Enders to drive Ford Pro Stock

Erica Enders will compete full time in the 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series behind the wheel of Jim and Gloria Cunningham's Mastercam Ford Mustang. With technical support from Ford Racing, Enders will begin the season in the same car she drove when she filled in for Cunningham earlier this year at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals (above).

After several meetings with Brian Wolfe, the director of Ford Racing, and Doug Hervey, the operations manager of Ford Racing North America, as well as several others from within the Ford Racing Technology group, the Cunninghams have agreed to fully fund the program until appropriate corporate funding can be found.

Chassis builder Don Ness will design a 2010 Ford Mustang Pro Stock body. Cunningham Motorsports plans to take delivery of the first 2010 Mustang in the spring of 2009.

Enders and the Cunningham Motorsports/Mastercam Ford Mustang GT Pro Stock will be at the Ford Racing booth throughout the PRI Show, Dec. 11-13, in Orlando, Fla.  (Chris Haverly photo) [12/9/2008]

Schumacher named Driver of the Year

Tony and his father, Don Schumacher, reflect on their win at Las Vegas in October. 
(Mark Rebilas photo)

Tony Schumacher has been voted the 2008 DRIVER OF THE YEAR by an elite panel of broadcasters and journalists. Schumacher, a Chicago-area resident, crushed his rivals on the drag strip becoming only the third NHRA driver to win the original DRIVER OF THE YEAR award in its 42-year history.

In taking a record fifth consecutive Top Fuel world championship, he tied an NHRA record with 15 victories. He also won the third quarter Driver of the Year award.
        
“Needless to say, I wouldn't be receiving any post-season award without the talented team that surrounded me this past season,” Schumacher said. “My crew chief, Alan Johnson, and the entire crew deserve all the credit in the world. There's no denying the fact that we had one of those dream seasons.”
           
“Usually one driver has a stand out season, but this year there were a handful of guys who were all viable candidates for the award including NASCAR’s Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch,” said Barry Schmoyer, President of the DRIVER OF THE YEAR AWARD Foundation.  
              
Schumacher received six votes, while Johnson and Edwards each received five votes. Busch and Tony Stewart each earned one vote. [12/9/2008]