Five-time NHRA Pro Stock winner Erica Enders-Stevens will drive for Keith Haney Racing in this weekend’s (Aug. 2-3) ADRL Memphis Drags IV at Memphis International Raceway.
Led by team manager John Collins, Keith Haney Racing will compete in the Pro Modified class in Memphis, with Enders-Stevens and Haney driving a pair of nitrous-boosted 2012 Chevrolet Camaros.
“It’s good for Keith Haney Racing to have a racer of Erica’s caliber sitting in the seat of one of the cars,” Haney said. “It’s big for me and big for her. She stays in front of the public eye with her stature and her reputation, and she gets to deliver to her fans and potential sponsors.
Keith Haney
“My team couldn’t be more excited, and it’s a perfect fit for what we’re doing.”
Haney has ties to NHRA Pro Stock racing through fellow Oklahoman Mike Edwards, and several Pro Stock teams test at Tulsa Raceway Park, co-owned by Haney and Todd Martin.
Enders-Stevens, who won the NHRA Pro Stock race in Phoenix earlier this year, has been sidelined because of a lack of funding for the Cagnazzi Racing team, so when Haney asked if she could drive for him in Memphis, she jumped at the chance.
“He sent me an text telling me I could drive his Pro Mod car in Memphis if I wanted to,” Enders-Stevens said. “I wrote him back with one word, ‘Seriously?’ ”
Haney was serious, and after the two talked and Enders-Stevens got approval from Pro Stock car owner Victor Cagnazzi, the deal was done.
“It’s a competitive car, and Keith has a first-class operation,” Enders-Stevens said. “I remember being at ADRL races last year when Richie (Stevens, husband) was driving Extreme Pro Stock and just admiring how awesome his cars looked. Those two Camaros he has are really nice cars. I’m appreciative to Keith for the opportunity, and I’m excited to see what the weekend holds.”
Haney, a driver/owner in ADRL and X-DRL, was looking for a driver since regular shoe Monroe Guest had shoulder surgery. When he first considered Enders-Stevens, he called Lethal Acceleration co-owner Brandon Pesz, who tunes Haney’s race cars.
Erica Enders-Stevens
“She’s good on the tree and she can drive a race car,” Haney said. “Brandon has known her since she was little, and he’s from Texas. I called him first and said, ‘Hey, if I offer Erica a ride in the car, what do you think?’ He said, ‘Get her in it. She can wheel any type of race car.’
“It’s a one-race deal, and I’m sure she’ll be back in a Pro Stock car very soon, but for now Keith Haney Racing is fortunate enough to have a five-time national event winner wheeling one of its Camaros.”
Enders-Stevens is ready for the challenge, too.
“I’ve never driven a Pro Mod car, never driven a nitrous car,” Enders-Stevens said. “It will definitely be a learning experience, and I’m sure the learning curve is significant, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.
“I’m going into it with an open mind. I give speeches to kids about following their dreams, jumping on every opportunity possible and not letting fear stand in the way of anything they do. I’m taking my own advice in this instance. I’m a professional race car driver, and I’ll do the best I can. We’ll see what happens.”
Haney has the backing of Lucas Oil, a longtime supporter of his race team, as the two companies have worked together for many years. Haney uses Lucas Oil products in his race cars, and the company co-owned by Forrest and Charlotte Lucas has been a big proponent of Pro Mod racing.
(Photos by Ian Tocher; Click to enlarge)
This story was originally published on July 31, 2013. 
