Heart Like a Wheel poster

Heart Like a Wheel( 1983)

TV-MADrama
56%
User
Score

She did something women were forbidden to do, and became a World Champion.

Overview

Shirley Muldowney is determined to be a top-fuel drag racer, although no woman has ever raced them before. Despite the high risks of this kind of racing and the burden it places on her family life, she perseveres in her dream.

    Top Billed Cast

    1. cast image

      Bonnie Bedelia

      Shirley Muldowney

    2. cast image

      Beau Bridges

      Connie Kalitta

    3. cast image

      Leo Rossi

      Jack Muldowney

    4. cast image

      Hoyt Axton

      Jack Roque

    5. cast image

      Bill McKinney

      "Big Daddy" Don Garlits

    6. cast image

      Anthony Edwards

      John Muldowney

    7. cast image

      Elliott Mason

      Young Autograph Seeker

    8. cast image

      Creed Bratton

      Photographer

    9. cast image

      Dick Miller

      Mickey White

    10. cast image

      Paul Bartel

      Chef Paul

    11. cast image

      Bruce Barlow

      Bass Player, Tex's Band

    12. cast image

      Missy Basile

      Angela

    13. cast image

      Jesse Aragon

      Carlos

    14. cast image

      Tiffany Brissette

      Little Shirley

    15. cast image

      Paul Bryar

      Matt, Card Player

    16. cast image

      James Burton

      Guitar Player, Tex's Band

    17. cast image

      Martin Casella

      Repoter #1

    18. cast image

      Michael Cavanaugh

      NHRA Boss

    19. cast image

      Sandy Chanley

      Fan

    20. cast image

      Mark Dawson

      Guitar / Harmonica, Tex's Band

    21. cast image

      Diane Delano

      Shirley's Sister

    22. cast image

      Tom Duffield

      Rahn Tobler

    23. cast image

      Jill Carroll

      John's girlfriend

    24. cast image

      Steve Evans

      Himself

    25. cast image

      Dennis Fetchet

      Fiddle Player, Tex's Band

    26. cast image

      Chris Fontana

      Frank the Crank

    27. cast image

      Ellen Geer

      Mrs. Marianne Kalitta

    28. cast image

      Ashley Graham

      Girl at Track

    29. cast image

      Christi Graham

      Girl at Track

    30. cast image

      Marvin Graham

      Kalitta's Crew Chief

    31. cast image

      Nora Heflin

      Nurse North

    32. cast image

      Mitzi Hoag

      Shirley's Mother

    33. cast image

      Marvin 'Swede' Johnson

      'Lariat' Sponsor

    34. cast image

      Tim Kimber

      Buddy

    35. cast image

      Terence Knox

      Jack's Friend

    36. cast image

      Sam Laws

      Piano Player

    37. cast image

      Paul Linke

      Reporter #2

    38. cast image

      Dean Paul Martin

      Sonny Rigotti

    39. cast image

      Michael Milgrom

      Tourist at Bar

    40. cast image

      Bob Minor

      Ralph, NHRA Official

    41. cast image

      Harry Northup

      Trooper

    42. cast image

      Byron Thames

      John (age 10-13)

    Social

    Review 1Discussion

    A review by CinemaSerf

    6
    Written by CinemaSerf on Sun Jun 22 2025
    Long before there was Ru Paul, there was Bonnie Bedelia delivering quite a gutsy performance here in her own drag racing biopic of pioneering driver Shirley Muldowney. Her racing involved cars but otherwise wasn’t a lot less catty as her attempt to establish herself in what was very much a man’s world proved difficult for her and those around her. Initially, her new husband (Leo Rossi) is supportive and encouraging but only insofar as it is a hobby that doesn’t get in the way of their family and their gas station business. She’s more determined than that though, and egged on by fellow driver “C...

    Media

    Videos 1Backdrops 2Posters 4

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    Facts

    Status

    Released

    Original Language

    English

    Budget

    -

    Revenue

    -

    Keywords

    • sports
    • biography
    • drag racer