By Becky Maxedon

There is a Lake Havasu City young lady who feels the need for speed.

Madelyn “Mad Dog” Maddie Urieta loves drag racing.

The 10-year-old told RiverScene Magazine she started drag racing about two years ago.

“I got into it cause my dad and grandpa work on a car,” the Nautilus Elementary School student said.

Maddie Urieta and her family pose with her car. Gene Navarro/RiverScene

Urieta races in Jr. Drag division of the NHRA at tracks in Las Vegas, Tucson, Phoenix, Irwindale, Calif., Bakersfield, Calif., and other locations around the Southwest.

“I like everything about it. Going fast, winning races, my race car and friends,” Urieta said.

Urieta’s favorite in the sport is Leah Pruitt, a pro top fuel drag racer.

She considers the Las Vegas track her home track. “We need a track here,” mother Jenine Urieta said. The Urieta family is advocating for a drag track in Lake Havasu City.

Urieta’s sponsors include Stoney’s Grill, Side Show Minis, Cornwell Tools, Superior Performance, Extreme Speed and Marine, Detail Specialties, Elite Audio, Mohave Mortgage, GG Printing, TLC Metal Fab, Mark McCulloch Racing, Big Red, Morris Family Racing and her grandparents.

Maddie Urieta poses with her sign. Photo courtesy Urieta Family

Photo courtesy Urieta Family

Gene Navarro/RiverScene