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Maddi Gordon Delivers Strong Results at First NHRA Potomac Nationals
Highlights
- Maddi Gordon placed No. 6 in NHRA Potomac Nationals qualifying
- Gordon ran a fastest qualifying time of 3.805 seconds
- Lost first-round elimination narrowly to No. 11 qualifier Will Smith
- Gordon remains confident and focused on improving future race performance
- Next race: NHRA New England Nationals, June 5-7 in New Hampshire
- Gordon to speak at High Performance Expo in Charlotte
Maddi Gordon leaves the inaugural NHRA Potomac Nationals at Maryland International Raceway with P6 qualifying pace but a first-round exit, her reaction-time deficit proving decisive on Sunday morning.
The Top Fuel rookie remains sixth in points as a three-race stretch begins.
Her Carlyle Tools Top Fuel dragster, tuned by Rob Flynn and Troy Fasching, shows reliable pace. She opens qualifying at 3.840 seconds, 330.39 mph, banking two bonus points.
A later 3.805 at 332.34 places her fifth overnight.
Best qualifying: 3.805 seconds at 332.34 mph; earned multiple bonus points
Saturday brings a 3.808 pass, third-quickest of the session, and another bonus point. A brief tire-smoke episode follows, yet she secures sixth in the final qualifying order.
Eliminations match Gordon with No. 11 seed Will Smith. She posts 3.805 at 330.07, but Smith’s sharper launch carries a 3.802 to the stripe for a narrow win.
First round: 3.805 seconds at 330.07 mph; defeated on the holeshot by a 3.802
Gordon says the target is mid‑3.70s as the tune-up evolves. She concedes missing the light, yet stresses confidence and cohesion. Crew chief Chuck Grospitch urges forward focus, not rearward reflection.
Crew message: “The windshield is much larger than the rearview mirror.”
The data underlines progress. Repeat 3.80s confirm power and clutch control, shifting emphasis to launch execution. Refining the first 60 feet now offers Gordon the clearest route to race-day returns.
This triple-header in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series amplifies operational demands and attrition. Strong baseline performance at Potomac should aid setup carryover as conditions vary event to event.
Off-track, Gordon speaks at Charlotte’s High Performance Expo before returning to competition. Her rookie campaign resumes at the NHRA New England Nationals, June 5–7, at New England Dragway.
Across the paddock, Funny Car contender Alexis DeJoria’s Potomac qualifying and Pro Mod racer Spencer Hyde’s quarterfinals underscore the event’s competitive depth.
Visual Summary
3.840 s
330.4 mph
Q1
Q1
3.805 s
332.3 mph
Q2
Q2
3.808s
Q3
3.805 s
Eliminations
Maddi Gordon:
Consistency on the Climb
Consistency on the Climb
No. 6 in Top Fuel | Potomac Nationals
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Quick Learner
Earns 3 bonus points for top qualifying speed & consistency
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Race Day Drama
Narrow loss: 3.805s vs 3.802s (reaction time heartbreak)
🪟
Eyes Forward
“Windscreen > rearview”:
Rookie focus & progress toward next rounds
Rookie focus & progress toward next rounds
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Next Stops:
HPX Expo · NHRA New England Nationals (Jun 5-7)
HPX Expo · NHRA New England Nationals (Jun 5-7)
James William covers the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, from the Rolex 24 at Daytona to sprint-race formats. His reports include prototype performance reviews, GT class battles, and pit-stop strategy insights for endurance-racing fans.
