Enders-Stevens Becomes First Female NHRA Pro Stock World Champ

CENTURY CITY (CBSLA.com) — For the first time ever, a woman has won the NHRA Pro Stock world championship title.

Erica Enders-Stevens was first to the finish line in more ways than one after defeating rival Jason Line in the final round of the Auto Club NHRA Finals.

CBS2's Louisa Hodge spoke with Enders-Stevens about accomplishing her goal, right here in Southern California.

"This is the best year I've ever had," said Enders-Stevens. "I've never won a world championship before. To be able to be the first woman to do it in our class is pretty awesome, so I'm pretty stoked to say the least."

Enders-Stevens raced to her sixth victory of the season when Line fouled at the start in the winner-take-all final-round meeting at historic Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.

She is the third female to win a world championship in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, joining three-time Top Fuel champion Shirley Muldowney and three-time Pro Stock Motorcycle champ Angelle Sampey.

"It's awesome to be a part of this female movement in NHRA," Enders-Stevens said. "I think it goes to show what we're capable of and what a great platform NHRA gives all of us girls to climb the ladder and to get to where we want to go.

Following the race, Enders-Stevens took to Twitter to thank her fans.

Enders-Stevens, whose early career as an NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League competitor was the subject of a popular Disney Channel original movie in 2003, made her Pro Stock debut in 2005.

After advancing to six final rounds in her first eight seasons she broke through with her first victory in 2012 at Chicago. She challenged for the championship the last three seasons, finishing a career-best fourth in 2012.

Enders-Stevens received a $250,000 prize and trophy at the NHRA's champion award ceremony.