Maddi Gordon and the Carlyle Tools Top Fuel Dragster Team Make Debut Event at the Gator Nationals

Gainesville, FL – Maddi Gordon will make her professional debut aboard the Carlyle Tools Top Fuel dragster at the NHRA Gatornationals.  This marks the third-generation racer’s first time competing at Gainesville Raceway.

Maddi talks about Gainesville and the thrill of driving a top fuel car. “Getting back in my Carlyle Tools Top Fuel dragster yesterday after that first week of testing felt really good. I’m feeling more and more comfortable in the car each time I strap in, and every pass I make down the track, I learn something new and take something back with me.

The last test session was all about getting comfortable, doing my procedures, and overall, just getting acclimated and used to driving a Top Fuel car. This week, I’m more focused on cutting lights. I was .81 yesterday the first time I tried to cut a light, and I was happy with that. Obviously, I’m going to be working to improve but felt for my first time, that was pretty solid. The second pass I was late, and I knew it, and then on the third pass, I ran an .85.

“It’s going to be so cool rolling into the track on Friday morning when the pits are fully set up and seeing the RCM hospitality tent and the whole RCM empire; it’s just going to be very surreal. I’ve driven through the pro pits my whole life and have always admired how professional it looks, and to now be able to have my name on one of those banners and my face on one of those trailers is so cool. There’s just so many things that are going to be a totally new experience for me this weekend. For example, I’ve never done driver intros, I’ve never raced E1 on a Sunday morning, so, it’s hard to pinpoint what all I’m looking forward to the most.

“This weekend is all about racing our own race. We’re not out there running in the 60s yet. I have no doubt we’ll get there, but right now we’ve got so many new parts and pieces that we’re focused on making full runs and getting down the track, getting me more comfortable in the car, getting our guys used to the routine, and gathering data. We’re going to do the best that we can and I’ve got all the confidence that we’ll be competing with the best of them on Sunday.”

Fan Events:

Wednesday, 7 p.m., Fanfest at Burnyzz Speed Shop (1 Aspen Rd., Ocala) driver autograph session
Saturday, 9 a.m., Q&A with Hannah Rickards, Nitro Alley Stage