Enders-Stevens, Elite Motorsports team on a roll heading to Epping

Fresh off a victory at Bristol Dragway, Pro Stock points leader Erica Enders-Stevens and her Elite Motorsports team will tackle New England Dragway for the first time during this weekend's Auto-Plus NHRA New England Nationals.

The inaugural race in Epping was held last year, but neither Enders-Stevens nor the Elite team raced that weekend.

"I'm looking forward to going to Epping," Enders-Stevens said. "I've never been there before because that was one of the races last year we didn't have any sponsorship. I've heard it was cool and the fans were great.

"We'll try to carry the momentum from Bristol to there and see how it goes."

The win in Bristol was her third of the season, and it increased her points lead in the ultra-competitive Pro Stock class to 155. The team owned by Richard Freeman, with crew chiefs Rick and Rickie Jones, has been fast at every track this season, so not racing last year in Epping is not a concern to Enders-Stevens.

"We don't have any data there, but there's not a racetrack anywhere that my crew chiefs can't handle," Enders-Stevens said. "They do a really good job with this race car, and I'm not worried about it at all. We'll be fine. We'll take it round by round and day by day."

The Epping race is the second in a four-week stretch that can tax even the most well-prepared teams. Following Bristol and Epping, NHRA racers will compete in Chicago and Norwalk before getting a week off, then the three-race Western Swing begins.

"We've really prepared well for this stretch," Enders-Stevens said. "The team has really worked hard and put in a lot of time at the shop. I like racing multiple races like this because you're in the seat every weekend and you get more and more comfortable. I feel like I'm more on top of my job.

"Plus, we've got a fast hot rod right now, so my confidence as a driver is high and the morale of the team is terrific."

Qualifying begins Friday with sessions at 4:15 and 6:45 p.m. Eastern. The final two qualifying sessions will take place at 12:15 and 2:45 p.m. Saturday. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday. ESPN2 will have one hour of qualifying coverage at 7 p.m., Saturday, and a two-hour eliminations show at 2 p.m., Sunday.

Geiger Media Global