LAS VEGAS — For a variety of reasons the SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway was important to reigning Pro Stock world champion Erica Enders-Stevens and Funny Car standout Alexis DeJoria.
Becoming just the second pair of female drivers to earn victories at the same NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event is certainly one of them. But there was one thing the two female racers weren’t able to do that they hope can change after the 16th annual SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals, April 10-12.
“Alexis and I are good friends, and it was definitely an historic moment,” said Enders-Stevens, whose win in Seattle of 2013 with Courtney Force marked the first time two females won at the same race. “Because of weather conditions, Pro Stock wasn’t able to run on schedule, and I didn’t technically get to share the winner’s circle with her. But we did talk on the phone later that night. We congratulated each other and both said we wish we could have celebrated in winner’s circle together.”
Said DeJoria: “I didn’t even know that she had won until after the fact so we never got to share the Winner’s Circle together and that kind of bummed me out. I wish we could have, but it was pretty cool to be a part of history together.”
Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel) joined the ladies last year as winners of the event that will once again be televised on ESPN2. The event is the fifth of 24 events during the 2015 season, and it marked a pivotal point for both DeJoria and Enders-Stevens a season ago.
For DeJoria, it was her second straight victory after picking up her first career Funny Car win at the previous event in Phoenix. That further bolstered her breakout season that included three victories and qualifying for the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship playoffs. A year later, DeJoria hopes to continue the good vibes in Las Vegas.
“The fact that we had such a consistent race car, I remember that very well because it was just like the consistency we had in Phoenix for our first win,” DeJoria said. “Vegas is one of my favorite tracks. I love to race there and have been racing there for a very long time. I’ve been racing at that track since my Super Comp days so I know it very well.”
Enders-Stevens got to know the winner’s circle extremely well at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 2014. Not only did she win the SummitRacing.com Nationals, she doubled up with a victory in the K&N Horsepower Challenge bonus event.
That catapulted Enders-Stevens to the top of the Pro Stock class, where she finished off her own historic world championship run by winning the final two events of the Countdown, including the second race in Las Vegas.
“Vegas will always hold a special place in my heart because it was my first win with Elite (Motorsports), and we were able to double-up there,” Enders-Stevens said. “We’re really excited to go back. Last year was just a special weekend for my team and I. We were still pretty new together, and it was neat to see how well everyone worked together, even under such a high-pressure situation for $100,000 (for doubling up). It was a weekend I’ll never forget.”
Repeating the process in her Elite Motorsports Chevy Camaro won’t be easy for Enders-Stevens, who currently sits fifth in the Pro Stock points standings. She’ll face off against the likes of rookie teammate Drew Skillman, Summit Racing Equipment teammates Greg Anderson and Jason Line, who is the current points leader, Allen Johnson, Rodger Brogdon and Four-Wide Nationals winner Larry Morgan.
The K&N Horsepower Challenge adds an extra element that Enders-Stevens must prepare for as well.
“It’s a really exciting specialty race that K&N puts on every year for us,” said Enders-Stevens, who has 12 career wins. “It’s an exciting weekend coming up, and being the defending champions makes it even more exciting for us. Two of the qualifying passes are K&N elimination rounds, so not only is Sunday important, but Saturday is really important to us, too. I’m hopeful that we can get it done again.”
Another victory in Las Vegas would be a huge jumpstart to DeJoria’s season as well. She hasn’t reached a final round in her Patron XO Café Incendio Toyota Camry in 2015 and will try to thwart off a loaded Funny Car field featuring Robert Hight, John Force, Courtney Force, five-time Vegas winner Ron Capps, reigning world champion Matt Hagan, recent Charlotte winner Jack Beckman, and DeJoria’s teammate Del Worsham, who took over the points lead in Charlotte.
“I was hoping we would’ve won something by now since we had so much success early on last year,” DeJoria said. “It’s been a bit of a struggle so far, but it’s still so early in the season and there are so many races left to go. Hopefully this will be our turnaround race. Vegas is a place we have a lot of runs on, and both our car and (Worsham’s) DHL team have won there so we have a lot of information at that track to work off of. “
In Top Fuel, reigning world champion Schumacher began his run for his category record eighth title at this event last season, defeating Doug Kalitta in the final. Schumacher is the winningest driver in Las Vegas history with eight career victories, but will have to contend with the likes of three-time world champion Larry Dixon, a five-time winner at The Strip, Spencer Massey, Four-Wide Nationals winner Antron Brown, Richie Crampton, Steve Torrence, J.R. Todd and Brittany Force.
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 with their favorite NHRA drivers.
Mello Yello Series qualifying begins on Friday, April 10, with sessions at 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. The final two qualifying sessions will take place Saturday, April 11, at 1:10 p.m. and 4:05 p.m. Pro Stock runs for the K&N Horsepower Challenge are scheduled for 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday. Final eliminations begin at 11 a.m. on Sunday, April 12.
To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, log on to www.LVMS.com or call (800) 644-4444. For more information about NHRA, log on to www.NHRA.com.
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SUMMITRACING.COM NHRA NATIONALS FACT SHEET
WHAT: 16th annual SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals, the fifth of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Drivers in three categories – Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock – earn points leading to 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championships.
WHERE: The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas. Track is located approximately 15 miles north of downtown Las Vegas off Interstate 15.
WHEN: Friday through Sunday, April 10-12
SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY, April 10 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying
MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, April 11- LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations
MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 1:10 and 4:05 p.m.
K&N HORSEPOWER CHALLENGE at 1, 4 and 5 p.m.
SUNDAY, April 12 – Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m.
MELLO YELLO SERIES eliminations begin at 11 a.m.
TELEVISION:
Saturday, April 11, ESPN2 will televise two hours of qualifying coverage at 6 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, April 12, ESPN2 will televise three hours of eliminations coverage at 8 p.m. (ET).
2014 EVENT WINNERS: Tony Schumacher, Top Fuel; Alexis DeJoria, Funny Car; Erica Enders-Stevens, Pro Stock.
MOST VICTORIES: Larry Dixon, 4, TF; Tony Schumacher, 4, TF; Robert Hight, 3, FC; Greg Anderson, 3, PS; Jeg Coughlin, 3, PS; Kenny Bernstein, 2, TF; Cruz Pedregon, 2, FC; Mike Edwards, 2, PS; Allen Johnson, 2, PS.
K&N HORSEPOWER CHALLENGE VICTORIES: Greg Anderson, 4; Kurt Johnson, 4; Jeg Coughlin, 3; Bob Glidden, 3; Warren Johnson, 3; Larry Morgan, 3; Allen Johnson, 2; Jim Yates, 2; Bruce Allen, 2; Darrell Alderman, 1; Dave Connolly, 1; Erica Enders-Stevens, 1; Vincent Nobile, 1.
TRACK RECORDS:
Top Fuel – 3.732 sec. by J.R. Todd, Nov. ’14 and 330.88 mph by Spencer Massey, Nov. ’14.
Funny Car – 3.983 sec. by Matt Hagan Nov. ’14 and 325.37 mph by Courtney Force, March. ’14.
Pro Stock – 6.576 sec. and 209.88 mph by Erica Enders-Stevens, Nov. ’14.
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. and 324.12 mph by John Force, Feb. ’14, Pomona, Calif.
Pro Stock – 6.455 sec. by Jason Line, March ’15, Charlotte, N.C.; 215.55 mph by Erica Enders-Stevens, May ‘14, Englishtown N.J.
TICKETS: For tickets call (800) 644-4444. Tickets also available online at www.lvms.com.
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NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS STANDINGS
GLENDORA, Calif. — Point standings (top 10) for NHRA professional categories following the fourth of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series –
Top Fuel: 1. Antron Brown, 354; 2. Tony Schumacher, 328; 3. Shawn Langdon, 312; 4. Spencer Massey, 286; 5. Doug Kalitta, 238; 6. Richie Crampton, 232; 7. Steve Torrence, 213; 8. Brittany Force, 192; 9. Clay Millican, 189; 10. J.R. Todd, 180.
Funny Car: 1. Del Worsham, 305; 2. Matt Hagan, 303; 3. Ron Capps, 279; 4. Tommy Johnson Jr., 239; 5. Robert Hight, 230; 6. John Hale, 224; 7. Jack Beckman, 208; 8. Cruz Pedregon, 206; 9. Courtney Force, 198; 10. Alexis DeJoria, 193.
Pro Stock: 1. Jason Line, 359; 2. Rodger Brogdon, 316; 3. Greg Anderson, 299; 4. Chris McGaha, 283; 5. Erica Enders-Stevens, 268; 6. Drew Skillman, 266; 7. Larry Morgan, 234; 8. Shane Gray, 199; 9. Vincent Nobile, 193; 10. Allen Johnson, 176.
Pro Stock Motorcycle: 1. Eddie Krawiec, 192; 2. Andrew Hines, 180; 3. Karen Stoffer, 148; 4. LE Tonglet, 128; 5. Hector Arana Jr., 116; 6. (tie) Shawn Gann, 103; Angelle Sampey, 103; Scotty Pollacheck, 103; 9. Matt Smith, 94; 10. Hector Arana, 88.
