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Getting to Know You…
Top Fuel legend Shirley Muldowney knocked down another barrier Saturday at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals. This battle wasn't on the track, and it wasn't against the men. This one concerned the women.
Don Schumacher Racing helped Muldowney reach out to other notable women in racing, hosting and catering at O'Reilly Raceway Park a breakfast designed to introduce NHRA's first female headliner to today's female achievers.
Muldowney already was acquainted with Top Fuel's Hillary Will, Funny Car rookie Ashley Force, 41-time Pro Stock Motorcycle winner Angelle Sampey, Division 1 Top Alcohol Dragster driver Sheila Kopchick, and IHRA/NHRA veteran Bunny Burkett. But Muldowney confessed, "I'm not sure I know too many of the other ladies. I'm kind of afraid to go up to their pits and introduce myself."
She told the gathering of about 50, "I wanted to be able to meet you one-on-one and introduce myself. I kind of stumble around the pits these days and just take it all in, and it's really overwhelming."
Curiously, Muldowney said as the breakfast approached that she hadn't been aware that this is the 25th anniversary of her lone U.S. Nationals victory, in which she defeated rival Connie Kalitta in the final round. Nevertheless, she celebrated the atmosphere in which current female drag racers compete.
"It's a lot different than it used to be when I started [in] the rough years. I don't think it's any picnic out here today, either," Muldowney told nearly a dozen drivers and an audience that included nearly a dozen female racers.
"I think it's a lot of hard work. I think it takes a lot of talent, and I'm very impressed with the ladies, that you can go out there and be just another racer," she said. "Show 'em the way home. Show 'em how it's done. And there's not a thing wrong with that. So go for it today, ladies."
Sampey, who has more victories than any woman in drag racing and like Muldowney has three series championships, had worked with Muldowney on a previous project. But she told the Top Fuel pioneer, "You are a very intimidating person. We've all wanted to meet you just as bad as you've wanted to meet us. But for so many years, most of us may have been afraid to approach you. I was really scared to death to meet you because of all the stuff that you have done. You're so awesome, and we all look up to you.
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"But when I saw that you are a regular person like I am, of course we became friends. You've got to be the most awesome person I've ever met and one of the most beautiful women I've ever met, as well. Thank you for everything you have done to lead the way because it hasn't been an easy road for all of us, just like it wasn't for you. But you did make it easier for us. You are my inspiration my whole life. I wanted to be the next Shirley Muldowney of motorcycles. I hope that I have done you proud, because you are definitely my role model. God bless you and I love you."
Among the guests was Muldowney contemporary Bunny Burkett, who brings her 42 years of driving experience in the IHRA's Alcohol Funny Car class and identifies herself as "the self-proclaimed Second Lady of Drag Racing." She had said she definitely wanted to attend the breakfast, "even if I have to crawl" from her home at Spotsylvania, Virginia.
Burkett hasn't missed a year of racing, despite crashes or cancer treatment, and surgery. And she said she doesn’t mind one bit giving Muldowney credit for opening doors for women racers.
"It's my lifeline," she said of the sport, "but I could never, ever match what Shirley Muldowney has done and is still doing. She mowed down the trees for all of us. She chopped ‘em all down. Don't y'all forget that." Burkett said everybody in attendance should thank Muldowney for her example.
Also attending were Peggy Llewellyn and Karen Stoffer (Pro Stock Motorcycles), Kate Harker (Top Alcohol Dragster), Diana Harker and Candyce Marsh (Pro Modified), and USAC regional midget champion Sondi Eden.
Champ Car Atlantic Series Director Vicki O'Connor also represented open-wheel racing. Attending on behalf of the Lyn St. James Women In The Winners Circle Foundation were Deb Turner and Michelle Marquis.
LuAnn Bishop of Don Schumacher Racing coordinated the menu of cinnamon swirl French toast with strawberry topping and fresh whipped cream, scrambled eggs, turkey sausage, bacon, fresh fruit, and beverages.
"She went over the top, the extra mile," Muldowney said of Bishop.
Plans originally called for the breakfast to be an intimate gathering of Muldowney and a few women drivers. "I was going to buy -- then I thought it should be Ladies Day. And it grew to about 50 people, including the media and the PR people, crew members. Don Schumacher and Mike Lewis (DSR Vice-President) stepped up to the plate and graciously volunteered to support the event."
She quipped Saturday, "It went from danish and coffee to strawberry-topped French toast, bacon, eggs, fruit . . . You all have a few more pounds on your bike and in your race car for today."
And maybe for the first time, Shirley Muldowney saw first-hand how many doors she had opened.