Drag racing legend Shirley Muldowney diagnosed with lung cancer, will undergo surgery Wednesday in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE (May 24) -- Drag racing legend Shirley Muldowney has been diagnosed with lung cancer and will undergo surgery at Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center in downtown Charlotte early Wednesday morning to remove her right lung, where a Stage II tumor has grown. Renowned thoracic and cardiac surgeon Dr. Harold Howe will lead the team performing the five-hour-long procedure.

"I urge everyone to keep up with their health and get chest X-rays as often as possible to make sure they are OK," the 75-year-old Muldowney said. "I'm a fighter, always have been, and I'm going to fight this as best I can with everything I got. Dr. Howe is the No. 1 guy in the business, and he's as ready as I am to get this thing out of me.

"I'm ready for the pain to stop. It's been getting worse the last few weeks as they did biopsies and the pre-op stress tests to make sure I was strong enough to have the surgery. Everything is good, so we're getting it done."

Muldowney began racing in the 1950s at Fonda Speedway in New York, driving a dragster built by then-husband Jack. Several years later, in 1965, she became the first woman to earn a professional NHRA license. After a few years of racing gas dragsters, Muldowney switched to Funny Car, and in 1971 she won her first major race, the IHRA Southern Nationals. She also began a long career in match races, battling all the best drivers of the era throughout the mid-1970s.

A move to the Top Fuel class in 1973 helped her burgeoning career blossom. In another major accomplishment, she became the first woman to win an NHRA race in a professional class in 1976, going to the winner's circle at the Spring Nationals in Columbus, Ohio.

The following season she earned the NHRA Top Fuel championship after becoming the first driver in the class to win three consecutive national events. It was the first time a female driver had won a major motorsports title anywhere in the world. Muldowney earned the Top Fuel crown again in 1980 and 1982, and she also earned the AHRA Top Fuel championship in 1981, her fourth major championship in a six-year period.

"The fans have always been what's kept me going, and I'm sure people will be concerned about me now," said Muldowney, who had a movie, Heart Like a Wheel, made about her life. "Well don't be; I'll be fine. There are still a lot of things left I want to do."

In lieu of flowers or cards, Muldowney is asking her friends and fans to donate to her charity, Shirley's Kids, at ShirleysKids.org. Muldowney started the charity this year and already has helped four children in need with large cash donations at races in Gainesville, Fla.; Charlotte; Houston; and Atlanta. Because of corporate support, Shirley's Kids passes through 100 percent of all donations to the children it helps.

"The most joy I've had in years has come this season working with our little team at Shirley's Kids," Muldowney said. "Stan and Sheila Mae Holt have covered all our costs so all the money we raise goes to the kids, and Rob Geiger, Nicci Gustavus, and Frank Bellini have worked tirelessly to make this thing a success.

"If people can find it in their hearts to make a donation, that would brighten my spirits immensely because I know where all the money in this charity goes: Right to the kids that need it. And believe me, we have changed some people's lives for the better.

"Thank you in advance for all the love and prayers. It all helps. My sister (Linda Roque) and niece (Betty Peek) along with Stan and Sheila are here with me, so I'm in great hands."

Because of her pending surgery and the doctor-recommended recovery and rehabilitation time, Muldowney's agent, Rob Geiger, announced that previously scheduled appearances at the NHRA national events in Englishtown, N.J., and Bristol, Tenn., will be canceled. Depending on Muldowney's health moving forward, other appearance dates will be announced on ShirleysKids.org.

Shirley Muldowney started Shirley's Kids this year and already has helped four children in need. Shirley's Kids passes through 100 percent of all donations to the children it helps.

Shirley Muldowney was the first female driver to win a major motorsports title anywhere in the world, earning the NHRA Top Fuel crown in 1977, 1980, and 1982 and the AHRA Top Fuel championship in 1981. (Auto Imagery photo)

Please visit ShirleysKids.org, Muldowney.com, and GeigerMediaGlobal.com for more information.

With support of Shell, Shirley's Kids charity makes biggest donation to date at Houston race

HOUSTON (May 2) -- Drag racing legend Shirley "Cha Cha" Muldowney welcomed 16-year-old Tacey Raulerson of College Station, Texas, into her Shirley's Kids charity Sunday during the 29th annual NHRA SpringNationals, presenting the two-time cancer survivor with $10,000 thanks to the generous donations of Shell and charity founders Stan and Sheila Holt of Lupe Tortilla Mexican Restaurants.

"God has answered our prayers and we are completely overwhelmed," said Tommy Raulerson, Tacey's mother. "When Shirley Muldowney invited us for a day at the drag races, that was such a thrill and Tacey barely slept the last few days because she's been so excited. Then they got her up on stage with Shirley, and suddenly John Chiboroski from Shell and Stan and Sheila Holt from Lupe Tortilla walk out with a giant check made out to Tacey for $10,000. I almost fainted.

"You have no idea what this means for us. It's truly going to change our lives. The air conditioner at home went out last week, and together with some remodeling we need to do to make the house a little easier for Tacey to get around, we were looking at about $5,000 in expenses. I prayed for God to help us last night, never expecting this at all, and then we come here and get this surprise. We've never felt so loved."

Tacey was first diagnosed with cancer at age 7, and although she successfully conquered the disease at that time, it left her blind. It was during her rehabilitation from that first bout of cancer when she became a drag racing fan as she realized she could hear, smell, and feel the ground-pounding acceleration of 10,000-horsepower dragsters.

Another fight against cancer came a few years later, but once again Tacey emerged victorious, and her unwavering spirit made her an obvious choice for Shirley's Kids, the 501(c)3 charity Muldowney and the Holts started earlier this year. The stated goal of Shirley's Kids is to help a child in need at each of the stops of the NHRA tour that Muldowney visits. So far, three deserving children have been named "Shirley's Kids."

"It touches your heart to be able to help these wonderful children," said Muldowney as she clutched Tacey near. "It's given my life purpose, and for companies like Shell to get involved and help us with our mission, it fills me with happiness. Thank you, thank you, thank you to Shell. Your reward is this beautiful smiling girl."

Chiboroski, marketing manager for Shell, said supporting Shirley's Kids became a priority for his company soon after they learned of the group's work. Additionally, during Sunday's check presentation to Tacey, he issued a challenge to all the other corporations involved with NHRA drag racing.

"It was an honor for us to be able to help the Raulersons and Shirley's Kids," Chiboroski said. "Shell and our Pennzoil brand have a long history of charitable contributions and our involvement in NHRA drag racing is increasing, so it was natural for us to get involved with Shirley's Kids. Now we want to challenge all the other companies involved in the sport to step up and match our contribution."

For more information, visit ShirleysKids.org.

 John Chiboroski of Shell, left, helps present a $10,000 check to Tacey Raulerson (center, with hat and sunglasses) along with, from left, Stan Holt, Shirley Muldowney, Sheila Holt, Mike Raulerson (partially obscured), and Geoff Seamon.

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®.

*Kline & Company, "Global Lubricants Industry July 2015: Market Analysis and Assessment.

Please visit ShirleysKids.org, Muldowney.com, and GeigerMediaGlobal.com for more information.

Erica Enders to put spotlight on Shirley's Kids charity at Houston race

HOUSTON (April 27) -- Shirley's Kids, the charity headed by legendary drag racer Shirley Muldowney, will adorn Erica Enders' Elite Motorsports/Mopar Dodge at the 29th annual NHRA SpringNationals this weekend at Royal Purple Raceway.

Shirley's Kids' mission is to lend a hand to children in need in the markets where drag racing has become a part of the community.

"Shirley's Kids has already impacted the lives of two amazing kids and their families, and I'm happy to carry its logo this weekend," Enders said. "Shirley did a lot for this sport, and she continues to help others through Shirley's Kids."

The Shirley's Kids-adorned Dodge is made possible through the generous contribution of Lupe Tortilla Mexican Restaurants. None of the money donated to Shirley's Kids goes to the sponsorship of Enders' race car, as Lupe Tortilla is providing all of the funding.

Lupe Tortilla has been voted the No. 1 Tex-Mex restaurant in Texas on numerous occasions, with locations across Houston as well as San Antonio, Austin, Beaumont, Katy, and College Station.

"Stan and Sheila Holt have done so much for Shirley's Kids," Muldowney said. "I can't thank them enough for helping the kids at the races we go to, and now to see Shirley's Kids on Erica's car is icing on the cake. They are trying their best to help us spread the word so we can help more children."

Muldowney is slated to attend several NHRA national events in 2016 as Shirley's Kids continues to help children in need. The next race on her schedule is this weekend in Houston. She also will attend races in Atlanta, Englishtown, Bristol, Denver, Indy, the second Charlotte event, Dallas, Las Vegas, and Pomona, as well as the Jr. Drag Racing Western Conference Finals in Tulsa, Okla.

For more information, visit www.ShirleysKids.org.

Shirley's Kids is a 501(c)3 non-profit charity created to help children in need. Because its namesake, four-time world champion Shirley Muldowney, has lived her life in drag racing, the organization first seeks out deserving children within the drag racing community. Recipients may be struggling with medical issues or financial hardships brought on by a personal or family tragedy. Because of corporate support, 100 percent of all proceeds raised go directly to the designated children.

Shirley's Kids, the charity headed by legendary drag racer Shirley Muldowney, will adorn Erica Enders' Elite Motorsports/Mopar Dodge at the NHRA SpringNationals this weekend in Houston.

Please visit ShirleysKids.org and GeigerMediaGlobal.com for more information.

Shirley's Kids provides 'awesome' day in Charlotte for 6-year-old Kevin Bean

CHARLOTTE (April 26) -- Shirley's Kids, the charity headed by NHRA legend Shirley Muldowney, had another successful weekend in its quest to lend a hand to children in need in the markets where drag racing has become a part of the community.

Muldowney welcomed 6-year-old Kevin Bean and his family to the seventh annual NHRA Four-Wide Nationals presented by Lowes Foods on Sunday at zMax Dragway. Through a donation underwritten by Stan and Sheila Holt of Lupe Tortilla Mexican Restaurant, Shirley's Kids presented Kevin and his family a $5,000 check to help with medical expenses related to Kevin's recovery from brain cancer.

Plus, the lovable and precocious Kevin was given VIP treatment throughout the day.

"Kevin called it 'que padre,' which means 'biggest thing ever,' " his father, Jim Bean, said. "It was a complete day of shock. It will probably take a week to come down from that, a month to absorb it all, probably a year to understand it, and a whole lifetime to remember. It was quite amazing."

During driver introductions before Sunday's eliminations, Kevin was brought on stage with Muldowney, who told a crowd of 50,000 people all about Shirley's Kids. Kevin and his family were then surprised with a $5,000 check from the charity, with Muldowney telling her new friend to "take some of this and go to Toys 'R' Us and have a ball."

Kevin was a hit with the many NHRA drivers he met during the day, as he and his family spent a lot of time in the track's pit area.

"It was pretty awesome," Jim Bean said. "The racetrack, the drivers, the staff, everything. It was completely incredible. Everyone invited us in, and it was like there weren't any strangers. Jack Beckman even let Kevin help him pack his parachute, and Kevin got to play in the track's play area. It was all so awesome.

"This was probably the most excited I've ever seen him. We've been a lot of places and have seen a lot of things, but he just couldn't get over how awesome the whole deal was. It was so special."

Muldowney is slated to attend several NHRA national events in 2016 as Shirley's Kids continues to help children in need. The next race on her schedule is this weekend in Houston. She also will attend races in Atlanta, Englishtown, Bristol, Denver, Indy, the second Charlotte event, Dallas, Las Vegas, and Pomona, as well as the Jr. Drag Racing Western Conference Finals in Tulsa, Okla.

For more information or to help support the cause, visit ShirleysKids.org.

Shirley's Kids is a 501(c)3 non-profit charity created to help children in need. Because the charity's namesake, four-time world champion Shirley Muldowney, has lived her life in drag racing, the organization first seeks out deserving children within the drag racing community. Recipients may be struggling with medical issues or financial hardships brought on by a personal or family tragedy. Because of corporate support, Shirley's Kids proudly declares that 100 percent of all proceeds raised go directly to the designated children.

"I was really impressed with Shirley and her team," Bean said. "Nicci (Gustavus), Rob (Geiger), and Frank (Bellini) made Kevin's day. And I also can't wait to thank Stan and Sheila Holt in person one day. They are Kevin's angels."

Shirley Muldowney welcomed Kevin Bean and his family to the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals presented by Lowes Foods on Sunday at zMax Dragway. Shirley's Kids presented them with a $5,000 check to help with medical expenses related to Kevin's recovery from brain cancer.

Please visit ShirleysKids.org, Muldowney.com, and GeigerMediaGlobal.com for more information.

Drag racing legend Shirley Muldowney speaks on BBC World News

CHARLOTTE (April 20) -- Drag racing legend Shirley Muldowney appeared on BBC World News today, speaking with Ben Bland about comments made by Formula One Group Chief Executive Bernie Ecclestone that women couldn't handle an F1 car.

 

Muldowney is a three-time NHRA Top Fuel world champion who paved the way for female drivers in the sport. Her comments were heard in 192 million households worldwide.

 

Here is a transcript of the interview:

 

Ben Bland: A Facebook viewer wrote, saying, there are a number of sports women don't undertake because they lack the physical ability, F1 being one of them. They should remain in sports they are comfortable doing. Shirley, your thoughts?

 

Muldowney: My thoughts are, in our form of motorsport -- and I must disagree with (past F1 test driver) Susie (Wolff) only because I might be a bit partial -- the 10,000-horsepower cars that we drive, fueled by nitromethane, are in fact the fastest race cars in the world and the most demanding and the most challenging. And she mentioned several times, using the word performing. Well that's fine, you can go out there and perform for the crowd, but my motto is, not performing ... winning. That's the bottom line. That's why I'm out there. I'm not out there because I'm a woman, I'm not out there because I am trying to prove anything, and I'm not out there because I want to prove Mr. Ecclestone to be a bonehead, but winning is the bottom line. That's what it's all about.

 

Bland: I know this has generated a lot of emotion, but we should probably keep the language a little tailored.

 

Muldowney: Oh, well that's not bad language. Here in the States, that just pretty much signifies a knucklehead, someone who says some of the things I read that he said. It's pretty degrading, really. I'm a 50-year veteran in the sport of NHRA drag racing. I've won four championships (three NHRA and one AHRA) and I've had the pole position 18 times in my career, and to listen to this man just degrade everything that any other woman has done out there, myself included, is a little bit of a put-down.

 

Speed Sisters Director Amber Fares, who has made a documentary about the first all-woman race car team in the Middle East: There's a whole racing scene happening in the Middle East, and they are encouraging women to come out and race with them, and I'm thinking that if it can happen in the Middle East, then couldn't it happen anywhere else in the world?

 

Muldowney: It already has happened. It happened back in 1971 when the NHRA, the first to accept women on an equal basis, allowed me to come into the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis and get my feet wet. And I'll admit, I missed qualifying by .02 of a second -- that's a lot in our sport -- but I dug in and scratched my way from the bottom right up through the ranks and reached the pinnacle. I reached the top of our sport.

 

I wanted to go out there and teach them the right way to do it, show the fellas the way home, and no one gave me a quarter. I did it all by myself, with good people. Well, I didn't do it all by myself, I need to retract that, but with great crewmembers, and I always had my own equipment. I was the boss, and it kinda looks like I called the right shots when you look at history.

 

Bland: Shirley, I would be interested to hear you and Jutta (Kleinschmidt) compare your experiences in racing and the attitudes you encountered in racing.

 

Muldowney: Wooo, attitude? Come on over here and I'll show you some attitude because we have some very intense drivers over here. Most of them are not just drivers, they don't just show up with their helmet in one hand and a first-class boarding pass in the other. They come with their own equipment, they build their cars and engines, they maintain things, they tune it, and they drive it. They are kinda like a one-man band, and what a great job our drivers do. That's the foundation of the NHRA. You must start at the bottom and work your way on up to the top.

 

We have several ladies out there that are getting the pole position, they are winning the big races. This weekend we have the Four-Wide Nationals. That's four Top Fuel cars racing at once; that's 40,000 horsepower. It is really a sight to see, and the women that are competing know what they are doing.

 

 

 I started with the sport in its infancy and I grew with it. I was the first woman, and they hated me. They did everything they could to outwit me, to make life difficult, but you know, I didn't go to the corner and cry, I just got even. And I'll tell you where I got even: right on the starting line and on the finish line. That was my taste of glory, and I dwell on it. I love the way I did it because if I had done it any other way, I would not have made the grade.

 

Bland to Jessica King, 18-year-old from the UK also on the line: Jessica, you have the opportunity to get advice from two very inspiring role models on the line, Ms. Shirley Muldowney and Jutta Kleinschmidt; is there anything you want to ask them?

 

Jessica: How did you do it? What benefits you? How can I get to where you are?

 

Muldowney: I'll raise my hand. When you said "program" earlier, I assumed you meant sponsorship programs. (Yes) That's the hardest part, to be able to secure the funding to go out there and buy the right parts and pieces and the right components and be able to afford the people who really know what they are doing. You cannot do this all on your own. I suffered from day one with finding the money to race, but I was able to keep my head above water for 33 years in nitro racing, which is unheard of, to be able to run these cars and compete on a national level. Between personal appearances, souvenir sales, guaranteed appearance money, and winning, that is how I did it for three decades. My biggest problem always was sponsorship.

 

One thing you need to do is build relationships in this industry with everyone. Cater to the press; you don't pass on interviews, you don't not show up. These are the people who vote for Hall of Fame positions, and that is something you can take to the bank, a Hall of Fame position. I'm in 11 Halls of Fame and I'm pretty proud of that, and those where all voted by the media, so you must treat them the way they deserve to be treated.

 

Also, you might want to have rich parents or be in the right place at the right time. It's a hard thing to do, and I can't tell you exactly how to do it because that is something I was never able to achieve except with one company, Goodyear Tire & Rubber, and I had a wonderful relationship with them for 45 years. In fact, I am very proud that I was (friends with) the world racing director for Goodyear, a man named Leo Mehl. They asked me to be his presenter when he was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame, and I was just blown away. I was so excited and so impressed and I thought, "I have finally made it."

 

Please visit ShirleysKids.org, Muldowney.com, and GeigerMediaGlobal.com for more information.

Shirley Muldowney to return at select races in support of Shirley's Kids charity

HOUSTON (March 9) -- Iconic drag racing figure Shirley "Cha Cha" Muldowney will return to NHRA drag racing in 2016 at select stops on the schedule in support of the newly created Shirley's Kids charity, which aims to help children in need.

"Drag racing has given me a wonderful life, and Shirley's Kids will allow me to give something back," Muldowney said. "With the tremendous support of Stan and Sheila Holt of Lupe Tortilla Mexican Restaurants and several corporate sponsors -- that list keeps growing -- I'll be able to attend a bunch of races and visit with all of my friends and the great fans that have been with me for four-plus decades."

Shirley's Kids (www.ShirleysKids.org) has a stated goal of helping children in need at each of the races Muldowney attends in the coming year. The hope is to find children who are somehow connected to drag racing in the various communities that have helped the sport prosper through the years.

"I wanted to be back out there more than I have been the last several years, but I wanted a purpose," Muldowney said. "When my agent, Rob Geiger of Geiger Media Global, approached me with the idea to create a non-profit to benefit children, I probably had the quickest reaction time of my career in saying yes.

"By starting our own 501(c)(3) charity, we will know exactly where all of the money goes, and that's to the kids. Other charities become businesses and a lot of money ends up going to a lot of different areas, not the beneficiaries. We didn't want that to happen, so we've taken all the legal steps to control everything. It's the best way we know to make sure the kids are taken care of every time, and we will be fully transparent."

Muldowney is slated to attend the NHRA national events Gainesville, Charlotte (both spring and fall), Houston, Atlanta, Englishtown, Bristol, Denver, Indy, Dallas, Las Vegas 2, and Pomona 2, as well as the Jr. Drag Racing Western Conference Finals in Tulsa, Okla. Other events may be added throughout the year.

Working in conjunction with NHRA, Muldowney will mingle with fans and spread the message about Shirley's Kids all around the racetrack. The charity also has a race car in the works that will be raffled off to raise money. The car, which will be a replica of Muldowney's 1977 championship-winning dragster, will be built to run in the Super Comp category and at bracket races. It will be on display in the Manufacturers Midway.

In an effort to be highly visible, the three-time NHRA champ will present a big check to a select child at each race during driver introductions on Sunday morning.

"Many, many thanks to NHRA President Peter Clifford and his staff for their help in getting this started," Muldowney said. "They have been so gracious and supportive and I thank them from my heart.

"I'm excited. You know, at 75 and with the injuries I sustained in my career really catching up with me, my driving days are over, but that doesn't mean I can't be a part of this wonderful world, and helping kids just makes it that much sweeter."

Fans interested in learning more about Shirley's Kids can visit www.ShirleysKids.org. On the site, there is an area where donations can be made, with thank-you gifts up for grabs. There will also be a line of Muldowney apparel and gear available at the PiranaZ souvenir trailer.

Iconic drag racing figure Shirley "Cha Cha" Muldowney will return to NHRA drag racing in 2016 at select stops on the schedule in support of the newly created Shirley's Kids charity.

Please visit ShirleysKids.org, Muldowney.com, and GeigerMediaGlobal.com for more information.

Iconic drag racing figure Shirley "Cha Cha" Muldowney will return to NHRA drag racing in 2016 at select stops on the schedule in support of the newly created Shirley's Kids charity.

Legendary Shirley Muldowney to serve as Honorary Starter at Gatornationals

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 4) — NHRA legend Shirley Muldowney will serve as the Honorary Starter for the 47th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, March 18-20 at Gainesville Raceway.

“I’m honored that Amalie thought of me and I’m really excited to get back out to the races and see all the fans and my buddies in the pits,” Muldowney said. “Who doesn’t want to visit Florida for spring break? It’ll be fun.”

Muldowney’s grit and determination helped pave the way for the current generation of female superstars, like two-time Pro Stock champion Erica Enders, one of Muldowney’s favorite drivers. Muldowney herself was a true pioneer, as she was the first woman to earn a Top Fuel license, to win a national event, and to win a championship in any form of professional motorsports.

“Amalie is so happy that Shirley Muldowney has agreed to be the Honorary Starter for the 47th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals,” said Amalie Sr. Vice President of Global Sales & Marketing Dennis J. Madden. “Shirley represents all that is good about NHRA racing. To be sure, she was one of the people to help drag racing become the sport it is today and she is still a huge presence in the sport. We are happy that Amalie and Shirley have had such a long and mutually beneficial relationship.”

Muldowney is a three-time Top Fuel champion, teaming with Amalie Motor Oil for her 1977 and 1980 titles and for numerous national event victories. She’s also a two-time winner of the Gatornationals, winning at Gainesville Raceway in 1981 and 1982.

“I had a great partnership with Amalie,” Muldowney said. “I really loved my time with them, and our relationship was better than it had to be, just like their slogan says. Amalie really worked in our race cars. I swore by it.”

In addition to her duties as Honorary Starter, Muldowney will make several appearances during the weekend, including numerous autograph sessions at the PiranaZ merchandise trailer.

Muldowney became the first woman to earn an NHRA Top Fuel license in 1965, and a year later she became the first woman to win an NHRA national event when she won in Stock at the Winternationals in Pomona, Calif.

She became the first woman to win in Top Fuel when she reached the winner’s circle in Columbus, Ohio, in 1976. She won Top Fuel championships in 1977, 1980, and 1982.

Muldowney and Lucille Lee were the first two women to meet in a Top Fuel final in 1982, a mark recently matched by Leah Pritchett and Brittany Force in Phoenix.

Visit GeigerMediaGlobal.com for more information.