2020 season , the goal was to win his first pro race . Well , he did that – and then did a whole heck of a lot more .

Stanfield packed about three seasons worth of accomplishments into one shortened season this year , ripping off five straight wins in the Factory Stock Showdown class , claiming the world championship there and also picking up his first career Pro Stock win as well .

Not bad for a season that barely started before July and not bad for a career that includes just 21 Pro Stock starts and a small sample size in Factory Stock Showdown .

“ As far as a year of drag racing , this was kind of a storybook year ,” says Stanfield , who was a 2017 selection to the 30 Under 30 list . “ When we came to racing [ in July ], we started fairly well and it continued to roll . The goal is always to win a championship in anything we race , but my first goal was to get my first win . We definitely didn ’ t expect to have that kind of success .”

It might not be too surprising , however . The 25-year-old Stanfield has enjoyed immense success

in the sportsman ranks and grew up watching his father , Greg , win four world championships . The younger Stanfield already has his first , putting on an absolute clinic in the Factory Stock class . He advanced to the semifinals at the first race for the class in July and then didn ’ t lose again , winning the next five events , many in dominant fashion .

The championship was clinched during a wild weekend in Houston , where Stanfield won his first Pro Stock race and then had to cut his winner ’ s circle celebration short so he could race in Factory Stock Showdown .

He quickly refocused , won the event in that class and then clinched the championship , all in one magical weekend that could become the stuff of legends .

“ It was just one of those crazy days . It was a lot of dreams accomplished in one day ,” Stanfield says . “ If you would have told me all that would have happened in one day , I would have laughed at you . The odds of it happening are very slim and there ’ s so many great competitors , so it ’ s hard to make it all happen . I still can ’ t believe what we

were able to accomplish .”

Stanfield ’ s certainly become a rising star in both classes , finishing seventh in the Pro Stock standings . He made huge improvements behind the wheel , advancing to the final round in Gainesville before knocking off the legendary Jeg Coughlin Jr . in the final round in Houston .

Stanfield is one of many bright , young stars in the Pro Stock ranks – which bodes well for the future of the class – but it ’ s been a constant learning process .

“ Rickie and Rick Jones , my dad , Erica [ Enders ], they ’ ve all helped me as a driver and helped me get comfortable ,” Stanfield says . “ I ’ ve never hopped in a car that ’ s kicked my butt as much as that thing . It ’ s been a humbling experience .”

Stanfield , though , loves the challenge and loves to work , which makes him a perfect fit in Pro Stock . It has him ready for a big 2021 , where he ’ ll try to win in the sportsman ranks , in Factory Stock Showdown and Pro Stock because , well , why not ?

“ I ’ ve been raised to be ambitious and shoot for the stars ,” Stanfield says . – JOSH HACHAT DI

PHOTOS : NHRA / NATIONAL DRAGSTER