This guy was kickin butt and taking names before most of you guys were born. I remember him well, He was one tough Cookie that didn't know the meaning of the word quit, His 1974 Nationals comeback after the fire was like pulling off a Mission Impossible! I don't believe he ever had much money behind him and this was before the day of Mega Sponsors but he did extremely well with what he had, may he Rest in Peace!
Shirl Greer, past Funny Car champ, dies at 75
Bobby Bennett, CompetitionPlus.com
Friday, 12 March 2010
Shirl Greer, who won the 1974 NHRA championship in his Unchained Lightning Funny Car, passed away Friday in Johnson City, Tenn., at the age of 75.
Greer recently was hospitalized at the James H Quillen VA Hospital with complications from a previous surgery. He had undergone four surgeries in the last two weeks and spent the past few days in a medically induced coma.
"It?s been a pretty rough day," said Brian Greer, youngest of Shirl?s three sons. "But he?s not suffering anymore. I can?t believe he?s gone. We love our drag racing family and my dad did too. Your prayers helped us through a tough time."
Greer?s comeback from a devastating fire during the 1974 NHRA Finals qualifying was voted by National DRAGSTER as the No. 9 Most Memorable Moment in the history of the event. As one of four drivers with a mathematical chance of winning the title, Greer, with help from the teams of Al Hanna and Paul Smith, rebuilt his Mustang Funny Car in a 17-hour marathon.
A wounded Greer climbed behind the wheel and won his first-round race with Leroy Chadderton, exploding the blower in the process. When Don Prudhomme lost in the second round to Dale Pulde, Greer clinched the season championship.
Greer is survived by wife Deborah, and sons Van, Rusty, and Brian.
Services will be announced Saturday.
Shirl Greer, past Funny Car champ, dies at 75
Bobby Bennett, CompetitionPlus.com
Friday, 12 March 2010
Shirl Greer, who won the 1974 NHRA championship in his Unchained Lightning Funny Car, passed away Friday in Johnson City, Tenn., at the age of 75.
Greer recently was hospitalized at the James H Quillen VA Hospital with complications from a previous surgery. He had undergone four surgeries in the last two weeks and spent the past few days in a medically induced coma.
"It?s been a pretty rough day," said Brian Greer, youngest of Shirl?s three sons. "But he?s not suffering anymore. I can?t believe he?s gone. We love our drag racing family and my dad did too. Your prayers helped us through a tough time."
Greer?s comeback from a devastating fire during the 1974 NHRA Finals qualifying was voted by National DRAGSTER as the No. 9 Most Memorable Moment in the history of the event. As one of four drivers with a mathematical chance of winning the title, Greer, with help from the teams of Al Hanna and Paul Smith, rebuilt his Mustang Funny Car in a 17-hour marathon.
A wounded Greer climbed behind the wheel and won his first-round race with Leroy Chadderton, exploding the blower in the process. When Don Prudhomme lost in the second round to Dale Pulde, Greer clinched the season championship.
Greer is survived by wife Deborah, and sons Van, Rusty, and Brian.
Services will be announced Saturday.
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