Paso Robles drag racer scores first national event victory

Maddi Gordon makes history as 100th woman to win at Pacific Raceways

– Maddi Gordon scored her first national event victory and made history as the 100th woman to win at Pacific Raceways on Sunday. The 20-year-old Paso Robles drag racer competed in the NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car category. Her Beta Motorcycles Morro Bay Cabinets TAFC was the fastest car during Sunday eliminations.

“It’s super exciting to be the 100th different female to win a national event. What an extremely cool stat, I’m so happy to be a part of it,” Gordon said. “It doesn’t get any better than this. I couldn’t dream any bigger than this, and I’m so thankful for my family and sponsors that stuck with me as the new driver in TAFC this year.”

The Gordon family adjusted their tune-ups after experiencing tire shake in the first two qualifying sessions. Maddi Gordon then ran a 5.480-second pass at 268.81 mph, moving to number two on the qualifying sheet. She was set to race Mike Doushgounian in the first round, but when Doushgounian didn’t make the call, she advanced to the second round with a bye, backing up her qualifying pass with another 5.480-second run at 268.38 mph.

With seven cars in TAFC, the field was set on an 8-car bracket, making the second round the semifinal. Gordon ran a 5.453-second pass at 267.85 mph against Stan Sipos’ 5.495-second run at 265.53 mph. Sipos left early and triggered a red light, giving Gordon the win. In the final against Brian Hough, Hough’s car broke traction and shut off at half track. Gordon powered on with a 5.459-second pass at 268.49 mph.

At the top end of the track, Gordon was handed the event trophy, medal, and a sign inscribed with “100th Woman to Win an NHRA National Event.” She celebrated the win with her family, marking their best accomplishment of the season so far.

Gordon said she is focused on improving her skills as a driver. “My mindset hasn’t really changed for the rest of the season after the win here in Seattle. I still have a lot more to learn in the car, so continuing to improve my driving remains my biggest focus right now.”

Gordon’s crew consists of her sister Macie, mom Christina, dad Doug, grandma Cheryl, and grandpa Mike. The same crew worked with Doug Gordon when he won the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series TAFC national championship. They have won 18 national events and three national championships together between 2020 and 2023.

This season, the goal was to acclimate Maddi to the car with no expectations of winning or competing for a championship. However, halfway through her rookie year, she is second in the national points standings behind Sean Bellemeur. Her 2024 successes include five previous final rounds at Las Vegas, Charlotte 4-Wide national events, and Phoenix, Indianapolis, and Kansas City regional events. She won regional events at Indianapolis and Kansas City.

Next weekend, the Gordon family will race their Top Dragster and Super Comp cars at the DENSO NHRA Sonoma Nationals on July 26-27. Macie will compete in Top Dragster, and Doug will pilot the Super Comp Dragster. The next stop on the TAFC schedule will be the NHRA Lucas Oil Nationals in Brainerd, Minn. on Aug. 15-18.