Enders returns to earth in Norwalk but remains optimistic about winning race team
(7-8-2012) NORWALK, OH – KLR Group driver Erica Enders said last week after her historic first Pro Stock victory that everything had gone exactly right in order for her to win.
This weekend's sixth annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals at Summit Motorsports Park was a lesson of what happens when everything isn't perfect.
In the first round Sunday, Enders displayed her driving prowess in her matchup with renowned driver Jeg Coughlin Jr. Enders left first with a .015-second reaction time, giving her an instant advantage over the No. 10 qualifier.
But Enders' GK Motorsports Chevrolet, qualified seventh at the start of the day, immediately let her down, as the tires began to shake violently. Coughlin drove to the victory with a pass of 6.649 seconds at 207.78 mph.
"We waited to fire because they were trying to decide which lane to go in," Enders said. "I haven't seen the run yet, so I don't know if bit us or not, but the bottom line is we let that one slip through our fingers before we even had a chance."
For the record, Enders' pass was 13.433 seconds at 63.73 mph. So after a perfect race day in Chicago last Sunday, Enders was out way too early for her liking in Norwalk.
"It's extremely disappointing and very unfortunate," Enders said. "We're such a great team and we have such great potential. Between my driving yesterday in the Challenge (special event) and blowing the tires off the car today, we definitely didn't show what we've got in Norwalk, and that definitely ticks us all off."
Enders fell in the first round Saturday of the K&N Horsepower Challenge despite posting a faster elapsed time against Greg Anderson.
The Houston native remains sixth in the Pro Stock points standings, solidly in position to claim a spot in the Countdown to the Championship. She returns to action July 20-22 with the Mopar NHRA Mile-High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway.
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