Maddie Chesne: Too Fast to Pass

This week’s DragChamp Jr. Racer Spotlight is all about recent 13-18 Year Old 9th Annual Southern Big Buck Nationals Junior Dragster winner, Maddie Chesne. 

SIMMESPORT, LA- Maddie Chesne started racing Junior Dragsters seven years ago after her Dad and Grandpa got her introduced to the sport. She currently competes in the 7.90 Junior Dragster class frequents racetracks including: State Capitol Raceway, No Problem Raceway, Gulfport Dragway and many others.

So far in her racing career, she has raced her way to four track championships, three Wallys, and four Ironman Trophies. Maddie has also raced the NHRA Eastern Conference Finals for the past four years and has competed in the Dream Team for the past three years.

Read all about Maddie below!

Her Race Car

Her current ride is a Huddleston Performance chassis that they have owned for 2 years. It has a Jim Rogers engine and a Shockwave clutch on board.

Outside of Racing

When Maddie isn’t behind the wheel of her race car, she can be found cooking, making TikToks, and riding her dirt bike. Her favorite sport is football and she loves cheering on her New Orleans Saints. Boiled Crawfish is her favorite food and she loves all types of music. One piece of advice that she would give to an aspiring racer would be, “Always have fun, try your best, don’t be hard on yourself, and make as many friends and memories as you can”.

Maddie’s Accomplishments

• 73 Finals with 55 Wins and 18 Runner-ups
• 4 Ironman trophies
• 3 NHRA Wallys
• 2016 SCR and KOC Track Points Runner-up
• 2017 SCR and KOC Track Points Runner-up
• 2017 KOC Tournament of Champions Winner
• 2018 SCR and NPR Track Champion.Semi finalist at ECF Bristol
• 2019 SCR,NPR and KOC Track Champion.KOC Driver of the year
• 2019 Back to back IHRA Summit Super Series 8.90 Winner and Ironman run off Winner
• 2020 Mooresville NC 3k covid nationals Winner
• 2022 Big Buck Nationals Winner, Runner-up and MVP driver of the weekend

Maddie’s Q&A

What’s on your bucket list, future goals, what do you hope to achieve?

Win at Bristol, win a big money race, go to Hawaii and own my dads mechanic shop.

What is your favorite race car, and why?

Chevy ll nova red with Beadlock Wheels because they look nice.

Who has made the biggest impact on your racing success?

My Dad and Grandpa because if it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t have gotten into this sport.

Who do you look up to in the sport?

Erica Enders because she started off in Jr’s and now she’s a professional pro stock driver.

Tell us what you do for a living?

Student

How do you support your racing, side hustle, sponsor, partner, etc.?

My parents to and all my winnings go back into racing and my grandpa sponsors my fuel.

Who do you hate to see in the other lane, and why?

Nobody it doesn’t matter who’s in the other lane.

What’s the hardest part of drag racing?

The hardest part for me is packing up on Sunday’s to head home because I’m never ready to leave the track.

What’s your most embarrassing moment in a race car?

One time I was racing pro-tree and I left before the tree was activated.

What are you saying to yourself just before you stage the car? 

Don’t go red.

What do you enjoy the most at the racetrack?

Racing and hanging out with my friends.

Are you superstitious? If so, what are they?

Yes, I have to out on my right glove on first , my left shoulder strap, and my purple matco tools shirt.

Do you love to win or hate to lose?

As much as I love to win, I think I hate losing the most because I’m very competitive and a sore loser.

Which are you better at the starting line or the finishline?

I’m better at the starting line because I’m always focused and ready to go.

What motivates you to continue racing?

The thrill and excitement of winning races.

If money were no object, what would your racing operation look like? Car, trailer, class, race schedule, etc.

If money were no object I would want a brand new toter home, a stacker trailer, Top sportsman S10/Camaro, a blown dragster, a Chevy ll nova, and I would race every weekend.

How often do you use a practice tree? 

I don’t really use a practice tree. 

Favorite movie or TV show?

My favorite TV show is 7 little Johnstons.

Name one thing most people don’t know about you?

People at school don’t know I race and people at the track don’t know I do dance line at school.

Would you rather hang out with a crowd or have a quiet evening at home?

I would rather hangout with a crowd because I like being around people and having fun.

Who would you like to thank, who helps you the most?

I would like to thank my dad CJ Chesne because if it wouldn’t be for him I wouldn’t get to do the thing that I enjoy doing. He rebuilds my motors, encourages me, motivates me, and brings me all over to race after a long week of work. He’s my #1 supporter.

For more DragChamp Jr. Spotlights, click here.