The narrator, who was the older Mike McCormick said that his dad died in 1996 and the following year, he started racing too. Wonder why he waited so long to race?? But is this a true story?? It was a good movie. Kept me entertained.
shareYes this was a true story, but some things were fictionalized; Some of the names were changed and some events are untrue. Here's some examples:
Name Changes:
- Roger Epperson, owner of the Miss Budweiser: The Owner's real name is the late Bernie L Little.
Rick inston, driver of the Miss Busweiser: The actual driver of that time was the late Dean Cheonoweth.
Bobby Epperson: That would actually be Bernie Jr or Joe Little.
Changes:
- The all red paint scheme of the Miss Budweiser was not done by the race team until 1994. Hollywood apparenly wanted it that way.
- Race in Chicago. The actual schedule that year did not include Chicago (or as far as I know did not ever race in Chi-Town). This is how the scedule went that season:
May 23: Champion Spark Plug Trophy; Miami, Fl
June 5-6: President's Cup: Washington, DC
June 13: Kentucky Governor's Cup: Owensboro, KY
June 27: Horace E Dodge Cup: Detroit, Mi
July 4: APBA Gold Cup: Madison, In
July 25: Atomic Cup: Tri City, Wash
August 8: Seafair Trophy: Seattle, Wash (My home town!)
Aug 15: Oregon Emerald Cup: Dexter, Or
September 25-26: Atlas Van Lines Cup: Dallas, Tx
Notice the difference in the actual schedule vs what was depicted in the movie. The schedule in that was, Miami, Chicago, Seattle, Dayton, Oh, then the Gold cup in Madson. As mentioned, no race existed in Chicago and that year, nor did they ever go there. In addition, they did not race in Dayton that year as well.
In addition, they tried saying the Madidon race would be on Labour Day Weekend, but it was actally on the 4th of July weekend.
As for some of those stories, like the Miss M only having one engine, that's unbelivible or the WWII fighter plane scene, I heard that was fictionalized. Made a good story though.
As for Mike McCormick, unless he raced in the limited ranks, I know he didn't race in the unlimited ranks around the time as you asked. Besides, you can't go straight to an unlimited w/o having experience in the limitetd prior.
In the beginning of the movie, thtere is the disclaimer that this is based on a true story.
Hopefully this answers some of your questions.
Actually the only thing true about the film was that Miss Madison won the Gold Cup. That was it. Aside from that everything else was pure fiction. The McCormick's lived in Owensboro, KY, not Madison, IN.
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