PRO STOCK DRIVER ENDERS-STEVENS EAGER TO MAKE FIRST APPEARANCE AT AUTO-PLUS NHRA NEW ENGLAND NATIONALS AT NEW ENGLAND DRAGWAY

EPPING, N.H. – Erica Enders-Stevens will make her first visit to New England Dragway this weekend for the second annual Auto-Plus NHRA New England Nationals. But anyone thinking she may struggle in her first outing at a new facility may simply not be paying attention to how brilliant Enders-Stevens has been during the 2014 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season.

The Pro Stock points leader earned her third victory of the season last weekend in Bristol and has adjusted magnificently in any conditions, whether it is posting world-record times in Englishtown or powering through warm temperatures in Bristol. Debuting and running well against a talented Pro Stock field in Epping is the latest challenge, but it’s simply another one Enders-Stevens has embraced in her Elite Motorsports Chevy Camaro.

"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."

Spencer Massey (Top Fuel), Courtney Force (Funny Car), Allen Johnson (Pro Stock) and John Hall (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were inaugural winners of an event that exceeded all expectations and will once again be televised nationally on ESPN2.

The Auto-Plus NHRA New England Nationals marks the 11th of 24 events during the 2014 and Enders-Stevens will look to continue her magical season in New Hampshire. Her appearance will certainly be one of the most anticipated of the weekend for fans in the area. In turn, she is just as thrilled to make her debut at New England Dragway.

"I’m looking forward to going to Epping,” Enders-Stevens said. “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."

There’s plenty of momentum in a season where seemingly everything has gone right for the history-making Pro Stock driver. Her Elite Motorsports team, headed by crew chiefs Rick Jones and Rickie Jones, has been on point, and Enders-Stevens has followed suit in the cockpit with one stellar performance after another.

She has won three races (Las Vegas, Houston and Bristol), advanced to four finals and hasn’t lost a first-round matchup all season. Her 23 round wins trail only the 25 of Top Fuel’s Doug Kalitta and Funny Car’s Robert Hight for the most in NHRA, and Enders-Stevens also reset both ends of the Pro Stock national record (6.464 seconds, 215.55 mph) in Englishtown. That power has been evident throughout the season, as Enders-Stevens hasn’t qualified outside of third since the season-opening event in Pomona.

She has also held the points lead since the victory in Las Vegas in late March, learning to adjust to the pressure that come with that. She’s the first female driver to ever lead the points standings in the history of the Pro Stock category.

"It’s pretty cool even though it’s unchartered territory for me," Enders-Stevens said. "I’ve never been in this position, so it’s going to be something that I’m going to have to learn how to handle, but with a team like I’ve got I know we’re going to be just fine. We were consistent and performed like a team (in Bristol), and I couldn’t be more proud of them.”

Enders-Stevens will face off with a talented Pro Stock field in Epping, including reigning world champion Jeg Coughlin and his teammate Johnson, who are second and third in points, respectively. Other factory hot rod class hopefuls seeking a first win at Epping include Vincent Nobile, Greg Anderson, Jason Line, V Gaines, Dave Connolly, Shane Gray and Chris McGaha.

But the Houston native seems to be gaining steam as the season has progressed, starting off the string of four consecutive race weekends with a strong showing in Bristol.

“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."

In Top Fuel, Massey is looking for a repeat victory at New England Dragway and his third victory overall in 2014. Other contenders in the talent-packed class include points leader Doug Kalitta, who advanced to his sixth final of the year in Bristol, 2012 world champion Antron Brown, seven-time world champ Tony Schumacher, Steve Torrence, 2013 Auto Club of Southern California Road the Future Award winner Brittany Force, defending world champion and Bristol winner Shawn Langdon and new Kalitta Motorsports driver J.R. Todd.

Courtney Force, who beat her father and 16-time Funny Car world champion John Force in the final a year ago, recently earned the 100th professional win for female NHRA drivers in Topeka and is after her second win of the season. She is chasing points leader Robert Hight while other championship-caliber drivers include Alexis DeJoria, Jack Beckman, Ron Capps, Matt Hagan, Del Worsham, Bristol winner Tommy Johnson Jr., Jack Beckman and local favorite and Rhode Island native Bob Tasca III.

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Hall claimed his first career win on his Buell last season at the inaugural event and is currently third in the points standings. The Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson team of Andrew Hines and Eddie Krawiec sit first and second, respectively, in the points standings and will face strong competition from the likes of reigning world champion Matt Smith, John Hall, Hector Arana Jr., Michael Ray and Scotty Pollacheck.

As always, fans will have the opportunity to interact with their favorite drivers as they’re granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. This unique opportunity in motorsports gives fans direct access to the teams, allowing them to see firsthand the highly-skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds, and enjoy some cherished face time and get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers.

Families who are planning to attend the event will want to take advantage of the free general admission tickets for kids ages 12 and under. Fans will also want to visit NHRA’s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create a carnival atmosphere, with interactive displays, simulated competitions, merchandise, food and fun for the entire family.

Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying begins Friday, June 20, with sessions at 4:15 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. The final two qualifying sessions will take place Saturday, June 21, at 12:15 and 2:45 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, June 22.

To experience the roaring excitement of the NHRA New England Nationals get your tickets by calling (800) 884-NHRA (6472) or visiting www.NHRATix.com. For more information about the NHRA visit www.NHRA.com.

* * *

AUTO-PLUS NHRA NEW ENGLAND NATIONALS FACT SHEET

WHAT: Second annual Auto-Plus NHRA New England Nationals, the 11th of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Drivers in four categories – Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle – earn points leading to 2014 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championships.

WHERE: New England Dragway, The track is on Route 101 off Exit 8, an hour north of Boston and just 20 minutes from Manchester and the New Hampshire sea coast. From I-95, take Exit 2 in New Hampshire. Travel west on Route 101 to Exit 8, then turn right. From I-93, take Exit 7 in New Hampshire. Travel east on Route 101 to Exit 8, then turn left, and the track is straight ahead. From I-495, take Exit 51-B to Route 125 north. Travel east on Route 101 to Exit 8, then turn left, and the track is straight ahead.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, June 19-22

SCHEDULE:

THURSDAY, June 19 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying

FRIDAY, June 20 – LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations

MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 4:15 and 6:45 p.m.

SATURDAY, June 21 – LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations

MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 12:15 and 2:45 p.m.

SUNDAY, June 22 – Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m.

MELLO YELLO SERIES eliminations begin at 11a.m.

TELEVISION:

Saturday, June 21, ESPN2HD will televise one hour of qualifying coverage at 7 p.m. (ET).

Sunday, June 22, ESPN2HD will televise three hours of elimination coverage starting at 2 p.m. (ET).

SATELLITE (Digital HD feed):

Friday, June 20, 9:30 – 10 p.m. (ET), AMC 1 / Transponder 01C

Saturday, June 21, 6:30 – 7 p.m. (ET), AMC 1 / Transponder 01C

Sunday, June 22, 7 – 7:30 p.m. (ET), AMC 1 / Transponder 01C

(3720 MHz, horizontal; Data Rate: 40.46147055 Mbp; Symbol Rate: 29.27 Ms; FEC: ¾; Bandwidth: 36 Mhz)

Video news release contains race action highlights each day and winners’ interviews on Sunday.

2013 EVENT WINNERS: Spencer Massey, Top Fuel; Courtney Force, Funny Car; Allen Johnson, Pro Stock; John Hall, Pro Stock Motorcycle.

TRACK RECORDS:

Top Fuel – 3.795 seconds by Doug Kalitta, June ’13; 324.67 mph by Shawn Langdon, June ’13.

Funny Car – 4.051 seconds by John Force, June ’13; 317.49 mph by Matt Hagan, June ’13.

Pro Stock – 6.533 seconds by Jeg Coughlin, June ’13; 212.79 mph by Mike Edwards, June ’13.

Pro Stock Motorcycle – 6.832 seconds by Michael Ray, June ’13; 197.05 mph by Ray, June ’13

NATIONAL RECORDS:

Top Fuel – 3.701 sec. by Antron Brown, Oct. ‘12, Reading, Pa.; 332.18 mph by Spencer Massey, April ’12, Charlotte, N.C.

Funny Car – 3.965 sec. by John Force, Feb. ’14, Pomona, Calif.; 324.12 mph by J. Force, Feb. ’14, Pomona, Calif.

Pro Stock – 6.4 sec. by Erica Enders-Stevens, May ‘14, Englishtown, N.J.; 215.55 mph by Enders-Stevens, May ‘14, Englishtown N.J.

PS Motorcycle – 6.728 sec. by Andrew Hines, Oct. ’12, Reading, Pa.; 199.26 mph by Eddie Krawiec, March ’11, Gainesville, Fla.

TICKETS: For tickets call (603) 679-8001. Tickets also available online at www.newenglanddragway.com.

* * *

NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS STANDINGS

GLENDORA, Calif. — Point standings (top 10) following the 10th of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series:

Top Fuel: 1. Doug Kalitta, 902; 2. Antron Brown, 782; 3. Shawn Langdon, 751; 4. Spencer Massey, 652; 5. Steve Torrence, 617; 6. Tony Schumacher, 557; 7. Khalid alBalooshi, 535; 8. Brittany Force, 502; 9. Richie Crampton, 464; 10. J.R. Todd, 429.

Funny Car: 1. Robert Hight, 905; 2. John Force, 640; 3. Tommy Johnson Jr., 627; 4. Alexis DeJoria, 619; 5. Del Worsham, 593; 6. Courtney Force, 581; 7. Ron Capps, 571; 8. Cruz Pedregon, 538; 9. Tim Wilkerson, 533; 10. Matt Hagan, 527.

Pro Stock: 1. Erica Enders-Stevens, 908; 2. Jeg Coughlin, 753; 3. Allen Johnson, 704; 4. Jason Line, 698; 5. Shane Gray, 651; 6. Vincent Nobile, 617; 7. Dave Connolly, 587; 8. V. Gaines, 487; 9. Chris McGaha, 459; 10. Rodger Brogdon, 390.

Pro Stock Motorcycle: 1. Andrew Hines, 406; 2. Eddie Krawiec, 382; 3. John Hall, 285; 4. Hector Arana Jr, 263; 5. Scotty Pollacheck, 252; 6. Michael Ray, 235; 7. Matt Smith, 206; 8. Steve Johnson, 187; 9. (tie) Hector Arana, 168; Chaz Kennedy, 168.