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