top Fuel division,” said Pritchett, whose husband, Gary, is a mechanic on the Steve Torrence Top Fuel car. “So I drove just about anything I could to get up to the top ranks. I tested in the Funny Cars at Indy and drove the unpredictable ProMod cars on the national NHRA circuit. Finally, the Dote family offered me this Top Fuel ride and we brought in Gumout as our primary sponsor. It was a dream come true. I’m competing against the likes Antron (Brown), Tony (Schumacher), Shawn (Langdon) and Larry (Dixon) and all have been Top Fuel champions. Ultimately, that is my goal too, winning the NHRA Mello Yellow Top Fuel title.”

And a good start in Leah Pritchett’s goal would be a victory at the NHRA U.S. Nationals. Her Dote Dragster has been consistently going rounds this season, Pritchett finished runner-up to Brown at the Southern Nationals in Atlanta and has posted qualifying efforts of third, fourth and fifth this season.

“The U.S. Nationals are our Indy 500,” Leah said. “It’s the biggest drag race in the world and it is an honor just to qualify for the Top Fuel field. But I feel our Dote team can go a lot further than that this year. The Gumout car has been strong throughout the year and we want to be contender for the win at Indy. Last year, we just missed the show on Monday,” she said. “Now, with the new red chrome Gumout car, we want to put this new paint scheme in the winner’s circle at the world’s biggest drag race. Led by Doug Kuch (crew chief) and Rob Flynn (tuner), we feel positive about our chances this time.”

This year’s event marks the 61st Annual U.S. Nationals for the NHRA. Pritchett’s first qualifying attempt will take place on Friday, Sept. 4, at 7:30 p.m. EDT. Then there are two additional runs each on Saturday and Sunday for the Top Fuel dragsters. The final eliminations are set for Monday, Sept. 7, at 11 a.m. EDT.

Best of luck to Leah Pritchett!

Courtney Force breaking barriers in sports

August 19, 2015 // by Horsepower & Heels

Funny Car driver Courtney Force will be honored by the WNBA’s Indiana Fever on Wednesday, Aug. 26 during their game with the Los Angeles Sparks at Bankers Life Fieldhouse as part of the Fever’s Inspiring Women Night. This year’s theme for the annual event is “Breaking Barriers in Sports.”

Force, the winningest female racer in NHRA Funny Car history, will be recognized during the pre-game reception alongside Carlie Irsay-Gordon, vice chair and owner of the Indianapolis Colts, NBA referee Lauren Holtkamp and Hall of Fame basketball coach Lin Dunn. WISH TV sports director Anthony Calhoun will lead a panel discussion with the four women as part of the pre-game reception, which begins at 5:45 p.m. Individual tickets to attend Inspiring Women Night presented by Elements Financial are $60 and a table of 10 is $550. The four women also will be recognized in front of the fans during half-time ceremonies at the Fever-Sparks game, which begins at 7 p.m.

Courtney Force Inspires Women in Racing

Courtney earned the milestone 100th victory for female racers in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series last season. She set the national speed record in Funny Car this season by powering to a speed of 325.06 mph at the controls of her 10,000-horsepower Traxxas Chevrolet Camaro SS and has earned seven career victories and nine No. 1 qualifying positions in her career. Force is the youngest daughter of 16-time NHRA world champion John Force, and shares the spotlight with her sisters, Ashley and Brittany, also women in racing competitors in NHRA’s Funny Car and Top Fuel classes.

Along with her appearance at Inspiring Women Night at the Fever game, Force will be in Indianapolis next week participating in pre-race testing for the 61st Annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals, the world’s most prestigious drag race, which will be held Sept. 2-7, at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis in nearby Brownsburg.

Courtney Force 100th win — Courtney Force’s 100th Win | Photo: Gary Nastase, John Force Racing

Mechanical issues distract Erica Enders in Seattle

August 10, 2015 // by Horsepower & Heels

A series of mechanical glitches threw Elite Motorsports driver Erica Enders off her game in the second round of the 28th Annual NHRA Northwest Nationals on Sunday at Pacific Raceways.

After qualifying in the No.7 position in a field that was so close only 0.008 seconds separated her from the top spot, Enders would be matched first round with the No. 10 qualified Bo Butner. She would take the victory over Butner with a pass of 6.518 seconds at 212.13 mph, leaving first with a .034-second reaction time. Butner’s run was 6.524 seconds at 212.39 mph. This would advance Enders to face Elite teammate Jeg Coughlin Jr. in the second round. But from the start, almost nothing went right.

“I fired the car and had no oil pressure and no vacuum, so I radioed my guys and told them,” Enders said. “My crew chief just waved me in the water to start the burnout. I went to start my burnout, and then they were waving their arms to stop, so I aborted the burnout. They told me to shut it off, and they pulled my front-end clip off. Turns out the oil sump belt had come off, so there was no oil turning to the motor. They put that on, put the front end back on, and I fired it up. I had to reset all my switches, and the starter said I could do a short burnout. As I was pulling up, they were like, ‘No, back up.’ I backed up through the water and started my whole procedure over again. It was extremely rushed, and I was unable to do a burnout across the starting line, which means we couldn’t put any rubber down or burn through the resin.”

Not laying that critical rubber down through the starting line is detrimental to a recalcitrant Pro Stock car, though Enders was able to post a decent pass of 6.530 seconds at 211.89 mph. Coughlin, who shut the engine off in his Camaro while he waited for his teammate, won with a run of 6.532 seconds at 211.96, earning the victory on a holeshot. Coughlin would move on to runner-up in the finals of the race.

We did what we could with what we had,” Enders said. “I pulled in and pre-staged, but to be quite honest, I didn’t rise to the occasion today. I’m pretty disappointed in myself as a driver. Regardless of the distractions up there, I’m a world champion for a reason, and I didn’t show it today. It makes me mad, but at the same time, there were eight things that were horribly wrong all at one time, and it was a distraction. This is a game that’s won and lost by thousandths of a second.”

Enders remains second in championship points, 47 points behind Greg Anderson, and was grateful to Coughlin for waiting.

“The fortunate thing is my teammate Jeg Coughlin waited for me,” Enders said. “He didn’t have to, but we’re a team back here, and we’re a team up there. He shut his car off, and he wasn’t going to pre-stage without me. That speaks a lot about his character and the class he brings to this operation. Nobody else would have waited, and one of the red cars was going to the semifinals.”

The Elite Motorsports team looks forward to the 34th Annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in two weeks at Brainerd International Raceway.

Enders exits second round in Sonoma

August 4, 2015 // by Horsepower & Heels

Erica Enders and her Elite Motorsports team are more determined than ever after a second-round exit in the 28th Annual NHRA Sonoma Nationals on Sunday at Sonoma Raceway. It was a first appearance for her Elite team at Sonoma Raceway, having been one of the events the team had sat out in 2014 (Enders had last raced at Sonoma in 2012). Still, she qualified No. 9 and advanced to the second round before bowing out to No. 1 qualifier and eventual race winner Chris McGaha.

“We’ve got nothing to be ashamed of,” Enders said. “We’re going to load up and go to the next race. My guys are the most determined bunch I’ve ever met. Right now our day is over, but where are all three of my crew chiefs (Rick and Rickie Jones and Mark Ingersoll) and my team owner (Richard Freeman)? They’re in the lounge, going over notes and trying to figure out how to get better. You can bet your bottom dollar that we’ll be back, and we’re just going to use this to fuel our fire.”

Enders and her team have a knack for digging deep and overcoming adversity. Earlier this year, they turned a first round loss in Gainesville into a win with the K&N Horsepower Challenge in Charlotte and the national event win in Las Vegas and then another win in Houston. And after losing in the first round in Englishtown, she raced to the semifinals in Epping, and then the winner’s circle in Bristol. Enders also lost in the first round in Norwalk, Ohio, before going to two consecutive semifinals in Chicago and Denver.

In Sonoma, her 100th consecutive race, Enders faced No. 8 qualifier Shane Gray in the first round, and she left first with a .017-second reaction time and held off Gray with a pass of 6.531 seconds at 211.93 mph. Gray’s run was slightly better, 6.530 at 212.39 mph, but Enders won on a holeshot.

“There have been plenty of days when my team has carried me,” Enders said. “I wish I could’ve carried them further this weekend. My crew chief always tells me, ‘If you can be .020 all day on Sunday, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t be able to go to the winner’s circle with the people that we have and the equipment that we have.’ Today just wasn’t our day.”

Enders also left first on McGaha, .020 to .029, but McGaha made a pass of 6.514 seconds at 212.13 mph to run down Enders’ 6.529 at 211.93 mph.

Catching up with Aerospace Component’s Kim Kussy

August 3, 2015 // by Horsepower & Heels

A biology and business degree graduate, pilot and racer who continues excelling to new heights as President and Chief Marketing and Finance Officer of racing industry staple Aerospace Components, the sky is the limit for Kim Kussy.

The daughter of a large family (she has 4 brothers and 2 sisters) raised in the Motor City, Kim Kussy has always loved the automotive industry. The influence of her brothers and Dearborn, Michigan hometown would be evident in all aspects of her life. She met her husband Al there, who himself grew up racing at local Milan Dragway. As the two started their family and moved down to Florida, that love blossomed into a fast-paced life together.

Kim, who graduated from Tampa College with a degree in Biology/Medical Technologist studies and Saint Petersburg College with her degree in Business, had been working in the medical field as a medical technologist for almost 10 years when her and husband Al decided to incorporate Aerospace Components. Initially, the business was centered around the Department of Defense, machining parts and components for defense systems, guidance systems, and the International Space Station.

The two spent several years growing the business part time, while still continuing with their full time employers. Within a few years, the duo found themselves tied-in with the drag racing industry, manufacturing components for racers. This allowed them to be fully involved in the sport, building the first of many racecars to develop components they created. It was this first build that would really inspire in Kim the passion for racing, and as the business grew, that love would involve the entire family.

When Al was building his first car at Aerospace, I caught the racing bug too. Having started himself racing at age 16, he taught me how to drive the race car. It seem like a natural passion since we owned the company that manufacture the racing parts . Just about all of our employees race so we basically lived at the local tracks in the first 15 years of business.”

Taking those years of knowledge and experience, Kim was able to apply them to building a dragster with her daughters Breanna and Bethany, passing on this experience during their high school years as a family project.

I wanted them to know what we made and did for a living. Both girls got in the dragster and did some burn outs.”

Kim has raced the dragster herself at local tracks in the region, adding that the entire Aerospace family has been a staple in the local racing scene for over 15 years. They have owned dozens of racecars, and are now involved in the national racing scene, sponsoring the NHRA Wally program, with the special Aerospace Components Excellence in Engineering Award. The award, voted on by NHRA’s Technical Department, is given at 12 NHRA Nationals events to individuals or teams demonstrating a unique edge in craftsmanship or technology. They are major sponsors for the National Mustang Racing Association (NMRA) and the National Muscle Car Association (NMCA) with the Aerospace Components Winner’s Circle sponsorships and contingency programs.

Aerospace Components is approaching nearly 30 years in business, with no signs of slowing. The process has been a rewarding one for Kussy, who loves the people she gets the opportunity to work with in the industry. The road wasn’t always an easy one — the couple started the business at a young age, and have worked hard to build and grow over the years with a group of loyal and hard-working employees that share in the passion. For Kim, the added struggle of proving herself as an intelligent business woman in a male-dominated industry and not just the stereotyped friendly, pretty face were ongoing in the formative years. She credits hard work and tenacity for her success in overcoming these obstacles and mounting a successful career that defies the stereotypes.

Both industries that I am involved in are basically a men’s world — racing and aviation. Many of people don’t believe women can race or fly or run companies as the entrepreneur, sometimes women are still being stereotyped in certain areas. But I believe as a woman, if you are competent at what you do that intelligence and passion shows forth. Now that I have been in the industry for 28 years, I believe men and women respect me for how hard I work, for who I am and what I have contributed to both industries.”

With her duties at Aerospace and at the racetrack taking her all across the country, Kim does a fair amount of traveling. But she doesn’t leave this up to commercial airlines. Kim and Al also own their own aircraft, and Kim earned her private/instrument pilot’s license in 2000. She is one of an elite group of women – only 6% of general aviators in the United States are women, and intends to advance her ratings as time permits.

I am very privileged and honored to be able to be among these women. It takes, a passion for flight, intelligence, courage, time and money to fly and own planes.”

With so many accomplishments to her name, it’s hard to imagine Kim having much downtime. Yet she still finds time to support charity organizations in her community such as Women of Compassion (a non-profit that assists orphans in the state of Florida) and Shepard’s Village, a Christian organization dedicated to supporting single mothers.

I’ve been so blessed by God with my life with all that I am able to accomplish that I want to give back and help encourage the children and single moms that they can make it. I did it with God’s help and love of other who invested in my life! …I was raised in a single parent home after 11 years old. My father died of cancer when I was in 6th grade. so my mom raised the 3 youngest by herself. I know how these kids feel in single parent homes, love and support of family and friends really matters.”

Kim shared that mastering the balance between her full plate of duties for Aerospace, home life with family and raising her children, along with all of the other ventures she has pursued has been the most instrumental to her success.

DREAM BIG and don’t give up! The beginning years are some of the hardest, especially if you are married and or raising children. Work hard and Play Hard! Take time to rest and enjoy family and friends. Surround yourself with others you can trust, those who love you and who will encourage you during the hard times. Set goals, short term for your racing career as well as long term. Don’t be afraid to seek wise counsel from a few key leaders you trust in your industry who have walked the path you’ve walked. Attend conferences, read alot and never stop learning on how to grow stronger in your racing career.”

Kim continues to set new goals for herself and the business, whether its researching new product development, learning new marketing strategies to reach, connect and communicate with customers, or hitting the dragstrip for some racing competition. Her latest project, Kimmy’s Garage, features educational videos on Aerospace products and installations.

Whether in the skies, at a race track near you, or in the office growing Aerospace Components, one thing is sure, the sky is hardly the limit for Kim Kussy.

Jenna Haddock picks up sponsor for Sonoma

July 31, 2015 // by Horsepower & Heels

After losing her major sponsor just one race ago, Top Fuel rookie contender Jenna Haddock will roll into the peaceful wine country of Napa Valley for the 28^th annual NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Infineon Raceway, the second stop on the famed Swing, with the support from the Sonoma County Les Schwab Tires group of stores.

Les Schwab Tires, headquartered in Bend, Ore. was founded by Les Schwab in 1952. It has grown into one of the largest independent tire dealers with over 450 locations in the country. The Sonoma County group is made up of four locations, Windsor, managed by Rob Paulson, Rohnert Park, managed by Manny Castrellon, Santa Rosa Montgomery, led by David Lindsey and Santa Rosa Avenue, managed by Jessy Usher.

“Les Schwab’s motto is ‘doing the right thing since 1952’ and that’s everything Jenna and her husband Terry represent,” expressed Usher, spokesperson for the group. “The hard work and devotion they put into racing exemplifies our values. They are that one small team working hard and we were that one store that worked hard to be what we are today. Yes, we’re a corporation but we’re family-owned and partnering with Jenna is a great way to show what we support as a company. It’s a perfect match.”

This will be Jenna Haddock’s first time in competition at the beautiful facility and six years since her last visit. She faces the challenge with her usual enthusiasm and exuberance that is making her a fan favorite around the country.

“I am super excited to have Les Schwab join us,” said Haddock. “We’ve known Jessy and the group for several years. They’ve been an associate sponsor for us and when Patriot left us, I offered them a full spot for Sonoma and they took it. We’re a small team and losing our major sponsor was a tough blow. So I can’t thank them enough for coming on board to help me. We did a display at the Santa Rosa Avenue store earlier this week and we had a blast. They are all such great people. Two representatives from each store will be joining us at the track for the race and I can hardly wait to show them a great time. I can’t tell you how proud I am that they have chosen me to represent them and I will do my best.”

Running a limited schedule, Jenna Haddock is currently 18th in Top Fuel points standings, attending 6 events this season.

“I love my race car and driving it and I’m excited to get to be in the car and do this for another weekend. Because we run a limited schedule, I usually have to wait several weeks between races. But we ran Denver last week and now I get to do it again. We are looking to make some good runs and make some progress on our numbers. And most of all we want to have a good clean weekend.”

Featured Driver: Ashley Huffman

July 31, 2015 // by Horsepower & Heels

At the young age of 26, Ashley Huffman has amassed the colorful resume of a seasoned veteran in Drag Racing. Her racing career spanning 18 years, she has driven everything from Junior Dragster up to Top Alcohol Dragster, and has her sight set on returning to the TAD class for that elusive Wally.

Starting on the Ice: A Family Passion

A third generation racer, Ashley comes from a long racing pedigree. Her grandmother Jackie and father Rick both accomplished snowmobile racers, Ashley’s first experience at competitive racing came at age 8 when she entered the kid’s class at the “Grass Drags” snowmobile race aboard a Ski Doo Mini Z. She took second place in her first race.

…the only reason I didn’t win was because the other kid had wheels on his sled. Competitive much? [she laughs] After that moment, I was hooked and have been racing ever since.”

Ashley continued racing snowmobiles that year, finishing 2nd overall. The following year, she improved and took 1st place overall in the class. Huffman’s family moved shortly after from her hometown of Saskatoon in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan to Calgary in Alberta. Her father continued racing snowmobiles on pavement for some years, and Ashley would get her introduction into drag racing’s Junior Dragster program. At the age of 10, her parents bought her very first Junior Dragster, which she would pilot to 16 second elapsed times in the 1/8th mile. She won her very first race out in the class, and spent all summer at the track with her family, enjoying the sport they all loved together.

Junior Dragster to Super Pro

The family passion continued on for Ashley well into her teen years in the Junior Dragster class. At 13, she would represent Canada in the 2002 World Finals, placing 3rd overall. She would pick up the Division 6 National Open event win in Ashcroft, B.C. in 2003, and the Medicine Hat, AB event win in 2004. In 2005, she would finish as the series champion in the Junior Dragster points chase. Turning 16 that year, Ashley would make the move to Super Pro for the following season, the rookie year for her in an adult class. She would finish 2nd in overall points for Super Pro.

I will never forget one race in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, I was 16 and I was racing in S/P for the Wally! I made it all the way to the final round, I was so pumped my first Wally final in an “Adult Car” and not a Junior Dragster. I was in the staging lanes all belted in and my opponent came up beside me and his crew guy came over, looked at me, then looked at the name on the side of the car and yelled at his driver “YOU’RE RACING A GIRL, YOU GOT THIS IN THE BAG”! I remember my dad was pacing because he was so nervous that I heard this guy, and I did but I blocked it out and showed him that even A GIRL can win the big races and sure enough the Wally was handed to me at the end of the day! It was a very proud moment for me!”

Licensing in Top Alcohol Dragster

With such success throughout her teen years, the culminating highlight came in the form of a very special high school graduation gift from her parents. 17 year-old Huffman would fly down to Gainesville, Florida to attend Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School in hopes of completing the Top Alcohol Dragster Program and earning her TAD license. The 3-day school consisted of classroom instruction, cockpit orientation and 2 days of on-track performance review. Florida weather condensed her track time significantly, forcing Ashley to make 6 runs in the dragster in one day. The process was mentally and physically demanding on young Huffman, who was overwhelmed by a combination of excitement, nerves and adrenaline. Less than 10% of drivers complete the requirements to satisfy the tough TAD Licensing test during the 3-day course, but Ashley defied those odds, becoming the first and only Canadian female to license in Top Alcohol Dragster.

I actually ended up doing the school with Diana Harker and her sister Kate was there for support. Kate already had her license at that time. It was really neat to do the school with another female racer! Frank Hawley puts on an incredible school, I learned so much from him and his team and the classroom time that I had with Frank was immeasurable! That man knows Drag Racing inside and out and taught me how to be a better driver!”

Ashley began her Top Alcohol Dragster career as a driver in 2008. She was named the Most Improved/Up & Coming driver in 2009, and took her first win at the 2010 IHRA Nitro Jam Rocky Mountain Nationals in Edmonton, AB, becoming the first female to ever win in the class, the first event winner from Canada, and the first blower car in the class to record a win.

I was so pumped to be racing there since it was one of my hometown tracks, the stands were full and I was ready! I ended up winning the race and became the first blown dragster to win, the first Canadian and the first female to ever win in that class and I did it all at home! I was so proud of not only myself but my entire team! It was definitely a great moment.”

Being just 21 years old, Ashley found she really had to work hard to earn the respect of racers in the series, adding that she dealt with her fair share of rumors and critics. She didn’t let it get to her, choosing instead to let her performances on the track speak for her, earning their respect.

I definitely had to prove myself to all the racers and show that I deserved to be there just like them. There were always RUMORS going around and some people just did not have nice things to say about me, and that’s fine. I proved myself when I was on that track. I proved that I loved drag racing and that I could compete with them and that I earned my stripes.”

2011 would be the last in TAD for Huffman, as she would step down as driver and returned to her own racing program.

Return to Family-based Racing

Now 26, Ashley has returned to racing in the Top Dragster class, driving the family-owned 2006 TnT Dragster with a 565”BBC in Edmonton’s Top Eliminator Club series. The car runs consistent 7.18 second E.T.s at 190 mph. The entire family has a hand in the race day activities, a fact that makes Ashley proud “…we either all do this together or not at all!”

I honestly could not continue in this sport without the help from my Father, Rick, Mother, Barb and Husband, Chad. They are my rock and they all play very crucial roles in our racing operations! My mom is my biggest supporter and fan and has always been there for me through the good weekends and the bad weekends. My Dad was my first crew chief and I have so much respect for him and his love of drag racing. I can guarantee you have never met a man as passionate about drag racing as my father. He has taught me how to be a driver, and I can only hope that one day I am as good as he is. My Husband, Chad grew up at a race track so he is no stranger to the drag strip. He would always be at Castrol Raceway in Edmonton watching his Uncle race every weekend and now with me I have brought him behind the scenes and he is on the line right there beside me for every run! He supports me in every single way and has made every effort to learn every possible thing about drag racing”!

Ashley Huffman beyond the track

Away from the track, Ashley works as a marketing analyst for a large global oil and gas service provider. She fills her spare time practicing yoga, adding that it helps keep her focused at the races as well. She has the mantra “Breathe” tattooed on her clutch foot as a lasting reminder.

I do a ton of yoga, and I find that being able to find that calmness and allowing yourself to just breathe really helps when you are racing, plus you get a killer workout ;). Regardless of what class you are racing in or how fast your car goes, drag racing is all about being FOCUSED! If you’re not focused and in the zone you are not going to be all that successful!”

Looking to the Future

Huffman plans to continue racing her T/D program. She and her husband Chad are in the process of purchasing the dragster operation from her parents, allowing them retire in their beautiful home in Huatulco, Mexico.

She hopes to be able to save enough for a return to the Top Alcohol Dragster class. Ashley would love a TAD return for a chance to claim her first Wally.

I think the biggest road block for any racer is sponsorship and financials to continue travelling to all the races, entrance fees, fuel, parts etc. One of our biggest road blocks was living in Canada and racing in the United States. Every race was at least a 12-24 hour tow. That gets expensive really quickly. Without the help of all of my sponsors, I would have never been able to follow my dream!”

Although sponsorship can be tough to find, especially for the costs associated to running a Top Alcohol Dragster program, Ashley remains focused and optimistic. She adds that this is one of the most important keys to finding success as a woman in the sport.

DO NOT LET PEOPLE DISCOURAGE YOU! You can do anything that you want to do, male or female. There are always going to be people who don’t have anything nice to say, but at the same time, there will be so many more people who stand by behind you, root for you and support you. Keep those people close because at the end of a long hard race day when you lose a race by 0.0007 and give the stripe back, you need those people there!”

Ashley loves entertaining questions from other ladies wanting to try racing on her social media accounts. She adds that talking to other racers and teams can really help newcomers learn the ropes and make friends in the pits.

We are all pretty friendly and love talking to other people about our race cars! I love seeing women getting into this sport and there are definitely a lot more women now than when I first started racing.”

After all, Ashley Huffman said it best herself (on the back of her Alcohol Dragster Hero Card): “It’s all fun and games, ’til you get beat by a girl”

Jenna Haddock loses sponsor

July 18, 2015 // by Horsepower & Heels

Jenna Haddock, the wife and new NHRA Top Fuel driver for Terry Haddock Racing just announced the departure of major sponsor Patriot Grading on her Top Fuel Dragster.

Patriot Grading & Engineering is headquartered in Fontana, California and owned by Bascom Mellon. They joined Jenna Haddock in Denver last season at her Top Fuel debut for the Mopar Mile High NHRA Nationals, and have remained on-board since as major sponsor. Patriot Grading is a full-service grading contractor that serves the Southern California region. Budgetary cuts and more emphasis on regional advertising were cited as their reasons for departure.

This was a very difficult decision to make,” said Mellon, “but I’m just a regional guy. That’s all I am and there’s no advantage for me to advertise nationally when things are tight. It has nothing to do with Jenna; I wish her the best. I hope someone will step up and help her so she doesn’t have a blank car in Denver. And I’m hoping I can join her again for the World Finals in Pomona.”

Haddock plans to honor her existing commitments to associate sponsors by competing in the NHRA Western Swing as originally scheduled, as well as a few previously arranged match races between those dates. Beyond those dates, Jenna and her team will have to evaluate their options on finishing the 2015 season.

“I want to thank Bascom, his wife Ashley and Patriot Grading from the bottom of my heart,” expressed Haddock. “I couldn’t have realized my dream without their support. I can’t deny that this hurts us both emotionally and financially. But I understand that sometimes tough business decisions have to be made. We’ve become friends with Bascom and Ashley and I will miss the special bond that we have developed. We will remain friends and they are always welcome to join us at the races.”

Erica Enders on the Red Carpet

July 17, 2015 // by Horsepower & Heels

Check out NHRA Pro Stock driver Erica Enders on the red carpet at the ESPY award show. The NHRA Pro Stock driver traded her firesuit for a beautiful little black dress, representing the drag racing world on The ESPYS award red carpet.

Nominated for Best Driver ESPY

Erica was one of the 5 nominees for the Best Driver ESPY award, and the lone female driver and drag racer in the group. Juan Pablo Montoya and Will Power from IndyCar, Lewis Hamilton from Formula One, and Kevin Harvick from NASCAR were the other honorees in the category.

Enders, who was nominated after her historical 2014 season in which she became the first woman to win an NHRA Pro Stock Championship, in thrilling and suspenseful fashion. She took the 2014 Pro Stock Championship title on the very last run of the last race, coming from behind in the points standings and winning the last two races of the season.

The NHRA star attended the event with her husband and fellow Pro Stock racer Richie Stevens, sister Courtney Enders and her father, Greg. Parts of the prestigious ceremony, including the much-anticipated acceptance of the Arthur Ashe award by Caitlyn Jenner, were aired live on ABC.

Voting a Winner

The award allowed fans to vote for their favorites in each of the categories online from the announcement of the nominees all the way up until the day of the live show. In the end, NASCAR star Kevin Harvick took the top honors for his first career NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship in 2014.

Harvick, meanwhile, was not in attendance. He posted on Twitter that he had forgotten about the award show.

Forgot the @ESPYS were on last night but apparently we won! Thanks for all of the support! #coolaward

— Kevin Harvick (@KevinHarvick) July 16, 2015

Erica Enders nominated for ESPY Best Driver

June 24, 2015 // by Horsepower & Heels

Reigning NHRA Pro Stock World Champion Erica Enders was just recognized as an ESPY nominee for the Best Driver category. Awarded by sports network giant ESPN, the ESPY awards recognize individual and team athletic achievement and other sports-related performance during the calendar year preceding at the annual ceremony.

Enders nominated for ESPY in Best Driver category

Enders is in the running against Kevin Harvick from NASCAR, Juan Pablo Montoya and Wil Power from IndyCar and Lewis Hamilton from Formula One for the Best Driver award. The official nominee announcement was just released today.

Everyone always says it is an honor to be nominated for an award like this, and that is absolutely the case,” Enders said. “I am truly humbled to see my name alongside the greatest in the world, and I am honored to represent my Elite Motorsports team and NHRA at the ESPYS.”

Enders had a remarkable 2014, earning her nomination by winning the Pro Stock championship in thrilling fashion in the final round of the final race. In winning, she became the first female to win the title in drag racing’s ultra-competitive Pro Stock class, and she did it in clutch fashion, coming from behind in the points standings and winning the last two races of the season.

For her efforts in 2014, she has also been honored with Racer Magazine’s prestigious Racer of the Year Award, beating out competitors across all forms of motorsports. She won the magazine’s Drag Racer of the Year, and All-American status from the American Auto Racing Writers & Broadcasters Association.

Enders joined Elite Motorsports, owned by Richard Freeman, for the 2014 season. Led by crew chiefs Rick and Rickie Jones, Enders won six races and was fastest qualifier six times in 2014. She led the points standings for 15 of 24 races and set the national elapsed time (6.464 seconds) and speed record (215.55 mph) in Englishtown, N.J.

My guys are absolutely incredible,” Enders said. “They never cease to amaze me. I wouldn’t be where I am without them. This is the first team I’ve ever worked for where we’ve had a unified front and they have my back. I’m blessed to have an incredible group of men, and the chemistry is there. It’s always a positive environment.”

Fans can vote for Enders in the ESPY Best Driver category here: http://espn.go.com/espys/2015/

The 2015 ESPYS awards show will be broadcast live on ABC July 15 at 8 p.m. Eastern time from the Nokia Theater L.A. in Los Angeles. Enders will attend the ceremony, which will be hosted by comedian Joel McHale.