Reigning NHRA Mello Yello Series Pro Stock champion Erica Enders is back in the winner’s circle.

Enders clocked a 6.531-second time at 210.44 to defeat Bo Butner’s 6.606-second lap Sunday in the finals of the Arizona Nationals at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park near Phoenix.

“(Sunday) was excellent,” said Enders, a three-time NHRA Pro Stock world champ – 2014-15 and 2019. “Coming in here off Jeg’s dominating performance in Pomona (Calif., at the Winternationals) we knew that we just had to get my car happy because we share data obviously and there’s no reason why my car, Alex (Laughlin’s), Aaron Stanfield’s car, Marty Robertson’s car shouldn’t run the same as Jegs. Our objective coming in was to get my car as happy as possible. We tested in Tucson (Ariz.) on (Feb. 19) so coming in we were optimistic, and we finally got our act together for that one run on Saturday and the guys gave me a tremendous race car (Sunday). It was very consistent and very fast, and we crushed the competition (Sunday) and it was really fun.”  

This was Enders' 26th career Pro Stock national event win. Enders pilots a Camaro for Elite Motorsports. This season the Richard Freeman-owned Elite Motorsports team is 2-for-2 at national events with Coughlin winning the Winternationals and Enders Phoenix.

“I would bet my money on it (that Elite will be dominant the rest of the year),” Enders said. “We definitely have the target on our backs and Pro Stock just really goes in cycles. You have to have the staying power and battle through the valleys and that’s something we have at Elite Motorsports. Since our championship in 2015, the next three years were really kind of crappy for a lack of a better word. We’re back to our championship form. We are back to that dominating horsepower that we were used to those two back-to-back championship years. I’m thrilled and ride the wave as long as you can because it is certainly going to change at one point.”
Enders’ victory parade Sunday consisted of wins over Fernando Cuadra Jr., Chris McGaha, Jason Line and Butner.

“I definitely think it does,” said Enders when asked if an early-season win will boost her confidence. “Especially considering the only two wins I had last year didn’t come until the Countdown which is obviously the most crucial time and I’m thankful that’s when they came, but we struggled and battled through the beginning of the year and through the summer. I’m thankful (the wins) came when they did, and we were able to secure our third championship. But it certainly wasn’t a championship year for us. Our goal coming out this year, especially with Jeg retiring from full-time racing (after the 2020 season), is to not take any round for granted. Just go out there and battle it out every single time and I think we finished 1-2 last year and that’s our goal this year.

I’m thrilled with the group we have at Elite. It’s super unique and it’s something money can’t buy and that’s what makes it so coveted. I’m proud of my guys. It’s really awesome. I want to pinch myself.”

Enders' win Sunday was the perfect birthday gift for team owner Freeman.

“Richard Freeman, we call him our fearless leader, he turned 47 (Feb. 23) and he said this morning at breakfast that I didn’t have to buy him a present, just get me a Wally (Sunday),” Enders said. “I’m into that because I’m broke. We were able to get it done.”