The DENSO NHRA Sonoma Nationals is set to ignite the tracks of Sonoma Raceway this weekend, bringing together the most powerful dragsters and Funny Cars in the sport. Among the competitors is Maddi Gordon a rising star in the Top Fuel class, who is eager to continue her winning streak after her first career victory in Norwalk, Ohio.
Gordon, a native of Paso Robles, has a deep connection to Sonoma Raceway, having competed there since her early days in Jr. Dragsters. This weekend marks her first time competing in a Top Fuel Dragster at this iconic venue. “I’ve gone to Sonoma so many times since I was a little baby, with my family,” Gordon shared in an interview. “My first time racing at Sonoma was with my Jr. dragster. I didn’t win, I ended up losing in the final after we had to swap out the engines.”
Maddi Gordon’s Journey to the Top Fuel Class
Gordon’s path to the Top Fuel class has been marked by dedication and hard work. After making the leap to driving a Top Alcohol Dragster in 2026, she faced challenges that ultimately taught her valuable lessons. “I wasn’t perfect, it ate me alive,” she admitted. “Leaving Charlotte after that first time in the Top Alcohol Dragster, I was pedaling it, the engine blew up. I was so mad that I was beside myself. But that taught me how to be better, how not do it next time.”
Her career took a significant turn during the 2026 Northwest Nationals at Seattle’s Pacific Raceways, where she earned a breakthrough NHRA Funny Car victory. This achievement made her the 100th different female driver to win an NHRA national event. Ron Capps, a longtime family acquaintance, saw potential in Gordon and offered her a spot on his team for the 2026 season. “Ron Capps saw the love I have for the sport,” Gordon said. “I still don’t know exactly what he saw in me, but he said he saw in me what Don Prudhomme saw in him when he was starting. That’s next level.”
The Competitive Landscape at the Sonoma Nationals
The NHRA Sonoma Nationals feature a fierce competition across various classes. In the Top Fuel class, Shawn Langdon leads the points, followed by defending Sonoma champion Doug Kalitta and Leah Pruett. Gordon is currently in fourth place, 396 points behind Langdon. The Funny Car field is equally competitive, with Matt Hagan trailing points leader Ron Capps by 121 points. The Pro stock field is led by Dallas Glenn and Greg Anderson, while the Pro Stock Motorcycle class sees longtime rivalries continue to dominate.
Gordon’s team owner, Ron Capps, also emerged with a win at Norwalk. Maddi’s father, past Top Alcohol Funny Car world champ Doug Gordon, picked up his second win of the season in the Lucas Oil Series at the same event. “What a crazy couple of weeks it’s been in the Gordon household, but crazy in the best way possible,” Gordon said.
Gordon’s Impact on the Sport and Future Aspirations
Beyond her competitive spirit, Gordon is passionate about growing the sport and inspiring the next generation. “I love our sport through and through,” she said. “I want to help grow the sport and help the next generation. I love to see the little kids at the drags, and I love to encourage them. I’m a huge advocate for Jr. Drags, that’s what got me on the path to where I am now.”
Gordon’s journey in the sport began during the COVID pandemic when she and her sister Macie joined their father’s pit crew. “Dad said that if we want to drive, then we’d need to be crew members, too. My sister and I were more than happy to be on his crew. We wanted to work on these cars,” Gordon recalled. “So we put our heads down and went racing. That was our hobby and that was our heart. Our dad saw the passion we had for the sport.”
As the NHRA Sonoma Nationals unfold, all eyes will be on Maddi Gordon and the other top competitors as they push the limits of speed and performance. The event promises to be a thrilling showcase of the best in drag racing, with Gordon aiming to add another victory to her growing list of achievements.
