Enders begins first full season as team owner

Pomona, Calif. - It's a moment Pro Stock racer Erica Enders has been anticipating for 15 years -- the day her and her father Gregg Enders could begin a season of professional competition in complete control of their own destiny.

After a season and a half with Victor Cagnazzi's race team and a few starts with Don Schumacher Racing, the Enders Racing group made the ultimate leap and purchased its own racing operation in September of 2006. Six months later and countless hours of hard work behind them, they begin the 2007 POWERade Drag Racing Series Thursday at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona with renewed optimism and high hopes for the year ahead.

"Racing at this level is more work than anyone can imagine," the 23-year-old Enders said. "It's a struggle every day and we still have plenty of long hours ahead of us, but it is exciting to start fresh and finally get back to racing after a long, hard winter.

"We're excited about our car and although our testing was limited, we have already discovered we have the horsepower to run in the top half. The way the Countdown to the Championship is this year, consistency will be very important. Our first goal coming into every race is simple -- we just want to qualify. Then we'll move onto step two. It's going to be a big challenge because the competition out there has never been greater."

Off the track, Enders Racing continues to search for primary sponsorship. Although they are working many angles, the hunt for funding maintains critical status.

"Sponsorship is always a top concern," said Enders, who is widely recognized for the Disney Channel movie about her and sister Courtney's life in the Junior Dragster ranks entitled Right On Track. "As we've discovered as team owners, the expenses are astronomical, especially if you want to run for the championship. We're doing everything we can to track down a major sponsor and that search continues every day."

Heading into the season, Enders will receive associate backing from Lupe Tortilla Mexican Restaurants, Jerry Haas Racecars, Snap-on Tools, Mach 1 Air Services, Impact, Oakley, Fortune Lighters, Aeromotive, American Racing Wheels, and RaceGirl apparel.