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Gordon Sisters: Top 30 Under 30
Top 30 Under 30 Gordon Sisters Right on Track
BOTH NAMED IN DRAG ILLUSTRATED'S 30 UNDER 30
By Camille DeVaul
Maddi and Macie Gordon are living their lives Right on Track, just like the 2003 Disney Channel movie, which follows American drag racer Erica Enders start in the hot rod racing world.
The sisters each began drag racing when they were eight years old—both inspired to get into the sport by their dad, world champion drag racer Doug Gordon. This year, Maddi and Macie were both named in Drag Illustrated's 30 Under 30.
Since 2015, Drag Illustrated has compiled an annual 30 Under 30 list which highlights drag racing’s most accomplished and promising young ambassadors. Honorees are then recognized at a press conference during the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) trade show at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. Thousands of submissions are sent in to the magazine. This year, the Gordon sisters were chosen out of 7,000 nominees.
Nate Van Wagnen, editor-in-chief for Drag Illustrated, says the 30 Under 30 list is "About more than showcasing what the sport’s young racers, tuners, manufacturers, track officials, and media personalities have already accomplished.”
He continues, “It’s also about shining a light on the future stars and encouraging them to keep forging ahead. Many of the honorees from the first couple lists have gone on to do extraordinary things like set records, win world championships, and move up classes.”
Getting nominated for the list wasn't something Maddi and Macie were expecting. But after learning what the list was all about and the values the magazine's editor held, they felt privileged to even be considered. The sisters share the list with some of the sport's top up and coming racers. They were able to travel to Indianapolis on December 9 through 11 to personally receive their nomination at the convention. Both of them note it as a highlight of their still new career.
Maddi and Macie each have their own cars and have been making their mark in the Division 7 National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Junior Dragster League. Between the two of them, they have four championships.
Both attending Templeton High School, Macie (16) is a sophomore and won her age group in 2015, 2017, and 2019. Maddi (17), a Senior, won in 2016 and nearly stood in the winner circle in 2018 and 2019, losing just by a few points due to car troubles.
In 2020 the sisters were able to go on the road with their dad, working as his pit crew. The two are able to take down and rebuild the engine. "We've always wanted to do this but never realized it could happen. It's such an opportunity to learn more and get more involved with it," said Maddi. "It's actually really exciting because we started Covid year working on Dad's car, but if you see other crews, they are grown men. You don't see teenage girls." Racing for the Gordons is a family affair. Doug is a six-time regional/divisional champion and won the 2020 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, making him a world champion. Doug's car, the Top Alcohol Funny Car, was originally owned by his father. He started in the racing industry just like his daughters, helping work on the car and learning the mechanics. Then in 1993, Doug got his chance to race the funny car himself. Maddi says their dad loves having them as part of the crew, "He obviously wants his family to be involved, but he never realized it would be like this. He loves it, though, and now our mom is starting to do more on the car too."
The sisters racing careers have only just started. In a few years, Maddi will be handed the reigns to the Funny car—something she has dreamed of since she could remember. In fact, when Maddi was 11 years old, she wrote in a time capsule that she wanted to drive the Funny car one day. Top Alcohol Funny Cars are capable of performances in 5.3 seconds at more than 270 mph.
Macie looks forward to following her sister and moving up to Super Comp dragster in 2023. Super Comp is the quickest of the heads-up Super classes and cars in this class are capable of running racing times in the 8.90 index. These cars typically hit 165 to 175 mph.
Three generations of Gordons are hitting the racetracks together, none of them afraid of a bit of adrenaline. The sisters, their parents, and grandparents are all on the road together—each of them with their own part to play. Maddi and Macie describe it as a family hobby and one they are grateful for every day.
Soup-er Recipes Barbie Butz From the Kitchen of
Iremember hearing cooks in the family announce that “soup’s on” when dinner was ready. The meal was not necessarily soup and could be anything from pot roast to fried chicken, and still, the expression was used to call the family to the table.
However, for today’s recipes, you can safely say, “soup’s on!” These recipes are perfect for our cold January days when a warm cup of soup will definitely bring the family to the table with no hesitation.
Served with salad and a slice of hearty bread, any of these soups make a satisfying meal.
The recipes are from our Assistance League of San Luis Obispo County’s cookbook, Recipes From the Heart of the Central Coast, published in 2001. Proceeds from its sale were used to benefit our philanthropic projects, including Operation School Bell, providing new school-appropriate clothing for students in grades K-12.
Remember that the new year offers opportunities for fresh ideas. Don’t dwell on the past, but look forward to what can be an exciting future. If you like to cook, make a resolution to try a new recipe each week. Be creative and enjoy the process.
Happy New Year!
Red Onion Borscht
This first recipe is from Pat Cairns, an Atascadero resident and a popular and talented artist in the area. She commented, “This soup is a glorious color and, like most art, requires a bit of a mess to create a masterpiece!” Ingredients: Directions: • ¼ cup butter or margarine • 4 large red onions, thinly sliced • ½ cup red wine vinegar • ½ pound beets, peeled and shredded (this is the messy part) • 2½ tablespoons flour • 6 cups chicken broth • ½ cup Port wine (optional) • Sour cream for garnish Melt butter in large pan over medium heat. Add onions, vinegar, and beets; stir often until onions are very limp (25 to 30 minutes). Stir in flour. Add broth. Stirring occasionally, bring to a boil. Add Port. Ladle into 4 to 6 bowls and garnish with a spoonful of sour cream.
Carol’s Minestrone Soup
Another Atascadero resident and a former president of Assistance League of San Luis Obispo County, Carol Porter, offered this recipe for Minestrone Soup. Her comment was, “Don’t let a lot of ingredients turn you off on this soup. This is well worth it. Yummy!” Ingredients: • 5 cloves garlic, sliced • Olive oil • Crushed red pepper • 2 small cans tomato sauce • 6 cups beef broth • 2 cans drained or 1 package frozen green beans • 1 large onion, chopped • 2 green peppers, chopped • 1 pack sliced mushrooms • 1 small head broccoli, chopped • 1 small head cauliflower, chopped • 2 packages ground hot Italian sausage • 2 packages three cheese tortellini • 1 teaspoon garlic salt • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning • 1 teaspoon each: dried basil, thyme, and oregano Directions: Cover bottom of large soup pot with thin layer of olive oil. Add sliced garlic and one pinch of red pepper. Saute garlic and red pepper until garlic is golden brown. Add tomato sauce and mix together. Mix in beef broth. In another pan, brown sausage, breaking it into small pieces. Drain fat from sausage and add to soup pot. Add all spices. Season to taste. Add all vegetables. Let soup come to boil. Lower heat and simmer for 1½ hours. Add tortellini. Simmer about 20 minutes more. The longer the soup simmers, the better the taste!
Hot Broccoli Soup
This next recipe from Dawn Turner is a “great way to eat your broccoli!” Ingredients: • 1½ tablespoons butter • 2 tablespoons oil • 2 cups diced onions • 4 cups chopped fresh broccoli • ½ cup flour • 4 cups canned chicken broth • 1 quart half and half • ½ teaspoon black pepper • 1 teaspoon nutmeg (optional) • 3 cups grated white Cheddar cheese Directions: Melt butter and oil in large saucepan over low heat. Add onions and saute until soft. Add broccoli and mix well. Sprinkle with flour and cook, stirring frequently. Slowly blend in broth; continue stirring. Cook for 10 minutes. Stir in half and half and seasonings. Simmer for 5 minutes. Add cheese and turn off heat. May be served immediately or refrigerated and reheated later. Best if served the same day. Makes 6 generous main course servings. Note: When I serve soup for dinner, I like to also serve a small bowl of homemade applesauce or fresh fruit, along with a green salad and hearty bread. Of course, there’s always room for dessert!
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