KLR Group's Erica Enders counting on No. 3 to be lucky in Sonoma
(7-28-2012) SONOMA, CA – When KLR Group driver Erica Enders scored her first career Pro Stock victory earlier this month in Chicago, she won from the No. 3 qualifying position.
Saturday, Enders locked up the No. 3 qualifier for the NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sears Point Raceway. A good omen?
"I used to be a believer in that, but now I've raced long enough where I've done everything at least twice," Enders said. "It never works out the same, but it's still cool."
Numbers aside, Enders has a strong Chevrolet for Sunday's eliminations. She was in the top four in all four sessions, with her top lap of 6.531 seconds at 211.23 mph matching her best qualifying spot of the season.
That pass was in the third qualifying session, when she was second-fastest of the ultra-competitive Pro Stock class. Enders was also second in Q1, third in Q4 and fourth in Q2.
"Like my guys said when they picked me up, 'You've got a horse to ride this weekend, just like Chicago,'" Enders said. "We had a good car there, and we have a good car here. Providing I can do my job tomorrow, hopefully it will be a long day."
Enders starts off the day against No. 14 qualifier J.R. Carr, whose best pass was 6.594 at 209.39 seconds.
"We've got a consistent race car," Enders said. "I really like Sonoma, so hopefully we can do really well tomorrow."
Enders and her GK Motorsports team are pushing hard in the run to the Countdown to the Championship, working on picking up speed against the rest of the class. The work appears to be paying off.
"We're constantly trying to better ourselves and figure new things out," Enders said. "It's coming together. Our engine shop is working really hard, and we're hopeful to have some more power within the next few races. This is a constant battle."
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