where is she now

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Princess Valiant

Princess Valiant

A.K.A. Rainy Day Auto
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it says on a Google search that Shirley Muldowney is still alive and is 72 years old now.

does anyone know if she ever goes to any race events or does anything in the sport anymore.

has anyone seen her recently or know where she is?
 

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One thing about Shirley, LOL. You don't need to ask her opinion, 'cause she'll tell you anyhow. And she doesn't hide it inside a bunch of fancy words, either.
 
Last I knew she lives in Michigan and she does go to a few races.They interview her when she does.Yes she never did and still doesn't mince words.
 
Why bother? Just tell it like it is, quick, honest and blunt.
 
I believe her ex-husband is Rahn Tobler who is crew chief for Ron Capps. He had to be tough to be married to her for all those years. If you look up mean and nasty in webster there is a pic of cha cha.
 
She is a regular contributor to Hemmings Classic Car.

And she DESPISES that nickname.
 
I believe she is/was Connie Kallittas girlfriend as well.'i believe she lives here in Michigan and she was just interviewed at the US Nationals last year, so she must still do a few appearances!!
 
She was at a show it went to a year or so ago. Had a hot pink rail with her, signing autographs. She made the obligatory pass on the track also.
Had the wife impressed, she was wanting to run.
 
During the Kalitta sponsored years. She made money,off of it. The "pink" ,PAW sponsored years,unbelievable.
 
Shirley will turn 73 on June 19. Here's something interesting about the movie, Heart Like a Wheel, about her: (from Wikipedia) "The 1983 film Heart Like a Wheel, about Muldowney's life and career, starred Bonnie Bedilia. Muldowney would rather have had Jamie Lee Curtis play her; she called Bedilia 'a snot,' and stated 'When she was promoting the movie on TV shows, she would tell interviewers she didn't even like racing. She got out of race car like she was getting up from the dinner table.' Muldowney had mixed feelings about the film itself, stating, 'No, the movie did not capture my life very well at all, but more importantly, I thought the movie was very, very good for the sport.'

I saw Shirley run often at both OCIR and at Pomona here in SoCal and, yes, she did hate the nickname "Cha Cha" but she allowed it to be used to help secure her career and sponsorship money. Big battle back then being a woman driver in Top Fuel. She was tough - and had to be.
 
Here's video from a radio interview she did last year:

Part 1:
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIW-yz9jutY"]Radio interview Shirley Muldowney - YouTube[/ame]

Part 2:
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXzdsAnCVXo"]Shirley Muldowney radio interview 2 - YouTube[/ame]

This is rather long. Both videos together are just over an hour, but if you're a fan it's worth it!
 
All women who compete at the upper levels of any motorsports owe her a debt of gratitude.She didn't just open the door for them she kicked it down.
 
Back in Time said:
All women who compete at the upper levels of any motorsports owe her a debt of gratitude.She didn't just open the door for them she kicked it down.
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even without competeing in an upper level motorsport .....just being a general car girl ....i look up to her :prayer:.....its a tough gig being in a mainly male hobby.
 
Rani, I met her a few times at Englishtown. If I see her again I will get her to contact you. She loves her fans and would appreciate your personality.
 
RaniDart70 said:
even without competeing in an upper level motorsport .....just being a general car girl ....i look up to her :prayer:.....its a tough gig being in a mainly male hobby.
Click to expand...

Good point Rani....I haven't been around here long but from what I see you know your stuff.I'm impressed.
 

69MOPE said:
Rani, I met her a few times at Englishtown. If I see her again I will get her to contact you. She loves her fans and would appreciate your personality.
Click to expand...

A biggg x2 on that one MOPE! She's one of my friends on FaceBook -- truly! -- but well before that gave me one of my favorite things EVER for the shop ...

View attachment Shirley Muldowney.jpg

The lady's an icon, an inspiration to all women in motorsports, and adores and appreciates her fans. There are few who can hold a candle to her.
 
CudaChick1968 said:
A biggg x2 on that one MOPE! She's one of my friends on FaceBook -- truly! -- but well before that gave me one of my favorite things EVER for the shop ...

View attachment 1714625448

The lady's an icon, an inspiration to all women in motorsports, and adores and appreciates her fans. There are few who can hold a candle to her.
Click to expand...

Super Kewl! :cheers:
 
I just watched Heart Like a Wheel recently on y'all tube. Pretty cool flick. I just got the July issue of Hemming's Muscle Machines, and on page 44, Shirley talks about how she really got her Top Fuel license. She contributes stories about every other month or so in this publication, along with John Prudhomme. There is a nice restoration profile of a beautiful 1970 440-6 R/T Coronet also. Great mag.
 
One of my Favs! she could drive! Big promoter I hear on getting kids to tracks and off the street racing.

L7 have a cool song about her" Shirley" off Hungry for Stink. Best sampled line in the song " So whats a girl like you doing out here?...Winning."
 
Thats a great autographed photo you have Leanna,...Pam and I watched Heart Like a Wheel when we first met, and Pam loved It.
 
One of the first things I ever had that I can positively identify as "Mopar related", was a 1/16th scale model of her rail engine.

I married my wife because she "tells it like it is" and "doesn't mince words".

L7 ROCKS, one of the best live shows I've ever seen.
 
ocdart said:
Shirley will turn 73 on June 19. Here's something interesting about the movie, Heart Like a Wheel, about her: (from Wikipedia) "The 1983 film Heart Like a Wheel, about Muldowney's life and career, starred Bonnie Bedilia. Muldowney would rather have had Jamie Lee Curtis play her; she called Bedilia 'a snot,' and stated 'When she was promoting the movie on TV shows, she would tell interviewers she didn't even like racing. She got out of race car like she was getting up from the dinner table.' Muldowney had mixed feelings about the film itself, stating, 'No, the movie did not capture my life very well at all, but more importantly, I thought the movie was very, very good for the sport.'

I saw Shirley run often at both OCIR and at Pomona here in SoCal and, yes, she did hate the nickname "Cha Cha" but she allowed it to be used to help secure her career and sponsorship money. Big battle back then being a woman driver in Top Fuel. She was tough - and had to be.
Click to expand...

She was the FIRST 2x AND the first 3x Top Fuel champion. Damn right, she was tough!
 
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