ENDERS UPDATE
Since
Erica Enders’ crash at Bradenton Motorsports Park
in Florida last week seemed to have caused a lot of Internet
chat room second-guessing by “keyboard crew chiefs,”
DRO’s West Coast Editor Darr Hawthorne called to get
the story of the incident directly from the Pro Stock rookie
who now drives for Victor Cagnazzi Racing.
Erica licensed at the Frank Hawley School in an Alcohol
Funny Car and previously had won hundreds of rounds of competition
in Jr. Dragster and NHRA Super Eliminators. She won Super
Gas at the 2004 NHRA Houston event.
“First off, I’m fine,” said Enders, “It
was interesting; all day we had not gotten the car down
track, the two runs prior to that – after fourth gear
it got a little bit waggily and I would just shove the clutch
in and it would straighten out. When I shoved the clutch
in on that pass it just kind of took off and barrel rolled.
The main point of impact is on the passenger side roof “A
pillar” and the entire body is gone."
Quite a few drivers came over after the accident to give
perspective. “The list of Pro Stock drivers who have
wrecked like that is long and distinguished,” said
Enders. “When I was down at the top end, Greg Anderson
came over and told me it would be alright, that Jason Line
had done it and look where he is now – keep going.
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“It was more embarrassing and hurtful to my ego than
painful to me physically. I called Victor (Cagnazzi) from
the ambulance and told him what happened and he immediately
put our new (Jerry) Haas car on the trailer and had it down
there the next morning,” said the 21-year old driver
who’s been competing in drag racing since age eight.
Chassis builder Todd Bevis will top-half and re-skin the
Cavalier and they’ll probably use it as a show car
for next season.
In the previous day’s testing Enders ran 6.71 at
205.70 mph, followed by a pair of 6.69's at 206 mph. She
now has some 35 passes in a Pro Stock car. (photo
by Racers Edge Photography) [12-22-2004]
HEAR, HEAR!
DRO’s Nostalgia Racing columnist and classic nitro
funny car pilot Jeff Utterback and owner Jeff Gaynor made
it to Scott Hudson's SpeedScene radio show Dec. 21st to
discuss the current Funny Car scene and racing in the Goodguys
VRA Series. There were phone-ins from the likes of flopper
veteran Dale Pulde. The hour-long live show is now archived
at http://www.speedsceneracing.com.
(Darr Hawthorne photo) [12-22-2004]
