In mid-August a broken and mangled race car is parked alongside the wall at the top end of the racetrack in Brainerd Minnesota. The Gordon family wasn’t thinking about championships, they were thankful that Doug had survived a terrifying top end crash that just destroyed their race car.
But after the hugs and tears started to fade the comeback plan was already being discussed. The shock of what just happened hadn’t even left the stressed faces of the Gordon family and already discussions were underway on what had to be done next.
The Gordons had a new Jonnie Lindberg car on the ground at home. A lot of work would have to be done to get it ready to race but you could sense that they were not giving up on the season. Before leaving the track in Brainerd the Gordon Team left little doubt – “We’ll be back”.
You see and hear about “comebacks” in every major sport. But, in your daily life you rarely arrive at a point where you have to make one happen.
Let’s be honest, after the crash in Brainerd Doug Gordon seemed out of the Championship chase. At that point even getting back on the race track to finish the season seemed like a large and daunting task.
Westerfield and the Rick Jackson Team were running strong with a commanding lead. Bellemeur and Cox were trading wins and dominating the eastern swing. The championship for Gordon looked like an insurmountable proposition. And even if they did make it back, it would be a “must win” – every round – every race.
With the season winding down and little time left for a championship run, the Gordons arrived at the Lucas Oil Series Regional race in St Louis with a new and untested race car. Things did not start well, as they sometimes don’t with a new car. Early challenges kept them from all the test runs that they had hoped to complete. But, by the end of testing, qualifying, and eliminations the Gordons had accomplished what seemed impossible just weeks earlier. Doug, his dad, and the girls were back in the winner’s circle holding the “Wally”.
A second round loss at the National Event in Dallas stalled the assault momentarily. But, in Las Vegas Doug doubled up, winning the National and Regional events. Three wins in four races with a new car and the Gordon’s were taking the points lead into Pomona. Few had predicted that scenario.
“Coming into Pomona we were a lot less stressed than the Vegas Races”, Doug said. “We knew the main pressure was on Shane’s side. We saw the 14 car field and knew how important it was going to be to get the #1 spot on the ladder.”
And, qualify number one they would. A string of consistent low 5.40’s put Gordon at the top of the qualifying sheet and slotted Westerfield in the number four position. Gordon at number one and Westerfield at number four set up a possible semi-final matchup between the two contenders where the championship could be decided.
Doug Commented, “once we had that (qualifying #1) accomplished, it made Saturday a more comfortable day. But, when Shane ended up on our side of the ladder, that gave him a better advantage. So we knew it would be a showdown on Sunday in the semi-finals”.
That matchup would not materialize when Westerfield went red by .012 in the second round, handing the win to Annie Whiteley – and the NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car Championship to Doug Gordon.
Doug reflected, “As we sat in the staging lanes suited in the car for 2nd round, we got the crazy news that he (Westerfield) had lost and we won. Such a great feeling to know we actually pulled off this amazing feat with team Estrogen”!
Gordon would go on to beat Annie Whiteley in the semi-finals but lose to Sean Bellemeur and the Killer B’s Team in the final round of the race.
Team Gordon, better known as Team “Estrogen” accepted the Championship Trophy on Monday afternoon. From left to right: Macie, Cheryl, Mike, Doug, Christina, and Maddi. A great family and team that turned a tragedy into a championship.
Championships don’t happen without financial and technical help. Beta Motorcycles, Lucas Oil, Hoosier Tires, NGK Spark Plugs, always deserve a mention for their support of the Gordon Team, and all the teams they assist. Thank you to all the corporate partners that make this sport happen.
Congratulations to the Gordons and all the Alcohol Teams that made this season one of the most memorable in NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car history.
Pro Alcohol Drag Racing Media