Maddi Gordon made a powerful statement at the opening race of her 2025 season, taking home the win at the NHRA Division 7/West Regional event at Firebird Motorsports Park. Driving her brand-new Top Alcohol Funny Car chassis, Gordon qualified No. 2 with an impressive 5.471-second pass at 260.56 mph, setting the stage for a dominant weekend.
Gordon’s first-round matchup against Steve Gasparrelli was a special moment, as Gasparrelli had purchased the Gordon family’s 2024 chassis over the off-season. Both cars encountered tire shake early in the run, but Gordon was able to pedal her funny car to a 6.174-second pass at 253.90 mph to take the win.
In the semifinals, Gordon faced off against Steven Macklyn in a tight race, running a 5.511 at 267.22 mph to defeat Macklyn’s 5.534 at 258.42. Advancing to the final round, Gordon earned lane choice against competitor Brian Hough. She delivered her best performance of eliminations in the final, running 5.473 at 266.85 mph to take the win over Hough’s 5.511 at 267.64 mph.
“This win means the world to us,” said Gordon. “It took lots of blood, sweat, and some frustrations, but to start off the season, first race out with a win in our brand-new car is a huge feat for our team.”
The Gordon family dedicated their off-season to refining their new chassis and made crucial test runs in Phoenix the weekend prior to the event. Their hard work and commitment paid off as they secured an early-season victory.
Gordon’s next race in the Beta Motorcycles Morro Bay Cabinets TAFC is the NHRA Winternationals at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Pomona, California, from March 28-30.
As a team based in Paso Robles, CA, this race serves as a homecoming event for the Gordons, and they look to carry their momentum into the national event circuit.
This story was originally published on February 25, 2025. 
