Drag Illustrated Issue 202, September / October 2026 | Page 4

DI 202

PAGE 84

BETTING ON MADDI

Ron Capps took a major gamble when he tapped 22-year-old Maddi Gordon to drive his new Carlyle Tools Top Fuel dragster. Gordon quickly proved the bet was well placed, emerging as a Rookie of the Year frontrunner, winning her first Top Fuel race at Norwalk, and captivating fans with the genuine enthusiasm that has made her one of the sport’ s fastest-rising stars.
By KELLY WADE
PHOTO: NHRA
4 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated. com Issue 202