It’s been a long off season for drag racing. I know that most don’t think that ending a season in November and starting again in February is a long time, but when it comes to drag racers it’s an eternity.

Over the weekend at the 2022 NHRA Winternationals, the Pro Stock was littered with superstars, World Champions, and Rookies alike. Names like Greg Anderson, Bo Butner, Camrie Caruso, Mason MaGaha, Troy Coughlin Jr. and more. After Rd. 3 of qualifying with 20 drivers on the sheet, there was only one at the top and that was the 4X NHRA World Champion Erica Enders with a stout 6.528.

This race appeared to be a launching point for Erica to show the world that she is focused and determined to captured that 5th World Championship and shut up all the naysayers that still doubt her abilities. That quest started in qualifying and she never looked back. Chopping down the tree each and every time in the process of winning the season opener.

In the first round of eliminations she squared off against Cristian Cuadra. Both drivers had great lights, but Erica’s was a better .013 to Cristian’s .018 which carried her to a 6.55 versus Cristian’s 6.58. Erica’s matchup in E2 was the young gun Dallas Glenn. The MOV (margin of victory in this matchup was about 5 feet at the stripe. Again, Erica chopped the tree with an .016 to Dallas’ .027 light. At the top end it was Erica’s 6.565 to Dallas’ 6.570. Sending Erica off to the Semi-Finals.

The Semi-Finals featured a match between two of the most prolific drivers to ever race in door cars. It was 5x World Champion Greg Anderson versus 4x World Champion Erica Enders. Greg, who is sitting on 99 career wins and seeking that 100th victory will have to wait for another weekend to capture it. Erica slammed the door on Greg at the tree with a mind-numbing .012 to Greg’s .026 light. Greg got out of shape and recovered it, but Erica was gone and pulled away with a 6.569 to Greg’s 6.797. Erica off to the finals.

Final Round time and it was her time to shine. She was facing off against Aaron Stanfield in the opposite lane. Shockingly though, this was Erica’s worst light of eliminations. When the tree dropped Aaron had her with his .027 light to Erica’s .050 light. Aaron went into tire shake though and that’s all she wrote as they say. Erica never missed a beat and dropped the hammer, running a 6.559.

In beating Aaron, Erica captured her 34th NHRA Pro Stock Wally as well as a special Hurst Shifter trophy for being the winner of the 900th Pro Stock Wally race.