1985 IHRA Alcohol Funny Car racing crowned a unique world champion – Bunny Burkett, a Fredericksburg, Virginia native. Women drag racers were few and far between 23 years ago. Having a woman being crowned world champion was unfathomable.
Burkett, who made Maryland International Raceway her home track, came back on June 12 to see her beloved Chrysler Lazer Funny Car hoisted atop the newly renovated Hot Rodz concession area at the track.
MIR unveiled its $1 million facelift to the world prior to the nationally televised 2008 IHRA President’s Cup Nationals and Bunny Burkett was honored by track owner, Royce Miller and cheered by her thousands of loyal fans.
Many tracks have asked Burkett to let them put her champion car on display and she refused, never wanting the car to be out of her possession. But Miller persuaded her to change her mind when he described the dedication and the facelift and the rest is history.
The Bay Net was there to record it all.