It’s been a while since they danced, but on Sunday at the NHRA New England Nationals, the longtime dance (racing) partners cut a rug in the Pro Stock final round.
Anderson, who has been absent from the winner’s circle since Pomona, picked up his third win of the season and career victory No. 109. Before you begin to feel sorry for Anderson’s race-win drought, keep in mind that he’s been in every final round this season.
On the other hand, Enders has been in a bonafide drought this season. In reaching the final round in Epping, Enders tripled her round win total for 2025.
In a class where one-upping a foe is paramount, Anderson’s four-round wins put him at 19 for the season and just three away from the monumental 1,000-round win career tally.
“It was a different weekend than we’ve had all year,” Anderson said. “We’ve been making flawless runs with our fleet of race cars, but we struggled here.”
In drag racing lore, most winners are said to get one lucky round. But it’s like the old saying in the National Football League, “The good teams find a way to win.”
“I definitely should have lost to Dave Connolly,” he admitted. “He had me covered at 330 [feet], and something went wrong with his car. That’s how it goes; luck plays a huge role in winning these things.
“To still win when you’re a little bit off makes you feel good.” He acknowledged mistakes made throughout the weekend, attributing them partially to an extended break that may have affected his driving sharpness. Luck is a huge part of winning. I thank my lucky stars. We’re gearing up for Bristol next, and the competition is heating up again.”
Even though they have provided his staunchest competition over the years, Anderson was pleased to see Enders and the Elite Motorsports team finding their groove.
“They’re back in the game,” he said. “It’s going to be a dogfight the rest of the season.”
And, of course, he has to deal with his own band of assassins at KB-Titan, notably Dallas Glenn, his teammate with whom he replaced atop the point standings.
“There’s a distinct mindset when racing someone you know well,” he explained. “In the final round, we felt the pressure differently due to the gains they made this weekend.”
Anderson headed into Bristol three wins shy of the historic milestone of 1,000 round victories. He shared his surprise at the prospect.
“I never imagined reaching that number,” he said. “Each day at the races has exceeded my wildest dreams. It’s a big bonus for me.”
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