The First Lady of Drag Racing

“Cha-Cha”

Shirley Muldowney, an American Top Gas, Funny Car, and match racer is a trailblazer and an inspiration to many in automotive sports. She shattered gender barriers by becoming the first woman to receive a license from the National Hot Rod Association to drive a Top Fuel dragster. With her passion, perseverance, and dedication, she won 18 NHRA national events and became the first person to win two and three of drag racing’s most prestigious titles, Top Fuel, back-to-back. Her impressive achievements have earned her a well-deserved place in the Automotive Hall of Fame, the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, and the International Motorsports Hall of Fame.

Career Highlights

  • Shirley's 1973 drag racer

    1975

    The American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association named Shirley the first woman to be part of their 10-person Auto Racing All-American team.

  • cover of "Drag News" 1976 top fuel driver of the year

    1976

    Drag News Top Fuel named Shirley the Driver of the Year, and she was voted into the Auto Racing All-American Team for the second time.

  • Shirley posing for the NHRA winston world points championship

    1977

    Shirley became the first woman to win drag racing's most prestigious title, the NHRA Winston World Points Championship.

  • Image of Shirley with a pink truck from 1979

    1980

    Shirley won the NHRA Winston World Points Championship for the second time.

  • Shirley drag racing around 1980

    1981

    Shirley won the AHRA world championship and was voted to the Auto Racing All-American team for the fifth time.

  • Pioneer sponsorship announcement of Shirley in the 1980s

    1982

    Shirley secured the NHRA Winston Points Championship, becoming the first person to claim drag racing's most prestigious title three times. She was voted into the Auto Racing All-American Team for the fifth time.

  • 1990 postcard featuring Shirley racing

    1990

    The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America welcomed Shirley as an inductee.

  • picture of Shirley drag racing in the late 1990s

    2001

    The National Hot Rod Association ranked Shirley #5 in the 50th Anniversary list of Top 50 drivers, 1951-2000.

  • vintage image of Shirley placed on top of an image of the international motorsports hall of fame

    2004

    Shirley was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame.

  • Shirley at a podium accepting the induction into the Automotive Hall of Fame

    2005

    Shirley was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame.

  • Today

    Shirley continues to be a staple of the drag racing community to this day. Find her at an upcoming event or “Shirley’s Kids” fundraiser!