and turns for Megan Meyer . The defending NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster world champion went out in the first round at her first regional event of the year , an early exit she had to think about for over two months as the COVID-19 pandemic put racing on hold .

She rebounded swiftly once racing returned in May , winning the Dallas and Columbus regional events in her NGK Spark Plugs A / Fuel dragster tuned by her father and team owner , Randy Meyer .

Going into the prestigious U . S . Nationals in Indy over Labor Day weekend , Meyer announced her plans to retire from competition at the end of the season to focus on family life and business interests . Over the course of the weekend , she lowered the class elapsed time record twice with a pair of stunning 5.09-second passes , making her the first driver in class history to dip into the 5.00s . She went on to win the event , following it up with another national event victory at the

Texas AAA FallNationals in Dallas .

Following a whirlwind weekend at the Spring Nationals in Houston , where Meyer flew in to earn qualifying points and flew home for her rescheduled wedding , the 27-year-old raced to victory yet again at the NHRA Finals in Las Vegas , defeating three-time world champion Joey Severance in the final round and clinching the championship in the process .

“ It ’ s the only way any driver wants to finish their career , and to be honest I wasn ’ t focused on the championship that weekend ,” Meyer says of going out on top . “ I know it ’ s hard to believe , but I just wanted to make sure I did my best at a track I ’ d never raced at before . We made sure to not mention the championship that weekend so we didn ’ t get distracted worrying about points . It wasn ’ t until I had won the race that I realize we also clinched the championship .”

In just 10 races – far less than it would take to even contend for a championship in a normal

year – Meyer scored five victories and walked away as the quickest driver in the history of Top Alcohol Dragster .

“ Those accomplishments were huge for our team ,” Meyer says . “ My guys have proven that they are the best in the business , and every race we won was because of them . It ’ s just a crazy story of the entire 2020 season for us . It seemed like I either lost first round or won the race . Not many times did I go out in the rounds between .

“ There were so many roller coaster moments in my final year of my career that it ’ ll be hard to ever forget it ,” Meyer adds .

After spending the last five years chasing her dreams at racetracks across the country , Meyer is looking forward to spending more time at home with her new husband , Adam , and preparing for the arrival of their first child , due in August . She also plans to attend a few races this season to cheer on her Randy Meyer Racing teammates and help with media obligations . – NATE VAN WAGNEN DI

PHOTO : JOE MCHUGH