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Post by dragnews on Oct 29, 2008 21:47:07 GMT -5
It has been a couple of weeks now since most of us came home disappointed with our out come from the Division 4 points race at Thunder Valley Raceway park. But on March 19 1978 a young working mother of two piloted her small block econo dragster past all the division 4 and national event hitters, to win the Winston Western Conference points meet held at LA Place Dragway located near New Orleans La. Long before weman drove fancy race cars and wore designer fire suits. Judy Mathews of Ardmore Oklahoma was out running the guys on a regular bases. During that time females were not accepted as legit drivers, but Judy not only finished in the top five in points that year, she went on to win many drag races before retiring in the mid 80's. <above photo includes Division 4 director, Dale Ham, Johnnie Laird, Rita, Jerry Mathews, Judy Mathews and Miss Winston Deb Briskket> Judy was not only a talented driver behind the wheel but could also work on the cars, drive the tow vehicles and even find time to fix lunch for us kids. Nothing ever rattled her or threw her of her race plan She was truly a star driver during her carrier. < above photo includes Judy in car and a young pit crew Rob Ragland. NO doubt Judy was instructing me on what I was to do during the 1976 Cowpasture Nationals> Photo and story courtesy of the Ragland collection.
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Post by smatthews on Oct 31, 2008 20:59:49 GMT -5
Very cool. Keep the history coming Rob.
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