Maddi Gordon became the second woman to exceed 340 mph in Top Fuel racing at the NHRA Southern Nationals, recording a speed of 340.05 mph. The event saw three drivers surpass this milestone despite rain delays affecting the qualifying rounds.
Key points
Maddi Gordon joined the 340 Club at NHRA Southern Nationals
Three drivers exceeded 340 mph during qualifying
Doug Kalitta recorded the quickest Top Fuel run this season
Shawn Langdon's 345 mph run is the fastest in Top Fuel history
Rain caused delays and limited qualifying rounds
Mentioned in this story
South Georgia Motorsports Park
Maddi GordonDoug KalittaShawn LangdonNHRA Southern Nationals
person in a racing vehicle wearing a brand cap
Gordon Joins 340 Club at NHRA Southern Nationals NHRA
Despite being limited to three qualifying rounds due to rain, Top Fuel drivers produced one of the fastest sessions in the history of that class during preparations for the NHRA Southern Nationals at South Georgia Motorsports Park.
Three drivers exceeded 340 mph on Saturday in the third and final qualifying session that didnât begin until about 5:40 p.m. due to rain. The heavy rain turned the parking areas into a muddy quagmire and delayed the opening of the gates to fans until noon. Even NHRA President Glen Cromwell helped direct traffic onto the property.
The fans attending the NHRAâs debut at the facility were treated to Doug Kalitta bumping Kalitta Motorsports teammate Shawn Langdon from the No. 1 position with a 3.657 e.t., the quickest Top Fuel run this season. His speed was 342.37 mph. Langdonâs 345 mph on Friday remained the fastest in Top Fuel history, but he backed it up with a 344.91 mph run on Saturday evening. His 3.683 e.t. placed him second in the qualifying order. Top Fuel rookie Maddi Gordon became the second woman to go 340 mph. She recorded a run of 340.05 mph, 3.748 e.t. That placed her fourth in the qualifying order.
âIt left and it was quivering the tire,â Kalitta said after claiming his first number one qualifying position this season and the 67thof his career. âThen it just kind of cleared up and just hauled butt. I could tell it was running strong and running hard.â
Ironically, Kalitta achieved the No. 1 position without the presence of crew chief Alan Johnson, who was communicating from his home with co-crew chief Mac Savage. Kalitta noted that Johnson could tune his car âfrom wherever.â
âHeâs very focused on what heâs doing,â Kalitta continued. âHe and Mac have a handle on this thing.â
Kalitta said he didnât ask Johnson why he stayed home.
âI figured if he really wanted me to know, heâd have said something,â Kalitta added.
Q&A
Who is Maddi Gordon and what achievement did she reach at the NHRA Southern Nationals?
Maddi Gordon is a Top Fuel rookie who became the second woman to exceed 340 mph in racing, recording a speed of 340.05 mph at the NHRA Southern Nationals.
What were the qualifying results for the Top Fuel drivers at the NHRA Southern Nationals?
Doug Kalitta secured the top position with a 3.657 e.t. and a speed of 342.37 mph, while Shawn Langdon's 345 mph run remained the fastest in Top Fuel history.
How did rain affect the NHRA Southern Nationals event?
Rain limited the qualifying rounds to three sessions and delayed the opening of the gates to fans until noon, creating muddy conditions in the parking areas.
What is the significance of the 340 Club in Top Fuel racing?
The 340 Club is a milestone in Top Fuel racing, representing drivers who have exceeded 340 mph, highlighting exceptional speed and performance in the sport.
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topfuel dragster preparing for a race
Doug Kalitta bumped Kalitta Motorsports teammate Shawn Langdon from the No. 1 position.NHRA
Kalitta Motorsportsâ qualifying domination wasnât confined to Top Fuel. J.R. Todd, the organizationâs lone Funny Car entry, also walked off with the No. 1 position. It was his second No. 1 this year, his second in three races and the 16th of his career. Toddâs 3.887 e.t., 339.28 mph that he recorded Friday afternoon held up during Saturdayâs session when problems were reported with the left lane.
âThis last session, I heard the rubber was peeling up, which is not uncommon after it rains,â Todd said. âI heard the starting line is kind of beat up, kind of worn out. So, when itâs like that, I think itâs hard to get the rubber to adhere to it when it doesnât rain. Then the rain just makes it that much worse.â
Pro Stock top qualifier Greg Anderson called the left lane a âtougher challengeâ after claiming his fourth consecutive No. 1 starting position this season and the 144th of his career.
âTwo cars made (it down the track) in the left and one car made it in the right,â said Anderson, who posted a 6.498 e.t., 210.6 mph. âTheyâre both a challenge right now. Obviously, some of the rubber got wiped away with the rain, and thatâll come back tomorrow (Sunday).â
drag racing car ready for a competition
J.R. Todd stayed atop the field and earned his second No. 1 qualifier in the past three races.NHRA
Sunday's first-round pairings for eliminations for the 41st annual NHRA Southern Nationals at South Georgia Motorsports Park, the fifth of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Saturday. DNQs listed below pairings.
Top Fuel -- 1. Doug Kalitta, 3.657 seconds, 342.37 mph vs. Bye; 2. Shawn Langdon, 3.683, 345.00 vs. 15. Cameron Ferre, 11.927, 57.72; 3. Billy Torrence, 3.710, 338.00 vs. 14. Dan Mercier, 6.749, 100.28; 4. Maddi Gordon, 3.748, 340.05 vs. 13. Will Smith, 5.441, 124.48; 5. Tony Stewart, 3.758, 334.40 vs. 12. Justin Ashley, 4.250, 198.82; 6. Clay Millican, 3.767, 338.00 vs. 11. Tony Schumacher, 4.030, 236.84; 7. Shawn Reed, 3.783, 329.50 vs. 10. Antron Brown, 3.896, 316.97; 8. Leah Pruett, 3.804, 331.69 vs. 9. Josh Hart, 3.855, 275.22.
Funny Car -- 1. J.R. Todd, Toyota GR Supra, 3.887, 339.28 vs. 14. Daniel Wilkerson, Ford Mustang, 6.468, 134.58; 2. Chad Green, Mustang, 3.894, 323.89 vs. 13. Ron Capps, GR Supra, 4.399, 200.08; 3. Jordan Vandergriff, Chevy Camaro, 3.924, 325.14 vs. 12. Jeff Arend, Dodge Charger, 4.035, 311.41; 4. Matt Hagan, Charger, 3.933, 328.78 vs. 11. Jack Beckman, Camaro, 3.973, 326.24; 5. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 3.948, 316.23 vs. 10. Alexis DeJoria, Camaro, 3.968, 326.63; 6. Austin Prock, Mustang, 3.956, 331.94 vs. 9. Spencer Hyde, Mustang, 3.963, 322.42; 7. Hunter Green, Charger, 3.958, 322.65 vs. 8. Dave Richards, Mustang, 3.959, 334.57.
Pro Stock -- 1. Greg Anderson, Chevy Camaro, 6.498, 210.73 vs. 16. Troy Coughlin Jr., Camaro, 11.959, 104.63; 2. Eric Latino, Camaro, 6.508, 209.75 vs. 15. Erica Enders, Camaro, 11.141, 80.93; 3. Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.525, 210.60 vs. 14. Shane Tucker, Camaro, 6.731, 209.26; 4. Greg Stanfield, Camaro, 6.526, 210.50 vs. 13. Matt Latino, Camaro, 6.604, 201.64; 5. Cody Coughlin, Camaro, 6.527, 210.50 vs. 12. Brandon Miller, Dodge Dart, 6.600, 209.17; 6. Cody Anderson, Camaro, 6.536, 210.05 vs. 11. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 6.591, 208.84; 7. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.544, 219.86 vs. 10. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.585, 209.88; 8. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.547, 210.57 vs. 9. Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.569, 210.47.
Pro Stock Motorcycle -- 1. Matt Smith, Buell, 6.699, 203.03 vs. Bye; 2. Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.705, 202.30 vs. 15. Charles Poskey, Suzuki, 7.005, 194.13; 3. Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 6.730, 201.61 vs. 14. Geno Scali, Suzuki, 6.842, 198.82; 4. John Hall, Beull, 6.734, 202.88 vs. 13. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.837, 193.90; 5. Angie Smith, Buell, 6.757, 200.65 vs. 12. Brayden Davis, Buell, 6.830, 198.93; 6. Clayton Howey, Suzuki, 6.775, 200.53 vs. 11. Ryan Oehler, Buell, 6.828, 197.19; 7. Jianna Evaristo, Buell, 6.778, 200.29 vs. 10. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 6.815, 199.32; 8. Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.778, 199.70 vs. 9. Marc Ingwersen, Buell, 6.806, 198.58.
