MADDI GORDON
Driver of the Carlyle Tools Top Fuel Dragster
Last Event (Phoenix):
Qualified fourth; Semifinal finish (defeated Jaren Mott in E1, Tony Stewart in E2; defeated by Doug Kalitta in E3)
Noteworthy:
Fan Events:
Quotable:
“I’m really excited to get back to racing this weekend. That week and a half off was nice, but boy, it feels like a year since I’ve hit the gas, so I’m really looking forward to getting back out there. Pomona is extremely special to my family. My sister and I pretty much grew up at that track. We’ve been going there twice a year since we were born and just have a ton of great memories. I raced Alcohol Funny Car there, Jr. Dragsters; got to watch my sister race Top Dragster and Super Comp there a couple of weeks ago, and she did an awesome job. We’ve got a lot of friends and family coming in to watch. It’s also really special to have Shirley Shahan spending time with us this weekend. What she accomplished for women in our sport is incredible, and it means a lot to be able to share this moment with her, so should be good vibes all around in Pomona.
“I’m so proud of our Carlyle Tools boys; there’s no other team I’d want to drive for. I tell them all the time; there’s no group of guys I’d rather go into battle with on a Sunday than them. I feel like we have really good mojo coming out of Phoenix. We’re in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge once again, and that gives us a lot of confidence that we’ve qualified for both so far this year. (Crew chiefs) Rob (Flynn) and Troy (Fasching) were extremely happy after Phoenix. They feel like they learned a lot and are more confident in the race car, so that’s huge. We’re making progress; I’m learning every single weekend as a driver, and I know Rob and Troy and all the guys are learning more and more with each run down the track as well. Overall, just really happy with how the year has gone so far and looking forward to another good one this weekend in Pomona.”
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Driver of the Carlyle Tools Top Fuel Dragster
Last Event (Phoenix):
Qualified fourth; Semifinal finish (defeated Jaren Mott in E1, Tony Stewart in E2; defeated by Doug Kalitta in E3)
Noteworthy:
- Powered to back-to-back semifinal finishes at her first two professional outings
- By advancing to the semifinals at the most recent event in Phoenix, Gordon has qualified for the Pomona edition of the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Top Fuel Challenge
- Has previously competed in Pomona, driving her family’s Top Alcohol Funny Car and Jr. Dragster
- As a lifelong resident of Paso Robles, Gordon considers In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip to be a home track
Fan Events:
- Friday, 11 – 11:30 a.m., Mission #2Fast2Tasty driver autograph session, Mission Foods midway display
- Friday, noon – 12:30 p.m., RCM driver autograph session, Carlyle Tools midway display
- Saturday, 10 – 10:30 a.m., RCM driver autograph session, Carlyle Tools midway display
- Saturday, 10:30 a.m., Autograph session with Ron Capps, Shirley Shahan, Top Eliminator Club (must have TEC access to attend)
- Saturday, 1:45 p.m., Q&A with Hannah Rickards and NHRA Legend Shirley Shahan at the Nitro Alley stage
Quotable:
“I’m really excited to get back to racing this weekend. That week and a half off was nice, but boy, it feels like a year since I’ve hit the gas, so I’m really looking forward to getting back out there. Pomona is extremely special to my family. My sister and I pretty much grew up at that track. We’ve been going there twice a year since we were born and just have a ton of great memories. I raced Alcohol Funny Car there, Jr. Dragsters; got to watch my sister race Top Dragster and Super Comp there a couple of weeks ago, and she did an awesome job. We’ve got a lot of friends and family coming in to watch. It’s also really special to have Shirley Shahan spending time with us this weekend. What she accomplished for women in our sport is incredible, and it means a lot to be able to share this moment with her, so should be good vibes all around in Pomona.
“I’m so proud of our Carlyle Tools boys; there’s no other team I’d want to drive for. I tell them all the time; there’s no group of guys I’d rather go into battle with on a Sunday than them. I feel like we have really good mojo coming out of Phoenix. We’re in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge once again, and that gives us a lot of confidence that we’ve qualified for both so far this year. (Crew chiefs) Rob (Flynn) and Troy (Fasching) were extremely happy after Phoenix. They feel like they learned a lot and are more confident in the race car, so that’s huge. We’re making progress; I’m learning every single weekend as a driver, and I know Rob and Troy and all the guys are learning more and more with each run down the track as well. Overall, just really happy with how the year has gone so far and looking forward to another good one this weekend in Pomona.”
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