Maddi Gordon earns first NHRA Top Fuel victory

By Camille DeVaul · Wed Jul 08 2026

Templeton High graduate becomes just the eighth woman to win an NHRA Top Fuel national event

PASO ROBLES — For Maddi Gordon, June 28 at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio, wasn't just another race day — it was the culmination of a lifetime spent chasing speed, family tradition, and a dream that began at the dragstrip.

The 22-year-old Paso Robles native earned her first NHRA Top Fuel national event victory at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, becoming just the eighth woman in history to win in the sport's premier class.

"It was quite literally the most perfect day of my life," Gordon said. "It was the best day of my life, and I do not say that lightly."

Driving the Carlyle Tools Top Fuel dragster for Ron Capps Motorsports, Gordon delivered a nearly flawless performance in just her 10th professional Top Fuel event. Her winning run of 3.78 seconds at 333 mph secured her first coveted NHRA "Wally" trophy and completed an extraordinary day for the entire team.

Earlier that afternoon, teammate Ron Capps had captured the Funny Car title, giving Ron Capps Motorsports a rare double victory.

"People might think that team double-ups are common, but they are not," Gordon said. "It is pretty rare for both team cars to win on the same day."

The victory was made even sweeter because Gordon's family was there to witness it. Racing has been a lifelong family affair for the third-generation drag racer, whose father, Doug Gordon, is a three-time NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car world champion.

In an incredible twist, Doug Gordon also won his event earlier that day, defeating a five-time world champion who had been undefeated all season.

"My dad was racing that weekend, and when my dad races, my whole family's there as the crew," Gordon said. "I couldn't have imagined it any other way. I couldn't have imagined celebrating that day without them ... having my racing family there, and my real family, it's just a dream come true."

The Templeton High School graduate spent countless weekends traveling the West Coast drag racing circuit with her family. Before joining Ron Capps Motorsports this season, every step of her racing career had been alongside her parents, grandparents, and sisters.

Their family-operated Top Alcohol Funny Car team competed against much larger operations, yet still captured multiple regional championships and three world championships.

"We were racing against teams with eight crew members that were all fully grown men," Gordon said. "We're going out there competing as a six-person family team with four girls and two guys. We actually ended up winning multiple regional championships and three world championships as a family. And that's truly special. And those memories I cherish."

Gordon's racing résumé was already impressive before making the leap to Top Fuel. She earned her NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car license at age 19 and collected three national event victories, four regional wins, and a regional championship over the past two seasons.

Her first national event victory in Top Alcohol Funny Car also made her the 100th woman in NHRA history to win a national event.

Now, with her Top Fuel victory, she has added another milestone to that legacy.

"It's crazy," Gordon said of becoming just the eighth woman to win in Top Fuel. "I don't think of myself as anybody special ... I'm just out here doing what I love."

Still, Gordon recognizes the impact her accomplishments can have on the next generation.

"I hope that girls, whatever age they might be, see if she can do it, maybe I can do it," she said.

Away from the racetrack, Gordon's schedule is equally demanding. In addition to competing on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series circuit, she serves as an ambassador for Carlyle Tools, representing the brand through appearances and promotional events with NAPA Auto Parts. She is also involved in promotional work with Monster Energy.

"This [racing] is my entire life," Gordon said. "I'm either traveling to a new race or I'm doing some sort of social media, video, or something at an appearance."

Despite the whirlwind schedule and historic victory, Gordon isn't dwelling on the accomplishment for long.

Her focus has already shifted toward improving reaction times and preparing for the next race.

"There's always room for improvement," she said. "I want to be somebody that my team is proud to work with."

That next stop will be especially meaningful as the NHRA tour heads west to Sonoma before concluding the season at Pomona in November, giving Gordon another opportunity to compete in front of family, friends, and hometown supporters.

After achieving a dream many racers spend a lifetime pursuing, Gordon remains grounded by the values that brought her there — hard work, family, and a passion for going fast.

"Truly an absolutely picture-perfect day," she said. "You couldn't even script it any better."

Feature Image: NHRA Top Fuel event winner Maddi Gordon, 22, of Paso Robles and her team owner Ron Capps, who won the Funny Car title, pose with their trophies June 28 at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals. Contributed photo