From the Bench: EHHS Erica Canfield Has Racing in Her Blood

From the Bench spent some time with East Haven High School junior Erica Canfield. Erica’s speed was noticed by the entire school when she ran for 3 touchdowns in the Powder Puff game in the fall, but that's not all! She also displays her speed in both indoor/outdoor track for the Easties, however Erica runs on another track as well, she drives the #28 Modified Stock race car at Waterford SpeedBowl. Yes, that's right, a race car!! No fear, door to door, bumper to bumper and bump drafting! She was 5th in points in 2022 in her division while her dad came in first. I caught up with Erica afterschool and asked her a few questions.

How old are you?
17

What year in high school are you?
Junior

How long have you been driving?
I have been driving for almost 2 years.

What kind of car do you drive?
It is a Mustang between the years 1979-1993.

Where do you race?
Waterford Speedbowl

Your dad races, how much fun is it to race with him?
It's pretty fun racing against my dad. But it's nerve reckoning too. Not knowing where he is and if he was the reason why there was a caution.

Here's a silly question, Have you ever sneezed in your helmet while racing?
Yes and it wasn’t pretty. LOL!

What snacks do you have before a race?
I have water and a sandwich or gushers before my race

Do you get nervous before a race?
Yes I do get nervous before a race, sometimes so nervous that I'm not able to eat anything and a lot of butterflies in my gut.

Who is your favorite childhood race car driver? Maybe someone who inspired you to want to be a driver too.
My grandfather and my father are really the people who inspired me to race. I'm the third generation and first female to race in my family. Seeing my dad race for almost my whole life and being around it almost all the time I mean who wouldn't want to race a car?

Which is more important in racing – a strong upper body, lower body, or core?
I would say that the upper body is more important with racing just because you have to be able to move up gears and downshift.

Do you think racing games or video game simulators can give an advantage to drivers before entering a race?
I do think that racing simulators give drivers an advantage. I say this because It gets you comfortable and gets you to know what it feels like to switch gears etc. That's how I "started off".

What is your most memorable moment as a driver?
My most memorable moment as a driver is when my father won his third championship and I was able to get 5th in points for my first full season. Or was it when I had gotten in my first "big" wreck where the driver's side body was off?

Have you ever crashed?
Yes I have crashed and spun out a decent amount of times. Like I said I tore off the driver side body.

How fast does your car go on the straight and curve?
The car goes at least 90mph on the straight away and near 50mph on the turns

Do you work on your own car?
Yes, all the time to keep it in top performance.

Do you like a car that is a little loose or a little tight on the track?
I would say I like my race car a little tight on the track. I say this because It feels like I have more control over the car.

Do you have radio communication during a race?
I do have radio communication during a race but I am not able to speak back. It's a one-way communication so only the officials can talk to us,

How far do you plan to take your racing career?
I plan on taking my racing career pretty far. I want other little kids and girls to know that they could do this too. It's not just a male-dominated sport.

Well said and I'm sure if anyone can do it you can. From the Bench wishes Erica all the best on both tracks, the race track and track and field. I know I will be going to Waterford Speedbowl to see her get to Victory Lane!

Mark Curcio

From the Bench