Shirley Muldowney 'Early Stocker' - Page 4

Paul Ceasrine · 04-01-2013, 07:10 AM

North Hudson Dragstrip, New York

Way up there in Essex County, off of Route 9, East of Schroon Lake.

Lake George Country

About 150 Miles - north of Albany, New York

Also, about {2 Hours} north of South Glens Falls Dragstrip.

Difficult to get to before 1966. Then when the Northway {I-87} opened up, with access off of Exits 29 or 30, it was a little easier.

Attracted 'drag racers' from the surrounding area;
Port Henry, Ticonderoga, Lake Placid, Plattsburg, Malone and the Adirondack area.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A 'sparsley' populated Town, where about a 'dozen' local Businessmen got together and built a 1/4 Mile Dragstrip in {1964}

Ran on Saturday Night's (Summertime) and Sundays (Spring and Fall).

Primarily a 'local track', for the 'Far North Upstate Gearheads'.

Shirley Muldowney 'drag raced' there a couple of times during the Summer 'vacation season'.

They held a yearly 'Gasser Meet', and a 'Junior Fueler Dragster' event..

In the mid-60's, a handful of { B-Level } "AWB Match Race Events" and the usual 'Wheelstander' appearance during the Summer.

They did hold a 'very big' Super Stock Meet every August, which was their 'highlight event of the year'.

Mostly 'local' { Stockers, Modified Street Cars, and Gassers }, with a few Super Stockers and Competition cars.

Car Counts in the 150+ range.

Hey Day......'1965 thru 1971'.

Closed in 1974.

ss wannabee · 04-01-2013, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Ceasrine

North Hudson Dragstrip, New York

Way up there in Essex County, off of Route 9, East of Schroon Lake.

Lake George Country

About 150 Miles - north of Albany, New York

Also, about {2 Hours} north of South Glens Falls Dragstrip.

Difficult to get to before 1966. Then when the Northway {I-87} opened up, with access off of Exits 29 or 30, it was a little easier.

Attracted 'drag racers' from the surrounding area;
Port Henry, Ticonderoga, Lake Placid, Plattsburg, Malone and the Adirondack area.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A 'sparsley' populated Town, where about a 'dozen' local Businessmen got together and built a 1/4 Mile Dragstrip in {1963}

Ran on Saturday Night's (Summertime) and Sundays (Spring and Fall).

Primarily a 'local track', for the 'Far North Upstate Gearheads'.

Shirley Muldowney 'drag raced' there a couple of times during the Summer 'vacation season'.

They held an occassional 'Gasser Meet', and a few 'Junior Fueler Dragsters' events.

They did hold a 'very big' Super Stock Meet every Summer in August, which was their 'highlight event of the year'.

Mostly 'local' 'Stockers and Gassers', with a few Super Stockers and Competition cars.

Car Counts in the 125 to 150 range.

Hey Day......'1967 thru 1971'.

Closed in 1974.

Wouldn't have a photo of this track, would you? Again Paul, thanks very much! Very interesting thread about Shirley's early career..most of which I did not know...

Wasn't aware of her activity in the stock classes...Did know about the Corvette...(maybe from the movie)...but that was it....

Really impressed by the amount of tracks in the western New England / eastern NY State area back in the day...one wouldn't think there was much of a chance for them...given the hills and mountains there...

And she ran at Milton...and North Hudson.....cool!

Paul Ceasrine · 04-02-2013, 10:02 AM

Rico,

Mark did the research, and compiled the 'History'

1958 and 1959

58' Chevrolet Biscayne 348/315 HP '3 x 2 Barrel'

1958....SS/S...'Super Stock/Stick'
1959....SS/S...'Super Stock/Stick'

Stock Cars that had a 'Wt/Hp' {Weight-to-Horsepower} Factor 'under' 12.60 Wt/Hp were classed in Super Stock.

Back in those days, 'stock' was 'Strictly Stock'.

Gear ratio's were limited to, what was only available from the factory in a dealer ordered car.

No modifications for 'floor shifters', only what the car came though with from the factory.

Three-Speed column shifted cars, had to maintain the 'stock' unit.

No 'visible' modifications to the Carburetor or Distributor.

No traction devices.

Stock Tire sizes {7.50 x 14"} could be 'increased' only by 'one size' over the factory stock width.

The 58' Biscyane '348/315 HP "Super Turbo-Thrust' with the 'Police Package' was the 'Hot Ticket' for 1958.

With the 'optional'..Borg-Warner T-10 4-Speed with Floor Shifter, and 4.11 Gears with Posi-Traction made
the 1958 Biscayne a potent car.

This 'package' was capable of 15.20's @ 92 MPH - right off the 'Dealership Lot'.

That's why it was labeled as the 'Street Racer Special'.

1958 and 1959 Stock Classifications

Paul Ceasrine · 04-02-2013, 08:34 PM

Rico,

Utica-Rome Speewday (Vernon, New York)

In Operation....1961 thru 1977

1/8 Mile Dragstrip

Saturday Nights

Shirley Muldowney would run there with her 63' Corvette in match races with Phil Castronovo of Utica-Rome, New York.

Phil raced a 63' Ford Galaxie 'Hardtop' with a 406/405 'Tri-Power', Classed in 'B/S' {B/Stock} in 1963 and 1964.

Shirley ran her 63' 'black' Corvette 327/300 HP in 'C/SP' {C/Sport} in both 1963 and 1964.

Phil would go to Shirley's Home Track (Fonda Speedway Dragstrip) on Wednesday Nights.

And Shirley would got to Phil's Home Track (Utica-Rome Dragway) on Saturday Nights.

Usually 'Summer Match Races'.

Both ran around 13.40's @ 105 MPH.

Paul Ceasrine · 04-10-2013, 09:35 AM

Not a 'Stocker'

Paul Ceasrine · 05-15-2014, 07:42 PM

October 9, 1963

The Troy Record

Lots of Trophies on the Rack

23 year-old Shirley Muldowney of Schenectady, New York is one of the most successful Drag Racer
drivers around.

The attractive driver from upstate New York who goes by the name of 'Cha Cha' is now driving a
1963 Plymouth Fury 426/415 HP Super Stock car in Top Stock Eliminator 'S/SA'.

The car she is driving, is owned by 20 year-old Stan Newman of Cohoes, New York and is sponsored
by Whitlock Motors of Troy, New York.

The 63' Plymouth has won '42' Class Trophies this year, to go along with '21' Top Stock Eliminator wins.

In a recent event at Milton Speedway in Vermont, Shirley put down a 12.30 @ 115.78 MPH, making her
one of the fastest female Super Stock drivers in the country.

Shirley's goal, is to make it to the NHRA Indy Nationals.

Stan, who owns the Plymouth Fury has driven the car to most of the Super/Stock wins.

The 'main competition' comes from Charlie Lendrum of nearby Westerlo, New York - who drives a
1963 Dodge 'Aluminum-Nose' 426/425 HP Max-Wedge.

Shirley who has registered over '200' Class Wins, has been Drag Racing for 5-years {since 1958}. She
primarily drives a Corvette, and has been entered in the following Classes of;
* C/MSP {Modified Sports}
* C/SP {Sports Class}
* A/SP {Sport Class}

She has campaigned at Fonda Speedway, Glens Falls Dragway, Lebanon Valley Dragway and Dover
Drag Strip.in New York, and at Milton Speedway in Vermont.

When she's not Drag Racing, Shirley drives a 'brand new' 1964 Corvette. The 'gold' fiberglass sports car
is usually seen on the streets of Schenectady.

Shirley also builds 'Aquariums' for customers in the Tri-City area.

04-01-2013, 07:10 AM	#31
Paul Ceasrine VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 2,546 Likes: 0 Liked 10 Times in 10 Posts	Re: Shirley Muldowney 'Early Stocker' North Hudson Dragstrip, New York Way up there in Essex County, off of Route 9, East of Schroon Lake. Lake George Country About 150 Miles - north of Albany, New York Also, about {2 Hours} north of South Glens Falls Dragstrip. Difficult to get to before 1966. Then when the Northway {I-87} opened up, with access off of Exits 29 or 30, it was a little easier. Attracted 'drag racers' from the surrounding area; Port Henry, Ticonderoga, Lake Placid, Plattsburg, Malone and the Adirondack area. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A 'sparsley' populated Town, where about a 'dozen' local Businessmen got together and built a 1/4 Mile Dragstrip in {1964} Ran on Saturday Night's (Summertime) and Sundays (Spring and Fall). Primarily a 'local track', for the 'Far North Upstate Gearheads'. Shirley Muldowney 'drag raced' there a couple of times during the Summer 'vacation season'. They held a yearly 'Gasser Meet', and a 'Junior Fueler Dragster' event.. In the mid-60's, a handful of { B-Level } "AWB Match Race Events" and the usual 'Wheelstander' appearance during the Summer. They did hold a 'very big' Super Stock Meet every August, which was their 'highlight event of the year'. Mostly 'local' { Stockers, Modified Street Cars, and Gassers }, with a few Super Stockers and Competition cars. Car Counts in the 150+ range. Hey Day......'1965 thru 1971'. Closed in 1974. Last edited by Paul Ceasrine; 04-02-2013 at 09:10 PM.

04-02-2013, 10:02 AM	#33
Paul Ceasrine VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 2,546 Likes: 0 Liked 10 Times in 10 Posts	Re: Shirley Muldowney 'Early Stocker' Rico, Mark did the research, and compiled the 'History' 1958 and 1959 58' Chevrolet Biscayne 348/315 HP '3 x 2 Barrel' 1958....SS/S...'Super Stock/Stick' 1959....SS/S...'Super Stock/Stick' Stock Cars that had a 'Wt/Hp' {Weight-to-Horsepower} Factor 'under' 12.60 Wt/Hp were classed in Super Stock. Back in those days, 'stock' was 'Strictly Stock'. Gear ratio's were limited to, what was only available from the factory in a dealer ordered car. No modifications for 'floor shifters', only what the car came though with from the factory. Three-Speed column shifted cars, had to maintain the 'stock' unit. No 'visible' modifications to the Carburetor or Distributor. No traction devices. Stock Tire sizes {7.50 x 14"} could be 'increased' only by 'one size' over the factory stock width. The 58' Biscyane '348/315 HP "Super Turbo-Thrust' with the 'Police Package' was the 'Hot Ticket' for 1958. With the 'optional'..Borg-Warner T-10 4-Speed with Floor Shifter, and 4.11 Gears with Posi-Traction made the 1958 Biscayne a potent car. This 'package' was capable of 15.20's @ 92 MPH - right off the 'Dealership Lot'. That's why it was labeled as the 'Street Racer Special'. 1958 and 1959 Stock Classifications Last edited by Paul Ceasrine; 04-02-2013 at 10:48 AM.

04-02-2013, 08:34 PM	#34
Paul Ceasrine VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 2,546 Likes: 0 Liked 10 Times in 10 Posts	Re: Shirley Muldowney 'Early Stocker' Rico, Utica-Rome Speewday (Vernon, New York) In Operation....1961 thru 1977 1/8 Mile Dragstrip Saturday Nights Shirley Muldowney would run there with her 63' Corvette in match races with Phil Castronovo of Utica-Rome, New York. Phil raced a 63' Ford Galaxie 'Hardtop' with a 406/405 'Tri-Power', Classed in 'B/S' {B/Stock} in 1963 and 1964. Shirley ran her 63' 'black' Corvette 327/300 HP in 'C/SP' {C/Sport} in both 1963 and 1964. Phil would go to Shirley's Home Track (Fonda Speedway Dragstrip) on Wednesday Nights. And Shirley would got to Phil's Home Track (Utica-Rome Dragway) on Saturday Nights. Usually 'Summer Match Races'. Both ran around 13.40's @ 105 MPH. Last edited by Paul Ceasrine; 04-02-2013 at 08:42 PM.

04-10-2013, 09:35 AM	#35
Paul Ceasrine VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 2,546 Likes: 0 Liked 10 Times in 10 Posts	Re: Shirley Muldowney 'Early Stocker' Not a 'Stocker'

05-15-2014, 07:42 PM	#36
Paul Ceasrine VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 2,546 Likes: 0 Liked 10 Times in 10 Posts	Re: Shirley Muldowney 'Early Stocker' October 9, 1963 The Troy Record *Lots of Trophies on the Rack* 23 year-old Shirley Muldowney of Schenectady, New York is one of the most successful Drag Racer drivers around. The attractive driver from upstate New York who goes by the name of 'Cha Cha'* is now driving a* 1963 Plymouth Fury 426/415 HP Super Stock car in Top Stock Eliminator 'S/SA'. The car she is driving, is owned by 20 year-old Stan Newman of Cohoes, New York and is sponsored by Whitlock Motors of Troy, New York. The 63' Plymouth has won '42' Class Trophies this year, to go along with '21' Top Stock Eliminator wins. In a recent event at Milton Speedway in Vermont, Shirley put down a 12.30 @ 115.78 MPH, making her one of the fastest female Super Stock drivers in the country. Shirley's goal, is to make it to the NHRA Indy Nationals. Stan, who owns the Plymouth Fury has driven the car to most of the Super/Stock wins. The 'main competition' comes from Charlie Lendrum of nearby Westerlo, New York - who drives a 1963 Dodge 'Aluminum-Nose' 426/425 HP Max-Wedge. Shirley who has registered over '200' Class Wins, has been Drag Racing for 5-years {since 1958}. She primarily drives a Corvette, and has been entered in the following Classes of; * C/MSP {Modified Sports} * C/SP {Sports Class} * A/SP {Sport Class} She has campaigned at Fonda Speedway, Glens Falls Dragway, Lebanon Valley Dragway and Dover Drag Strip.in New York, and at Milton Speedway in Vermont. When she's not Drag Racing, Shirley drives a 'brand new' 1964 Corvette. The 'gold' fiberglass sports car is usually seen on the streets of Schenectady. Shirley also builds 'Aquariums' for customers in the Tri-City area. Last edited by Paul Ceasrine; 05-16-2014 at 06:15 AM.