Friday, April 28, 2017

John Muldowney, son of legend Shirley Muldowney, dead at 59


CHARLOTTE (April 28) -- John Muldowney, the son of drag racing icon Shirley Muldowney, died of a blood clot Thursday at the age of 59 in Springfield, Mo.

John Muldowney was the only child of Shirley Muldowney and her first husband Jack. He worked on Shirley Muldowney's dragsters throughout her driving career and has since worked for a variety of other teams, machines shops and fabricators.


In lieu of flowers, Shirley Muldowney is asking friends and fans to consider making a donation to Shirley's Kids, the 501(c)(3) charity created in her honor that helps kids in need at various stops on the NHRA tour. Donations can easily be made at ShirleysKids.org.


Monday, April 24, 2017

Shell joins Shirley's Kids' support of local child in need for second straight year



HOUSTON (April 24) -- For the second straight year, Shell partnered with Shirley's Kids in support of a local child in need. Headed by drag racing pioneer Shirley "Cha Cha" Muldowney, Shirley's Kids selected 9-year-old Zane Smock of League City, Texas, to join the four-time world champion as a guest of honor at the annual NHRA Spring Nationals in Baytown, Texas.

While at the drag races, the Smock family was presented a check for $5,000 from Shell representative John Chiboroski. Zane suffers from Cerebral Palsy and the donation will be used to offset some of his medical expenses. Cerebral Palsy is a disorder of movement, muscle tone or posture caused by damage that occurs to the immature, developing brain, most often before birth.

"Zane and the Smock family are true champions and we’re so honored to help recognize their courageous spirit," said Chiboroski, Shell Lubricants influencer marketing manager. "Shell and our brand Pennzoil continue to have a long history supporting our communities through organizations like Shirley’s Kids and motorsports including NHRA drag racing."

Shirley's Kids is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity created by Stan and Sheila Holt, owners of locally-based Lupe Tortilla Mexican Restaurants. Because Muldowney has lived her life in drag racing, the organization first seeks out deserving children within the racing community. Recipients may be struggling with medical issues or financial hardships brought on by a personal or family tragedy. With corporate support, Shirley's Kids pledges 100 percent of all proceeds raised go directly to the designated children.

"The people from Shell have been absolutely wonderful and I'm so pleased and honored they helped our charity again this year," Muldowney said. "You better believe I'll be singing their praises all season! They've always been a wonderful company that supports motorsports and charities like ours without hesitation.

"Little Zane is my new best friend. He's such a great kid and having lost his father, he really enjoyed coming out to races with the folks from Boys and Girls Country and meeting all the drivers. The check from Shell and Shirley's Kids was a total surprise to the family and you could see by their reaction how much it meant to them. This is exactly why we created Shirley's Kids; to help children like Zane."

From left to right, Shirley's Kids founders Stan and Sheila Holt, Deacons of Deadwood president Geoff Seaman, Zane Smock (front), Shirley Muldowney, Olivia Smock and Shell representative John Chiborowski during the check presentation at the NHRA Spring Nationals.

About Shell Lubricants
The term ‘Shell Lubricants’ collectively refers to the companies of Royal Dutch Shell plc that are engaged in the lubricants business. Shell Lubricants companies lead the lubricants industry, supplying more than 12 percent of global lubricants volume.* The companies manufacture and blend products for use in consumer, heavy industrial and commercial transport applications. The Shell Lubricants portfolio of top-quality brands includes Pennzoil®, Quaker State®, FormulaShell®, Shell TELLUS®, Shell RIMULA®, Shell ROTELLA® T, Shell SPIRAX® and Jiffy Lube®. http://www.shell.com

*Kline & Company, “Global Lubricants Industry November 2016: Market Analysis and Assessment.