HE CAUGHT everyone ’ s attention in 2022 when she defeated motorsports icon Tony Stewart in the final round of Top Alcohol Dragster at the NHRA Nevada Nationals to claim her first win , but that isn ’ t what Madison Payne should be known for . The third-generation racer ’ s accomplishment that day was tremendous , but it ’ s only an indicator of what ’ s to come . With one of the most successful and driven racing families behind her , Payne is equipped to continue a strong charge well into the future .

“ Vegas was my proudest moment – not because it was Tony Stewart , but because the week before I ’ d been to the final in Dallas and come up short ,” says Southern California native Payne . “ We managed to get there again , but I remember how many eyes were on that race . It was only my second national event final , so to be able to win that race instilled a lot of confidence in me that in those high-pressure situations , I wasn ’ t going to choke – and I hope it stays that way . Even though I won on a baby holeshot , it was a holeshot , and that gave me a lot of confidence . It was also really special for me because Vegas feels like a home race . My grandparents , my family , my uncle , they were all there . I ’ ve always wanted to win Pomona , but Vegas is close .”

Although this season – her first full pull in Top Alcohol Dragster – has had its ups and downs , Payne accomplished something that every NHRA racer dreams of when she claimed a coveted U . S . Nationals Wally . Her grandfather , legendary racer and innovator Brad Anderson , won Indy multiple times , as did her father Jay Payne and uncle Randy Anderson , both multitime champions .

“ It was one of those moments where it just didn ’ t feel real ,” says Payne , who reached the final at Maple Grove Raceway at the very next event . “ When I won , everyone around me was screaming and having a blast , but all I could do was smile . I was in a state of shock . My dad won Indy four times , and I was there for all of them and remember how big of a deal it was . He was the guy , in my eyes , so to be able to win Indy like he did – it felt so weird . I didn ’ t feel I was on the same level as the rest of my family members who have won Indy . I mean , I hold them in such a high regard that it didn ’ t really make sense that I had won it . It was really cool , but it probably took me three weeks to get a grasp on it .”

Payne , who races Super Comp as well , was slated to debut a Top Sportsman car this season , but the project was put on hold when her grandfather found one last thing he wanted to work on in the engine . If everything goes as planned , Payne will have her license before the 2024 season and race next year with her grandpa . She also plans to continue learning and growing in the alcohol car with team owner Duane Shields .

As for the future , family has played a large role in Payne ’ s growth behind the wheel , and that will continue to be true .

“ People give me a lot of grief and make jokes about my parents being hard on me ,” says Payne , whose mother is notoriously boisterous Shelly ( Anderson ) Payne , who raced successfully through the ranks to Top Fuel and understands the ins-and-outs of race cars like the back of her hand . “ What they don ’ t realize is that I have an unfair advantage , with all that my family has accomplished at such a high caliber . I get so much knowledge and information from them . Yeah , I get critiques , but they ’ re honest , and it really helps me . I ’ m very fortunate .” – KELLY WADE DI

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