Maddi Gordon sets NHRA record

Maddi Gordon, a NAPA Dragster driver from Ron Capps Motorsports, will start Sunday's elimination at the NAPA NHRA Midwest Nationals from the No. 3 berth in the Top Fuel order.

Kenny Wallace inspires Gordon

Kenny Wallace, a guest of Ron Capps Motorsports at the Countdown to the Championship drag races in Madison, Ill., warmed up Gordon's 12,000-horsepower nitro-fueled dragster Saturday.

Gordon's record run

Gordon set the World Wide Technology Raceway speed record at 340.65 mph with some inspiration from NASCAR personality Kenny Wallace.

Wallace's reaction

Wallace said, 'That’s the most insane thing I've ever done in my life. I raced in Japan, you name it, and being in Maddi's Top Fuel car was intense, nerve-wracking, but we pulled it off, and then she went out and ran 340 mile an hour.'

“That’s the most insane thing I've ever done in my life. I raced in Japan, you name it, and being in Maddi's Top Fuel car was intense, nerve-wracking, but we pulled it off, and then she went out and ran 340 mile an hour.”

Wallace's nickname

Wallace got the nickname 'Herman' from Lake Hill Speedway promoter Bob Mueller, who compared him to Herman the German, a boisterous cartoon character.

Gordon's car tribute

Gordon paid tribute to Wallace on the top front panel of her car with his nickname of 'Herman' emblazoned on it.

Ron Capps' excitement

Rookie Gordon's boss, Ron Capps, was sitting directly behind her at the head of the Funny Car qualifying line and said he was excited to 'watch Maddi in front of us stretch all the wrinkles out in the track with that NAPA Top Fuel car.'

“watch Maddi in front of us stretch all the wrinkles out in the track with that NAPA Top Fuel car”

Top Fuel qualifying results

The Top Fuel No. 1 qualifying position went to Kalitta Motorsports' points leader Shawn Langdon, and Jack Beckman, of John Force Racing, will lead the Funny Car field into Sunday eliminations.

Pro Stock Motorcycle results

Pro Stock Motorcycle racer Gaige Herrera blasted in the final session past early Saturday leader Matt Smith with a 6.644-second performance matching his fifth-best E.T. in class history.

Pro Mod Series record

Chip King made JBS Equipment Pro Mod Series elapsed-time history, becoming the first to drop into the 5.5-second range with a 5.596-second pass at 257.24 mph on the quarter-mile course.

Pro Stock Motorcycle bonus

Justin Bond claimed the $7,500 Aeromotive Challenge payout for having the best average E.T. (5.628 seconds) across all four qualifying sessions.