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 10:30 p.m. (ET) on Saturday, Oct. 15. 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.
* ON THE WEB: Get live timing, scoring, multimedia and the latest news updates from every NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series event on the Internet at www.nhra.com. Visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.
NHRA ARIZONA NATIONALS FACT SHEET
WHAT: 27th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals, the 20th of 22 races in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series and the fourth of six playoff races in the NHRA Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship. The top 10 drivers in four categories - Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle - earn points leading to 2011 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series world championships. NHRA is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2011 and will pay tribute to the evolution of the hot rod and honor its legendary racers as well as the sport’s current stars.
WHERE: Firebird International Raceway, Chandler, Ariz. Track is located off Interstate 10 from the west at exit 162. From the east, take exit 162. Follow the signs.
WHEN: Friday through Sunday, Oct. 14-16.
SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY, Oct. 14 – Lucas Oil Series qualifying begins at 8 a.m.
FULL THROTTLE SERIES QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.
SATURDAY, Oct. 15 – Lucas Oil Series eliminations begin at 8 a.m.
FULL THROTTLE SERIES QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 11:15 a.m. and 1:45 p.m.
SUNDAY, Oct. 16 – Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m.
FULL THROTTLE SERIES ELIMINATIONS begin at 11 a.m.
TELEVISION:
Saturday, Oct. 15, ESPN2 and ESPN2HD will televise one hour and 30 minutes of qualifying highlights at 10:30 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, Oct. 16, ESPN2 and ESPN2HD will televise three hours of eliminations coverage starting at 7 p.m. (ET).
SATELLITE (Digital HD feed):
Friday, Oct. 14, 10 – 10:30 p.m. (ET), AMC 3 / Transponder 21C
Saturday, Oct. 15, 9 – 9:30 p.m. (ET), AMC 3 / Transponder 21C
Sunday, Oct. 16, 10:30 – 11 p.m. (ET), AMC 3 / Transponder 21C
(4120 MHz, vertical; Data Rate: 40.461470554 Mbp; Symbol Rate: 29.27 Ms; FEC: ¾; Bandwidth: 36 Mhz)
Video news release contains race action highlights each day and winners’ interviews on Sunday.
2010 EVENT WINNERS: Cory McClenathan, Top Fuel; Jack Beckman, Funny Car; Mike Edwards, Pro Stock; Pro Stock Motorcycle, Not Contested
MOST VICTORIES: John Force, FC, 8; Bob Glidden, PS, 5; Kenny Bernstein, TF-FC, 3; Tony Schumacher, TF, 3; Cory McClenathan, TF, 3; Darrell Alderman, PS, 3; Kurt Johnson, PS, 3; Warren Johnson, PS, 3.
TRACK RECORDS:
Top Fuel – 3.802 sec. by Larry Dixon Feb. ’09; 317.57 mph by Dixon, Feb. ’10.
Funny Car – 4.023 sec. by Ron Capps, Feb. ’09; 311.34 mph by Matt Hagan, Feb. ’10.
Pro Stock – 6.598 sec. by Mike Edwards, Feb. ’09; 209.82 mph by Edwards, Feb. ’10.
Pro Stock Motorcycle–This is the first time this category will be featured at this event.
NATIONAL RECORDS:
Top Fuel- 3.735 sec. by Del Worsham, Oct. ’11, Reading, Pa.; 327.90 mph by Tony Schumacher, Sept. ’11, Charlotte, N.C.
Funny Car- 3.995 sec. by Matt Hagan, Sept. ’11, Charlotte, N.C.; 318.99 mph by Jack Beckman, Sept. ’11, Charlotte, N.C.
Pro Stock- 6.477 sec. by Jason Line, Oct. ’11, Reading, Pa.; 213.57 mph by Erica Enders, March ’11, Gainesville, Fla.
PS Motorcycle- 6.777 sec. by Hector Arana, March ’11, Gainesville, Fla.; 199.26 mph by Eddie Krawiec, March ’11, Gainesville, Fla.
TICKETS: For tickets call Firebird International Raceway, (602) 268-0200. Tickets also are available at ticketforce.com.
GENERAL ADMISSION (includes pit pass) - Friday: Adult, $33; Saturday: Adult, $46; Sunday: Adult, $48. Kids 12-under are admitted free to general admission areas with paying adult.
RESERVED SEATS (includes pit pass) - Friday: Adult, $43-55; Saturday: Adult, $56-80; Sunday: Adult, $58-85.
