Shirley Muldowney
Shirley Muldowney is a name that today is known around the world, but some 50+ years ago she was just another enthusiast looking for a way to become a part of the sport of drag racing. Of course, there was one major exception: she was a female, and at the time it was considered proper for everyone involved for females to be spectators or at most, parts chasers. Shirley learned early in life that going fast was what she really enjoyed and that doing it on the streets wasn’t very practical. Her first efforts at the local dragstrip were not really pleasant ones, but she was determined to come Pete with the “guys” on an equal basis. After finally getting her top fuel license signed off and being allowed to compete on equal basis, Shirley quickly proved she was even better than she thought she was.
While Shirley competed in a funny car for a time, it is her accomplishments and top fuel dragsters that has made her a true legend. In fact, just listing most of her treatment covers a lot of space.
Just who is Shirley Muldowney and what she done? She is: the first woman to be licensed to drive a top fuel dragster, the first and only woman to be a member of the 250 MPH club and four second club, the first woman and only the second drag racer to be inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame, the first motorsports personality to be honored by the U.S. Congress with an “Outstanding Achievement Award”, the first drag racer and only woman to be honored with the Jerry Titus Memorial Award as part of the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association All-American Team Program, the first woman to win an AHRA and NHRA professional national event, the first and only woman to win a professional NHRA Winston World Championship which she did three times, the first two-time NHRA Winston World Champion, the first woman to be named to the All-Star Drag Racing Team in a professional driving category, the first woman competitor to be honored with the “Ollie” Award as part of the All-Star Drag Racing Team, and inductee to the Hot Rod Magazine Hall of Fame.
Shirley Muldowney is a racing pioneer who exploits have transcended the automotive world to have produced a remarkable impact on the average American, many of whom view her as an icon for our times.
In addition to winning 18 national event titles a world championship in AHRA events as well as her NHRA championships, setting records at many of the major race tracks and events. Shirley has been a true spokesperson for the sport of drag racing appearing in newspaper and magazine feature articles in such titles as readers digest and Sports Illustrated to nearly every automotive magazine. Shirley has appeared on TV programs to include “The Tonight Show” which Johnny Carson. Shirley had her life story made into a movie “Heart Like a Wheel”. Shirley has done a lot for the sport and has paid a pretty high price in the physical pain and suffering department after a crash, in Canada, in 1984. But she never gave up the will to be a competitor, ambassador, and winner; as attributed to her successful return to racing in 1986.
Shirley retired from racing in 2003. She still is active in the sport and can be seen at reunions and various car shows throughout the country.