1980 NHRA Winternationals

Drag racing event August 2023 The 1980 NHRA Winternationals (commonly known as the Winternats) were a National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) drag racing event, held at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, California, on February 3. Ultimateracinghistory (retrieved 9 November 2018) Top Fuel Dragster Shirley Muldowney qualified her all-new (and later signature) pink digger $6, Ultimateracinghistory (retrieved 9 November 2018) at 5.90 seconds and 245 mph on, and Connie Kalitta, who turned in a #1-qualifying 5.85 second pass.Wallace, Dave. "Shirley Wins the West!", in Hot Rod, April 1980, p.54. The field also included Rance McDaniel (with a 5.85 second/249.30 mph on pass), John Kimble, Frank Bradley, Chris "The Greek" Karamesines, and Gary Beck; Don Garlits' 6.05/243.24 mph on pass was not good enough to qualify.Wallace, Dave. "Shirley Wins the West!", in Hot Rod, April 1980, p.54. Kalitta defeated former world champions in all three early rounds: Rob Bruins, who redlighted; Beck; and Richard Tharp.Wallace, Dave. "Shirley Wins the West!", in Hot Rod, April 1980, p.54. Muldowney faced #14 qualifier Ultimateracinghistory (retrieved 9 November 2018) Mark Oswald in round one, Dave Uyehara (qualified #10 Ultimateracinghistory (retrieved 9 November 2018)) in round two, and #4-qualifier Kimble in round three. Ultimateracinghistory (retrieved 9 November 2018) The event win went to Muldowney, who defeated Kalitta in the final, their fourth final round meeting in a row, and Muldowney's fourth win.Wallace, Dave. "Shirley Wins the West!", in Hot Rod, April 1980, p.52-3. Muldowney's winning pass was 5.94 seconds at 247.25 mph on, to Kalitta's 6.03/233.76 mph on.Wallace, Dave. "Shirley Wins the West!", in Hot Rod, April 1980, p.55. Muldowney also claimed Low E.T.(5.83) and Top Speed (249.30 mph on, tying McDaniel) of the meet for the classWallace, Dave. "Shirley Wins the West!", in Hot Rod, April 1980, p.55. Low qualifying e.t. paid Kalitta $1000 from 7-Up.Wallace, Dave. "Shirley Wins the West!", in Hot Rod, April 1980, p.55. Top Fuel Funny Car Dale Pulde's War Eagle Dodge Challenger qualified #8, at 6.12/238 mph on.Wallace, Dave. "Shirley Wins the West!", in Hot Rod, April 1980, p.55. In round one, he defeated the Pontiac Firebird of Jim Dunn (qualified #10) Ultimateracinghistory (retrieved 9 November 2018) in round one, Hank Johnson in round two, and Kenny Bernstein, whose fueller got badly out of shape, in the semi-final.Wallace, Dave. "Shirley Wins the West!", in Hot Rod, April 1980, p.55. (qualified War Eagle suffered chassis cracking, which was repaired with the assistance of every other team in the class, just before the final round.Wallace, Dave. "Shirley Wins the West!", in Hot Rod, April 1980, p.52-4. In the final, Pulde faced off against Ron Colson, in Roland Leong's Hawaiian Dodge Omni, who qualified #11;Wallace, Dave. "Shirley Wins the West!", in Hot Rod, April 1980, p.55. Colson was disqualified after crossing the centerline.Wallace, Dave. "Shirley Wins the West!", in Hot Rod, April 1980, p.53 caption. Pulde recorded a pass of 6.25 seconds at 238.72 mph on.Wallace, Dave. "Shirley Wins the West!", in Hot Rod, April 1980, p.54. War Eagles chassis broke at the end of the winning pass.Wallace, Dave. "Shirley Wins the West!", in Hot Rod, April 1980, p.54. "240 Gordie" Bonin's #13-qualified Ultimateracinghistory (retrieved 9 November 2018) Firebird took top speed of the meet in class, with a pass of 245.23 mph on, before hitting a safety net.Wallace, Dave. "Shirley Wins the West!", in Hot Rod, April 1980, p.53 caption. Low E.T. in class went to Kosty Ivanof's Chevrolet Corvette, at 6.05.Wallace, Dave. "Shirley Wins the West!", in Hot Rod, April 1980, p.55. Low qualifying e.t. also paid Ivanof $1000 from 7-Up.Wallace, Dave. "Shirley Wins the West!", in Hot Rod, April 1980, p.55. Pro Stock The event win went to Lee Shepherd, after Jim Meyer was eliminated in round one and gearbox trouble took out Bob Glidden in the second round and a broken chassis claimed Kevin Rotty in the semi-final.Wallace, Dave. "Shirley Wins the West!", in Hot Rod, April 1980, p.54. Rotty, in a 1980 Camaro owned by Jack Manchester, recorded Low E.T. and Top Speed in class, at 8.49 seconds and 161.57 mph on.Wallace, Dave. "Shirley Wins the West!", in Hot Rod, April 1980, p.55. Low e.t. earned Rotty $500 from 7-Up.Wallace, Dave. "Shirley Wins the West!", in Hot Rod, April 1980, p.55. Top Gas Eliminator The newly-introduced class was won by Bob Tietz, topping a thirty-two car field; at the wheel of a Chevrolet-powered '23 Model T, he defeated Bruce Williams in the final round, with a pass of 9.88 seconds at 117 mph on.Wallace, Dave. "Shirley Wins the West!", in Hot Rod, April 1980, pp.53 caption & 54. Pro Comp Pro Comp Eliminator was won by Brian Raymer's alcohol dragster, with a 6.67/207 mph on pass, defeating an unexpected finalist, Fred Hagen, in the BB/FC Darkhorse.Wallace, Dave. "Shirley Wins the West!", in Hot Rod, April 1980, p.54. Notes Sources Wallace, Dave. "Shirley Wins the West!", in Hot Rod, April 1980, p. 52-6. Category:1980 in sports in California Category:NHRA Winternationals Category:1980 in motorsport