KEY PRO STOCK NEWS
03.24.09:
With realistic expectations, Erica Enders looks forward to Hometown NHRA Event Theres nothing worse for a driver than sitting on the sidelines without a ride, particularly when the event is being held at the drivers home track. Just ask Erica Enders. When last years OReilly NHRA Spring Nationals presented by Pennzoil rolled around, Enders was without a ride, relegated to watching peers take the track where she began her drag racing career 17 years ago. Fast-forward one year, and things are much different. Enders is back behind the wheel of a Pro Stocker with new sponsor Dragstar, a new team, and a renewed level of excitement, which is only made stronger by a trip home. Theres no place like home, thats for sure, said Enders. All 17 years of my career, most of my passes have been in Houston, so Im looking very forward to this weekends race. Granted, were not going to go out and set the world on fire and be able to win the race, but it will be great to be back in front of the hometown crowd. Last year, Richie [Stevens Jr.] and I went down for the Houston race, and neither of us was driving at that event, so it was extremely difficult to be there and not be driving it really kind of sucked, to be honest. Im so stoked to be coming back to my hometown.
This weekends OReilly NHRA Spring Nationals will mark the fifth event for Enders behind the wheel of Jim Cunninghams Ford Mustang, which she piloted at last years Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil and the first three events this year, and though she is happy to be back racing in front of friends and family, shes realistic in her expectations.
Enders has failed to qualify at all three races this year (Miserably failed - fla), and with 24 teams on the entry list for the Houston event, she says that will likely be the outcome there, too. I know the track, and yes, Ive done well in the past, but considering our position with parts and stuff, I dont think were going to make the show here, said Enders. I dont want to sound like Debbie Downer, but I saw there are 24 cars on the entry list, so thats pretty stout for a Pro Stock field.
The team is using an old car and old engine components (and it runs like an ol' heap - fla) while waiting for brand-new ones from Ford, which has already tested the '10 Mustang body in the wind tunnel and, with a great deal of help from team owner Cunningham, has begun work on the cylinder heads and engine blocks, which the team hopes to have by July. In the meantime, the team is using its time to jell, get Enders more seat time, and give the crew data and tuning experience. Were learning a lot, said Enders. Were out there, Im learning about the car, Im getting more seat time, and my crew chief is getting more runs under his belt. Were like every team out there; we learn from every run.
When I started at Victor Cagnazzis [team], we werent qualifying I dont think we qualified for the first 10 races. Our program was new over there, and things came together, and towards the end of my deal over there, we were third in the world in points and had been to two finals. Every new program needs time to come together. Well be just fine. I really, really have a lot of confidence. Ive never worked with a more committed group of people. My crew chief and the two guys that work on my car and Jim Cunningham are so amazing. They believe in the program and in me as much as I do, and that really means a lot to a driver. The team will continue its learning process this weekend at Houston Raceway Park, where it will have an added cheering section of Enders friends and family, including her father, Gregg, who has missed the first three races this year due to work commitments at Momentum Biofuels, which is one of the teams backers this season. No matter the outcome, Enders is just happy she has the chance to take part in this years Houston event in front of her friends, family, and fans. Im so happy to be back in the car, she said. It was so weird not driving. It was like part of me was missing last year. It was so frustrating. Im just so happy to be driving again and be getting seat time and getting to be out there with the rest of the guys and the fans and stuff because I surely did miss it last year. -
See previous Erica Enders thread post #31 and photos. - TAB
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03.24.09: Dave Connolly To Race At Spring Nationals
- - Pro Stock driver Dave Connolly will make his 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series debut this weekend at the OReilly Spring Nationals in Houston. But he will be driving Kenny Koretskys colorful Nitro Fish Dodge instead of the familiar Cagnazzi Racing Charter Communications Chevrolet Cobalt. Connolly, one of the categorys best, has been sidelined by the current economic downturn for the first three 2009 Full Throttle Drag Racing Series events, so he accepted the offer to drive Koretskys car. Connolly, a 21-race winner, is eager to get back to racing, even if it is for one race. Im still part of Cagnazzi Racing and when Kenny offered his car for me to drive this weekend, I was excited. But I wanted the blessings of Victor, General Motors and (crew chief) Tommy Utt, and they said yes. It will be good to get behind the wheel of a Pro Stock car again. Im honored they picked me to drive the car. Hopefully, in the next couple of weeks, Cagnazzi Racing can find someone to partner with Charter Communications and I can get back in my Chevy Cobalt. Then we can get back to trying to win a championship. Im looking forward to racing again with Tommy Utt and the rest of my team.
FlA Says: I don't follow pro stock very closely except for Greg Anderson and the Summit Racing team. However, five years ago, the one guy that really caught my attention was Dave Connolly. He is a great PS driver and I am equally impressed with Dave when I've gone to his pit. He had the same sponsorship problem last year missing the first five races.
More King Billy NHRA News - fla
01.05.09: The Kid is Back - 75th Anniversary of the 1933-34 Ford Model
Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum - - The 75th Anniversary of the 1933-34 Ford Model 40, arguably one of Fords sleekest designs, will be celebrated in a special exhibit at the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, Jan. 23, 2009 through June 2009. The 1933-34 Ford Model 40 was a very important car both for Ford and for hot rodders. It helped pull Ford out of the depression and powered racers from Indy to El Mirage. Its an important milestone anniversary that the Parks Museums is excited to celebrate, said Tony Thacker, executive director of the museum. This exhibit is for all the racers and rodders who embraced the Model 40.
The exhibit, will feature a number of legendary 1933-34 Ford hot rods, including the Pierson Brothers Coupe; the SO-CAL Coupe; the famed Mooneyham & Sharp 554 car (courtesy of Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing); and the Allison V-12-powered Big Al. Representing the hot rod community will be the California Kid, the Super Bell Coupe, Jake Jacobs coupe and, just announced, Billy Gibbons Eliminator made famous in rock band ZZ Tops award-winning music videos. Other cars will also be on display, including the new, all-steel 34 3-window coupe from Steves Auto Restorations. The exhibit will also include photographs, memorabilia and artifacts that tell the story of the iconic 1933-34 Ford. # SNIP#.
Videos: ZZ Top, Gimme All Your Lovin'
THE Legendary MTV Video featuring "Eliminator" | Nov. 2007: ZZ Top Live From Texas (Dallas)
From Fall 2008 "In Your Face" Tour