NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Maddi Gordon becomes 100th female winner in NHRA national event history

With her victory in Top Alcohol Funny Car at the NHRA Northwest Nationals, Madison Gordon became the milestone 100th female racer to win an NHRA national event.
21 Jul 2024
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
News

With her victory in Top Alcohol Funny Car at the NHRA Northwest Nationals, Maddi Gordon became the milestone 100th female racer to win an NHRA national event.

Gordon, the 20-year-old daughter of recently retired three-time world champion Doug Gordon, defeated Brian Hough in the final round to claim the historic number, a countdown that began nearly 60 years ago when Shirley Shahan won in Stock eliminator at the 1966 Winternationals in Pomona, Calif.

"Oh my god. I can't believe this," said Gordon, who is in her first year behind the wheel of the Beta Motorcycles Camaro after taking over the reins from her father. "It feels great. This is amazing. It couldn't be any better. Thank you to everyone on our team, my family, our sponsors, everyone. I'm just so thrilled."

Between the 100 female winners, there have been 196 victories, led by six-time Pro Stock world champion Erica Enders, who has 49 of them. Angelle Sampey (Pro Srock Motorcycle, 46 wins), Shirley Muldowney (Top Fuel, 18 wins), Leah Pruett (Top Fuel, Pro Mod, and Factory Stock, 18 wins), and Brittany Force (Top Fuel, 16 wins) round out the top five most successful female winners in NHRA history.