Shirley Muldowney 'Early Stocker'

[Paul Ceasrine]

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]

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]

Not a 'Stocker'

[Paul Ceasrine]

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.