One of the greatest rivalries in the history of drag racing will undoubtedly always be the contention between Don “the Snake” Prudhomme and Tom “the Mongoose” McEwen. During the 1960’s and 1970’s, Prudhomme and McEwen were highlights of the drag racing world with an on-track strife and an off-track friendship. The two men, appreciably decorated in wins from numerous events, helped to put the sport of drag racing into the mainstream. After Mattels’ Hot Wheels stepped forth to sponsor them, their popularity continued to increase to the point where the two men became household names to racing fans across the country.
[1]Now, nearly some forty plus years later, Prudhomme and McEwen will become the stars of the big screen, as the times gone by will be relived in the new movie release, “Snake & Mongoo$e”. The film which is scheduled to have a limited release this fall, will hit the silver screen of 25 cities. The film opening is scheduled for Friday, September 6th and coincides with the completion of the National Hot Rod Association’s U.S. Nationals. The cities where the film will be shown are in locations in which the NHRA holds national events. Some of these cities include: New York, Indianapolis, Dallas, and Los Angeles.
“Snake & Mongoo$e”, which is being produced in cooperation with NHRA will include original race footage and also dragsters and race cars from that era, thanks to the generosity of private collectors. The upcoming film will revisit the history between Don “the Snake” Prudhomme and Tom “the Mongoose” McEwen and the glory days of drag racing as the movie highlights their rivalry, friendship, and the success of their Hot Wheels sponsorship that launched them into fame and the history books. The results of which: Snake and Mongoose becoming two of the most legendary nicknames in the history of drag racing.