NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Erica Enders started at the top of the Pro Stock field in Reading but did not have the race day she wanted. She started her bounce back weekend in fine fashion in St. Louis. 

Enders ended Friday qualifying at the top of the Pro Stock sheet with a 6.580-second blast at 207.15-mph, perhaps showing there is more left in the tank of her Melling Performance Chevy Camaro. The Texan left .005-second between her and No. 2 qualifier Deric Kramer at the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals with two qualifying sessions to go. 

The former world champion is chasing her first win of the season. She has reached three final rounds, including at the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals, where she fell to teammate Alex Laughlin. 

Erica Enders wants more, expects more

Bo Butner, who ended the first qualifying session in the No. 1 spot, rounded out the top three spots a thousandth of a second behind Kramer. Both Kramer and Butner drive Camaros with K.B. Racing powerplants. 

The rest of the top five was made up of Elite Performance entries. Jeg Coughlin Jr. and Laughlin ran 6.588 and 6.589, meaning the top five was separated by just a hundredth of a second. The most recent winner on tour, Jason Line, ran a 6.593 to slot into the No. 6 spot. 

Aaron Stanfield, who is running part time in an Elite Chevy Camaro, marked off the top half of the field with a 6.603. He outran a handful of full-time competitors, such as Greg Anderson, Fernando Cuadra Sr. and Kenny Delco. 

Wally Stroupe is sitting on the bump spot with a 6.673. He’s holding out Fernando Cuadra Jr., who only made his second qualifying pass after experiencing issues with his shifter in the first session. Steve Graham and Robert River are also on the outside looking in following the first two sessions of the Midwest Nationals. 

There will be two more qualifying sessions on Saturday, beginning at 1 p.m. Central. Race day is set for Sunday at 11 a.m. Central.