No emphasis or expectations here , but starting off so strongly , are you seeing the possibility of a championship ? Me and my grandma were talking about points standings today . So yes , we ’ re looking at points , but me personally – I am not setting that as a goal , because I do not want to be disappointed . I don ’ t think it ’ s a fair goal to set for myself because it ’ s unrealistic at this point . It ’ s a hopeful scenario , but it is not a goal at this point .
How important is it to you that this is always a family operation ? I can ’ t really put into words how much it means . My papa , before I go down the racetrack , he gives me a huge fist bump . It ’ s so special , to be able to spend that time with your grandparents and family and parents and sister like this . It ’ s such a rare situation , and I know it ’ s not forever , so I really try to soak it up as much as possible . Nothing can really replace what this is right now .
don ’ t know if there has ever been an alcohol Funny Car driver who got the opportunity to race their first season in the No . 1 championship car . We ’ ve been on such a high lately . Our family of six has won three world championships in the last four years , and those are huge footsteps to follow . But my family has really helped out , and there is no pressure to try to win a world championship my first year . I ’ m also not trying to put that pressure on myself , but how can you not ? You ’ re in the world champion ’ s car , and you want to be able to uphold that reputation . But I ’ m really happy with how everything has been going . My family is really happy , and we ’ re having a good time still . That ’ s what ’ s most important , having fun . But it ’ s a lot more fun when you win . watching all of the videos , thinking about it . I want to be the best I can be . Seeing a good light is so exciting , leaving at the right rpm is exciting . It ’ s all exciting right now .
THE JOY OF THE TEAM HAS BEEN UNBRIDLED IN RECENT YEARS . DOUG RACED TO THREE CHAMPIONSHIPS AND MADDI HAS ALREADY SEEN THE INSIDE OF THE WINNER ’ S CIRCLE , JUST A HANDFUL OF RACES INTO HER FIRST YEAR BEHIND THE WHEEL .
Looking way down the road into your future , what do you see ? Alcohol Funny Car has been my dream , what I always wanted to do , but drag racing is my life . It ’ s everything to me , and I ’ ve truly set my whole life around it . I see myself driving alcohol Funny Car as long as I possibly can , as long as my family can do it , as long as we can afford it . I can ’ t imagine ever getting out of drag racing , whether I ’ m racing a Pinto or an alcohol Funny Car . I see myself doing this my whole life . DI
What ’ s been most challenging to you throughout this process ? It ’ s all challenging . To be honest , what ’ s most challenging for me at this current moment is , number one , learning how to pedal the race car and be good at that , and two , trying to get used to the speed . At the end of the racetrack , the car is going so much faster than what my mind is comprehending , so I ’ m having trouble letting off at the finish line right when I ’ m supposed to . It isn ’ t anything bad , I just have to get used to the speed in my mind , let off the gas at the right time , and not drag it out too far .
What ’ s been most rewarding as you learn the ropes as a driver in this tough class and make your own mark in drag racing ? The win lights . I think about the Funny Car all day , every day . I ’ m looking at every picture ,
102 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 189