MADDI GORDON Lands Veteran Crew Chief ROB FLYNN for 2026 Top Fuel Debut

November 19, 2025

• MADDI GORDON scored a major win before even hitting the track, landing veteran crew chief Rob Flynn for her 2026 Top Fuel debut with Ron Capps Motorsports. The 21-year-old third-generation racer comes off a stellar Top Alcohol Funny Car season with three national wins and a third-place points finish – exactly the kind of credentials that made Capps take notice when building his dragster program.
• Flynn brings the perfect resume for developing rookie talent, having just guided JASMINE SALINAS through her Top Fuel debut at Scrappers Racing. Salinas reached back-to-back semifinals to start 2025 before funding killed the program – a reminder that talent alone isn’t enough in this sport. Flynn’s honest assessment of pushing Salinas too hard early shows he’s learned the right lessons about patience with new drivers.
• The partnership represents smart matchmaking all around. GORDON gets a crew chief who understands the 50-60 pass learning curve for Top Fuel rookies and won’t rush her development, while Flynn gets a driver with proven adaptability and the backing of a stable operation. With Carlyle Tools funding locked in and the Gatornationals debut set for March, we’re watching a foundation being built the right way – methodically, with veteran guidance.

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