Enders' debut with Revive USA starts slowly

DALLAS (Sept. 23) -- Three days ago, Pro Stock driver and team owner Erica Enders brought a new sponsor to the sport of drag racing when she unveiled Dallas-based food, beverage, and nutrition company Revive USA as her primary backer. Saturday she was reminded how cruel drag racing can be at times when she missed the cut at the 21st annual O'Reilly Fall Nationals at the Texas Motorplex, ending a storybook weekend one day too soon.

Enders spent Friday night in the top 16 before being bumped out by two-thousandths of a second in Saturday's early round, which occurred 90 minutes late after a rain shower interrupted the action. Ultimately, the conditions lined up perfectly in the final qualifying session with nearly everyone improving drastically in the dusk. But Enders' crew was a tad too aggressive and she was unable to complete her pass.

"It came down to one session and we just flat-out missed the set-up," Enders said. "We knew the conditions were awesome and we wanted to put a big number up there. It was just a little too much for the track to hold at that particular point in time. If we had been five more pairs back, it might have stuck. The track was getting better by the minute."

Racing in her home state, Enders, a 22-year-old from Houston, was still happy with the reception she got from her home state fans, plus a huge group of Revive employees who made the trip out to the racetrack to support their newest, 208-mph co-worker.

"The entire group from Revive has been so awesome," Enders said. "I wish we could have extended the party for another day but that will have to wait. The cool thing is everyone came out and had a good time. Most of them had never been to a drag race before so it was fun to share what we do with them, especially because now we're doing it together."

The most decorated female racer in class history, Enders is currently in her second year as a professional. She's already collected 37 wins in the Junior Dragster ranks and another in Super Gas, which she used as a stepping stone to reach the pro ranks.

Qualifying action of this event will air Saturday evening from 10 p.m.-12 a.m. CST, on ESPN2. Sunday's eliminations run from 6-9 p.m. CST, also on ESPN2.

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