Earlier this winter, we reported on Champion Spark Plugs‘ Search For A Champion contest, and the company recently crowned a winner – drag racer Carly Jo Ellingson, who receives a $50,000 sponsorship from Federal-Mogul’s Champion Spark Plugs brand for 2015.

The 20-year-old South Dakota-based drag racer competes in the NHRA’s Pro ET and Super Pro classes, and won out over 143 other entries in the yearly contest.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to represent one of the most popular brands in the automotive industry,” Ellingson said. “Champion and Federal-Mogul Motorparts have given me a once-in-a-lifetime chance to advance my career and eventually compete at the professional level.”

With 15 finalists in the competition taken from the 144 entries, Ellingson’s path to the sponsorship was no easy feat. Each entrant had to put together a two-minute video that demonstrated their passion for racing determination to win with the help of Champion products. Once the finalists were selected, over 75,000 votes were cast on the Always A Champion website, and Miss Ellingson came out on top.

Her path to success in drag racing came from a young age. After viewing the movie “Right On Track”, with Erica and Courtney Enders, Ellingson took the fast path and was soon entered into her own racing program behind the wheel of a Junior Dragster, where she won nearly 70 events, six points titles, and a Wally in the process.

The car she currently races in Pro ET and Super Pro is a family heirloom, a 1970 Ford Mustang originally owned by her father as a high school sophomore. So far she’s won four events in two years of competition.

“Carly Jo’s passion for racing is obvious as soon as you start to watch her video, and it’s clear that the Champion community found her story particularly compelling,” said Jessica Wynn, global director, digital marketing and strategy for Federal-Mogul Motorparts. “She will be an exceptional representative of our company and the iconic Champion brand.”

For more information on Champion Spark Plugs, check out their website.