Muldowney to race at
Raceway Park tonight
Only appearance in 2000
for legendary drag racer
Shirley Muldowney, the most successful female driver in drag racing history, will make her one and only appearance at Raceway Park tonight.
Muldowney will highlight the 30th annual PC Richard & Son Summer Motorsports Spectacular, co-sponsored by NAPA Parts stores, by competing in a Top Fuel match race.
Muldowney, whose Hollywood-like career was turned into a motion picture, is a four-time National Hot Rod Association/International Hot Rod Association Top Fuel champion. When she won her first Top Fuel title in 1977, she was the first female NHRA champion.
She would go on to claim three more NHRA/IHRA crowns.
Muldowney hasn’t slowed down with the years. At a recent IHRA national event near Chicago, she recorded the fastest pass in IHRA history, a blistering 319.22 mph.
Muldowney thinks she can go even faster than that at Raceway Park.
"Englishtown’s a great track, very well prepared and known for its excellent bite," she pointed out. "I’m hoping to do even better than 319."
Raceway Park’s track speed record is 323.989 mph, set by Joe Amato in May of 1999.
Muldowney will be facing fellow Top Fuel racer Clay Millican in tonight’s match race. They are major rivals on the IHRA circuit.
Muldowney is looking forward to her return to Raceway Park. In 1977, she won the Summer Nationals title there on her way to her first NHRA crown.
"When I raced at Raceway Park in 1999, I was overwhelmed and so surprised by the reception," she said. "I’ve raced here from the beginning and have a lot of fond memories. I’m really looking forward to this event. It’s going to be a great night."
Muldowney, who is chasing the IHRA Top Fuel title, wasn’t sure she could race at Raceway Park this year because of her schedule.
"My husband Rahn and I don’t know from year to year what our racing plans may be, and we left Raceway Park in ’99 not knowing if we’d be back in 2000," she said.
Vinny Napp, race director, contacted Shirley and Rahn about racing one of the track’s big Wednesday night events this year, and he was told that unless there were some changes in the IHRA schedule, Muldowney would not be at Raceway Park.
"Well, things changed so Rahn called Vinny and he suggested July 12 and it was a done deal," said Muldowney. "I can’t wait. I hear the track is in great shape and that the race they held back on June 7 was fantastic. I hope we can keep the momentum going for the fans."
There will be plenty of action in addition to the Top Fuel match race between Muldowney and Millican. Nitro Funny Car racing will include a match between NHRA start Phil Burkart and New Jersey’s own Terry Haddock. Alcohol Funny Car driver Bunny Burkett, Muldowney’s female counterpart in the Alcohol Fuel category, will also be racing. Monster Truck fans can see a clash among the WWF’s Rock Monster Truck and Stone Cold Steve Austin’s Monster Truck plus Grave Digger and Bulldozer. Jet powered races include the 315 mph Dragster Chariots of Fire and Crossfire.
The 40-foot electrohydromechanical transformer Robosaurus will make an appearance as well.
Gates open at 5 p.m. with the show starting at 8. Tickets are $20 for general admission and $5 additional to enter the pits. Students are half-price and children under 12 get in free. Parking is free. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to meet the drivers, take photos and collect autographs. Call 446-7800 for additional information.

