'MISS MIGHTY MOPAR' TO BE INDUCTED INTO COLORADO
MOTORSPORTS HALL OF FAME
NEWS RELEASE
July 11, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEAM MOPAR CONTACT:
Misha Geisert
J.R. Thompson Company
(317) 432-4110
MoparPR@aol.com
JUDY 'MISS MIGHTY MOPAR' LILLY TO BE INDUCTED INTO COLORADO MOTORSPORTS HALL
OF FAME
Center Line, Mich. - The 26th Annual NHRA Mopar Mile-High Nationals is sure
to be action packed, but the event will mark another milestone in the career of
Judy 'Miss Mighty Mopar' Lilly. One of the female pioneers of drag racing
history, Lilly will be inducted into the Colorado Motorsports Hall of Fame on
July 17 at Bandimere Speedway. Continuing on in her groundbreaking tradition,
Lilly's induction will mark the first time in history a woman has obtained the
honor.
"I am just thrilled, to say the least," Lilly said. "To be inducted into the
Colorado Motorsports Hall of Fame, and to be the first women to be honored is
just unbelievable. I'm really shocked to have been selected. When we were
doing our racing, it was truly for the love of the sport. We weren't out to climb
any mountains, but it's great to know that we have. I am truly honored to be
recognized by the organization."
Lilly, who began her drag racing career in 1961, left her mark on the sport
in a big way. From 1967 to 1970, Lilly drove a Hemi®-powered Barracuda to Super
Stock Eliminator title in the NHRA Mopar Mile-High Nationals in Denver, Colo.
With her induction set to take place at the event this Sunday, Lilly, who is
a resident of nearby Brighton, Colo., is pleased to return to her roots.
"When I joined Chrysler and the Mopar Direct Connection teams, I was truly
part of the family," Lilly said. "It was a pleasure to work with them, as we
were all supported equally. It really was a family. The fact that I'm going to be
recognized at the Mopar Mile-High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway also
definitely has some special meaning. When you look back on your career, some things
mean more than others, and this is definitely a highlight."
In 1972 Mopar became the primary sponsor on Lilly's Hemi Barracuda. The "Miss
Mighty Mopar" moniker made its debut with Lilly at the NHRA Winternationals
event that year. She went on to win the Super Stock Eliminator title at the
event and followed it up with a victory at the NHRA Spring Nationals later that
same year. The victories put her in the history book as the only female
competitor to win two NHRA national events in the same year.
An original member of the Mopar Direct Connection team, Lilly's most
successful season came in 1975, behind the wheel of a Plymouth Duster. She earned
victories in the Super Stock Eliminator series at the NHRA Gatornationals, the
NHRA Fall Nationals and the Popular Hot Rodding Championship, and she was the
runner-up at the U.S. Nationals that season.
Lilly's honors include being named Car Craft magazine's Super Stock Driver of
the Year an unprecedented three times (1972, 1976 & 1977), and she retired in
1978, after spending 12 years on the NHRA circuit. In 1998 she was inducted
in the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame.
Race fans will have a front-row seat to Lilly's induction into the Colorado
Motorsports Hall of Fame ceremony as it takes place at Bandimere Speedway.
John Bandimere Jr., will present Lilly with a certificate of induction and an
engraved medallion in recognition for her efforts in the sport of drag racing on
Sunday, July 17, as part of the pre-race festivities for the Mopar Mile-High
Nationals.
The 26th Annual Mopar Mile-High Nationals will take place at Bandimere
Speedway July 14-17. A free Mopar Big Block party will kick off the event in
downtown Golden, Colo., at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 14.
For more information regarding Mopar, Bandimere Speedway or the 26th Annual
Mopar Mile-High Nationals, log on to www.moparspeed.com, www.bandimere.com or
www.nhra.com.
Mopar is based in Center Line, Mich., and is the exclusive original equipment
supplier of parts and accessories for Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep® vehicles.
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