The untold story of how southern california drag racers, don the snake prudhomme and tom the mongoose mcewen combined with corporate giants to change the face of sports and ultimately became the most famous rivalry in racing history. Weighing in at 192 pages and jampacked with historic photos, its a musthave for any drag racing. Feb 05, 2021 don the snake prudhomme reveals for the first time ever his incredible life and career on and off of the drag strip. Don prudhomme is probably one of the most revered snakes in the world. Born in 1941, californian don the snake prudhomme earned the best win record in the nhra with his greerblackprudhomme top fuel dragster. The book covers prudhommes career as a drag racer from the 1960s through the 90s, his tenure as an owner, and his subsequent retirement.
Tommy ivos impact on the sport cannot be understated. In 1970, he made the jump to the new funny car class on the advice of tom mcewen and the hot wheels rep, who saw them as better sponsor billboards and toy prospects. Don prudhomme is the author of don the snake prudhomme 4. The story behind the snake, prudhomme and stephens reveal the details of prudhomme s colorful life as one of drag racings most driven champions. This is the experience youll get in don the snake prudhomme. Don the snake prudhomme my life beyond the 20 hardback. Written by tom madigan, 160 pages and published in 2009. The book covers prudhommes career as a drag racer from the 1960s through the 90s, his. If you only read one racing title this year, make sure it is this one. Mongoose how a rivalry changed drag racing forever. The series takes an inside look into the mindset of drag racer who described winning as everything.
Don the snake prudhomme is one of drag racings most successful drivers and team owners, having piloted everything from the legendary greerblack prudhomme fueler to recordsetting funny cars. On this episode of the nhra insider podcast, elana scherr the author of don prudhomme, my life beyond the 20 joins host brian lohnes to talk about making this amazing book and the inside stories behind the creation of the world. Here is the story of tv tommys incredible life and racing career, related by ivo to awardwinning automotive journalist tom cotter and profusely illustrated with images from ivos own archives. It is the inspiring tale of two revolutionaries whose battles on the track stood in stark contrast to deep and profound friendship. The early career of don prudhomme is captured in this spinetingling account of the 1973 nationals at indianapolis raceway park. Hed tell you about how he rose from being a high school dropout who was painting cars to a respected top fuel dragster driver. The book covers the 1973 nationals held in indianapolis, a race in which prudhomme was battling for his first funny car season title. From 1975 through 1982, prudhomme earned victory in 25 national events, took home four series titles and established both elapsed time the first to break the sixsecond barrier in a funny car and speed the first to break. A photographer tells him he used to have the snake and mongoose hot wheels set, prudhomme nods. Earn money by sharing your favorite books through our affiliate. The contrast was made more apparent by bernsteins sizzling 5. Nov 10, 2020 the new book release, don prudhomme my life beyond the 20 is amazing. My life beyond the 20, stoked so much interest that prudhomme and his publisher, cartech, have provided national dragster with an exclusive excerpt from the book for his fans to enjoy. Don prudhomme shares life story on and off the track.
Don the snake prudhomme reveals for the first time ever his incredible life and career on and off of the drag strip. The book covers prudhomme s career as a drag racer from the 1960s through the 90s, his tenure as an owner, and his subsequent retirement. My life beyond the 20, available now from cartech books prudhomme talks not about elapsed times or winners circles but about the journey from a broken home in the san fernando valley to pit areas and garages across the country to the heights of the sport both on the. Don the snake prudhomme retires after nearly 50 years in. This new book illuminates the life and career of one of the most prolific engine builders and racers ever to compete in the ultracompetitive pro stock category. This is the official facebook page for don prudhomme snake racing.
In this new book, he shares the story of his life on and off the track in his own words. The hall of fame driver was looking to complete a race that was derailed by engine malfunctions before it even started over five decades ago. Don the snake prudhomme s birthday is next week, april 6. Collection 72 white cuda 78 army arrow 89 skoal bandit 94 top fuel dragster 95 mgd dragster 02 miller dragster 99 miller hd dragster 05 miller aquest dragster 07 skoal impala ss. Why are we not surprised that don the snake prudhomme is still trying to find ways to go faster. Prudhomme continued racing long after it stopped being about toy cars and had turned into big business. American drag racer don the snake prudhomme, member of the. Oct 24, 2020 don the snake prudhomme is one of those legends.
We were researching baja racing for something, a meyers manx story maybe and noticed don. Jun 25, 2015 the story behind why were writing this story is almost as good as the story sorry, still with us. This book tells of behind the scenes stories of how the mattel hot wheels sponsorship changed the lives and careers of don prudhomme and tom mcewen, as well as the business of the sport of drag racing. Drag racing legend don the snake prudhomme, from his foreword. A true legend of the sport, prudhomme, 68, concluded his 47th year in drag racing in 2009, his 15th season as an owner after logging 32 seasons behind the wheel as one of the sports. Ask even the most casual of motor sports fans who the biggest name in drag racing is and you are almost always sure to hear one name don the snake prudhomme.
The two men hit it off and would work together again. At 80, nhra great donthe snake prudhomme still outracing. Don the snake prudhomme reveals for the first time ever his incredible life and career on and. Below the fully decaledpainted car as it appeared at the supernationals and lions. My life beyond the 20 by don prudhomme and elana scherr was released oct.
Sep 03, 20 listing all of prudhomme s victories would fill an entire book, but suffice it to say he was the funny car driver to beat. Don the snake prudhomme discusses his new book, my life beyond. In his recently released autobiography don the snake prudhomme. Born in 1941, californian don the snake prudhomme earned the best win record in the nhra with his greerblack prudhomme top fuel dragster. With mavtv onboard prudhomme excited for third strike at. When i flipped open the hardbound edition, it somehow fell to the very last page showing a full color photo of a hand with dirty fingernails holding a small photo of prudhomme s 1966 aafd ride. Don the snake prudhomme is one of drag racings most successful drivers and. Don prudhomme shares life story on and off track in new book. A day at the races with drag racing royalty hagerty media. Hed tell you about how he rose from being a high school dropout who was painting cars to a respected top fuel dragster driver and successful businessman. New car blues, prudhomme said as the lights at the end of the strip told the sorry story. Don prudhomme foreword of tales from a top fuel dragster. Above don prudhomme shook down the snake iii cuda at ocir prior to its debut at the 1973 supernationals. Prudhomme won four nhra funny car championships during his 35year career, and was also the first drag racer to exceed 250 mph.
My life beyond the 20, available now from cartech books prudhomme talks not about elapsed times or winners circles but about the journey from a broken home in the san fernando valley to pit areas and garages across the. Oct 19, 2020 don the snake prudhomme reveals for the first time ever his incredible life and career on and off of the drag strip. My life beyond the 20, available now from cartech books prudhomme talks not about elapsed times or winners circles but about the journey from a broken home in the san fernando valley to pit areas and garages across the country. Don the snake prudhomme s birthday is next week, april 6 like everyone else in california, prudhomme s under a stayathome order during the coronavirus pandemic the damndest thing ive ever seen out here but the winner of 49 nhra national events and four titles is far from inactive.
Don prudhomme, the story behind the snake by don prudhomme. Prudhomme continued winning in dragsters, including the super snake, a ford sohc 427 cammerpowered machine sponsored by carroll shelby. Prudhomme s start and his mattelhot wheels partnership with tom the mongoose mcewen is featured in the upcoming movie snake. Get the new don prudhomme autobiography competition plus. Prudhomme, who turned 80 on april 6, is gearing up for another run at the yokohama norra mexican.
My life beyond the 20, stoked so much interest that prudhomme. Its a fascinating discussion about the snake and his influence on drag racing and beyond. Jan 05, 2021 upon the reveal, i found don the snake prudhomme. Don the snake prudhomme reveals for the first time ever his incredible life and career on and off the drag strip. Jan 06, 2020 in his recently released autobiography don the snake prudhomme. Legends he series don the snake prudhomme on vimeo. My life beyond the 20, stoked so much interest that prudhomme and his publisher, cartech, have provided national dragster.
Don the snake prudhomme, my life beyond the 20 this book brings to life a sport and a way of life that no longer exists. Like everyone else in california, prudhomme s under a stayathome order during the coronavirus pandemic the damndest thing ive ever seen out here but the winner of 49 nhra national events and four titles is far from inactive. The story behind the snake, prudhomme and stephens reveal the details of prudhommes colorful life as one of drag racings most driven champions. Scherr join to discuss their new book don the snake prudhomme. Don prudhomme books list of books by author don prudhomme. Imagine spending a year with don the snake prudhomme, having coffee together and talking about his life, his racing, his friends, and his family. Oct 24, 2020 in his recently released autobiography don the snake prudhomme. The history of hot rodding and performance cars has been well chronicled. Don the snake prudhomme is one of drag racings greatest pioneers, having. With jesse williams, richard blake, ashley hinshaw, kim shaw. Prudhomme raced a fordpowered dragster in 67 and 68, sponsored by none other than carroll shelby. Prudhommes start and his mattelhot wheels partnership with tom the mongoose mcewen is. They made history don prudhomme, left, this month at his shop in.
His story is an american folk tale that crisscrosses tens of thousands of highway miles and brings him together with. Prudhomme did not stop rewriting the nhra record books despite leaving his role. Very insightful, tells the snakes story from the very begining. Don the snake prudhomme discusses his new book, my life. The story behind the snake, prudhomme and stephens reveal the details of prudhommes colorful life as one of drag racings most driven. My life beyond the 20, available now from cartech books prudhomme talks not about elapsed times or winners circles but about the journey from a broken home in the san fernando valley to pit areas and garages across the country to the heights of the sport both on the track and in the boardroom. Master writer hal higdon spent the race weekend shadowing prudhomme during a race that was the turning point in the snake s dominating funny car racing career. Prudhomme is retired now, attending the races as a celebrity guest and, boy, are there fans eager to meet him. He turns to me and pulls off his snake racing ball cap.
Don the snake prudhomme my life beyond the 20 by elana. Oct 23, 2020 in his recently released autobiography don the snake prudhomme. Don prudhomme shares his life story in new book racinboys. A life story which has been told time and time again, this episode of legends. In this new book, he shares the story of his life on and off the track in his own. See all books authored by don prudhomme, including don the snake prudhomme. Don the snake prudhomme and elana scherr cars that matter. Here, finally, is the definitive biography of one of drag racings most irrepressible characters.
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