Charlotte Auto Fair to feature Snake, Mongoose and Petty drag cars
The Pennzoil AutoFair is returning to Charlotte Motor Speedway April 7-10, and this time the stars of the show will be what are arguably the most iconic NHRA Funny Cars in history. And there will be a NASCAR twist, too.
Don “Snake” Prudhomme and Tom “Mongoose” McEwen made Funny Car racing explode onto the national map in 1970 with their Hot Wheels-sponsored Plymouths that were one of the most successful marketing promotions of all time.
McEwen convinced toy maker Mattel to have its Hot Wheels brand sponsor the two Funny Cars. So successful was the program, that for a time Hot Wheels reportedly passed Barbie as the No. 1 selling Mattel products.
The Snake and Mongoose Hot Wheels Plymouths are now the property of NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick, who purchased them at auction last year.
Richard Petty gave drag racing a go during 1965.
The two cars will be on display at the Pennzoil AutoFair’s Nationwide Insurance Classic Car Showcase Pavilion as part of an exhibit of cars from the early years of Funny Car development.
Also included will be cars representing legendary drivers Richard Petty, Bruce Larson, Dick Brannon, “Jungle Jim” Liberman and Hubert Platt, among others.
Petty actually went drag racing during the 1965 season, as Chrysler was boycotting NASCAR at the time.
McEwen and Prudhomme will sign autographs at the Pavilion Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon and from 2 to 4 p.m. each day.
Current NHRA drivers Matt Hagan and Leah Pritchett will also make appearances Saturday in the manufacturers’ midway. Hagan will sign autographs in the Pennzoil booth from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. and again from 1:30 until 2 p.m. Pritchett will make a special appearance in the Tommy Pike Customs booth from 11 a.m. to noon.
Don "Snake" Prudhomme's Hot Wheels Plymouth Funny Car.
Tom "Mongoose" McEwen's Hot Wheels Plymouth Funny Car.
