Wed, 12 Oct 2011, 02:02 PM NHRA 60th Anniversary Legend Muldowney has Fond Memories of Firebird Int’l Raceway

Courtesy of NHRA Communications Site of Her Last NHRA Victory

CHANDLER, Ariz. – The last time NHRA raced during the month of October at Firebird International Raceway, Shirley Muldowney was at the top of her game.

At the 1989 NHRA Fallnationals, Muldowney roared through a tough pack of Top Fuel contenders to claim her 18th career victory. It was the three-time NHRA world champion’s last victory on the circuit and for Muldowney, one that she still remembers like it was yesterday.

As the event’s top qualifier, she set top speed at 282.04 mph on her way to a much-needed victory that salvaged her season and led to a ninth place finish in the series standings. She beat Connie Kalitta in the first round, Gene Snow in the second and world championship contender Joe Amato in the semifinals before using a holeshot start to hold off Darrell Gwynn in the final round.

“I vividly remember that it was (Darrell) Gwynn in the final,” Muldowney said. “I chose the left lane, dropped the top light out just as Darrell’s stage light came on. The race was mine. It was the only race I won that year after finally getting it together after a DNQ at Indy.”

Muldowney will return to Firebird International Raceway for the 27th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals, Oct. 14-16, as one of three featured NHRA Legends as part of NHRA’s 60th anniversary celebration. She will join Top Fuel innovator “Big Daddy” Don Garlits and Funny Car pioneer “Big” Jim Dunn as the honorary legends at the NHRA Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship event near Phoenix. The race will be televised on ESPN2 HD.

“The Phoenix win was a great way to end the year,” Muldowney said. “That has always meant a great deal to me. (Track owner) Charlie Allen and I have stayed friends for four decades and I’m proud to say that I definitely put fans in his stands.  He gave me several match-races over the years that for sure helped me keep my boat afloat and I’m thankful for that.”

In 1976 Muldowney forever changed the landscape of major motorsports when she became the first female to win an NHRA Top Fuel race and later a world championship title in the 7,000 horsepower category. After breaking down the gender barrier in the 1970s, her life story became the subject of a major motion picture, “Heart Like A Wheel” in 1982.

In 2001 Muldowney was the only female named to the list of NHRA’s top 50 drivers. She was ranked No. 5 all-time on the historic list by an elite panel of drag racing journalists and historians. She remains active in the sport as one of its greatest ambassadors and many successful female racers have followed in her tire tracks by racing to victories and championships on NHRA drag strips all across the U.S. 

At the NHRA Arizona Nationals, there will be as many as seven females entered  in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series competition, among them Melanie Troxel and Alexis DeJoria in Funny Car, Erica Enders and Grace Howell in Pro Stock and Karen Stoffer, Angie Smith and Katie Sullivan in Pro Stock Motorcycle.

Still a huge drag racing fan at heart, Muldowney is looking forward to watching an exciting show and seeing great performances produced by the girls and the guys at the popular southwestern drag strip.

“I’m looking forward to seeing all the new changes that have been made to the facility,” Muldowney said. “And one can’t help but be impressed with the numbers that the cars are able to run there. The fans always get a great show.”

• SCHEDULE: Full Throttle Drag Racing Series qualifying sessions are scheduled for 1:30 and 4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 14, and for 11:15 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15. Final eliminations will begin at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 16.

• TICKETS: Tickets are available for the NHRA Arizona Nationals. Please call Firebird International Raceway at (602) 268-0200 or visit www.ticketforce.com.

• ON TV: ESPN2 and ESPN2HD will televise 90 minutes of qualifying coverage at 1230 p.m. (ET) on Saturday, Oct. 16, ESPN2 and ESPN2HD will televise a three-hour eliminations show at 7 p.m. (ET) on Sunday, Oct. 16.

• LUCAS OIL SERIES: The NHRA Arizona Nationals also will feature competition in five categories in the NHRA Lucas Oil Series, where the future stars of the NHRA Full Throttle Series are born. Lucas Oil Series qualifying begins at 8 a.m. on Oct. 14. Lucas Oil Series eliminations begin at 8 a.m. on Oct. 15 and continue on Oct. 16.

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