Fuel, Fire, and Fearlessness: Gerda Joon’s Rise as a Crew Chief

(Photo Credit: Instagram.com/lexjoonracing_)

By Peyton Lohr

In the high-octane world of professional drag racing, speed is often the focus, and the spotlight usually shines on the driver behind the wheel, but behind every 300-mile-per-hour run is a team of people working tirelessly to make it happen, and one of the most critical roles in that group is the crew chief. Among the roar of engines and the smoke of burnouts, Gerda Joon is quietly making history. She is not only a brilliant tuner and team leader, but also one of the most groundbreaking women in motorsports today. As the only full-time female Top Fuel crew chief in the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), and now a race winner in the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) Outlaw Nitro Series, her journey is as remarkable as the machines she commands.

Gerda Joon's story begins in the Netherlands, where she and her husband, Lex Joon, first entered the world of drag racing. Together, they built Lex Joon Racing into one of the most respected teams in European Top Fuel competition. While Lex took on the role of driver, Gerda ran the operation with unmatched passion and dedication. She managed sponsorships, organized logistics, coordinated travel, and played an active role in the technical direction of the car. Her involvement was essential to the team's success in the FIA European Drag Racing Championship.

Despite their achievements overseas, the couple had their sights set on something bigger. They dreamed of competing in the United States, where drag racing is not just a sport but a way of life. In 2013, they made the bold decision to move across the Atlantic and establish themselves in the NHRA, the most competitive drag racing league in the world. Unlike many teams who arrive with corporate sponsorship and major funding, Lex and Gerda brought only their knowledge, determination, and a relentless work ethic.

As Lex climbed into the cockpit of his 11,000-horsepower dragster, Gerda was the one making sure everything else was in place. For years, she handled countless responsibilities behind the scenes. She ordered parts, managed crew schedules, and juggled the financial pressures of running an independent Top Fuel team. But her role did not stop at logistics. She had a keen eye for tuning, and over time, she stepped into a more hands-on role with the race car itself.

By the late 2010s, Gerda had become a co-crew chief for Lex's Top Fuel program. While she rarely sought attention, she was earning respect in the pits for her sharp instincts and technical precision. Her ability to remain calm under pressure, especially in a sport where tenths of a second can make or break a run, made her an asset to the team. She had become more than a supportive spouse or operations manager - she was a tuner, a strategist, and a leader.

(Photo Credit: Instagram.com/lexjoonracing_)

In 2024, Gerda took on a new challenge when she was named the crew chief for Travis Shumake, the first openly LGBTQ+ Top Fuel driver in NHRA history. Together, Gerda and Travis embodied a new era of drag racing, one where talent and determination matter more than background or identity.

As crew chief, Gerda was responsible for every decision that shaped the car's performance. From clutch settings to fuel loads to ignition timing, she was now fully at the helm. While the team faced its share of challenges in a highly competitive field, her leadership earned admiration throughout the NHRA community.

In July 2025, Gerda Joon’s years of perseverance were rewarded. At an IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series event held at Darana Dragway in Milan, Michigan, Lex Joon secured his first Top Fuel win in the United States. Behind that victory was Gerda, serving as crew chief. It was a landmark moment for both of them.

After the race, Lex was quoted as saying, "Gerda and I were able to put a team together and that’s why we are here, it’s also about the American dream. We came here twelve years ago with a dream that we knew we could do this—but how? With hard, hard work. We came here, we had nothing. We rented an apartment, and then we put the race car we took with us in the storage unit. Now, twelve years later, here we are in the Winner’s Circle."

It was a landmark moment for both of them. For Lex, it was the culmination of a lifelong dream. For Gerda, it was a public and undeniable recognition of her skill, experience, and dedication.

That win also marked a major milestone in motorsports history. Gerda became the first woman to earn a professional Top Fuel win as a crew chief in IHRA competition. While the headlines may have celebrated Lex’s long-awaited victory, those who know the sport understood who helped make it happen.

Gerda Joon is more than just a crew chief. She is a pioneer, a mentor, and a role model for young women. Her journey proves that you do not need to shout to lead, and that quiet confidence can command just as much respect as force. In a world where the noise is deafening, Gerda has found power in patience, preparation, and precision.

Her legacy is still being written, but she has already accomplished what many believed was impossible. She has led a Top Fuel car to victory. She has built a career in one of the most male-dominated areas of motorsports. And perhaps most importantly, she has done it all without compromising who she is.

Gerda Joon continues to break new ground with every pass down the track. Whether tuning for Lex Joon Racing or guiding Travis Shumake's efforts in NHRA, she remains a key figure in the evolving world of drag racing. Her presence alone challenges old ideas about who belongs where in the sport. Her success proves that knowledge, passion, and perseverance are the only qualifications that matter.

As more young women take an interest in motorsports with drag racing being one of the most inclusive sports there is, it is figures like Gerda who will light the path. She may not always be in front of the camera, but her influence is impossible to ignore. The most important moves often happen behind the scenes, and thanks to Gerda Joon, the future of those scenes looks a little more inclusive, and a lot more powerful.