DRIVERS REFLECT ON CATHI MAYNARD ' S IMPACT
BY NATE VAN WAGNEN
THOUGH JCM RACING co-owner Cathi Maynard passed away on June 23 , 2023 , after a 35-year battle with multiple sclerosis , she made a lasting impact on the world of NHRA drag racing . Her impact is most notable in the pit areas of the JCM Racing teams : Tony Schumacher ’ s Scag Power Equipment Top Fuel team , Tim Wilkerson ’ s Scag Power Equipment Funny Car team , and Justin Ashley ’ s Phillips Connect Top Fuel team .
Schumacher credits Cathi for bringing him back into full-time Top Fuel competition and adding another chapter to his storied career as an eight-time world champion . As an Army veteran , Cathi was drawn to Schumacher early on when he was driving the U . S . Army Top Fuel dragster .
“ When we first met , Joe told me how Cathi had seen her first Top Fuel car in Bristol ,” Schumacher begins . “ It was a night run , it was the Army car , and it ran 330 MPH , and she literally said , ‘ I want a car and I want that particular one .’ Joe laughed a little bit , but he said OK . Anyone that ' s ever met Joe knows that when Cathi said ‘ this is what I want ,' this is what she was going to get . For me , to be out for a little while , wondering when you were going to get a phone call to come back and drive , it was just open arms , baby . Let ' s go racing .”
Ashley ’ s official involvement with the Maynard family started just a month before Cathi ’ s passing , but he took notice of her passion for drag racing even before the family partnered with his team .
“ Cathi and her love for the sport is really why the Maynards and Joe got involved in NHRA to begin with ,” Ashley says . “ She made an impact not only to get them started and throughout the process , but her impact is still lasting now even though she ' s passed .”
Cathi and Joe met while they were serving in the Army , where she worked as a Military Police officer and a boat pilot . The couple have been generous supporters of Austin Peay State University in Clarksville , Tennessee , where the Maynards are well-known for their philanthropic efforts . Cathi was also particularly passionate about A Soldier ’ s Child and American Mobility Project , which were both featured on “ giving cars ” at the end of the 2022 season .
Cathi and Joe were married for 40 years . Along with Joe , she is survived by sons Joe C . Maynard and Lucas Maynard , and three grandchildren , Joe , Shelby , and Haylee .
“ Obviously , Cathi ’ s passing was the low ,” Joe E . says when asked about the highs and lows of the 2023 season , “ but I will say , the way that the whole NHRA community came together to show their support is a great example of how it ’ s one big family out here . And the excitement ? It ’ s just being out here . We love it , my family loves it ; it ’ s something we can all enjoy together .”
Making sure the Maynard family receives the support they need during this difficult time has been a priority for the family ’ s drivers .
“ We lost Cathi this year , and that ' s been really hard on Joe ,” Wilkerson says . “ I think it ' s really good for him that he has us , and we have him .”
September / October 2023 DragIllustrated . com | Drag Illustrated | 107