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Keith Haney Racing enjoys successful weekend in Memphis

The ADRL Memphis Drags IV held last weekend at Memphis International Raceway were a rousing success for Keith Haney Racing, even though both of his Pro Mod cars went out in the first round.

Haney brought in Pro Stock ace Erica Enders-Stevens to drive one of his Chevrolet Camaros in Memphis, and the five-time Pro Stock winner helped bring attention to Keith Haney's team, the Pro Mod class, and the ADRL.

"It showcased what we're about," Haney said. "In drag racing you're going to lose 98 percent of the time and going to win 2 percent, but how you represent yourself is what people see, and last weekend was very, very good for my sponsors and very, very good for me personally."

Though Enders-Stevens' numerous fans got to see her race for the first time since the end of June, they weren't the only benefactors of her appearance in Memphis. Haney's sponsors - Lucas Oil, Reher-Morrison Racing Engines, ProTorque, Lithium Batteries, K&N Filters, Aeromotive, and Monroe Guest Motorsports - also saw increased value from having a driver of Enders-Stevens' popularity race for them.

"I think it really brought people who really wouldn't watch it," Haney said. "I think they experienced something that was exciting. A lot of people came over to see her: the kids, the moms, the dads, the people who have been following her her whole life. It was pretty remarkable."

Enders-Stevens' Pro Stock team, Cagnazzi Racing, has been sidelined the last four races because of a lack of sponsorship. Haney asked her to drive a Pro Mod for the first time, and she jumped at the chance. She qualified No. 15 and lost in the first round after having to pedal the car when it got out of shape.

Still, Enders-Stevens was glad to have had the chance to drive one of Haney's cars.

"It was a really cool experience, and I'm thankful Keith gave me the opportunity," Enders-Stevens said. "Pro Mod is a crazy class. Keith has a great team of guys, and everybody was so patient and willing to help.

"We wish we would've done better, but given more time and testing the car to get it set up for my weight difference, I think we can do a lot better in the future. I'm excited for another opportunity."

Haney, who also lost in the first round, said Enders-Stevens was a true professional who will only get better in the recalcitrant Pro Mod car with more seat time. Before the race, Haney spent
several hours going over the car and what it does before, during, and after a run. The car was a different beast than the Pro Stock Camaro she is used to running, and it took time to adapt, but Enders-Stevens eventually did it.

"I can tell you one thing where she is 10 times better than me is in that she can get out of the gas faster than anybody I've ever seen," Haney said. "When that car started to get a little bit out of shape, she knew it. It was in trouble, and she got out of it perfectly."

Enders-Stevens also thanked KHR's crew chief, Brandon Pesz of Lethal Acceleration, who taught her a lot, including about pedaling the car, which she had to do in her first-round match against Tim Savell.

Enders-Stevens, one of the best in Pro Stock on the Christmas Tree, left first on Savell with a .053-second reaction time.

"When it mattered, she stepped up as a driver," Haney said. "She left on him; we just didn't give her a car to win."

Enders-Stevens could race for Haney again in 2013, and both of them want it to happen.

"I would also like to thank the whole ADRL staff for the great welcoming they gave Keith Haney Racing and Enders Racing," Haney said. "Kenny Nowling made sure to come to the starting line every time Erica and I ran, along with coming to the pits and delivering parts personally."

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