Limited-Edition Print of 350 (13x19)
Signed and numbered by the Artist.
One half of the most famous Funny Car duos in Drag Racing, is Tom McEwen's 1972 "Hot Wheels" Plymouth Duster.
In 1970, Tom "the Mongoose" McEwen, and Don "the Snake" Prudhomme, formed "Wildlife Racing" and put together a team package to tour the country match racing. McEwen, the even consummate promoter, convinced Mattel Toys to sponsor the team as 'Hot Wheels" cars, touting that ever kid (meaning boys) in the country would go out a buy (or more likely talk their parents into buying) these cars as "Hot Wheels" toys, and he certainly was right about that. Soon "Hot Wheels" sales were through the roof, and the "Snake & Mongoose" became household names.
The sponsorship was huge at the time, being the most lucrative deal in Drag Racing, and it gained the two "Wildlife" racers national attention, on and off the track. Several variations of toys, games, and other merchandise were created of the dynamic duo, and they packed drag strips across the country drawing large crowds to see the two match race...
Seen here, is Tom's iconic Blue Duster, his second car in the "Hot Wheels" lineup. The "Mongoose II" as it was called, was 1972 "Mr. Ed" Duster body sitting on top of a John Buttera chassis, it was painted by Don Kirby and hand lettered by Kenny Youngblood...Ed Pink provided the power-plant, making it one of Tom's most successful and potent Funny Cars.
The "Goose" would win the AHRA Spring Nationals in Denver, running the mile high track at a 6.81, 205.90mph, he would also win the inaugural 1972 PRA "National Challenge." Perhaps his most iconic win, was capturing the Funny Car Title at the "Last Drag Race" at Lions in Dec. of 72, beating teammate Don the "Snake" in the final.
For his efforts Tom won the 1972 "Drag News Driver of the Year" award
