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Press Release | DODGE Motorsports Hall of Famer Tony Stewart hit the “jackpot” in Las Vegas Sunday by winning his first National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Top Fuel race in his Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) Dodge//SRT dragster at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals drag races, while TSR teammate Matt Hagan just missed a TSR win “double up” in the Funny Car division.  Stewart, a series champion and race winner in NHRA, IndyCar and USAC competition, became the first driver to win pro events in four different professional racing disciplines with an impressive performance in difficult track conditions at the popular “Strip” at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The NHRA Top Fuel victory puts Stewart in motorsports “rarified air” by winning an NHRA Top Fuel race, NASCAR Cup, Xfinity and Truck events, an IndyCar race and USAC events in Silver Crown, Sprint Car and Midget categories. In addition, Stewart is the only racer to score pro wins at all four Las Vegas Motor Speedway tracks at NHRA at the Strip, NASCAR at the Speedway and USAC open-wheel wins at the Bullring and the Dirt Track. Stewart also won the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in 2023 in the Top Alcohol Dragster division, a sportsman class. Stewart’s road to the winner’s circle was not an easy one, as the Indiana racer captured rounds one and two before taking on World Champion Antron Brown, Justin Ashley and Jasmine Salinas in the final. Stewart’s 3.870 pass in his Rayce Rudeen Foundation Dodge//SRT dragster outdistanced his three competitors in extremely difficult track temperatures which reached 138 degrees. In making motorsports history, Stewart drove to “holeshot” victories in the first round over Steve Torrence, Steve Chrisman and Rob Massey then piloted his HEMI® engine-powered, nitro-burning dragster past Ashley, Torrence and former World Champion Doug Kalitta in round two. It marked the second consecutive final-round appearance for the man known as “Smoke” after placing runner-up two weeks ago at the NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, Calif. The win for Stewart now vaults him to second in the current NHRA Mission Top Fuel points standings as the national campaign heads to zMAX Dragway in Charlotte for another Four-Wide Nationals on April 25-27. “I haven’t been around the NHRA series very long, but I realized it takes a lot to win one of these Top Fuel races,” said Stewart. “Everything in my career, I never had to wait over a year to win a race. We always figured it out pretty quickly and we won. I had two ‘holeshot’ wins in the first two rounds today and my worst reaction time was in the final, but the TSR crew gave me a great car in the final. Neal Strausbaugh (crew chief) and Mike Domagala (co-crew chief) and the whole crew won that final round for us today. We needed this win. It’s been so stressful for everyone since Leah (Pruett, Stewart’s wife) nearly won the World Top Fuel Championship in 2023 when it came down to the final round of the whole season. “Two years ago, I won my first NHRA national event in the Top Alcohol Dragster here at Las Vegas, and now I win my first Top Fuel national event at the Strip. It’s pretty damn cool. I’ve been a motorsports fan my whole life, and I think we made racing history today with the Top Fuel win. I’m not sure if there has ever been a driver to win a NASCAR Cup race, an IndyCar race, the USAC Triple Crown championship and an NHRA Pro event (Top Fuel). To do it with our team and our family was very emotional. When Leah brought Dom (their new son) up on stage in victory lane, my heart stopped. I got so emotional there. That is a feeling I have never had in my life before.” Five-time Las Vegas Funny Car winner Matt Hagan was on pace for a sixth “Strip” title after winning rounds one and two in his 11,000-horsepower TSR Direct Connection Dodge//SRT Hellcat machine and reaching the final round in the hot conditions. Hagan, a four-time NHRA Funny Car World Champion, took the victory in the opening round over J.R. Todd, Jack Beckman and Bobby Bode, and the Virginia driver then defeated Paul Lee, Dan Wilkerson and Todd in round two. However, in the final round, Hagan’s car dropped a rod at the starting line after a strong reaction time and was forced to coast to the finish line against race winner Austin Prock, Lee and David Richards. With his final round placing, Hagan now ranks fourth in the current NHRA Mission Funny Car points standings after four of 20 races in the 2025 NHRA Mission Drag Racing Series. “We had a good weekend going into the final with both Tony (Stewart) and I advancing,” said Hagan. “We had a rod bolt break at the hit of the throttle in the final round. Unfortunately, it took some cylinders out and threw some rods out of the motor. We are still right in the hunt for the points lead now going to Charlotte for another Four-Wide race. The crew is doing a great job, and we’ll get a win soon. “I was earning my money all weekend with this tricky track surface and the heat. The car was all over the track. It was going left and then right, and it was spinning the tires. That does make it fun driving a Funny Car. I felt like I was Tony Stewart in a dirt car here. I’m super proud of Tony and his whole crew with the win. They have had some tough times recently and they got to the final at Pomona and now a win here.” The NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte has nitro qualifying set for Friday, April 25, at 5:15 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. EDT. Saturday’s nitro qualifying rounds start at 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. EDT with final eliminations getting underway for 12 p.m. PDT, Sunday, April 27. The Charlotte NHRA Four-Wide Nationals finals telecast on Fox Sports 1 will begin on Sunday, April 27, at 7 p.m. EDT. (Photo Courtesy Dodge)

Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images By Adam Carabine & Logan Morris Logan Morris: Adam, we’re back here again after Kyle Larson has given nearly the entire field an old-fashioned drubbing at Bristol Motor Speedway. As much as it was a great week for him, I feel like it was a step backward for the much-discussed short track package. What were your thoughts?   Adam Carabine: Hey Logan, good to be back here with you! I have to agree with you about the short track package, though we can dive deeper into that later.  At the end of the day, the drivers are all reacting to the same package, and Kyle Larson reacted best.  I know we expected crazy tire wear, and we got none of that, which was a tad disappointing, but as I always say, a bad day at the races is better than a good day at work!  LM: That he did!  Everyone faced the same conditions and nobody stinks up a show more than Kyle Larson these days and credit to him. He was the class of the field on Saturday and Sunday. I feel like the sun coming out really changed how the track reacted to having rubber and that changed the whole ballgame so to speak.  AC: I love that - nobody stinks up a show more than Kyle Larson!  He certainly is an interesting driver, but him leading 411 of 500 laps doesn’t exactly make for a nail-biter.  He was close to completing the full sweep too, finishing P2 at the Truck race Friday night!  Though he did say post-race that this was his last triple-header of this year, and he may try again next season. As for the tire wear, let’s get into it.  Practice/qualifying on Saturday was difficult on the ol’ Goodyears.  You had tire runs only lasting like 40 laps or so.  Fast forward to Sunday, the temperature is about 15 degrees warmer, as you said, and suddenly we’re getting green flag pit stops for FUEL at BRISTOL?!  A fuel run is like 160 or so laps.  This is craziness!  Was it just temperature? Or do you think there was something else going on here? LM: I genuinely believe as far as the tires and rubber go it was because of the change in conditions. Nothing else accounts for it. We saw tires on Saturday looking like the local scrap yard and then suddenly after some sun on Sunday, they were more durable than the Flintstones car. I was looking for more chaos on Sunday and clearly, it was not to be. Drivers seemed antsy to say the least heading into race day. As fate would have it, it was much ado about nothing.  AC: Even the first 50 or so laps, you saw a lot of cautious drivers, not wanting to be the first to pop their tires.  As you said, it was all for not, and it really was Kyle Larson who took control of the race by being one of the first to put down some really competitive lap times.  He charged to the front and figured he could force someone else to make mistakes and hurt their tires.  While that strategy didn’t exactly play out, he now had the track position to control the rest of the race - and that’s certainly what he did.  Did anything else stand out to you this Sunday? LM: My hat’s off to Spire Motorsports, they didn’t exactly get the finishes they deserved but for much of the race two of their cars looked extremely strong. I think the future looks incredibly bright over there. It’s a slow process. However, signs of growth are there. AC: Spire has been looking great this season.  Obviously they’re not in the top tier of teams, but for the expectations they should have for themselves, I would say they’re overachieving.  It’s funny, because I assumed that Michael McDowell heading there would be a real bright spot for the team, and while I’m sure his leadership has had an effect all the way around, it’s actually been the other two Spire drivers who have made the biggest strides - Justin Haley and Carson Hocevar.  What’s been the special sauce for them? LM: I think having McDowell is paying off in other areas at the moment, and while it’s been a not-so-great start for him at Spire, we know it takes time to gel. Look no further than how Josh Berry ran in the second half of last season. Speaking of Josh Berry, I think his former crew chief is helping make a lot of improvement. Rodney Childers is one of the modern-day all-time great crew chiefs and while we don’t have any inside info, it’s a safe bet that he’s making a big impact over there.  AC: That’s a fair assessment, absolutely. And to be fair, when I look at the point standings, Michael McDowell is leading Spire in points, but it really does feel like the other two have been flashier.  Whatever it is, it’s working for them! I also wanted to touch on a few drivers we’ve been dogging on lately, having a great race at Bristol.  Ty Gibbs had his best finish in a long time, coming home P3, and his teammate Chase Briscoe finished P4.  Joe Gibbs Racing finished 2, 3, 4, and 8th.  While Denny Hamlin wasn’t able to complete his three-peat, it was a good day for the team.  What do you make of Ty Gibbs and Chase Briscoe this past weekend? LM: Ty Gibbs has shown some improvement over the last two weeks, all things considered, he had a respectable finish at Darlington, and momentum could be building for that team. Momentum looks to be building for Briscoe as well.  When you have the most wins as a team, even at this early portion of the season, some of that has to trickle down. Something is clicking for Coach Gibbs and crew so far this season. I don’t know that it lasts, but right now they’re cooking.    AC: I know you say it’s early, but we did officially just hit the ¼ mark of the season, which is crazy to me.  And yes, there’s some good momentum brewing at JGR… just in time for the one off-weekend of the year.  Hopefully they can carry that forward in a couple weeks when we get back to racing. Let’s move on to our weekly awards! Best Performer LM: The best performer has to be Kyle Larson, it was nothing short of a clinic. During an emotional week for Hendrick Motorsports, they got it done in blow-out fashion.  AC: Yeah, this award usually has a bit more drama around it, but I’m not sure there’s any other possible answer here.  Maybe an honourable mention to Justin Haley for a great run, but Larson blows everyone else out of the water. Biggest Move of the Race LM: Ryan Blaney and company tried to make it interesting, and it just wasn’t to be, but I’ll go with them to not have everything go to the 5 team. AC: I mean, when’s the last time you saw a driver have a lap on the field?  I know it was due to a differing pit strategy, but that was pretty cool to see (though I’m glad it didn’t finish that way)! I’ll go with Blaney as well, but in a different way.  Because he stayed out so long, he wound up being on a bit of a disadvantage when a caution never did come out, and he somehow battled his way back to a P5 finish.  So I’ll say Blaney, but after the long-pit strategy. Biggest Disappointment LM: For my  biggest disappointment this week, I’ll go with Legacy Motor Club. Erik Jones has had a lot of success at Bristol, but you wouldn't have known this week. Both of their cars seemed to be stuck in the back of the pack all day long. They’re certainly a team looking forward to the off week, I’d bet.  AC: My biggest disappointment is going to be Alex Bowman.  Again, another week with an engine blowing up, though this one was a Chevy with Hendrick Motorsports.  Bowman looked strong after securing the pole, but he wound up with a P37 on the day after retiring early. What to Watch for Next Weekend LM: It’s the Easter holiday for all those who celebrate, so the Cup Series gets a very rare off weekend - the only one of the season! I would bet a lot of money that many of the teams don’t take full advantage of the week off. Those who are off to a less-than-stellar start will be grinding, and preparing for Talladega, and the rest of the season.  AC: Yes, the one and only off weekend of the year.  It’s nice for the drivers to get a bit of time away, but as a fan I’m sad there won’t be any NASCAR to watch next weekend.  Talladega is up next on the schedule in two weeks, and you and I will reconvene here after that race to break it all down.   Enjoy YOUR off weekend, Logan - catch you in a few weeks! LM: Don’t forget the return of The Rock, and I don’t mean Dwayne Johnson!

By Crystal Clay, Chief Motorsport Correspondent LAS VEGAS (April 13, 2025)– As she made her way down the return road in front of the grandstands following the final round, a group of junior dragsters were making their passes, mirroring the chapter Gordon and her sister closed years earlier. The moment offered a quiet reminder of how far she has come, with her family watching from the starting line area, just feet away from where her next chapter is about to begin. Maddi Gordon celebrates with fans on the return road after winning the Top Alcohol Dragster final at the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday, April 13, 2025. (Photo by Jerry Jordan/Kickin’ the Tires) Maddi Gordon’s post-race celebration wasn’t just about the win. It was about who was there to witness it. “This is what dreams are made of,” Gordon said. “This is my second national event I’ve ever won. The first was in Seattle, and Macie wasn’t there. But this one? Macie was here, and she’s a key part of this race car.” Macie identified a critical engine issue before the final qualifying session. Had it gone unnoticed, it could have ended Gordon’s weekend early. “If she hadn’t found it, we probably would have blown up in Q4,” Gordon said. “But instead, we fixed it, and we ran good.” Gordon advanced through a stacked field in Sunday’s four-lane format. She squared off against Annie Whiteley, Ray Martin, and Brian Hough in the final round and drove to the win, with Hough finishing as runner-up. The decision to move Gordon into Top Fuel had already been made by the time she earned her first national event win. Ron Capps had tried to keep the news quiet to give her the space to perform without added attention. That moment helped solidify the path forward, and the announcement of her signing with Ron Capps Motorsports  came just days before the Vegas 4-Wide, positioning Gordon as one of the most talked-about drivers entering the weekend. Maddi Gordon poses with her Wally after winning the Top Alcohol Funny Car final at the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday, April 13, 2025. (Photo by Jerry Jordan/Kickin’ the Tires) The victory came just days after Gordon’s announcement that she will move to Top Fuel under Ron Capps Motorsports next year, an opportunity she described as unexpected but deeply personal. “I don’t usually get speechless, but I kind of do when I talk about it,” Gordon said. “Driving Top Fuel was never something I considered achievable. We don’t have the millions it takes. It felt like something beyond the sky.” Gordon said the opportunity, made possible by Capps and his partners, felt surreal. “They made this dream come true,” she said. “I’m honored to be mentored by Ron and his whole team. I’m going to do my best to be the best driver I can be.” While the spotlight has shifted to her next chapter, Gordon made it clear that this weekend was about more than anticipation. It was about execution. In a recent interview, Ron Capps noted that the timing felt right to bring Gordon into Top Fuel, not just because of her potential, but because of how she has been carrying herself in moments like these. Sunday’s win affirmed that instinct. “This is beyond what I could have dreamed of,” she said. “To get it done here at the 4-Wide, where my dad’s had a lot of success, is amazing for myself, my whole team, and Gordon Motorsports.” She called the weekend unlike any other, citing the increased media presence following her announcement. “I’ve never had so many cameras on me. It takes some getting used to,” Gordon said. “But this shows why we put the work in, and why I’m smiling right now.” When asked what she hoped people took away from her performance, Gordon didn’t overthink it. “I hope people take away a smile. Because I’m smiling right now, and there’s no reason I shouldn’t be.” Maddi Gordon walks off the return road with her Wally following her Top Alcohol Funny Car win at the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday, April 13, 2025. Her sister Macie and members of her family and team followed closely behind. (Photo by Jerry Jordan/Kickin’ the Tires) The win marked a personal milestone for Gordon and a reminder that before she ever hits the throttle in Top Fuel, she's already making noise in Top Alcohol Funny Car.

Photo from www.x.com/f1 By Ryan Wu After a disappointing qualifying session, Lando Norris made a series of bold overtakes and climbed into third place within just a few corners. However, the team had to hold their breath as he came under investigation for a potential false start. Upon review, his front tires were clearly positioned ahead of the designated starting box. As a result, the stewards handed him a five-second time penalty, which he served during a pit stop since the infraction occurred before the final five laps of the race. On lap 25, Charles Leclerc pulled off an impressive move to pass Norris and reclaim a spot on the podium. Later in the race, a safety car was deployed in the final third after Carlos Sainz and Yuki Tsunoda made contact, scattering debris on the track. This allowed both Ferrari drivers to pit for hard tires. Then, on lap 37, Norris overtook Lewis Hamilton by going off track and was subsequently instructed to return the position. Norris was unable to get past Charles Leclerc for the remainder of the race and with an Oscar Piastri win, he closed the Championship gap to three points after four races. McLaren as a team has now pulled 58 points ahead of Mercedes in the constructors’ standings. Strategy Proved Paramount Drivers who started on the medium compound struggled early on, with Lewis Hamilton reporting poor grip just a few laps into the race. Most of the grid opted for the soft tires, as a two-stop strategy is typically required at the Bahrain International Circuit. The pit window for softs opened around laps 10 to 12, while those on mediums were able to extend their stints by an additional 8 to 10 laps. By lap 13, Charles Leclerc—still on his original medium tires—was posting faster lap times than race leader Oscar Piastri, who had yet to pit for fresh rubber. Max Verstappen was one of the few drivers to switch to the hard compound during his first stop. The variation in strategies led to significant reshuffling throughout the field and added plenty of drama as positions changed up and down the order. Rebounding Weekend for Hamilton Hamilton did not have a good qualifying and admitted himself he needed to perform better, in which he did not place any responsibility on the car saying how it clearly has pace due to the results his teammate has put in. However, he showed better race pace and with some clever strategy from Ferrari he finished the race in 5th place, his best result with Ferrari this year. Rookie Report Oliver Bearman had a cracking start and made up 5 places within the first lap after starting 20th, Bearman continued his strong race and was eventually in the points. Kimi Antonelli had a disappointing weekend after a great showing during a qualifying, He started 4th on the grid but ended up finishing 11th and outside of the points for the first time in his young career. Tough Weekend for Williams After scoring points in the first three races of the season, Alex Albon failed to advance past Q1 in qualifying and ultimately finished outside the points. Carlos Sainz also endured a tough race, receiving a 10-second time penalty and had to retire the car due to sustaining damage after colliding with Yuki Tsunoda. Racing Refresh Driver of the Day Oscar Piastri, McLaren Final Points Finishing Positions 1st: Oscar Piastri 2nd: George Russell 3rd: Lando Norris 4th: Charles Leclerc 5th: Lewis Hamilton 6th: Max Verstappen 7th: Pierre Gasly 8th: Esteban Ocon 9th: Yuki Tsunoda 10th: Oliver Bearman Next on the F1 Schedule: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix: April 18th-20th

by Crystal Clay, Chief Motorports Correspondent Erica Enders performs a burnout during Pro Stock qualifying at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Friday, April 11, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Photo courtesy NHRA) LAS VEGAS (April 12, 2025) — Erica Enders failed to qualify Saturday at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, marking the first time since 2016 that the five-time Pro Stock champion will not compete on race day. In Friday’s opening qualifying session at the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals, Enders recorded a 6.736-second pass at 205.88 mph, placing her 18th in the field. That run left her outside the top 16 after Q1—and she was unable to improve in subsequent rounds. She was officially bumped from the ladder during the final session by her own Elite Motorsports teammate, Jeg Coughlin Jr., who slid into the final qualifying spot. The stunning outcome drew a wave of disbelief through the staging lanes, just as Paul Lee was preparing to begin his media availability as the Funny Car No. 1 qualifier. Drivers and media paused to watch the final quad unfold in silence. Greg Anderson, who claimed the No. 1 qualifying position in Pro Stock, offered a candid assessment of Elite Motorsports’ performance this season. Greg Anderson performs a burnout during Pro Stock qualifying at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Friday, April 11, 2025, in Las Vegas. Anderson secured the provisional No. 1 qualifier position and went on to claim the top spot heading into race day. (Photo courtesy NHRA) “They’re making mistakes. They shouldn’t be running like that,” Anderson said. “Performance-wise, they’re not that far behind us. They just got a little behind and skipped some things they probably shouldn’t have. I mean, I was slow by two (hundredths) and still won, so that shows how easy it is to lose — or win — out here right now. Even without the other team running at their best, it’s still a job every time you line up on Sunday. But hey, I’m having fun.” The cause of Enders’ missed qualifying effort has not yet been made clear, and she has not spoken to media. Elite Motorsports has endured a difficult start to the 2025 season, and Enders’ early exit underscores how tight the margin has become in Pro Stock.

The Next Best Thing Was Hiding in Plain Sight By Crystal Clay, Chief Motorsport Correspondent LAS VEGAS (April 11, 2025) — Maddi Gordon warms up Ron Capps’ Funny Car ahead of Friday’s qualifying session at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. (Photo courtesy of Ron Capps Motorsports) LAS VEGAS (April 12, 2025) — NHRA rising star Maddi Gordon prepares for her Top Fuel debut with mentorship from Ron Capps, a legacy of family support, and a milestone win that made history. Las Vegas has always been more than just a racing destination for Maddi Gordon. It is home turf, the site of her final junior dragster pass against her sister, and now, the backdrop for a surreal new chapter. Originally from Paso Robles, California, Gordon sat under the media spotlight for her very first press conference as the reality of what’s ahead began to settle in: Nitro. Not quite this season, but close enough to feel it. She is not just chasing a dream; she is closing one chapter as a third-generation driver competing with her family’s Alcohol Funny Car team and preparing to step onto NHRA’s biggest stage in 2026. This time, it will be in a Top Fuel Dragster, under the mentorship of Funny Car champion and Ron Capps Motorsports team owner Ron Capps, who plans to expand his operation by adding a second car for the rising star to pilot. Right now, Gordon still balances her racing life with working sales at her family’s cabinet shop, surrounded by the same people who’ve always made her feel capable: her parents, grandparents, and sister. When she talks about her future in Top Fuel, her excitement is palpable, but so is the emotion of letting go of what’s familiar. “It’s going to be a huge change,” she says, eyes swelling. “My grandpa always tells me when to go into the stage, my mom buckles me in, my dad lets the body down… my grandma grabs everything else. I won’t have that next year, but I know they’ll still be there.” Gordon is already easing into the shift. During the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals weekend at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, she has not just been watching from the sidelines. She's hands-on, stepping into the rhythm of a new team. Capps stood nearby throughout the process, giving Gordon space to lead, a quiet nod to the trust already forming between them. LAS VEGAS (April 11, 2025) — Maddi Gordon warms up Ron Capps’ Funny Car ahead of qualifying at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. (Photo courtesy of Ron Capps Motorsports) One of the first things Capps told her? She wouldn’t be working on the car anymore. “He knows that’s what I do,” Gordon said, laughing. The comment wasn’t just about job roles, it echoed the same mentorship Capps once received when he got his shot under Don “The Snake” Prudhomme. Back then, he had to step away from the tools and focus solely on the seat, learning to trust the crew and grow into the driver he needed to be. Now, he’s offering Gordon that same elevation, one he knows, from experience, is no small transition for a hands-on racer. If you’re ever roaming the pits between runs, you’ll notice Capps always packs his own parachutes. He began to explain it with a few prompts. “Have you ever been skydiving? When you do go, do you want to pack your own parachute?” The implication is clear. It is not a question of trust; it is about staying connected. For Capps, packing his own parachutes is how he remains part of the process, not above it. It reinforces his role not only as a driver or team owner, but as a teammate who is fully invested, hands-on, and present in the work they do together. Gordon understood immediately. She grew up elbows-deep in clutch packs, tightening bolts and prepping between rounds. But this next step requires a different kind of focus. She’ll have to let go of that role to step back, so she can step up. “I can always head over to the shop on off weekends and still get my hands dirty,” she says with a grin, referring to her family’s Alcohol Funny Car shop. One of the most talked-about figures in Gordon’s support system isn’t a sponsor, a tuner, or even a crew chief—it’s her grandmother. And make no mistake, Grandma isn’t on the sidelines with a folding chair and snacks. “She’s not just there making sandwiches,” Maddi says, grinning. “She builds all of our clutch packs. At the shop, she’s got her own clutch pack bench. It’s Grandma’s bench.” Meticulous and precise, her grandmother dials in clutch packs within a couple thousandths of an inch, an art form that makes Gordon’s  job easier round after round. “She’s super particular,” Gordon says. “I’ll come in and say, ‘Man, Grandma, that one was so good, I barely had to adjust it.’” It’s a rare bond. Part performance partner, part family glue and it captures the essence of how Gordon was raised; in a home where horsepower and heart go hand in hand. Gordon’s family isn’t just supportive. They are her race team. Her dad ran for championships, her grandpa owned the car, and every member of the family was part of the operation. So when the opportunity came up for Gordon to get in the seat, it wasn’t a guarantee yet it was a moment filled with uncertainty. “The hardest part of leaving is probably my grandpa,” she says, her eyes swelling up. “Because it’s his race car, and, you know, he’s getting older. And he at first was like, Do I really want to give Maddi the ride? Because we didn’t know how I was gonna do.” She speaks with a candid honesty, acknowledging the risk her family took, not just for her, but with  her. “I could’ve done absolutely horrible and just, you know, wasted years of hard work. My dad was running for championships, and they were winning the world championships. My mom was like, Do we really wanna give up years and just let Maddi give it a try? ’Cause, I mean, honestly I might suck.” But they gave her a shot. That leap of faith from her family, and now from Capps, feels even more significant in a sport where most drivers secure seats by bringing in sponsorship money. Gordon’s opportunity was earned, not purchased. Capps saw something in Gordon that could not be bought, and she showed up ready to prove him right. LAS VEGAS (April 11, 2025) — Maddi Gordon shares a moment with Ron Capps while seated in his Funny Car during qualifying weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. (Photo courtesy of Ron Capps Motorsports) “And the fortunate thing is my dad will get back in the race car,” she adds. “And I’m sure he’s gonna pick up right where he left off. So it’ll be okay.” Even with the change on the horizon, she knows the bond won’t fade. If anything, it’s being redefined. “I think it’ll be emotional even for the whole family,” she says. “But they’ll all be there, and so it’ll be okay.” Capps will tell you this wasn’t just the right decision, it was the right time. From Gordon’s steady rise in the sport, to the cultural momentum surrounding women in motorsports and auto mechanics, to her signing with a top female sports agency, it all aligned.  LAS VEGAS (April 10, 2025) — Maddi Gordon sits alongside team owner Ron Capps during the press conference announcing her 2026 Top Fuel debut with Ron Capps Motorsports. (Photo courtesy of Ron Capps Motorsports) Capps’ longtime partners at NAPA Auto Parts were also part of the conversation, recognizing the value in investing in emerging talent. Their support helped solidify the opportunity for Gordon to step into a Top Fuel seat. And then, on the very day he and his partners planned to tell her, Gordon made history as the 100th win by a woman in an NHRA event. “Everything just lined up,” Capps said, reflecting on the moment. But timing wasn’t the only thing that made it feel right, it was who  she is. Her joy, her energy, her spunk. And Capps saw it all clearly. Still, he made one thing clear: don’t mistake her bubbly personality for softness. He’s been around long enough to know what women in this sport are capable of. And as he talked about it earnestly, with feeling, you could tell he meant it. The women he’s seen? They show up, get in the car, and—to borrow the words he didn’t quite say, but definitely implied—they’ll kick your butt. And Gordon? She’s cut from that same cloth. “I’m spunky. There’s no way around it,” she says with a grin. “I’m just excited. I love life, and I’m living the dream.” Now, she’s about to drive straight into the next one. Her last name carries weight in motorsports, though she shares no relation to the NASCAR legend. Still, it is a fitting reminder that you never know where the next breakout talent will come from, or how a familiar name might one day represent a completely new chapter in racing.

By Adam Carabine Happy weekend everyone, it’s time for another edition of Stats Saturday. This weekend NASCAR travels to Bristol, Tennessee for the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway.   Bristol is a 0.533-mile oval with heavy banking in the corners, and two pit roads to make room for all of the teams.  The track opened in 1961, and Jack Smith won the first NASCAR race there that same year.   Tomorrow’s race will be 500 laps long (for a total of 266.50 miles), with stage breaks occurring at 125 – 250 – 500.  Pit road speed is 30 mph, and the caution vehicle runs at 35 mph.  The fuel window is between 165-180 laps.   This year, the NASCAR Cup Series has run 2,105 laps, for 2,865.06 miles so far this season.  Only 3 drivers have completed all of them – Chase Elliott, Denny Hamlin, and Tyler Reddick.   Top 5 Career Average Finishers at Bristol: Chase Elliott 10.76 over 17 races Kyle Larson 12.75 over 20 races (2 wins) Christopher Bell 13.00 over 10 races (1 win) Denny Hamlin 13.82 over 38 races (4 wins) Kyle Busch 14.64 over 39 races (9 wins)   Bottom 5 Career Average Finishers at Bristol: Noah Gragson 26.50 over 4 races Zane Smith 26.00 over 2 races Cody Ware 25.00 over 3 races Michael McDowell 24.93 over 29 races Ty Dillon 23.79 over 14 races   Bristol is a Short Track   Top 5 Career Average Finishers at Short Tracks: Joey Logano 11.08 over 187 races (13 wins) Chase Elliott 11.21 over 100 races (4 wins) Christopher Bell 11.63 over 56 races (6 wins) Ryan Blaney 12.66 over 104 races (3 wins) William Byron 12.99 over 78 races (3 wins)   Bottom 5 Career Average Finishers at Short Tracks: Michael McDowell 26.54 over 164 races Zane Smith 26.31 over 17 races JH Nemechek 24.51 over 25 races Ty Dillon 23.62 over 76 races Noah Gragson 23.31 over 25 races   Darrell Waltrip is the winningest driver at Bristol, with 12 wins at the track.  There’s a four-way tie after that, with Cale Yarborough, Dale Earnhardt, Rusty Wallace, and Kyle Busch each having 9 wins.   Notable drivers who have not won at Bristol:  Chase Elliott (has won at 15 other tracks) William Byron (has won at 10 other tracks) Ryan Blaney (has won at 9 other tracks) Tyler Reddick (has won at 8 other tracks) Alex Bowman (has won at 8 other tracks)   No current driver has scored their first ever Cup Series win at Bristol.   Based on average finish, Ryan Preece lists Bristol as his BEST track – no drivers list it as their WORST track.   Based on their point pace, let’s have a look at how this season is comparing to last season for drivers:   Drivers Faring Better than in 2024 Tyler Reddick +676 pts Bubba Wallace +571 pts Chris Buescher +561 pts William Byron +453 pts Ryan Preece +330 pts   Drivers Faring Worse than in 2024 Brad Keselowski -439 pts Ty Gibbs -382 pts Josh Berry -256 pts Todd Gilliland -204 pts Joey Logano -136 pts   Next, let’s look at who’s having their best and worst career year by Average Finish:   Best Career Year           William Byron 9.50 Christopher Bell 10.00 Chase Elliott 11.13 Tyler Reddick 11.75 Chase Briscoe 16.50 Ryan Preece 17.88 JH Nemechek 18.63 Todd Gilliland 19.00   Worst Career Year Cole Custer 27.63 Brad Keselowski 26.13 Carson Hocevar 24.88 Erik Jones 23.13 Ty Gibbs 22.00 Zane Smith 18.38   Rookie of the Year Battle SVG 97 Riley Herbst 92   The Manufacturer Standings are calculated by awarding points to the highest finisher for each manufacturer according to their finishing position.  (40 for 1st, 35 for 2nd, 34 for 3rd, etc.)  No stage points or playoff points count.   Manufacturer Standings         Toyota 294 Chevrolet 287 Ford 259   Here is the same formula, but used on a team-vs-team basis:   Chartered Team Standings Joe Gibbs 291 Hendrick 284 RFK 234 23XI 233 Trackhouse 221 Penske 220 Spire 187 Front Row 185 RCR 181 Kaulig 178 Legacy MC 168 Hyak 147 Wood Bros 123 Haas Factory 75 Rick Ware 54   At each stage break, the Top 10 drivers are awarded points based on their finishing positions.  Here are the leaders this year:   Stage Point Leaders Ryan Blaney 82 William Byron 81 Bubba Wallace 68 Joey Logano 64 Kyle Larson 52 Alex Bowman 50 Austin Cindric 47 Chase Elliott 46 Tyler Reddick 45 Denny Hamlin 39   Milestone Watch Chase Elliott Looking for his 20th Career Win Josh Berry Looking for his 10th Career Top 10 Noah Gragson Looking for his 10th Career Top 10 JH Nemechek Looking for his 10th Career Top 10 Daniel Suarez Looking for his 70th Career Top 10 Ryan Preece Looking for his 20th Career Top 10 Bubba Wallace Looking for his 50th Career Top 10 William Byron Looking for his 110th Career Top 10   Here are the top 10 longest active winless streaks:   Winless Streaks Justin Haley 149 races Cole Custer 98 races Bubba Wallace 87 races Erik Jones 87 races Kyle Busch 65 races Michael McDowell 56 races Daniel Suarez 42 races Chase Elliott 35 races Brad Keselowski 31 races Austin Cindric 29 races   The race begins Sunday, April 13th at 3:00 pm EST (12:00 pm PST) – Enjoy the race everyone!   Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter  @RacingRefresh   Is there an error? Is there a stat missing that you’d like to see? Let us know!