Erica Enders added another milestone to her historic career on Monday, claiming her 50th national event win at the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. This was also her first victory of the 2025 season.

Enders powered to a 6.564-second run at 209.95 mph to top Hartford’s 6.609 at 209.04 mph, securing her fourth career U.S. Nationals victory. The win not only snapped a 30-race drought but also extended her record as the winningest female driver in NHRA history at the sport’s most prestigious event.

Qualifying third with her best effort of the year, Enders opened eliminations by defeating teammate Greg Stanfield with a 6.513-second pass at 211.10 mph. She advanced past Aaron Stanfield in round two after his car suffered mechanical issues, then reached the final by capitalizing on a red-light start from regular season champion Dallas Glenn. In the final, Enders outran Matt Hartford to pick up the win.

“That monkey’s been on our back since Gainesville season opener in 2024, and it’s been grueling. The only thing I can relate it to is our 2016 season when we changed manufacturers. The reason why this year’s more painful is because it was unexpected. We didn’t have anything crazy going on. We left last year, doing well, collectively as a team, and we came out this year and the scoreboard did not tell us what the dyno was telling us. It has been super challenging,” Enders said. “It kind of reminds me of the beginning of my career, when I was just gunning for that first win, and it took seven years and seven final rounds. Granted, it wasn’t that long, but it sure felt like it.”

For Enders, celebrating her 50th win at the U.S. Nationals carried extra significance.

“We finally got number 50,” Enders said. “As a little girl in 1994 rolling under that arch right there, for my first final round at the inaugural Junior Dragster Nationals, the feelings are very, very similar. And here we are, 30 something odd years later. To get my 50th here at Indy, at the US. Nationals, I don’t know a better book that can be written, and I thank the good Lord for that.”

The six-time world champion now turns her attention to the Countdown to the Championship with wind in her sails and plenty of momentum.