PHOTOS : JOE MCHUGH , NHRA / NATIONAL DRAGSTER

There was also the motivation of winning a fourth world title , which would give her more than any female professional driver in NHRA history .

Not surprisingly , Enders rose to the occasion , doing both and doing it in impressive fashion . She won four of the 10 races in a shortened 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic , displaying the consistency and prowess on the starting line that ’ s made her one of the best drivers in class history . The much-desired fourth world title also became hers .

“ Being able to make that history , and seeing the company you ’ re with – guys like Jeg [ Coughlin Jr .], Warren Johnson , Lee Shepherd , Bob Glidden

– they ’ re all legends and I ’ m such a huge fan of all of them ,” Enders says . “ It ’ s pretty incredible , but as long as we ’ re racing I don ’ t see any reason we can ’ t keep winning and hopefully contend for our fifth championship .”

Enders ’ championship in her Melling Performance / Elite Motorsports Chevy Camaro helped continue a strong run for the Elite Motorsports contingent . They won the last two races of 2019 and then opened up 2020 by winning the first two races , with Enders cashing in at Phoenix .

After a five-month break , Enders didn ’ t skip a beat , getting major redemption at the U . S . Nationals with a dominating victory , adding two more late-season wins to finish off the title .

One of those came at the finale in Las Vegas , a perfect send-off for another dream season for Enders .

“ Being in these high-pressure , crucial situations , you learn a lot about yourself and your team

and we know how to do well when our backs are against the wall ,” Enders says . “ We take a lot of pride in how we perform when the pressure is on and we were able to be good when it matters .”

Enders , who now has 29 career wins , also praised a team that shows no signs of slowing down .

“ I speak so highly of these guys , I mean it from the bottom of my heart ,” Enders says . “ With [ crew chiefs ] Rick Jones , Mark Ingersoll , Rickie Jones , [ team owner ] Richard Freeman has organized the most perfect group of people .” – JOSH HACHAT DI