[DeTomaso] Just sounds like a Drew story - NPC

[P6746 at aol.com]

Last weekend I had occasion to be  at the Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino in 
Chandler, AZ, which is just across  the road from Firebird raceway.  When 
making arrangements with the hotel, I  told them of my desire to arrive early 
to take in the NHRA finals on Sunday, and  was told there would be a ticket 
for me upon my arrival.  Low and behold  they gave me two tickets, so I 
called my friend Dick Karpinski in  Scottsdale and we decided to meet and go 
the race on Sunday.  In case you  hadn't noticed, the ambient temperature (in 
the shade) on Sunday was 101, and  the track got up to 139.  Needless to say 
we were being broiled in the  stands, so after an hour or so we decided to 
come back to the hotel and watch  the race at an air conditioned bar.  About 
4:30 or so Dick had to leave to  get back to his family, so I'm sitting 
there watching the race, and an elderly  gentleman in a baseball cap, hotrod 
tshirt, jeans and cowboy boots, sits down  next to me.  Know who that 
gentleman was?... none other that Big Daddy  himself, Don Garlits.  I introduce 
myself, and tell him "Don, you probably  don't remember this, but I met you at 
the Lebenon Valley NY dragway  in 1967".  To which he replys "I remember 
that, Miller and I were on a  shoot out tour".  Then we sat back and watched the 
race.  About 20  minutes later, this very attractive, gray haired woman 
shows up...guess  who?  Yep, it's Shirley "Cha Cha" Muldowney.  Shirley is  
originally from here in Schenectady. (suggest you rent "Heart Like a Wheel" 
with  Bonnie Bedelia and Beau Bridges or at least wikipedia it)  I get talking 
to  Shirley and mention how we both used to race at the Fonda drag strip in 
the  early 60's (but not against each other) and how she used to beat 
everybody with  her Corvette.  I knew her ex husband Jack Muldowney, but I let her 
bring  him up first.  She said she always liked Jack, and I remember him  
driving up to Montreal to see her after her accident in 1984. (Jack  was 
doing top chops on '49 & '50 Mercurys and shoe box Fords right up to his  death) 
 
    When I relay my excellent adventure to  people, I'm constantly asked 
"did you get a picture"?  Well no, but I  did get their autographs.
Neat huh?
Bob Reid