Top NHRA Women Drivers
As of end of 2008 Season
NHRA WORLD CHAMPIONS:
1. Shirley Muldowney, Top Fuel 1977, 1980, 1982
1. Angelle Sampey, Pro Stock Motorcycle 2000, 2001, 2002
NHRA VICTORIES:
1. Angelle Sampey, Pro Stock Motorcycle: 41 - 1st Reading 1996, last Houston 2007
2. Shirley Muldowney, Top Fuel: 18 - 1st Columbus 1976, last Phoenix 1989
3. Karen Stoffer, Pro Stock Motorcycle: 5 - 1st Houston 2004, last Atlanta 2007
4. Shelly Anderson, Top Fuel: 4 - 1st Reading 1993, last Seattle 1996
4. Lori Johns, Top Fuel: 4 - 1st Pomona 1990, last Memphis 1991
4. Melanie Troxel, Top Fuel: 3, Funny Car: 1 - TF 1st Pomona ‘06, last St. Louis ’07; FC Bristol, ‘08
7. Lucille Lee, Top Fuel: 1 - Atlanta 1982
7. Cristen Powell, Top Fuel: 1 - Englishtown 1997
7. Peggy Llewellyn, Pro Stock Motorcycle: 1 - Dallas 2007
7. Ashley Force Hood, Funny Car: 1 - Atlanta, 2008
7. Hillary Will, Top Fuel: 1 - Topeka, 2008 (A)
- - (A) Became fastest female in NHRA history, 334.65 mph at ‘08 Winternational, Pomona
NHRA EVENT NUMBER 1 QUALIFIER:
1. Angelle Sampey, PSM: 45 - 1st Reading 1996, last Las Vegas 2008
2. Shirley Muldowney, TF: 13 - 1st Columbus 1976, last Phoenix 1989
3. Melanie Troxel, TF\FC: 4 - TF 1st Bristol ‘06, last Denver ‘07; FC Chicago ‘08
4. Ashley Force Hood, FC: 3 - 1st Sonoma 2008, last Memphis 2008
5. Lucille Lee, TF: 1 - Denver 1982
5. Lori Johns, TF: 1 - Denver 1991
5. Shelly Anderson, TF: 1 - Pomona 1994
5. Cristen Powell, TF: 1 - Seattle 1998
5. Erica Enders, PS: 1 - Topeka 2006
5. Karen Stoffer, PSM: 1 - Sonoma 2008
-- 2008 Season Update by FlA & Co. --
The unfortunate fact of this list is, to-date, funny car driver Ashley Force Hood, pro stock car Erica Enders and pro stock motorcycle Karen Stoffer are the only top NHRA women drivers racing this season. Due to lack of sponsorship, Erica didn’t race in the 2008 season and only raced a limited 2007 season. Angelle ”The Winningness Women Driver in NHRA History” Sampey, Melanie Troxel, and Hillary Will lost their 2009 sponsors. All are outstanding drivers and individuals off the track. For example, everything I know about pro stock motorcycles comes from talking to Angelle and her crew members over the years. Pro stock motorcycle Peggy Llewellyn raced for the 2007 season but lost her ride to Angelle for the 2008 season. See finally found another 2008 sponsor that allowed her to race in six events, which she qualified for five, and made it to the semifinals at one. Currently there is no news if Peggy will be able to race this season. She was unbelievable in 2007, after a five year absence from NHRA racing. Incredible individual and driver who we greatly need back. The pro stock motorcycle 2009 NHRA season doesn't start until March 12-15 at the NHRA Gatornationals. Hopefully there will be some positive developments. Also, hopefully Melanie and Hillary will get a ride line-up, even if only for part of the season. One of the things I like about NHRA is we have women racers, unlike NASCAR, and they are very impressive. - fla
Videos: Honoring NHRA Women Drivers: (1) (2) (3) (4)
Honoring The Godmother of NHRA Drag Racing
NHRA Top Fuel World Champion, 1977, 1980, 1982
AHRA World Championship 1981
NHRA 5th Greatest | 1990, Motorsports Hall of Fame of America
2004, International Motorsports Hall of Fame | 2006, International Drag Racing Hall of Fame
Vintage “Cha Cha” Racing Photos | 100’s more photos
Shirley Muldowney, First Woman To:
(1) Obtain her NHRA Top Fuel license;
(2) Advance to a final round in Top Fuel, 1975 NHRA Spring Nationals, Columbus, Ohio;
(3) Win in Top Fuel, 1976 NHRA Spring Nationals, Columbus, Ohio, and
(4) Qualify No. 1 in a pro category, 1976 NHRA Spring Nationals - 6.031 seconds, 229 mph;
(5) Repeat (male or female) as NHRA Top Fuel World champion after her 1st 1977 title (1980,’82);
(6) Clock a four-second run, 1989 NHRA Keystone Nationals, Reading, PA, 4.974 seconds, 284 mph;
(7) Be included (only female) in NHRA's list of Top 50 greatest drivers, at No. 5. Nitro drivers Don Garlits,
John Force, Don Prudhomme, and pro stock driver Bob Glidden are 1-4;
(8) Be inducted (only female) in the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America.
-----
(A) Shirley was the second women, behind NASCAR's Louise Smith, inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame.
(B) In 1982, Shirley and Top Fuel driver Lucille Lee met in the first all-female final round in NHRA history. Shirley won at 5.711 seconds, 233.16 mph to Lee's 6.052 seconds, 207.85 mph.
(C) In 1971, Shirley won her first Funny Car national event at the International Hot Rod Association's Southern Nationals, Rockingham, NC. Because the IHRA was in their first season, and racing outside of the NHRA, her win was largely unrecognized.
5 Stars Vintage Shirley Videos:
1972: Great behind the scenes video when Shirley was driving a Funny Car for Connie Kalitta. After she was injured in a bad fire at the 1973 NHRA U.S. Nationals, Indianapolis (worst of four fires Shirley had during her funny car career), she switched to Top Fuel dragsters.
06.13.76 Spring Nationals, Columbus Ohio: Great video of Shirley’s first NHRA Top Fuel event win driving for Connie Kalitta. In addition to her first win, it was also her first time to qualify No.1 at 6.031 seconds, 229 mph. She also posted low elapsed time of the event at 5.96, 244 mph. 1977: Video shows Shirley's major wins on the way to her first of three NHRA Top Fuel World Championships. Don Prudhomme does the color commentary with additional comments and interview by Shirley.
Movie: Heart Like a Wheel (1983) - The Drag Racing Story of Shirley Muldowney. First feature movie of any NHRA drag racer. It's a surprisingly good movie for drag racing buffs. - Video: Honoring Shirley
Shirley: ‘69, ‘79, and ’73, “Cha Cha”(right) with legendary nitro racer and wildman
“Jungle Jim” Liberman(RIP) and his also legendary sidekick “Jungle Pam” Hardy - fla