There will be an engaged couple competing in Pro Stock car during the NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis.

Erica Enders, during her postrace press conference at the NHRA Lucas Oil Nationals, revealed fiancé Richie Stevens will drive a car from the Allen Johnson camp.

“We’ve been working on for quite some time and he called me yesterday as we were leaving the track and the money came through, his sponsors who were backing him – he was going to race Indy,” Enders said. “We’re hopeful for a few more races this year. We always have our sights on a full season and it would be great to be on the road together again like we were in 2006 and 2007.”

Stevens has been successful on the American Drag Racing League tour, an eighth-mile drag racing series where the Pro Stockers run mountain motors. He’s won one event in two finals thus far this season.

Richie Stevens [right] will drive a 500-inch Pro Stocker at the NHRA U.S. Nationals out of the Allen Johnson pits.There will be an engaged couple competing in Pro Stock car during the NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis.

Erica Enders, during her postrace press conference at the NHRA Lucas Oil Nationals, revealed fiancé Richie Stevens will drive a car from the Allen Johnson camp.

“We’ve been working on for quite some time and he called me yesterday as we were leaving the track and the money came through, his sponsors who were backing him – he was going to race Indy,” Enders said. “We’re hopeful for a few more races this year. We always have our sights on a full season and it would be great to be on the road together again like we were in 2006 and 2007.”

Stevens has been successful on the American Drag Racing League tour, an eighth-mile drag racing series where the Pro Stockers run mountain motors. He’s won one event in two finals thus far this season.

Stevens first debuted on the NHRA Pro Stock scene in 1998, and won his first national event as a teenager. This came after a near championship on the IHRA side as a driver for Roy Hill. The 2007 season was his last full-time ride on the NHRA tour when he drove a Pro Stocker sponsored by Mopar and powered by Johnson’s race engines.

Earlier this season Stevens subbed in pre-season for Johnson as he recovered from surgery.

“I’m really proud for him and he’s going to be my competitor,” Enders said with a smile. “He won’t be driving for our team.”

Enders’ crew chief Dave Connolly is also scheduled to race the NHRA U.S. Nationals. He will race as a teammate to her.

“We’re all good friends, but it’s going to be some cutthroat competition,” Enders admitted.

She admits she couldn’t be more proud of Connolly.

“I’m just really excited for him,” Enders said. “We’ve already been going back and forth. He’s told me, ‘go ahead and win Brainerd babe because I’m coming after you in Indy.”

“I told him to pack a lunch and let’s go.”

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