Erica Enders

Erica Enders is a six-time NHRA Pro Stock world champion and holds the distinction of being the winningest professional female driver in motorsports history. Her championships in Pro Stock place her among the top competitors in the sport, with only Bob Glidden and Warren Johnson also having achieved six titles in the category.

Enders began her drag racing career at age eight, competing in Jr. Dragsters, where she collected 37 wins and was named Jr. Dragster Driver of the Year. Her early success, alongside her sister Courtney, inspired the Disney Channel Original Movie "Right on Track," which featured Beverly Mitchell and Academy Award winner Brie Larson portraying the Enders sisters. At 16, Enders advanced to the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, earning the title of NHRA Sportsman Rookie of the Year before moving to the professional ranks.

Enders faced significant challenges upon entering Pro Stock, including failing to qualify in her debut at the NHRA Winternationals and missing the field in nine of her first 12 events. She spent three years driving an underpowered Ford Mustang, failing to qualify in 27 of 30 races. Her persistence led to a breakthrough when she became the first woman to win in NHRA Pro Stock, defeating four-time champion Greg Anderson in the finals at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Illinois. She later became the first woman to win the NHRA Pro Stock World Championship, securing six race wins that season, including the season-ending Auto Club NHRA Finals.

Throughout her career, Enders has set multiple records in drag racing. She achieved a personal best by winning 10 national events in a single season and clinched her fifth series title. Enders also set both ends of the Pro Stock national records with a 6.450-second elapsed time at Gainesville Raceway in the Gatornationals and a speed record of 215.55 mph at Englishtown Raceway in New Jersey. At the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, she secured her 50th NHRA win. Enders has competed in both Pro Stock and Pro Mod at NHRA national events, demonstrating her versatility as a driver.

Enders is actively involved in the engineering and tuning of her Pro Stock car and contributes to the Elite Motorsports fleet. Her journey from Jr. Dragster competition to becoming the winningest female professional driver in motorsports highlights her determination and skill in the field of drag racing.