Erica Enders (left) hoists a Wally for the first time as a Pro Stock driver. Jeff Arend won in Funny Car for the first time since Houston in 2011. Andrew Hines and Antron Brown were also winners at Joliet. (Michael Fischbeck photo)

NHRA pro classes at Joliet, Ill.

Enders is first woman to win Pro Stock final

Words compiled by Kay Burk
Photos by Michael Fischbeck and Ron Lewis

Erica Enders made history Sunday, July 1, at the O’Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by Super Start Batteries by becoming the first female to win an NHRA Pro Stock race.

Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Jeff Arend (Funny Car) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also were winners at the rain-delayed NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series event in Joliet, Ill.

A storm rolled through the Joliet area and delayed the finals by over three hours. (Ron Lewis photo)