PHOTOS : RICK BELDEN

She came close to accomplishing that goal in 2016 , the same year she appeared on the 30 Under 30 list , finishing fourth in national points . Several final-round appearances in the first half of the season made Meyer a serious contender , but the team ’ s performance suffered in the second half .

The Randy Meyer Racing team learned from that season , going on to finish third in 2017 and 2018 . Finally , Meyer was able to live her dream in 2019 when she clinched her first world championship . A second title followed this year after a season of uncertainty .

“ It ’ s always been my dream to be a world champion since I saw Alan Bradshaw become our first world champion driver in 2003 ,” Meyer , 27 , says . “ I knew one day that would be me . I didn ’ t know I could do it in four years .”

Going into the U . S . Nationals in September , Meyer announced plans to retire from

her position as the driver of the NGK Spark Plugs A / Fuel dragster at the conclusion of the 2020 season .

“ I ’ ve been [ racing Top Alcohol Dragster ] fulltime for five years now and a lot has changed over that time ,” Meyer says . “ I ’ ve accomplished pretty much everything I ’ ve wanted to accomplish in Top Alcohol . For me , I ’ m ready to take a break , focus on getting married , starting a family and working on my own business . I have other goals in my life right now that I want to focus on . I ’ ll see where that takes me .”

Later that week , Meyer went on to become the first driver in class history to break into the 5.00-second range , running a 5.097-second pass in the second round and bettering the record with a 5.090 in the semifinals before winning the U . S . Nationals for the second consecutive year . She added national event wins at the FallNationals in Dallas and the Finals in Las Vegas , where she clinched the championship just a week after getting married .

With two world championships , the class record and numerous victories , Meyer can step away from the driver ’ s seat on top . She ’ ll remain involved with Randy Meyer Racing , continuing

to handle a string of responsibilities as the team manager . She also plans to go bracket racing with her younger sister , Rachel , who won her first regional championship this year .

Over the course of her five years in Top Alcohol Dragster , Meyer was frequently asked about the possibility of a future move to Top Fuel . It ’ s something she once considered , but the grind and nomadic lifestyle of nitro racing just don ’ t fit into her new five-year plan .

“ I remember you asking me a question about where I saw myself in five years ,” Meyer says , recalling an interview during her rookie season . “ I said I want to be a Top Fuel driver . At that time , that ’ s what I wanted . But now , looking back , I don ’ t want that at all . I love racing with my family and I don ’ t want to race on another team .

“ Dreams and plans change ,” she adds . “ Just because they change doesn ’ t mean life is going to be any less wonderful or lack purpose . One of my mentors told me this years ago and it stuck with me . He said , ‘ What got you here won ’ t get you there .’ Things have to change and evolve and you have to go through different seasons of life . That ’ s kind of the situation I ’ m in .”

– NATE VAN WAGNEN DI

November 2020

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