WHEN YOUR father is a world champion drag racer , it ’ s quite likely that you ’ ll also have an interest in the adrenaline-packed sport . It ’ s most common to want to follow in a parent ’ s footsteps as a driver , but for Madison and Macie Gordon , they ’ ve found a home as crew for their dad ’ s very fast , very powerful , and very successful Top Alcohol Funny Car .

“ They ’ ve been around the racing program forever ,” explains Doug Gordon , the 2020 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series world champion and now a six-time regional / divisional champion . “ They ’ d worked on the car a little bit here and there , minimal things like wiping the body and draining the puke tank , but when COVID hit and they weren ’ t able to go to regular school , we had time to go on the road and go racing .”

That ’ s when Doug and his wife , Christina , gave their daughters the opportunity to officially become members of the crew . The girls eagerly accepted and learned all of the intricacies of working on the engine and the car . Now , Madison and Macie are able to take the engine apart down to the pistons , then reassemble it as a race-ready bullet .

Macie , the younger of the two , turned 16 on December 1 . She primarily works on the top of the engine , removing the valve covers and spark plugs , adjusting valve lash , and managing fuel and oil . She and her mom alternate backing up Doug from his burnout each run .

“ Maddi and I always wanted to be more involved , so being part of the crew is something I enjoyed right away ,” expresses Macie . “ We definitely love it . I feel like this is exactly what I want to do .” Her older sister agrees . “ It ’ s so awesome working on the car ,” says Madison , now 17 . “ I ’ ve always really wanted to do this . I just remember watching Dad taking apart the motor and thinking , ‘ I wish I could do

THE GORDONS : CHRISTINA , MADISON ,

MACIE AND DOUG ( FROM LEFT )

that .’ Now that I can , it ’ s super exciting .”

Madison works on the bottom end , taking down the rod and main caps from the underside of the engine , checking and replacing bearings , and then getting everything back into place . She assists with fuel and oil , and once the car is fired at the starting line , she takes the starter off and grabs the body pole .

The Gordon sisters have no intention of handing their wrenches back to Dad , but they will each be expanding their racing roles in the future . Doug plans to drive the Top Alcohol Funny Car for two more years , then the plan is to have Madison take the wheel in 2024 . Macie is expected to add Super Comp to her résumé in 2023 . Both girls have experience as race car drivers , stretching back to their days as Jr . drag racing champions , and Madison has been racing Super Comp at national opens .

“ They ’ re both really good drivers ,” Doug says . “ And they ’ re so supportive of one another . It takes everybody to make this happen , and they ’ re both part of the program , whether they ’ re driving or working on the car .” – KELLY WADE DI

PHOTOGRAPH BY RICK BELDEN

98 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 172