Erica Enders final report

ZaZa Energy pro Enders ends 4-Wide race in semifinals

CHARLOTTE (April 17) -- ZaZa Energy NHRA Pro Stock driver Erica Enders figured she had as good a chance as anyone in this weekend’s VisitMyrtleBeach.com NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at zMax Dragway.

Erica Enders, driver of the ZaZa Energy Chevy Cobalt

Photo by: Ted Rossino

Her Cagnazzi Racing Chevrolet has been running well, Enders has been driving well, and the four-lane format makes this particular race a bit of a crapshoot.

Enders caught a break and advanced out of the first round but ran out of luck in the semifinals, shaking her tires off the start line to fall short of reaching the money round.

"At this track, it’s anybody’s race," Enders said. "It’s up for the taking because it’s such a different routine than everybody is used to. When you throw that many drivers up there with that much going on, it always makes it interesting. We were fortunate to come out on top in the first round but we'll take it for sure. A win is a win.

"I was on my game today. I was shifting really well, and I’ve been leaving really well. It’s unfortunate we lost in the semis because we had a great car.

"On the positive side of things is my teammate, Dave Connolly, who made the finals. It was a good showing for ZaZa Energy and IDG. And the other good news is we go to Houston for the next race. We’re back to two-lane racing, and it’s my hometown."

Enders advanced to the semifinals despite one of her slowest speeds of the weekend. She ran a 6.927 at 162.84 mph pass as her Chevrolet had a mechanical issue that slowed her down. Even so, she had the best reaction time of her four-driver round and was ahead of winner Vincent Nobile at half-track before the problem. The other two drivers in the quad both fouled out, advancing Enders to the next round.

In the semis, Enders left second behind Connolly but immediately shook the tires of her Cobalt. She tried to make the best of it, but eventually shut the engine down and coasted to the finish.

"We weren’t over-aggressive," Enders said. "I don’t know if it was the difference in lanes or what. I did my best to get her to go down the track, but it wouldn’t take it."

Enders and the ZaZa Energy team next race April 29-May 1 at Royal Purple Raceway in Baytown, Texas.

-source: vgr