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Maddi Gordon begins licensing to become third-generation Top Alcohol Funny Car driver By Melanie Johnson
Maddi Gordon , daughter of two-time NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car champion Doug Gordon , has been working as the full-time clutch specialist on the Gordon family ’ s car for the past three seasons . Prior to working on the Beta Motorcycles / Morro Bay Cabinets Camaro , Maddi was busy in the NHRA Jr . Drag Racing League . From the time she started racing at the |
age of 10 to the conclusion of her Jr . Dragster career in 2022 , she collected 47 race wins , two NHRA Division 7 championships , two ANRA track championships , and a Western Conference Finals championship .
Maddi is now 19 years old , the same age her father was when he took over the seat of the family Top Alcohol Funny Car from his father , Mike Gordon . It seems like a familiar story in this era of drag racing ; the passing of the torch from one generation to the next . Mike started racing in the TAFC class in 1986 , Doug took over in 1994 , and now Maddi will take the wheel in 2024 .
In preparation to take over the driving duties in 2024 , Maddi made seven hits in the car over two days in mid-May at Famoso Dragstrip in Ba-
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ferent operation for the driver . Maddi has been studying in-car footage of her dad over the last six months , learning all the steps . Doug was elated with the progress she made this weekend .
“ Maddi did great ; she did everything right and got to experience some tire shake and tire spin ,” Doug said . “ It ’ s a bummer we couldn ’ t get the car down the track , because she was ready to take the car further for sure .”
The team will continue to look for opportunities throughout the season to give Maddi more seat time and make the required licensing passes . The Gordons have a full slate of national and regional events as Doug seeks another world championship before handing over the controls to Maddi . DI
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PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF MADDI GORDON RACING |