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NHRA - Shirley Muldowney

Shirley “Cha Cha” Muldowney, The First Lady of Drag Racing

 

Shirley “Cha Cha” Muldowney, The First Lady of Drag Racing Shirley Muldowney also known as “Cha Cha” in the drag racing circuit has always been someone I admired as she was also the “First Lady of Drag Racing”. Shirley was the first women to receive a license from the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) to drive in 1965.

She went on to be a legend in drag racing as she got her Top Fuel license in 1973 and then won the NHRA Top Fuel championship in 1977, 1980 and again in 1982 which made her the first person to win more than two Top Fuel titles. This great Lady of drag racing went on into her career to win a total of 18 NHRA national events.

This year at the Labor Day weekend “Mac Tools U.S. Nationals” presented by Lucas Oil, Shirley was honored by the NHRA as the President Tom Compton announced that the Top Eliminator Club grandstands located behind the starting line at Lucas Oil Raceway had been dedicated in honor of the three-time NHRA Top Fuel world champion - Shirley “Cha Cha” Muldowney.

This is only the third time in NHRA’s history that a section of grandstand at an NHRA-owned and operated facility has been named for one of the sport’s legends. And Shirley being one of the greatest and most accomplished women in racing was also named one of Sports Illustrated top 100 athletes for Women, which is quite an honor and now she now has her own seat here every Labor Day weekend here in Indy at Lucas Oil Raceway.

By Judy Worley

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Plan Your Trip

Learn more about NHRA Racing Series

For more information on the NHRA’s 60 years celebration and the Full Throttle Drag Racing series, log
onto www.nhra.com.

Getting around town to visit attractions and restaurants, as well as  the Indiana State Fair and events is easy with help from the Indianapolis Convention and Visitor's Bureau at at www.visitindy.com.

Also visit Indianapolis Downtown Inc. at www.indydt.com for more events and news for your trip.

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About The Author

Learn more about Judy Worley

 

Features by Journalist and Photographer - Judy Worley Coast To Coast - Journalist and Photographer, Judy Worley travels from coast to coast exploring new and interesting destinations. Among her favorite events to cover are sporting events where the endurance of the athletes and sports professional inspire others like at the Ford Ironman World Championships and the NHRA Drag Races.

Follow this link to view current features by this author ---> 

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