Top Alcohol Dragster rookie Joe C . Maynard doubles up at NHRA Gatornationals By Alli McCormick

During the most recent offseason , Maynard , who became involved in NHRA Drag Racing with his family in 2021 , announced that he would be making his NHRA driving debut in the competitive Top Alcohol Dragster category in 2024 . Driving the Samsel Racing A / Fuel dragster , Maynard staged his JCM Racing / Leatherwood Distillery entry in competition for the first time during the divisional event known as the “ Baby Gators ,” which began the weekend before the Gatornationals .

In his debut race , Maynard earned the No . 4 qualifying position and went on to defeat Karen Stalba in the opening round of eliminations , activating the scoreboard win lights for the first time in his career . Soon after , the remainder of the divisional Baby Gators was postponed until the Gatornationals due to weather with eliminations scheduled to be contested during the weekend ’ s qualifying rounds . On Friday , Maynard clocked two solid runs to pick off Mike Coughlin and Matthew Cummings and capture his first NHRA trophy , and the first win for JCM Racing in 2024 .

With one win already under his belt , Maynard had his sights set on making it two-for-two when eliminations for the national event got underway on Saturday . Maynard clocked a 5.237 E . T . followed by a 5.310 in rounds one and two to defeat Dan Dietrich and former Pro Stock Motorcycle world champ Angelle Sampey , respectively . In the semifinals , Maynard laid down the gauntlet , posting a 5.209 , which held up to be low E . T . of the event . The run allowed him to easily defeat Jackie Fricke and sent him into the final round for the second time during the weekend . Against Jeffrey Veale , Maynard took the JCM Racing / Leatherwood Distillery machine on another winning ride , recording a 5.275 at 272.67 while Veale posted a slower 5.311 in the opposite lane .

“ I didn ’ t even realize I had won until I made it to the top end . This run in the finals was ‘ lucky 13 .’ That was only the 13th pass I had ever made in one of these cars , and now I ’ m holding two of these trophies ,” said the retired U . S . Army Blackhawk helicopter pilot following his second win of the weekend .

“ To leave here with two wins in only my first two races is just incredible , and not possible without something else . I ’ m sure a lot of this is thanks to my mom , who I know was along for the ride with me this weekend ,” added Maynard , referring to his mother , Cathi Maynard , who passed away in June 2023 following a lengthy battle with multiple sclerosis . “ I got to have my dad here on the starting line with me all weekend , my kids watching along at home . It ’ s just been really special , and I couldn ’ t ask for a better start to my NHRA career .” DI

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF MAYNARD FAMILY RACING

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