By: Elite Motorsports (Photo Credit: Auto Imagery)
CONCORD, N.C. (Sept. 21, 2024) – Erica Enders and the Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage / Melling Performance / SCAG Power Equipment Pro Stock team earned their sixth No.1. qualifier of the season Saturday at the NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway.
Enders laid down a stout 6.557-second pass at 208.20 mph on Friday night that held up for her 40th career No.1 qualifying position. Enders earned a total of 12 qualifying bonus points for her team’s performance, being quickest of each of the qualifying sessions. Enders started the weekend with a 6.564 at 206.13 and came out on Saturday to go 6.562 at 208.39 and wrapped up qualifying with a 6.573 at 209.10.
“I’m a numbers girl so it is definitely cool to secure our 40th No. 1. It seems like a big number but after doing this for 20 years, I guess it’s really not,” Enders said. “We have our work cut out for us tomorrow, hopefully getting that 50th win. But I have a great race car, the JHG / Melling / SCAG car, we were low every session earning us 12 points which is more than half a round. So, I’m stoked to have a fast race car, now I have to go to work. My confidence is very strong in my equipment and in my team.”
With the top spot, Enders and the JHG / Melling team will lineup against Derrick Reese in the first round of eliminations as Enders chases her 50th career national event win, 49th in Pro Stock.
Sitting third in qualifying is points leader and most recent event winner Aaron Stanfield in his JHG / Melling / Janac Brothers Racing machine. Stanfield earned a total of four bonus points for being second quickest in each of Friday’s sessions. With his 6.580-second pass at 207.85 mph from Friday night, Stanfield will face Chris McGaha in the first round of eliminations.
The NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway continues with eliminations beginning Sunday at noon. Pro Stock first round is slated for noon. Television coverage of the event will continue on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) with a second qualifying show Sunday at 1:30 p.m. ET and an eliminations show Sunday at 3:00 p.m. ET.
