Erica Enders-Stevens Drives to Victory at 2014 K&N Horsepower Challenge

Erica Enders-Stevens defeated fan-vote winner Dave Connolly in the final to become the first female winner in the history of the K&N Horsepower Challenge

This past weekend’s K&N Horsepower Challenge proved to be a perfect showcase for NHRA’s most competitive class. It was run as part of the SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 30th running of the specialty event pitted eight of Pro Stock’s best drivers in a three-round shootout with the winner taking home $50,000. The crowd was treated to a day of tremendous racing.

Pro Stock racer Erica Enders-Stevens, driver of the Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro celebrates as she holds the 2014 K&N Horsepower Challenge trophy

Erica Enders-Stevens, the alternate for sidelined Mike Edwards, ended the day in the winner’s circle. Enders-Stevens defeated fan-vote winner and No. 8 qualifier Dave Connolly in the final to become the first female winner in the history of the special bonus event.

Anne Perkins, the K&N Horsepower Sweepstakes finalist from Brookings, Oregon, was paired with Enders-Stevens and took home a one-of-a-kind special edition 2014 Toyota Tacoma HPC, created by Toyota Racing Development (TRD) and K&N Engineering.

Enders-Stevens, driver of the Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro, collected a $25,000 “double-up” bonus from NHRA due to also winning the race on Sunday.

Anne Perkins, the K&N Horsepower Sweepstakes finalist from Brookings, Oregon, was paired with Enders-Stevens and, thanks to her win, took home a one-of-a-kind 2014 K&N HPC Custom Toyota Tacoma

"Erica took us into the trailer and showed us where they build the transmissions and work on things like the clutch system. She showed us some computer data and the weather system as well," said Perkins. “She was so sweet. They treated us like family, and I don’t think I could’ve picked a better racer. It was ‘girl power’ all day, and we felt like rock stars out there."

"It was really cool to be selected as one of the eight finalists and be in Vegas for the weekend. Winning that beautiful Tacoma was just an added benefit that I could not believe. We had an awesome time with everyone. K&N went above and beyond to make us feel special, and I can’t thank them enough for everything. I still can’t believe it.”

Caitlin Clement, Series and Track Support Manager for K&N Engineering, was pleased with the event and outcome as well.

Race winner Erica Enders-Stevens, Sweepstakes winner Anne Perkins and Gregg Perkins in the winner circle at the 2014 K&N Horsepower Challenge

“K&N’s involvement with the Horsepower Challenge has been a tremendous experience,” said Clement. “K&N is proud to be a part of this unique, specialty race. The combination of the ultimate Pro Stock shootout and an incredible fan experience makes this such a great event. Without our friends over at Toyota Racing, this would not be the once-in-a-lifetime experience that it is. We’d like to thank Toyota Racing for providing the 2014 K&N Horsepower Challenge Toyota Tacoma, a truly special truck that any fan would be lucky to own."

"We want to commend all eight drivers for putting on a great show and congratulate Erica Enders-Stevens on her first win. Erica will certainly enjoy her bragging rights and Anne will undoubtedly enjoy cruising around her small, coastal town of Brookings, Oregon, in that beautiful Toyota Tacoma. All in all, the 2014 K&N Horsepower Challenge was a phenomenal event, and we are already working to make next year’s edition even better.”

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