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MADDI GORDON Qualifies No. 2, Reaches Quarters at Route 66

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May 18, 2026

GRRL! SUMMARY:

  • MADDI GORDON qualified No. 2 at Route 66 Nationals with a 3.738-second pass at 334.90 mph, collecting five bonus points across Friday sessions and demonstrating impressive consistency as a Top Fuel rookie.
  • The Carlyle Tools driver raced with an engine she helped build after experiencing her first major parts failure Saturday, learning hands-on with crew while swapping powerplants before eliminations.
  • GORDON defeated KRISTA BALDWIN in round one’s “Marquee Matchup” with a 3.813 at 329.58 mph after Baldwin lost traction mid-track, showcasing steady throttle control and starting line advantage.
  • The sixth-ranked driver fell to multi-time champion Antron Brown in quarters but credited crew chiefs Flynn and Fasching for providing consistent, reliable equipment that lets her focus purely on driving execution.

UPCOMING:

  • IHRA Triple Crown Race at Maple Grove Raceway, Memorial Day Weekend
  • NHRA Potomac Nationals, May 29-31 at Maryland International Raceway, Mechanicsville, Maryland

LINKS TO RACER'S PROFILE PAGES:

MADDI GORDON KRISTA BALDWIN

carlyle tools, nhra mission foods drag racing series, nhra top fuel, route 66 raceway

GRRL! summary based upon reporting by ByDrag Illustrated originally appearing on share.google