On this day April 1 1983 the biographical drama Heart Like a Wheel premiered in theaters. Directed by Jonathan Kaplan the film starred Bonnie Bedelia as real life drag racing pioneer Shirley Muldowney and Beau Bridges as her mechanic and eventual husband Jack Muldowney.
The film told the story of Shirley’s rise through the male dominated world of professional drag racing becoming the first woman licensed by the National Hot Rod Association to drive a top fuel dragster. Despite a compelling story and strong performances Heart Like a Wheel struggled at the box office earning just $272,000 against a $7.5 million budget. Still the film received critical praise and earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Costume Design.
80s insight: Shirley Muldowney herself made a cameo in the movie as a starting line official.