Madison Payne
Drag racing // Southern California
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Madison Payne carries on her family’s three-generation NHRA legacy, claiming the 2023 U.S. Nationals in Top Alcohol Dragster and defeating Tony Stewart at Vegas in 2022.
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Vegas was my proudest moment – not because it was Tony Stewart, but because the week before I’d been to the final in Dallas and come up short… It was only my second national event final, so to be able to win that race instilled a lot of confidence in me that in those high-pressure situations, I wasn’t going to choke…
I was told I made too long of a burnout on my first pass, so that was kind of funny… I was so upset after that first pass because I didn’t think I did a good job backing up or staging, but Duane’s team came up honking and shouting… They were all so supportive…
I was having so much fun, and I was getting really comfortable in the car…
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FULL BIO: Madison Payne
Madison Payne is a rising star in NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster racing who carries on a three-generation family legacy while making her own mark in the sport. The Southern California native burst into prominence with major wins that showcased her ability to perform under pressure against legendary competitors.
EARLY YEARS
Growing up in Southern California in a family where racing was tradition, not hobby, Madison was surrounded by drag racing royalty from birth. Her grandfather Brad Anderson is a three-time U.S. Nationals winner in Top Alcohol Funny Car, her father Jay Payne has claimed the U.S. Nationals three times in the same class, and her uncle Randy Payne added another family U.S. Nationals victory to the collection. With Las Vegas feeling like a “home race” to her, the Southwestern racing circuit became her playground early on.
OTHER INTERESTS
Information about Madison’s interests outside of motorsports is not publicly available.
EARLY SUCCESS
Madison started her racing journey in Super Comp during summer 2019, making her debut at a divisional event in Woodburn, Oregon. Her rapid progression was remarkable—by early 2020, she was competing in national events at venues like Sonoma Raceway and the NHRA Finals at Pomona. The breakthrough came when mentor and team owner Duane Shields offered her the chance to license in his Muscle Milk A/Fuel dragster. After getting licensed at the Las Vegas nationals in October 2020, she competed in 14 races that season, quickly racking up multiple round wins and proving she belonged on the big stage. Her first experience in the dragster was memorable for all the wrong reasons initially—she was told she made “too long of a burnout” on her first pass and felt she botched the backing up and staging, but Shields’ team was honking and shouting their support, showing her she’d done better than she thought.
NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
- 2022: Won NHRA Nevada Nationals in Las Vegas in Top Alcohol Dragster, defeating Tony Stewart in the final round.
- 2022: Finished 8th in Top Alcohol Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series world standings.
- 2023: Won U.S. Nationals in Top Alcohol Dragster, becoming the third generation in her family to claim this prestigious title.
INSPIRATIONS
Madison’s inspiration comes directly from her racing bloodline and the mentor who believed in her potential. Her father Jay Payne, grandfather Brad Anderson, and uncle Randy Payne didn’t just influence her path—they paved it with their own success in Top Alcohol Funny Car racing. Duane Shields played the pivotal role of bringing her into premier dragster racing, offering her the seat in his Muscle Milk A/Fuel dragster and providing the guidance that transformed her from a Super Comp racer into a national event winner. As she put it, when Shields told her to “get in my car,” her parents were already on board with her getting licensed “if you want to get your license in that car at the end of the year.”
REPUTATION
Madison has earned recognition as a racer who doesn’t crack under pressure, with her 2022 Las Vegas victory over Tony Stewart serving as the defining moment of her reputation. She’s known for her composure and ability to execute critical holeshots when it matters most. The motorsports community has embraced her as both a continuation of a legendary racing family and a talent in her own right. Her win over Stewart wasn’t just about beating a famous name—it was about bouncing back from a final-round loss in Dallas the week before and proving she could deliver in high-pressure situations without choking.
FUTURE GOALS/PLANS
Madison continues to race for Shields Racing in the Top Alcohol Dragster class, with her sights set on sustained success at major venues like Pomona and Las Vegas. While specific 2025 plans haven’t been detailed publicly, her expressed desire is to keep winning and improving on the big stages where she’s already proven herself capable of victory.
References:
Drag Illustrated Profile 2023
WinLight News Career Feature 2020
Competition Plus Interview 2023
NHRA YouTube Coverage 2023
Have Madison updates or corrections? Please let us know – We’d love to keep this profile current.
