Historic Publications

This was an interview done with Judy Lilly at the 1978 SportsNationals. This video also shows her in the third round of competition.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo courtesy of nhra.com

Judy Lilly and Don Garlits celebrate the 50 the anniversary of the 1968 Super Stock program by exhibition racing.

This year is the 40th anniversary of the original factory-built drag race package cars from Dodge and Plymouth --- the 1968 Hemi Darts and Barracudas. These were limited-edition cars that represented a significant point in Mopar and drag racing history.
To celebrate, Mopar launched new hemi powered Dodge Challenger Drag Race Package Cars at the NHRA’s 29th annual Mopar Mile High Nationals with Grand Marshal "Big Daddy" Don Garlits and honorary starter Judy Lilly --- one of the female pioneers in drag racing --- matched together in an 11-second duel. Big Daddy got beat off the line, but eventually took the win. Judy is seen here with track owner John Bandimere, who was also celebrating the track’s 50th anniversary, and Don, in the Mopar cap.

Credit: http://www.moparmax.com/events/2008/iii_3-mats-2.htm

After the above event I had a conversation with Judy Lilly concerning the big event debuting the new Challenger race car and her experience going up against "Big Daddy" Don Garlits. Judy told me about the run in detail, her account of the events leading up to the run were amusing as well. Judy said that she was not allowed to even test run the car before the race! She and Don had a conversation concerning how to play the deal and it was mutually agreed that they would stage and launch the cars but let off around the 1,000 foot mark as it was only an exhibition run afterall. Well, Judy did just as promised, she launched the car hard and tree'd Mr. Garlits pretty well, and as agreed, she lifted at the 1,000 foot cone, but Don didn't lift and as noted in the above NHRA article, was awarded the "Win".