PHOTOS : RICK BELDEN , NHRA / NATIONAL DRAGSTER

Sanford , though , was steadfast . If she was going to be happy , her dream had to become reality .

“ Literally since I was a little girl , I had that tunnel vision to get to the point where I could drive a Top Fuel dragster ,” Sanford begins . “ I believe I ’ m meant to drive a Top Fuel dragster . I ’ ve always had that feeling . If I could do anything in the world , it would be this .”

So when that childhood dream came to fruition in 2017 – at the historic U . S . Nationals of all places , where she qualified No . 14 – Sanford ’ s years of diligence paid off . And when she got to race a second NHRA Top Fuel race in St . Louis weeks later , it only reaffirmed what she believed about racing in the class . And , finally , when Sanford went across the world to race Top Fuel in Australia two separate times with the Rapisarda family , it sent the ever-enthusiastic Sanford to another level .

Now there are vision boards only filled with Top Fuel dreams , constant ideas and even bigger goals . Sanford ’ s dream of racing in Top Fuel may have been realized , but to her , this is only the beginning .

“ I have big plans and big goals as a driver in this sport ,” Sanford declares . “ Having that honor to drive a Top Fuel car made me realize even more that this is what I want to do . Even in Indy , there was so much pressure , but I had this sense of knowing it was going to work out .”

Nothing is concrete as of mid-February , but Sanford is confident a deal will be signed soon that will allow her to her 2018 NHRA debut mid-season and race the rest of the year , with plans for a full schedule in 2019 .

Believe it and dream it into reality has become her mantra , and with how it ’ s worked out so far , doubting her may not be wise .

“ I believe I have a place out there ,” Sanford posits . “ This is all an ongoing process and that ’ s what I tell people . You always have to work hard . My

biggest thing is I believed in myself and I had a passion for it . I express that to anyone , and being a younger female , I want to create that platform . If you feel strongly about something and believe in yourself , you can make it happen .”

The 24-year-old Sanford is bubbly , energetic and seemingly always smiling , precisely the type of qualities needed to create future stars in the sport . Sanford has already proven she ’ s talented behind the wheel , too , whether it was growing up watching and racing sand drag cars with her father or racing in NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster .

Next up is mastering the boardroom , but Sanford has quickly learned to roll with the punches . There have been the usual rejection letters and e-mails , broken promises and unreturned phone calls that make up the sometimes-harsh world of drag racing sponsorship . It continues to be a rigorous process , but Sanford has kept her smile and her positive attitude , unrelenting in her quest to secure something big .

“ I came into this wanting to be a race car driver and came out a businesswoman ,” Sanford laughs . “ For me , it ’ s just made me realize how much I love it . Good things don ’ t come easy , and the biggest thing I ’ ve realized is just to find patience and believe in the process . I like to get things done really fast . That ’ s the drag racer in me , but companies don ’ t work at that speed . It ’ s a matter of surrounding yourself with people who believe in you .”

At the center of that is Sanford ’ s mother , Michele , and father , Shane . Her dad is the racer , as Sanford watched him compete in the 300-foot sand drag racing course in his dune buggy growing up , while her mother is the stable force . Sanford took her first trip on the sand course almost moments after she got her driver ’ s license when she turned 16 , going as quick as 3.50 at 155 mph in a blown alcohol sand dragster . She quickly showed poise and unnerving talent , graduating to the NHRA Top Alcohol ranks . But Sanford knows she is meant for Top Fuel , and she can ’ t wait to enjoy the ride .

“ To debut in Indy , that accomplished the dream . I was that little girl who got a lot of eyes rolled at me or people would sarcastically tell me good luck ,” Sanford says . “ I have to pinch myself throughout this whole process . I ’ m so stoked . It really does feel like a dream .”

One that , without question , has come true .

- JOSH HACHAT DI

March 2018 DragIllustrated . com | Drag Illustrated | 91