snake and mongoose

Two drag racing legends revolutionized motorsports in 1970 when they worked out a deal with Mattel Inc. that made the toy-making giant’s new Hot Wheels brand the sport’s first corporate sponsor.

Mattel put logos on dragsters and put real-life drivers into Hot Wheels television commercials. Mattel was the first non-automotive corporate sponsor in professional racing and the money the company injected into the sport helped ignite innovations that would propel racing to the global stage.

Now, in 2013, those same two racers will once again be part of something that will draw more attention to motorsports—drag racing, specifically.

Snake & Mongoose is scheduled to open in theaters on Sept. 6—just days after the NHRA Countdown to One playoffs wrap up in Indianapolis.

The film tells the story of Tom “The Mongoose” McEwen and Don “The Snake” Prudhomme’s friendship, rivalry, personal triumphs and tragedies, as well as their business successes.

NHRA has partnered with the Snake & Mongoose filmmakers to support promoting of the film.

We’re looking forward to learning more about these two racing champions and seeing their personal stories.

And we’re hoping the movie serves as a good introduction to drag racing for anyone who might be exposed to it for the first time watching this film.

Because drag racing is pretty cool. And we think a lot more people will think so too if they ever get to see it and understand it for what it is—the fastest sport on Earth.

Watch the movie trailer here:

 

 

Author: Matt Griswold

After a 10-year newspaper journalism career, Matt Griswold spent another decade writing about the automotive aftermarket and motorsports. He was part of the original OnAllCylinders editorial team when it launched in 2012.