- published: 19 Sep 2009
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Shirley Muldowney (born June 19, 1940 in Burlington, Vermont ), also known professionally as "Cha Cha" and the "First Lady of Drag Racing", is an American auto racer. She was the first woman to receive a license from the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) to drive a Top Fuel dragster. She won the NHRA Top Fuel championship in 1977, 1980 and 1982, becoming the first person to win two and three Top Fuel titles. She won a total of 18 NHRA national events.
Born Shirley Ann Roque, Muldowney began street racing in the 1950s in Schenectady, New York. "School had no appeal to me. All I wanted was to race up and down the streets in a hot rod," declared Muldowney. When she was sixteen, she married nineteen-year-old Jack Muldowney, who would build her first dragster.
In 1958, the then eighteen-year-old made her debut on the dragstrip of the Fonda Speedway. Muldowney obtained her NHRA pro license in 1965. She competed in the 1969 and 1970 U.S. Nationals in a twin-engine dragster in Top Gas. With Top Gas losing popularity, Muldowney switched to Funny Car, buying her first car from Connie Kalitta.
Shirley may refer to:
John William "Johnny" Carson (October 23, 1925 – January 23, 2005) was an American television host, comedian, writer, producer, actor, and musician, best known for his thirty years as host of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962–1992). Carson received six Emmy Awards, the Governor's Award, and a 1985 Peabody Award. He was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 1987. Johnny Carson was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1992 and received a Kennedy Center Honor in 1993.
Although his show was already successful by the end of the 1960s, during the 1970s Carson became an American icon and remained so even after his retirement in 1992. He adopted a casual, conversational approach with extensive interaction with guests, an approach pioneered by Arthur Godfrey and previous Tonight Show hosts Steve Allen and Jack Paar. Former late-night host and friend, David Letterman, cited Carson's influence.
Actors: Ellen Geer (actress), Robert Ridgely (actor), Paul Bryar (actor), Bonnie Bedelia (actress), Bill McKinney (actor), Leo Rossi (actor), Ron Masak (actor), Dick Miller (actor), Michael Cavanaugh (actor), Bob Minor (actor), Beau Bridges (actor), Paul Bartel (actor), Anthony Edwards (actor), Robert Banas (miscellaneous crew), Laurence Rosenthal (composer),
Plot: 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.
Keywords: 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, adultery, auto-mechanic, based-on-true-story, burn-injury, coming-of-age, crash, drag-racingShirley Muldowney VS. Connie Kalitta US. Nationals 1982.
Shirley Muldowney guest on Johnny Carson just after the 1986 Winternationals. Shirley Muldowney Story from Diamond P Sports with Steve Evans. Johnny Carson 1980 01 10 Mike Farrell.
As part of the 100 Pro Wins by Women series, the legendary career of Shirley Muldowney is highlighted in this video. Shirley is the first female to win 3 Top Fuel World Championships and has won a total of 18 NHRA National events.
Shirley Muldowney Story from Diamond P Sports with Steve Evans
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.
At the end of this year's annual NHRA SEMA Breakfast featuring the women of the NHRA, an unexpected question came up from 16-Time Funny Car World Champion John Force making for a good ending to the show. Join NHRA Social: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NHRA Twitter: https://twitter.com/NHRA Instagram: http://instagram.com/nhra YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nhra Google+: https://plus.google.com/+Nh…
Shirley Muldowney looses a left front tire and hits the guardrail during qualifying for the 1983 NHRA U.S. Nationals.
As part of the 100 Pro Wins by Women series, the legendary career of Shirley Muldowney is highlighted in this video. Shirley is the first female to win 3 Top Fuel World Championships and has won a total of 18 NHRA National events.
Shirley Muldowney Interview Indy Mac Tools US Nationals 2010
Shirley Muldowney Courtney Force Interview Route 66 Nationals
Don Garlits suiting up for a Cackle exhibition of new Nitro Hemi in Swamp Rat XII at Cordova, IL on June 21, 2008. Shirley Muldowney being interviewed in background. Video shot by Billy Moon.
Shirley Muldowney Paul Page Interview Indy US Nationals 2013
Shirley Muldowney Interview Z-MAX Dragstrip 2010
Shirley Muldowney guest on Johnny Carson just after the 1986 Winternationals. Shirley Muldowney Story from Diamond P Sports with Steve Evans. Johnny Carson 1980 01 10 Mike Farrell.
Shirley Muldowney is interviewed by Paul page in Indianapolis the "Big Go" 2013 September 1st, 2013
Tune in for interviews with legends from the car world and discussions about news, racing and everything else going on Welcome to the Autoweek Podcast –- the place to hear interviews with some legends of racing and car culture, as well as our takes on the latest news from the rest of the car world. In this inaugural episode, Rory Carroll talks with three-time NHRA champion and drag-racing legend Shirley Muldowney about her life and the future of the sport. The team also talks about Fernando Alonso racing at the Indianapolis 500, the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon's debut at the New York auto show, the latest "Fast & Furious" movie and some of the cars we’ve recently reviewed. Tune in below and check back every two weeks for a new episode. Read more: http://autoweek.com/article/car-life/in...