Erica Enders' blossoming driving career began when the dyed- in-the-wool daddy's girl was hanging out with her father, Gregg, in the garage of their Cypress-area home in northwest Houston. A longtime Sportsman racer, Gregg enjoyed working on his collection of hot rods and Erica was always a willing and curious crewperson.

"One day we're out there working and Erica grabbed a National DRAGSTER and saw a story about Junior Dragsters," Gregg said of the mini rails, which are half the size of Top Fuel dragsters. "It said you could start racing when you were 8 years old, which is exactly how old she was at the time. She was like, 'Look, Daddy!' The rest is history."

Erica took to the Junior Dragster class with gusto, winning 37 races in the next eight years, including 17 at her home track of Houston Raceway Park. Her success, which included a division title and two track championships, was chronicled for the world to see when the Disney Channel made a movie about her and younger sister Courtney's racing exploits. The film, entitled Right on Track, has turned into one of the most successful films the channel has ever produced with an audience of more than 65 million viewers.

The next logical step for the proven racer was the Sportsman ranks. Erica turned her attention to Super Comp and Super Gas and made an immediate impact, becoming the youngest finalist at an NHRA national event in her first outing. Soon thereafter, she won her first NHRA national event title in the 9.90-second category, with the win making her just the 35th female in history to win an NHRA national event.

Immediately after her win, professional team owner Victor Cagnazzi approached Erica about driving one of his Pro Stock cars. She quickly accepted and began an extensive period of training for her eventual debut in 2005. An instant fan favorite when she turned professional, Erica, who is also licensed to drive in Top Alcohol Funny Car, Top Sportsman, and Top Dragster, rapidly became the most successful female racer in class history.

In her first two years behind the wheel of a 1,400-horsepower Pro Stock car, Erica has raced to two final rounds, recorded the first Low Qualifier Award ever earned by a female participant, set numerous personal-best elapsed time and top speed marks, and was nominated for the Auto Club Rookie of the Year award, another first for a female Pro Stock racer.

In the summer of 2006, Erica and Gregg purchased the assets of their own race team, fulfilling a lifelong dream to race as a family.

At this point in her young career, Erica is blazing a new trail as every round win and Wally trophy only adds to her record accomplishments. Ultimately, although she's proud of being a female racer and role model, Erica just wants to be recognized for her prowess behind the wheel. Like the women that came before her, Erica simply wants to be known as a racer.