Original subtitles

When I was little, Pop scared me when he drove.

I wanted him to slow down, he drove so fast.

Come on.

Put your hand on the wheel.

Here we go.

See you tomorrow, Libby.

Bye, Shirl.

Is that the famous Muldowney work?

Yeah, well, it's better than the piece of shit you're driving.

Ooo, you wish.

So, this is the famous Sonny Rigotti?

Hey, no lie.

I think Jack can take you.

Easy.

Will you get a load of this?

I know he can.

How much do you know?

25.

Mickey'll hold the money.

Get it.

Jack, when are you gonna ask him?

Tomorrow. Tomorrow, honey.

You said that yesterday.

I know, I know, but it's too late.

Good night.

Hey, Shirl!

I'm gonna ask him tonight.

Tonight, God damn it!

♪♪ Some folks are built like this ♪♪

♪♪ Some folks are built like that ♪♪

♪♪ But the way I'm built ♪♪

♪♪ Don't you call me fat ♪♪

♪♪ 'Cause I'm built for comfort ♪♪

♪♪ I ain't built for speed ♪♪

♪♪ But I got everything ♪♪

♪♪ All a good girl needs ♪♪

♪♪ I ain't got no diamonds ♪♪

♪♪ I ain't got no gold ♪♪

♪♪ I'll I have is love ♪♪

♪♪ To satisfy your soul ♪♪

♪♪ 'Cause I'm built for comfort ♪♪

♪♪ I ain't built for speed ♪♪

♪♪ But I got everything ♪♪

♪♪ All a good girl needs ♪♪

♪♪ Said I got everything ♪♪

♪♪ All a good girl needs ♪♪

Hi, Pop.

Shirley Ann, what are you doin'? Does your momma know you're here?

Jack's got somethin' he wants to ask you.

I want you to meet somebody.

Well, Mr. Roque... Mr. Roque? Tex.

Well, sir, Tex... I want you to meet these people, these are my friends.

Tex, Tex. Hide your money, the champ is back!

Look out, Fred.

Hey, fellas, I want you to meet my little filly.

Hi, honey.

Do you want to play, Jack? No, sir.

Fellas, Jack Muldowney, he's a fine guy.

Good steady kid.

He's not like that lousy bum of a son you got, Matt.

Ain't that the truth.

Hey, Charlie, bring a chair over for Jack, huh?

Um, no thank you, sir.

That's not the reason I came here.

The main reason I came here...

Just don't let your momma know where you got it. Mr. Roque.

Mr. Roque, Shirley and I want to get married.

Is that right?

Spread 'em around. Uh, yes, sir, that's right.

We talked a lot about it and that's the way it is.

Look, I wouldn't want to do it without your permission, sir.

But you would, wouldn't you?

You'd do it anyway.

Yes, I'd do it anyway.

But I'd hate to see it come to that.

You and me are gonna have a little talk.

Deal me out, fellas.

Go ahead, play.

Don't give me that look.

I was just tryin' to see if the kid had guts.

He asked you, didn't he? I want to marry him, Pop.

Look, he's a good kid, but he's still a kid.

Aw, Pop.

Now, your sister, she's got a good education,

she's got good grades, she's gonna be all right.

I'm gonna be all right, too.

Jack's got a good job.

He's gonna take good care of me.

Shirley Ann, don't get me wrong.

I like Jack.

I mean, if he was a lousy bum, I wouldn't let him into my house.

But, lady, there's one thing you've got to remember.

There's not a man anywhere who is worth giving up

your ability to take care of yourself.

I know that. I can take care of myself, I always have.

Look, that doesn't change anything.

I still want to see a high school diploma

with the name Shirley Ann Muldowney on it.

Oh, Pop. I love you, Pop.

The key to my heart!

Sucka!

I love you, Pop.

You got nothing to worry about. I'll take good care of her.

We'll come by and visit all the time, Mrs. Roque.

See you later, alligator.

Wooo!

Now, listen.

All right, right here...

I'm going to have two service bays, right?

Extend it out like that.

Get a wide deluxe soda machine.

Ooo, dig this idea.

You know those umbrella things?

They, like, they extend out a little bit.

And I would have, like, lights over each pump.

That sign is gone.

And, uh, back here, in my office, behind my desk,

a picture of you.

Oh, Jack.

Yep. It's gonna be great.

As soon as I get back to town,

I gotta go to the bank, put the payment down.

It's gonna be a goddamn gold mine.

Think we'll be able to buy a house?

I been thinkin' about that already.

Oh, Jack.

♪♪ My love must be a kind of blind love ♪♪

♪♪ I can't see anyone but you ♪♪

♪♪ Sha bop sha bop ♪♪

♪♪ Sha bop sha bop ♪♪

♪♪ Are the stars out tonight? ♪♪

♪♪ I don't know if it's cloudy or bright ♪♪

♪♪ I only have eyes ♪♪

♪♪ For you ♪♪

Hey, how you doin', Muldowney.

Mrs. Muldowney.

Listen, the guys and I were talkin'

and we decided, hey, why don't we come down here

and give the chicken another chance.

Well, what do you say, Jack?

No?

Okay.

Jack, come on. You can do it.

You got it all over him.

Maybe we do, Shirl.

Come on!

Nah, I don't think so, Shirl.

We could use the money.

I tell you, I don't want to choke again.

Jack, let me.

Huh?

I can take him.

I know I can.

Hey, Rigotti!

Hey, you're on, for a hundred bucks, pretty boy.

Yeah, you got it!

If I beat her, do I get to keep her?

Let me have it.

You got it.

You ready?

You ready, honey?

Come on, Shirley.

Damn it!

Yahoo!

So long, Joe.

Take care, Shirley.

Hey, Mommy.

Me and Angela are getting married.

Oh, is that so, Angela?

No!

See you tomorrow, Rosa. Okay.

Hey, hey, come on.

Hi, Daddy, yah!

Oh, come on, don't do that!

Here you go.

Hi, hon.

Hey.

Now, you folks up here are behind the times.

Down in Florida, where I come from, and out in California,

we're gettin' to be a big-time sport and a big-time business.

And don't you think they don't know it in Detroit.

Hell, they're even givin' away parts, motors, even the whole damn car.

If people go out to the track and see 'em,

they want to go buy one for themselves. Hey, Big Daddy?

Why don't you ask those people in Detroit to give me one of these beauties?

I'd be happy to, Buddy, if you were a good enough driver.

Had enough wins under your belt.

How many wins would it take, do you think?

Would you like Big Daddy's autograph, darlin'?

Well, thanks, but what I'd really like is, uh, to sit there.

Ah, why the hell not?

Come on, I gotta help you here.

Upsy-daisy!

Here we go, right over here, like this.

Put your feet in there.

Now sit down, carefully.

Here, let me get this belt from behind you

so we can put it over ya, that's a girl.

That's it, you're looking good.

Yeah, you look like a real sprint car driver.

Yes, sir.

A dragster.

See that big engine up there?

How'd you like to have that goin'?

The wind blowing through your face at 180, 190 miles an hour.

Make the lipstick come right off that pretty, little face, darlin'.

Jack?

Honey? I was thinkin', why couldn't we get, um,

somethin' heavy like a hemi?

Honey, 'cause we haven't even paid for the 'Vette yet.

They might give us one.

We've been doin' real good.

They might want us to show them off. They?

Detroit. They pay Big Daddy to use all their stuff.

Honey, watch out!

Mickey, you don't steal!

You see, they took away the guy's legs.

It's a sin, he can't even run anymore.

Jack.

All right, look.

We're havin' fun. We're doin' fine.

Now don't ruin it by goin' and makin' a fool of yourself.

I mean, these guys, they do it for a livin'.

What the hell, you think you're Big Daddy?

Up to you, Moose. On you, Moose.

Moose.

Jack, let's drive to Detroit.

Talk to Chrysler, talk to GM.

When they see how good we're doin', they gotta give us a car.

Sweetie, it's important to me that we talk about this.

Wanna talk?

Okay, we'll talk.

All right? Now we're gonna talk.

Look, we're gonna go to Detroit,

and if they see us at all, it's to laugh in my face!

How do we know that if we don't try?

Honey, the last thing they're lookin' for is a driver

who's a housewife from Schenectady with a kid.

Maybe they don't care who I am.

Maybe they just want somebody who wins.

They're looking for a guy, all right?

Somebody that can stick his hands in an engine,

sell a few spark plugs, push their product,

like that, that's not you, okay?

Okay?

There, and the inning's over, good.

Satisfied? Shit.

Listen, honey, Mommy has to go away for a couple of days.

All right? Can you take care of Daddy while I'm gone?

Yeah. Are we gonna go to Grandpa's on Sunday?

Sure. Grandpa's makin' spaghetti.

Give me a kiss.

Come on, big kiss.

Okay, you go back to sleep.

It's very early.

Bye. Bye, sweetie.

Mommy!

Hi, honey, did you miss me?

Yeah. What did you do while I was gone?

I fixed Mr. Phillip's starter.

Daddy said it was perfect!

Wow!

Hi, Buddy.

Hi, Shirley.

Look, sweetie, I gotta talk to Daddy, okay?

You finish working and then, uh, we'll play, all right?

Jack?

Don't, come on, you'll get greasy.

I thought they'd give me a car, I really did.

The only one that'd even see me was Chrysler.

And that was after waiting for hours.

They were real nice, too.

They said they'd give me a car if I paid for it.

I hope you learned something, Shirl.

While you were out on your joy ride, me and Buddy were talkin' things over.

And I figure, what the hell, I can build a dragster.

Class A, run on any quarter-mile track around.

N.H.R.A., the whole deal.

Really? Yeah, really.

And I'll tell you somethin' else, with the upkeep

and modifications on the 'Vette,

it'd be cheaper running a damn dragster.

And look, I don't want you worryin' about money,

entry fees, anything like that.

I'm gonna handle all that stuff.

All you gotta do is take care of the kid... and drive.

Oh, baby, I missed you so much.

I missed you, too.

Elapsed time of 11:53 at a speed of 122 miles an hour,

ladies and gentlemen, here at the E town Summer Challenge.

♪♪ Imagine me and you ♪♪

♪♪ I do ♪♪

♪♪ I think about you day and night ♪♪

♪♪ It's only right ♪♪

♪♪ To think about the girl you love ♪♪

♪♪ And hold her tight ♪♪

♪♪ So happy together ♪♪

Sign my arm!

Sign your arm?

You're not gonna wash it off, are ya?

You better not.

♪♪ So happy together ♪♪

♪♪ I can't see me lovin' nobody but you ♪♪

♪♪ For all my life ♪♪

♪♪ When you're with me ♪♪

♪♪ Baby the sky will be blue ♪♪

♪♪ For all my life ♪♪

♪♪ Me and you ♪♪

♪♪ And you and me ♪♪

♪♪ No matter how they toss the dice ♪♪

♪♪ It had to be ♪♪

♪♪ The only one for me is you ♪♪

♪♪ And you for me ♪♪

Sir, if you go to the Tri-Cities and you wanna check Lebanon Valley,

you're gonna find out about Shirley Muldowney and Jack Muldowney.

♪♪ I can't see me lovin' nobody but you ♪♪

♪♪ For all my life ♪♪

♪♪ When you're with me ♪♪

♪♪ Baby the sky will be blue ♪♪

♪♪ For all my life ♪♪

♪♪ Me and you ♪♪

♪♪ And you and me ♪♪

You see me run?

No.

You've come all the way out here and you missed the main attraction?

Well, what the hell,

I'm just gonna have to run it one more time just for you.

Connie Kalitta.

Hi. Look, I'm trying to get ready for a race here, okay?

Well, don't give me that. Gimme your name.

Shirley Muldowney.

Please, if you don't mind.

This is a beauty.

This is one of the nicest I've ever seen, in all my years of runnin'.

I mean it.

Great chassis. Comfy seat.

Nice big headlights.

Dragsters don't have headlights.

They don't?

I tell you what, Miss, uh, Shirley, uh... Muldowney.

Muldowney. Why don't you come check out the Bounty Hunter.

Come on! It's the fastest and the only-est funny car on this track.

Come on, I'm not gonna bite you.

I need to know the person driving it

is gonna get down that track without killing themselves

or a bunch of... If you give us a test...

Why don't you drive? I'm not a driver. I'm a mechanic.

Okay.

I just gotta get something from the truck, okay?

Be right back.

Hey. Come on.

Connie Kalitta, right?

Yeah.

This is my son, John.

Mr. Kalitta's one of those creeps your dad's always talking about.

Oh, hey.

How you doin', big guy? Nice to meet you.

Oh, hey!

That's some grip you got there, John Muldowney.

Whoa, you're a big, strong guy to have such a young, beautiful momma like you do.

He's big enough to watch your old man's car while you check out mine.

It's not my old man's car.

It's our car.

My husband's the mechanic. I'm the driver.

Well, pardon me, Mrs. Muldowney.

I meant no offense.

Boy, I sure hope you can drive cars

better than you can take compliments.

I hope you can drive better than you give 'em.

Are you crazy, man, you want me to break my hand?

Can I help you with somethin'?

Well, only if you got some influence with this lady here.

Yeah, this lady is my wife.

Hey, this is embarrassing, man.

I, uh... I'm Connie.

Kalitta.

Hey, this is a great machine you guys got here.

I'll tell you what. Let's have dinner sometime.

I'll get my wife, make it a foursome, say, uh,

Sunday, after I set this place on its ass, what do you say?

We'll let you know.

You hurt me, boy.

Carlos, you sucker.

Come on, go work on the carburetor.

Oh, come on!

Come on. So, what's the deal?

When are we up, what's our number?

Well, I'll tell you. It's our first time here.

We never worked on this track before.

So I'm thinkin' we should just watch today, see how things go.

What are you talking about?

I don't want anything to happen to you.

That's what I'm talkin' about. Or the car.

Shirl, I want to make damn sure you're not in over your head.

What did we come here for?

All right, look.

It doesn't look like they're gonna let you run. Why?

Well, they don't think it's safe for you.

And I'm not so sure I don't agree with them.

Well, what am I talkin' to you for?

You're gonna run away and make a fool of yourself again.

I'm telling you that! Because you're pig-headed!

Damn it to hell.

Excuse me.

You can't come in here, baby.

I just want to talk to an official.

You don't have a pass. This is a private affair. Lou, please.

Sir, excuse me. My name's Shirley Muldowney.

I just came a hundred miles to race, and, uh,

someone's telling me I can't.

I'd like to know why.

Young lady. Just because someone gave you a car

does not give you the right to race it.

Well, you're the man in charge, right?

Yes, I am, and it is my job to ensure the safety

of the spectators and the other drivers.

Well, I understand that, but I'm not some kid out for a joy ride,

I'm an experienced driver.

So your husband mentioned, Mrs. Muldowney.

But your experience is in amateur events in street machines.

We have rules, now, Lou, please.

You have rules against a woman driving?

No, not exactly.

Okay then, well, suppose I'm a man,

and all I've done is race amateur local events in street machines.

Now, what do I have to do? There are procedures.

Where are these procedures? In your head?

No, they're not.

Well, could I see them, please?

Thank you.

Say I have to have a qualified car, a dragster, 130 miles per hour.

Three accredited drivers have to sign for my license.

So, doesn't say anything here about not being a woman.

Or are you gonna stop me from getting the signatures?

I'm applying for my competition driver's license and I need three signatures.

No way.

It's not for a woman.

Thank you.

Excuse me.

Are you a licensed N.H.R.A. driver?

Sure.

I need some signatures.

I don't believe in signing nothing, sweetheart.

Hey, why don't you fix me some bacon and eggs?

Would you sign my application for my N.H.R.A competition...

Right. Thank you.

Would you sign my application for my competition driver's license?

Jack?

Look. All we gotta get is three signatures.

Then they gotta let us race.

It's the rules, whether I'm a man, a woman, or a kangaroo.

Look, don't go to war with these people.

Jack, I'm not fighting. I just want to race.

I can't get any of these clowns to sign this damn thing.

Honey, that's what I ran into.

Look at it from the N.H.R.A. point of view.

Maybe if you go with me they'll sign it.

Listen, honey, he said if a woman got in an accident

it could set the whole sport back 10 years.

Jack, are you gonna help me?

If I help you or not it's not gonna matter.

Excuse me. Remember me?

I'd like your autograph now.

Class A, huh?

Okay.

What the hell, might as well get some of you gals out of the kitchen

and into the stands.

There you go, my dear.

Thanks.

Eh, this paperwork is such bullshit.

You just need one more and that's it, huh?

Yeah, that's right, thanks a lot. No problem.

Hey, Tiny.

Oh, no, I asked him already.

Hey, Tiny, come here.

Hey buddy, why don't you put your John Hancock right there.

Hey, man, I told her I ain't signin' nothin'.

Look at the names on that list, man.

Big Daddy Garlits, Connie Kalitta, you'll go down in history, come on.

Yeah, well, thanks anyway.

Tiny, you still lookin' for your torque wrench, man?

Hey, man, that's mine.

That's right, I borrowed it from you, didn't I?

Gainesville, I think it was '64.

You son of a bitch. Sign it.

Thank you.

Just try not to run over anybody, okay?

See, all you gotta do is just be nice to the other drivers.

How's it comin', guys?

All right, race fans.

You're not going to believe what's up next.

'Cause I know I don't believe it.

But, here goes.

We've got a late entry from Schedectady, New York.

Welcome the first lady to try and qualify in an A dragster

for an N.H.R.A. competition.

Shirley Muldowney.

This is a real surprise here at the 1966 E town Summer Challenge.

This is Shelley, I mean, Shirley Muldowney.

And she's trying for her N.H.R.A. competition driver's license.

She's driving that A gas dragster that's powered by a small-block Chevrolet.

You know, this car, well, it ought to run

about 145, maybe 150 miles an hour.

Come on, get out of here.

I wonder if Shirley has got it in her to hold that throttle pedal down

all the way through that quarter mile. That's a tough run.

She's got to make a single run by herself.

There's nobody else out on that racetrack.

Her pit crew looks like a little kid and that must be her husband, Mr. Muldowney.

What's this, a kiss on the starting line?

What's drag racing coming to?

As Shirley Muldowney gets set to make her run.

Don't forget, she's gotta go over 130 miles an hour on this pass

to earn her competition license.

She's got good traction.

We have a speed of 155 miles an hour?

And a lap time of... is this right, Vern?

A 9.2? Well, hell, that's a new track record.

Come on, come on!

I'm holdin' you responsible, Kalitta.

Hey, your mom is a hell of a driver!

And you built a hell of a car, man.

Shirley Muldowney has indeed set a new track record for the A dragster class.

Track record! 9.2!

155 miles an hour!

N.H.R.A., take that!

Every time we come to this restaurant,

old Mr. Ling likes to break out his smutty fortune cookies.

Isn't that true Oh, yes.

Wait... wait a minute, you mean he puts dirty fortunes in the cookies?

Oh, yeah. Come on, Jack, crack yours open.

Maybe he dealt you a hot one.

Old Mr. Ling is peeking at us through a hole in the wall right now.

Man's a total pervert.

The future holds great things for you.

Hear that, Shirl, there's great things for us.

Smart cookie.

Hey, there's no fortune.

Excuse me.

Conn, my cookie's empty.

Well, what do you want me to do, honey? I don't stuff 'em.

Aw, sweetie, I'll get you another one.

So you and the boy go with Shirley every time she runs, huh?

Yes, ma'am.

You're lucky. I hardly ever get to go anywhere with Connie.

I guess if you want a regular home and a regular family,

somebody's gotta stay and mind it.

Hey, Junie, how you doin'? What's goin' on?

What do you mean, who's this?

It's me, the Conn. What's goin' on?

I'm callin' you now.

Yeah.

Now, you listen to me, okay?

I'm sure there's lots of lad out there who think this little,

um, puppy dog act of yours is real cute.

I'm not one of them.

To me, you're just a lousy bum.

The only thing I do fast is drive.

Cha cha cha.

♪♪ Back to the love and the laughter ♪♪

♪♪ Lord what a far distant shore ♪♪

♪♪ And how many nights did I want you ♪♪

♪♪ How many times did I try ♪♪

♪♪ You know you taught me to love you ♪♪

♪♪ Did you know you taught me how to cry ♪♪

♪♪ Mmm hmm, did you know you taught me how to cry ♪♪

Come on, Pop. Let's go.

Okay. It's the damn car.

If it weren't for that jalopy I'da left here at midnight.

Now, you tell your mom that.

I got something to show you.

You did good?

I broke the track record.

I'm so proud of you, Shirley Ann.

♪♪ In dreams, my memories ramble ♪♪

♪♪ Out where my heart cannot go ♪♪

♪♪ Back to the love and the laughter ♪♪

♪♪ Lord what a far distant shore ♪♪

♪♪ And how many nights did I want you ♪♪

♪♪ How many times did I try ♪♪

♪♪ You know you taught me to love you ♪♪

♪♪ Did you know you taught me how to cry ♪♪

♪♪ Oh baby, did you know you taught me how to cry ♪♪

♪♪ Sometimes I dream of a woman ♪♪

♪♪ Sometimes I dream of the sky ♪♪

♪♪ You know you taught me to dream girl ♪♪

♪♪ Did you know you taught me how to cry ♪♪

The Oregon primary continues to draw

several presidential hopefuls today.

Vice President Hubert Humphrey says he has

a brand-new campaign technique.

Military leaders in Vietnam have been told to win the war within the next 3 months.

Jack, slow down.

I didn't think I'd ever go too fast for you, Shirl.

To escape fighting in the Northeastern suburb of that capital city.

Jack, be careful. John's gonna get hurt.

I told you, I strapped him in myself, nothing's gonna happen.

Honey, let me drive.

Oh, no, no.

Boy, drivin' you to your races fixin' that dragster,

that's my most important job, right, Shirl?

Oh, come on.

You come on!

All right, Jack, what do you want?

You want to go home? We'll go home.

I'll tell you what I want.

I want to stop running around every weekend crazy.

And I want to stop wasting my money. Your money?

Maybe you want me to work for Buddy the rest of my life, but that's not what I want.

Wait a minute, Jack, you're not the only one bringing home a paycheck around here.

I want you to start being a regular wife.

What?

Look, I built that thing back there so we'd have fun with it.

And now it's our goddamn life.

You don't want to race anymore?

I'm not sayin' that.

Look, it's a nice hobby. But that's all it is ever gonna be.

The sooner you grow out of it, the better.

It's not a hobby.

Oh, what are you thinkin', you're a professional racer?

Big Momma, Shirley Muldowney, woo.

Well, let's see all the cars you built.

Or let's see all the money you won.

I got a better idea.

Why don't you go to Detroit with your 2-bit trophies

and your one hot shit track record.

And let's see if they give you a sponsor now, huh?

Don't you see?

Your job is to take care of me and John.

And if you concentrate on it, you'll be a lot happier.

Now believe me.

You gonna be all right?

Yeah, don't worry about me.

Don't worry about the car, either, 'cause I could tune that in my sleep.

Frank the Crank, he's got Webber's Body Shop

down on the corner of Elm and 155.

Has just been blistering the asphalt on the entire East Coast this summer.

You don't see many of those around anymore. That's a steel Fiat body.

John! Let's go!

It was just a couple of years ago that Shirley

got her license right here at Englishtown.

But she's not even qualified for the program yet.

And if she doesn't make it on this run, she won't be racing tomorrow.

Hey, remember your old buddy?

Hey, yeah!

Hey, I got you a present.

Start your own scrapbook. Hey, thanks a lot.

Yeah, all you gotta do is point it in the right direction and just pull the trigger.

Okay, thanks.

Hey, check that out. It's a lady.

We hope she's okay.

But for Shirley Muldowney, what a tough break.

There'll be no racing tomorrow for the lady dragster driver.

Just get that pissed that you gotta fight it,

and I have to have all these things broken.

Nothin' would have been broken if you hadn't tried to run it so lean.

That's not it. Shirley Muldowney won't lift off and lose a race.

That's what it is. I got a burned engine and I don't know what the hell

it's gonna cost me, 'cause you don't back off! Yeah?

Yeah. How do we know that, huh?

How do we know it was me?

Maybe it was you screwed up.

I wasn't tossin' back beers all afternoon.

See, I'm not perfect.

And, uh, cars aren't perfect.

But Shirley Muldowney, she is perfect.

Why don't you have a go at it, Shirl?

Come on, take a shot at the car.

Hey, no, no way, you can tune her in your sleep, right?

Threw a rod, huh?

Shitty luck.

You guys had a real pretty run going, too.

You know, I'd richen up the engine just a bit so it don't run so lean in the end.

Couldn't you feel it nosin' over?

When it gets like that, man, you gotta get off...

I never forget, one time I was in Baton Rouge...

Really?

That's interesting. Thank you very much, I appreciate it.

I'll remember that.

Just a few more words of wisdom from your favorite lousy bum.

Hey, sport, you get any good pictures of me yet?

Yeah, thanks a lot.

Sorry.

Hey!

I tell you, I don't appreciate you hittin' on my wife.

What?

Hey, we go out and have dinner a couple of years ago and, um,

I come by and say hello again and now you're puttin' 2 and 2 together and gettin' 10.

Oh, hey, my tools are yours, so if you feel like it

come on over, we'll rummage through a few things and, uh,

maybe you can get another crack at qualifying.

Thanks, man. Thanks a lot.

All right.

♪♪ To everything turn turn turn ♪♪

♪♪ There is a season turn turn turn ♪♪

♪♪ And a time to every purpose under Heaven ♪♪

♪♪ A time to be born ♪♪

♪♪ A time to die ♪♪

♪♪ A time to plant ♪♪

♪♪ A time to reap ♪♪

♪♪ A time to kill ♪♪

♪♪ A time to heal ♪♪

♪♪ A time to laugh ♪♪

♪♪ A time to weep ♪♪

♪♪ To everything turn turn turn ♪♪

♪♪ There is a season turn turn turn ♪♪

♪♪ And a time to every purpose under Heaven ♪♪

♪♪ A time to build up ♪♪

♪♪ A time to break down ♪♪

♪♪ A time to dance ♪♪

♪♪ A time to mourn ♪♪

♪♪ A time to cast away stones ♪♪

♪♪ A time to gather stones together ♪♪

The summer of... what the hell summer is it anyway?

I'm losing track.

Anyway, to a lot more wins, and a lot more good times!

All right. Here you go.

Oh, look at that stuff bubble up.

Here you are.

Here it is, Jack.

I got a better toast.

To a long winter's rest is my toast.

Jack, can I see you for a minute?

I got a customer that has a problem, something's wrong with his car.

So I figured maybe you could give him a hand.

Yeah, no problem.

I guess it'd be time for you to break out that winter gear, hmm?

Yeah, but not you, right?

You got it, I'm going where the weather's warm and tracks are hot.

Come on, a track's a track.

It's a whole other thing down South.

Out West, Gainesville, Orange County.

Compared to that, this is minor league.

You oughta see it.

I'd like to.

Well then you should!

The prize money they got there, the sponsors.

You guys'd have a pro operation goin' in no time.

Jack is a much better mechanic than even he knows.

And, Shirley, you got more damn raw talent than I've ever seen.

All you need to go major league is to just want to.

I don't know. It's all very nice.

Very nice and very far away.

California, my God.

Yeah, there's a lot of decisions gotta be made.

From now on, I'm gonna run top fuel all the way.

You're the first to know.

I'm gonna kick Garlits' ass up and down every track there is, man.

What do you think?

I think it's great.

I also think you got a funny car you won't need anymore, right?

Hey, Jack?

How would you feel about keepin' the racin' goin' all year?

Not stoppin'.

Hey, John! John, come on down, we're leavin'.

Jack, listen to me.

We could do real good.

Dad.

Come on, say goodnight to Angela, I said we're leaving.

We could do great out West.

We'd get sponsors.

We'd be major league, there's big prize money.

And I'm talkin' about racin' a funny car.

Connie's movin' up to top fuel, he said he'd sell us his funny.

Yeah? Yeah.

Because he knows we can't afford it.

We don't have to give him anything now.

We'd pay him when we can.

Jack, I know what I'm talking about.

Sweetie, you're the best mechanic there is.

You're tops.

Sure.

Come on, John!

Jack, we can do it.

Maybe we couldn't do it before, but John's not a problem now, he's a big boy.

We don't even have to drag him around with us, he can stay at Mom's.

It can work. Oh, sorry, I didn't know you guys were talkin'.

No, we're not, we're leavin'.

Jack, I want to talk about this.

Just listen to what Connie has to say, okay?

I don't give a shit what Connie's got to say.

I say we don't race no more.

Excuse me, I don't mean to butt in, but, uh,

if she wants to race, uh, why don't you just...

Why don't you just stick it up your ass.

Dad, come on, me and Angela...

I don't need lip from you, all right? Not from you.

Ow! Okay. Come on, get in the car.

Now you get in. I said get in that car.

No. Get in the car!

No.

Shirley. You all right?

You need a ride home?

Come on.

Hey!

Hey, now you got a funny car, huh?

Is that funny enough for you?

I'll come down and we'll both have a good laugh, all right, Shirl?

Hey! Where do you think you're goin'?

Hey! What the hell do you think you're doin'?

Get out of that car!

Get out! I said get out!

Come on, get out of there!

Get out of here!

Aw, shit.

Jack, I don't want to talk about it, put John on the phone.

Mom. It's me,

Hi, honey. Where's Daddy?

He's okay. He's sleeping on the couch.

Don't wake him.

Okay, honey, just listen to me.

I can't explain it real good right now.

I can't be with your Dad anymore, okay?

You just, um, go to school and take care of yourself.

Okay, and, um, as soon as I get settled I'll come and get you.

All right?

If you need to talk about anything with me,

or if you need anything just, um, call Grandma.

Okay, she'll know where I am.

How long 'til you're settled?

Not long, honey. I promise.

John? Mommy loves you so much.

On Tuesday, aren't we gonna sign me up for the model building class at the Y?

Oh, John, I'm sorry.

Um, you want to go with Grandma?

Tell you what, I'll call Grandma tomorrow.

Okay.

Don't worry about me, Mom.

I never worry about you.

You're my big boy.

Mom, I love you too.

Okay, honey, I'll talk to you real soon.

Okay.

Okay... bye bye.

Bye.

♪♪ And I only have eyes ♪♪

♪♪ For you ♪♪

♪♪ Sha bop sha bop ♪♪

♪♪ Sha bop sha bop ♪♪

♪♪ Sha bop sha bop ♪♪

♪♪ Sha bop sha bop ♪♪

What you're lookin' at is something that's gonna

stand drag racing right on its ear.

I'm not talking about some bimbo hangin' all over a car.

I'm talkin' about puttin' a beautiful woman

right there in the driver's seat.

Can't you just hear Cha Cha sayin', "Corral your gal with Lariat"?

She's beautiful.

Look at her eat those press people up, I tell ya.

Cha Cha! Call her Cha Cha!

Cha Cha, what's a beautiful girl like you doin' racin' in a place like this?

Winning.

If you don't believe it, come down to the track Sunday.

Cha Cha, what do you think of women's lib?

She thinks it's horse shit.

Well, that's what Connie thinks, but, uh, we all know what he's full of.

Terrible teenagers.

Hey, open up in there! It's the police!

Hi, Mom.

John, come on.

What's going on in here?

Got a big race tomorrow.

Hi, Connie.

See you tomorrow. Yeah, good stuff today.

Yeah, we'll have a better day tomorrow.

Really, John, time to go.

Yeah.

Good night.

Night night.

On the right-hand lane, a special treat.

A young lady from the East Coast making her first ever West Coast appearance.

Cha Cha Muldowney.

In the tower lane is going to be Art Foster.

They're set. The start.

Both drivers get all the traction they can handle.

This is a good race.

Until half track, Cha Cha Muldowney is pulling ahead of Art Foster.

And she takes the win light.

A 6.55 for Cha Cha improves on her qualifying time.

215 miles an hour to poor Art's 6.75.

He's gonna take a lot of ribbing about this in the pit area.

The lady got to him, and has to make believers out of a lot of you

as Cha Cha goes into the second round.

Announcing races all over the country, I have had a chance to follow.

Cha Cha's career a little bit from the outlaw tracks in New York and New Jersey

up through a nice little A dragster that finally set a national record.

In fact, Cha Cha was so impressive that N.H.R.A. finally just had to relent

on their long-standing policy of allowing female drivers only in the stock car ranks.

You consider that Connie Kalitta and Don Garlits were first to sign her license.

She is in Connie Kalitta's funny car, now appropriately called the Bounty Huntress.

Now, Kalitta has spent thousands and thousands

of dollars to field this car for Cha Cha.

Okay, I suggest you find a seat in the grandstands

because you don't want to miss this.

Big Daddy Don Garlits up against the Bounty Hunter from Michigan, Connie Kalitta.

Garlits, the black car, the winningest drag racer ever in any category.

Can I see those?

This has been a tremendous step forward safety-wise.

The engine now behind these drivers.

The hot oil and fire is not right in their face.

Now, in the right-hand lane, the first driver to ever top 200 miles an hour.

Connie Kalitta, the Bounty Hunter.

These two have been going at each other's throats since the late '50s.

And it's been many years since you California fans have seen them side by side

in this state.

Kalitta in the far lane.

Big Daddy Garlits on the tower side.

At half track, Kalitta's car is skating around a bit.

Stay back. Do not go down to that crash site.

You'll only be in the way.

Our well-trained O.C.I. emergency crew is already rolling.

They are on the way.

You've got to stay back, ladies and gentlemen.

Please, back into your seats.

As soon as I have some word on the condition of Connie Kalitta

I will pass it along to you.

Please believe me, I will do that.

We've got to get everybody out of there.

You have got to get back, folks.

Kalitta's crew is there.

They are moving very carefully from what's left of that top fuel dragster.

Cha Cha Muldowney is on the scene to help.

Our own emergency crews are rolling to the scene.

But they will be there just as soon as they can get there.

But please, ladies and gentlemen, we've got to get everybody out of there.

Connie Kalitta is on his feet!

He is waving to the crowd.

I guess that got their attention.

Cheese!

Good, help, no, John, don't blow out the candles.

You want me to wait until you take the picture?

The other side, come around the other side.

Okay, good.

Honey, would you move in there, too?

All three of you get real close together.

Mom, would you take the picture?

When I say 1-2-3, I want a really big smile, okay.

1-2-3, cheese.

Hello.

Happy birthday. Dad.

Hey, listen, what'd you think of the gift?

The gift. Oh, yeah, um, the gift.

Just somethin' that I'd want when I was your age.

You know, you could use it the best way you see fit.

Oh, Dad, look, this $100 is gonna be great.

Happy birthday!

Okay, everyone, we can start the party now!

Mrs. Roque, so nice to see you again.

Hello, Connie. I'd like you to meet my wife, Mary Ann.

- Hello. - It's nice to meet you.

You must be Linda, Shirley's sister.

Shirley talks about you all the time.

Hey, John Muldowney, birthday boy, get off that phone.

I got something for you.

Hi, Connie.

Take a look at this.

Go ahead, strap it on. That's great, Connie.

Hey, where's your mom?

You okay?

Yeah, great.

What am I supposed to do? Leave her at home?

Come on in, everyone, look at this.

Grandfather's guitar.

Mom, did you see Grandpa's guitar?

What do you think?

This is great.

Hi, Mary Ann.

Hello.

Get this away from me. Get yourself away from it.

I can't believe you're not helping, would you take this? This is awful, I'm getting fat.

Don't strain yourselves.

Cha Cha, I got something to show you.

Hey, Mrs. Roque.

John Muldowney, get your birthday butt out here, boy.

What do you think, is this incredible?

It's a big one. How 'bout that, huh?

All right. That's some car.

Know who's gonna be first to ride it in competition? You.

I just had to come back over.

I'm sorry about before, my, uh, crazy situation.

You're the number one most important thing in my life.

All right, Carlos, my man, let's see how fast...

Mom!

Come on, let's go, let's get her to the hospital, come on!

It's gonna be all right.

Third match point for Billie Jean King.

You watch Bobby, he'll behave like a perfect gentleman.

And so this is what it's come down to, here in the Houston Astrodome.

Billie Jean fought for equal pay for women in the U.S. Open tennis tournament

and got it.

All of the women of America, or at least most of them, seem to be caught up

with the anticipation of this match.

Excuse me. Hi.

I'm looking for Mrs. Shirley Muldowney's room.

Oh, she's B171, it's right down the hall on your right.

Thank you.

Hi.

Got here as soon as I could.

It sure ain't been our season.

My flying business has been crazy.

I've been traveling all over.

I got, uh, caught in some rough weather.

Otherwise I would have been here sooner.

Sorry about that damn blower.

As soon as I can, I'm going over,

I'm gonna beat the shit out of that guy who sold it to me.

Baby.

I hit some rough air.

Really.

She smooth it out for you?

Rita?

That's Carlos' little sister, man.

Carlos asked me to do him a favor,

so I flew her down here to be with him.

Shirley, come on!

Have you ever seen her?

Hey, I'm talkin' bow wow, man.

Okay, I'm gonna go get her.

'Cause I don't want you worryin' about nothin'

when you should be taking care of yourself.

Aw, baby.

Oh, Connie, it was horrible.

I was so scared.

I know. I know.

Baby, I love you.

I got that stuff from the pharm...

Hey.

Thanks, sweetie. I got it, thank you.

You need anything else?

No, honey, thanks.

I look like shit.

Yep.

Hello, Dad, it's John.

Hey, John, how you doin'?

I'm all right.

I'm callin' from California. Sorry to call you at work.

Don't worry about it.

Mom was in a fire, and, uh, she's in the hospital.

She was in an accident?

Yeah, well, she burned her arm and around her eyes pretty bad.

But doc says she's gonna be all right.

The damn funny car, she can't handle it, John.

No, Dad, it wasn't her fault or anything like that.

We were trying this new goddamn blower

and it just went off like a bomb. Just like that, really.

So I's thinkin', look, you think maybe you could give her a call here or somethin'?

I think she'd like to hear from you, you know, she's real down.

It's not gonna do any good for me to tell her I told you so, you know?

Well, you don't have to say that, Dad.

Listen, John, the boss left me here alone.

Look, just give her a call or something, Dad, you know, just say hello.

I will. Take care of yourself, okay? John, I gotta get goin'.

Dad, if you change your mind give us a call, we're at Orange County Memor...

Memorial Hospital.

I'd like to talk to you about the new 1973 cars from Chrysler.

Now, these beautiful models represent the state of the art in engineering.

Hey, baby.

It's great to see you. Me, too.

I couldn't wait.

Come on.

It's good to be back.

How you feelin'? Missed you.

How's your arm?

Oh, it's better. It's coming along.

Here you go.

Let me see those peepers.

Ralph, just give me 5 more minutes.

You got one. I can't get it done in one, man!

I'm just now coming up on the Bounty Hunter pits.

Oh, boy, this car is a long way from being ready.

I can't allow you more time, now move it.

Is the clutch done? Almost.

Don't give me almost! Come on!

I'm not about to get in their way.

They need all the time they can get.

But there is an interesting spectator here.

Shirley "Cha Cha" Muldowney.

Her arm bandaged but looking surprisingly well considering your recent funny car fire.

How you feeling? I'm feeling fine, Steve, thank you, it's good to be back.

All of us are anxious to know what your future plans are, Shirley.

Well, Steve, at this time I don't have any definite plans.

I can say one thing for sure. I'm through with funnys.

You're not gonna make it. You're out. Bullshit to that!

That's not what I said. I said I'm through with funnies.

I'm not getting in another funny car.

And I will have more on this later.

Okay, thank you, Shirley.

Shirley is rushing off to catch up with Connie Kalitta,

who just stormed away from here after an official.

His car has already been scratched.

Back to the tower.

Drivers only!

Lady, I said...

Asshole!

And now, Chrysler, which is the top of the line...

It'll quicken the hearts of...

Connie, come on, Connie!

Connie, hold it!

It's over.

Unbecoming my ass!

How long?

Indefinite suspension.

Why don't they just say forever.

I'll tell you what the hell this is.

This is television, that's all they give a shit about.

Their lousy bread. They don't give a shit about us!

Just there own hot shit image, their damn revenue.

They think they're the son-of-a-bitchin' NFL.

Give me a rum and coke. Forget about the coke.

Assholes.

What the hell are you lookin' at?

Nothin', I'm just enjoying the weather.

Connie, come on.

This used to be a good time sport, you know?

Shit.

People hangin' out. Gettin' rowdy.

Tryin' to make us into damn golf.

Think they'll make me wear a dress?

Maybe that'd be a good idea.

What the hell, why not buy yourself an asbestos bikini?

Cha Cha Muldowney, the funny car stripper.

Connie, I'm gonna run top fuel.

You're gonna go up against Garlits, Graham, those guys?

I'm gonna win.

Oh, yeah?

Well, why the shit not? What the hell?

Television'll love you.

You'll sell a lot of beer.

You build the car. I'll drive it.

You be my crew chief.

They can't stop you from doin' that, right?

That's beautiful, me, a crew chief?

Is that what you're sayin'?

Connie, I'm talkin' about keeping you in racing, honey.

I'm talking about keeping us together.

Keepin' us goin'.

Look, I'll tell you what.

When you're ready to talk about this, I'll be upstairs.

What, what?

Hey, lady, buy you a drink?

Shirley!

It's me, Mickey.

Mickey. How are you?

Oh, baby, how are you?

Oh, you're lookin' wonderful!

Yeah, big bucks.

So, you got married, huh?

Yeah, hey, better late than never.

I've got a couple of kids, look. No.

Shirley Muldowney! You know what I think?

I think top fuel, why the hell not!

I'm gonna be the best damn crew chief.

And you're gonna be the best damn driver.

And I'm gonna make you top fuel champion of the whole damn world.

Connie Kalitta's gonna ram Cha Cha Muldowney right up their asses!

Kalitta.

Mickey White.

That is, if you still want me.

1975, Cha Cha Muldowney with Connie Kalitta

as her crew chief breaks into the top 15 for the first time.

Hey, Cha Cha, smile.

1976, Cha Cha Muldowney

becomes the first woman ever to win an N.H.R.A. national event.

1977, Shirley "Cha Cha" Muldowney has won 3 national events in a row

and is this year's favorite to capture the world championship.

Sunday! Sunday!

Big Daddy Don Garlits himself versus Shirley "Cha Cha" Muldowney.

They'll pound the ground and smoke the tires to 230 miles an hour.

Will the lady tame this one?

Will Big Daddy put the lady in her place?

Sunday! Sunday! Shirley "Cha Cha" Muldowney taking on all the big boys! Be there!

With us, in case any of you don't recognize him, is Big Daddy Don Garlits.

He is still the man to beat in any drag race.

But even he can't deny the performance of this Kalitta-Muldowney car.

Can you?

Well, you know, Steve, in my experience, a good built car

can give a few wins to almost any average driver.

If you call winning three national events in a row,

in one year, um, average, what would you call your record?

Well, I'm just lookin' forward to the little lady showin' her nerves

when it really counts.

I don't think she can handle it.

There you have it, there's only one place this argument's

gonna be settled: On the race track.

Shirley! Shirley! Can I have your autograph?

Sure.

Good luck, Donald!

Good luck to you too, darlin'.

Oh, bonjour, good afternoon,

and welcome once again to John Paul's Country Kitchen.

Today we have on the celebrity table a very special guest.

Cha Cha Muldowney!

The world's fastest woman.

Yes, that's as in drag racing.

I race top fuel dragsters.

We had a tape.

A tape? We have a tape?

Roll the tape, please.

Ah, yes, there we are. This is the Spring Nationals.

That's me racing Don Garlits.

That's me beating Don Garlits.

I love beating Donald, he's such a bad loser.

That was my crew. My son, John, and Rahn Tobler.

Cha Cha is here with us in Montreal for the Grand National Auto Race.

And also to prepare for us her favorite dish.

And that dish is, Cha Cha?

Excuse me, it's Shirley, it's just Shirley Muldowney.

That's right, Cha Cha, lasagna.

We start with a layer of the pasta.

And sometimes the pasta tends to stick together.

Oh, yes, lasagna does that.

You know, there's a good trick for that.

If you put a little oil in he water when you're cooking it,

the pasta won't stick together as much.

Thank you, Cha Cha.

Excuse me, I'm sorry.

It's Shirley, okay, it's not Cha Cha.

Shirley Muldowney.

Hello.

Am I speaking to Shirley?

Yes.

I know Connie's with you.

I think it's only honest that I talk to you.

Who's this?

I'm a friend of his. I'm in the coffee shop.

I think we better talk.

I'll be right down.

♪♪ Get the phone off the hook ♪♪

♪♪ Turn out the light ♪♪

♪♪ The Do Not Disturb sign's hangin' tonight ♪♪

I know he's with you, but there's something you should know.

Connie loves me and he's going to marry me.

He flew me down here, he got me a room.

And when he didn't show up, I just...

How long have you known him?

Four years.

We met when he was visiting you in the hospital.

Right, you're a nurse, right?

What did you think was going on?

What would he say to you?

He said you were just working for him.

We've been together seven years.

Well, what we have is special.

I know, he's told me.

I'm the number one most important thing in his life.

Got a cigarette?

Ah, shit.

Baby?

You saw her, how could it be anything serious?

She was very sweet to me and, uh, I mean,

how could I be a shithead to her?

It happened one time!

Honest, that's it.

She... she...

I-I-I'm just trying to let her down easy

and then she just keeps following me around.

What am I supposed to do?

I love you.

You are the number one most important thing in my life.

The Winston tools, emblematic of the world championship,

as determined by the Winston series points total...

goes this year to Shirley Muldowney.

Thank you.

I have to give special thanks to Rahn and John...

who've done such a great job for us all year.

And, uh, to our many sponsors.

And to the guys at N.H.R.A. who organize these great events.

And to Jack Muldowney, who built my first car.

And to Conrad Kalitta, who built my best car.

And, of course, to all our fans who've given us such great support.

And to my father, who always knew I could do it.

Connie Kalitta, Shirley's crew chief, Connie, come up here.

There's, uh...

There's really only one person for me to thank.

Uh, and that's Shirley Muldowney,

who, uh, I've always said is the best pure driver I've ever seen.

She deserves a lot of credit for keeping the faith,

through a lot of really hard times.

And, uh, I love her.

Oh, I don't know, Connie.

You bring in a beautiful woman like that to beat us.

Making us guys look bad.

Some of my best friends are women.

Good thing you didn't teach 'em all how to drive.

Hey, seriously, Shirley is the best.

Driving. I'm talkin' about drivin'.

What the hell are you doin'?

You can forget that shit 'cause I'm taking you out to dinner.

And I'm not talkin' pizza. I'm talkin' escargot at Chez Philip's.

I don't want to go anywhere with you.

Okay. Okay.

I was hopin' to do this by candle light in some fancy restaurant,

but if this is the way you want it. Merry Christmas.

Connie, don't.

Clark made it up special.

He owed me for a set of pistons.

Look, enough, I don't want it.

Okay, I don't want any presents from you.

I don't want to go out with you.

I don't want anything from you.

What the hell's going on here?

First you call me for an appointment like I'm

some kind of a damn doctor or something.

Look, I've been going over our records for the past seven years.

Now, um, seems like the top fuel operation has pretty much evened itself out.

There's still an outstanding debt left over from our first funny car.

Something in the neighborhood of about $1200.

What's all this about?

I just want to be fair and get it over with.

Is that right?

Okay, okay, listen, I know I've been lousy to you.

But this crazy situation of mine is gonna change.

You know that. It's gonna change.

Look, I'm expecting a telephone interview in a little while.

It's the radio.

And, uh, I'm making an announcement.

I've decided to race the car without you, Connie.

Rahn and John are gonna handle the car.

I'm gonna handle the money.

Just Rahn and John?

I can't afford to have you in the picture.

It's that simple, right?

Hello.

Hey. How you doin'?

It's Christmas time and I finally said, uh,

I get around to congratulate you on winning that thing.

How ya doin', Jack?

I'm doin' fine.

How's John? How's he doin'?

Aw, he's great.

He works for me full time now, you know?

Full time, huh?

Yeah!

Well, you must be doin' good, then.

Finally makin' that big money.

Well, I'm doin' a little better.

What about you? What's going on with your station?

My station? Station's okay.

With the way the gas prices have been hiking up now,

could you believe that there is a line around the place?

There was for a couple weeks.

Good thing I'm not running gas anymore, huh?

Yeah. Yeah, uh...

listen, Shirl, um...

you know, you and I never talked

about the things you took when you left, you know?

Yeah.

Look, um...

I never bothered you when you didn't have anything.

Now you got something, and I think it's only fair we settle up, don't you?

Okay, Jack. I'll see what I can do, okay?

Look, I gotta get off the phone now.

I'm expecting a radio interview.

I'm really sorry. I can't tie up the line.

It was just a bad time for you to call.

Okay. All right.

Could you, uh... tell John that I wish him a real Merry Christmas,

you know, from his Dad.

I'll send him something if, you know...

Merry Christmas, Jack.

Have a nice interview, all right, Shirl?

Sure.

Hello. Shirley Muldowney, please.

Yes, this is she.

Oh, terrific, Shirley. Hey, I got Muldowney, you can stop calling.

Listen, I'm Bob Morton, Sportsline, my producer talked to you.

Yes, Bob. Your phone's been so goddamn busy,

I'm gonna have to wing this thing.

Listen, we're doing this end-of-the-year sports wrap-up,

and I don't know doodly-squat about whatever the hell it is

you do with those cars, so you gotta carry me some, okay?

Sure. Now, what is it you won?

Some kind of award or something? What?

Yes. I hold the current N.H.R.A. top fuel championship.

Okay, listen, here's what's gonna happen.

I'm gonna read this little intro, talk to you a while,

and I'm gonna ask if you have any regrets

and you do a Christmas sentiment thing, you got me?

Uh-huh, sure. Okay.

I'm gonna come right out of commercial, so stand by.

All right? Okay. Three, two, one, okay. Hey, hi!

Bob Morton, Sportsline. Our guest today is

Shirley Muldowney, a local gal who has made it big.

She's the current N.H.R.A. top fuel champion,

driving a car for the local favorite, Connie "The Bounty Hunter" Kalitta.

Shirley, you there? Yes, Bob.

Hey, congratulations on winning the N.H.R.A. fuel championship of the world!

Thank you. Hey, now, Shirley,

did it ever cross your mind when you were playing with dolls

that you might someday be mixing it up with the big boys?

Well, Bob, I've always been very competitive.

Uh-huh. And as you may or may not know,

this is a sport which requires good coordination

and good reflexes, and I've always been known as a fast leaver.

Uh-huh. That means I get off the line fast.

Hey, don't get off the line too fast with us, Shirley Muldowney.

Hey, listen, I thought we might get lucky and catch

your so-called partner in crime, Connie Kalitta,

and get in a word with him too, huh?

Uh, no. We all know that Shirley and Connie

have a special relationship on and off the track.

What do you say, Shirley?

No. Mr. Kalitta isn't here right now.

Oh, he's not there. That's a shame.

I wanted to ask him what kind of special preparations

he had to put the car through so that a gal like you could handle it.

Look, Bob, if you think it's so easy to handle one of these little cars,

putting out 2500 horses at 250 miles an hour and a force of 3 Gs,

maybe you'd like to come down to the track, give it a whirl sometime?

Oh, no thanks, ma'am. No thanks.

I'm happy right behind this here microphone.

Listen, Bob, I would like to say something else at this time, if I might.

Hey, it's all yours, sweetheart.

It's all yours. Take it away.

Beginning next year,

Connie Kalitta Flying Services and Connie Kalitta

will no longer be associated in any way, shape or form,

legally, professionally or otherwise, with my racing team.

Yes. From now on, Rahn Tobler will be my crew chief,

and he'll be working along with John Muldowney, my son.

Hey, I think we have a scoop here!

Wow! Hey now, listen, Shirley, you've got backers or sponsors,

you know, you people have those things, right?

Do they know what's coming down here?

Oh, yes. They are being made aware of our position.

Hey. Well, good luck, Shirley.

You sound like one lady who knows her way around a track.

But just one last question. When you look back over your whole career,

do you have any regrets?

Yes, I do, but only one.

That my father couldn't live to see me be champion.

Hey, that's great.

Thank you, Shirley Muldowney, and a Merry Christmas to you!

Yes, well, Merry Christmas to all my fans.

Oh, they love you, Shirley.

Hey, we'll take your calls in a minute, right after this commercial.

Shirley, thanks, that was pretty good.

What do you think you're doing?

We ain't got nothing to do with each other,

legally, professionally, or any other way.

Isn't that what you said? I'm takin' my tools back.

What are you gonna do with 'em?

I'll tell you what I'm gonna do.

I'm gonna get my license back

and I'm gonna build me one hot mother of a car

that's got more horsepower in it than anything you've ever seen.

Then I'm gonna kick your ass across every track there is.

With who driving?

Me!

Shirley, you're a great chauffeur, but that just doesn't get it done.

Shit.

If it wasn't for me, you'd still be getting

those damn speeding tickets in that chicken-shit town I got you out of.

Why don't you give birth to me, too?

Gimme a break. You gonna take credit for everything?

Just fine by me, baby.

You got what you wanted. I made you famous.

Now I'm supposed to eat shit, right? Is that it?

You're breakin' my heart. Why don't you cry about it

to one of those little chickies you've been screwing?

Little miss virtue.

When your almighty career was at stake,

you were just that quick

to dump Jack and jump into my bed. Don't hit me.

Mom?

God damn it, you lunk, let go of my Mom!

Get back...

God!

Ugh!

Ugh!

Bloody stop!

Ow!

Jesus!

It's fine.

It's almost time, here at O.C.I.R.,

for the final in top fuel,

pitting the Pink Dregs with Shirley Muldowney

against the red and gold Bounty Hunter of Connie Kalitta.

It's been three long years since their well-publicized breakup,

three years that must've seemed a hopeless eternity for Shirley Muldowney.

After being shut out of the winner's circle in '78,

achieving only limited success in '79,

Shirley has had a big year in '80,

winning the Winter Nationals, the Spring Nationals,

and the Fall Nationals in Seattle.

If she takes the crown here, Shirley will forever silence Oh, shit.

All those critics who still think it takes a man to race a car.

Hey, kid,

maybe you need some help from a professional.

Hey, a little nervous over there?

This may well be the most exciting top fuel final

in the history of this sport. Shirley racing Connie.

For Shirley, it's a miracle she's here at all.

Three years ago, when these two broke up, the racing world said,

"The lady is done. Without Kalitta, she can't make it."

But in three short years, with very little sponsorship,

hardly any money at all, a very young, seemingly inexperienced crew,

Shirley Muldowney is back and has a chance right now to win

an unprecedented second top fuel world title.

Ironic, isn't it?

Who should stand in her way? Connie "The Bounty Hunter" Kalitta.

For Shirley, there's a world title at stake.

For Kalitta, it's pride. He doesn't need the money.

He hasn't been in a final round in many, many years.

This is the first time that he and Shirley have ever raced each other

side by side.

All those arguments as to who would be best

will be settled right now.

Shirley has made it in a man's game.

They don't consider her a woman now,

just another competitor.

It's Shirley!

She won!

We did it!

Out of the car... Excuse me, literally besieged here by the foreign press,

it's the first major victory...

Whoo!

She's number one, this lady! This lady has the magic touch!

Excuse me.

Excuse me.

Excuse me!

Good drag race. Yeah.

Not bad. You oughta do this for a living.

Oh, yeah? Smoked your ass.

You had a good teacher, didn't you?

I'm gonna get you next year.

I'm not goin' anywhere.

I'll be here.

Whoo-wee!

Number one! Whoo!

Shirley, it was a really terrific run.

It's a thrill for all of us to watch you.

Not bad for an old broad in a used car, huh?

That's Shirley Muldowney, the only two-ti...

♪♪ Sometimes love's not all you want it to be ♪♪

♪♪ And though you do your best to make it last ♪♪

♪♪ You can feel the magic fading fast ♪♪

♪♪ And love just seems to roll away like a wheel ♪♪

♪♪ So you remember ♪♪

♪♪ The tender years ♪♪

♪♪ Collect your memories ♪♪

♪♪ And pack up all your tears ♪♪

♪♪ 'Cause you were born to win ♪♪

♪♪ Love waits for you to try again ♪♪

♪♪ You only need to believe inside your heart ♪♪

♪♪ That you were born to win ♪♪

♪♪ Time has come to begin again ♪♪

♪♪ The way is clear and you've known it from the start ♪♪

♪♪ That you were born to win ♪♪

♪♪ One by one the heartaches all fade away ♪♪

♪♪ And as you watch them disappear at last ♪♪

♪♪ You will know that you've outrun the past and ♪♪

♪♪ Realize why love led you on this way ♪♪

♪♪ And you remember ♪♪

♪♪ Though dreams have forked ♪♪

♪♪ Dreams are forever ♪♪

♪♪ So tell yourself once more ♪♪

♪♪ That you were born to win ♪♪

♪♪ Love waits for you to try again ♪♪

♪♪ You only need to believe inside your heart ♪♪

♪♪ That you were born to win ♪♪

♪♪ Time has come to begin again ♪♪

♪♪ The way is clear and you've known it from the start ♪♪

♪♪ That you were born to win ♪♪

♪♪ The moment's waiting ♪♪

♪♪ And you know it won't be long ♪♪

♪♪ You'll look around you ♪♪

♪♪ And you'll see you're standing strong ♪♪

♪♪ 'Cause you were born to win ♪♪

♪♪ Time has come to begin again ♪♪

♪♪ The way is clear and you've known it from the start ♪♪

♪♪ That you were born to win ♪♪

♪♪ Love'll wait for you to try again ♪♪

♪♪ You only need to believe inside your heart ♪♪

♪♪ That you were born to win ♪♪

♪♪ Just believe inside your heart ♪♪

♪♪ That you were born to win ♪♪