“American Muscle Divas” refers to the pioneering women of drag racing who shattered glass ceilings in a male-dominated sport during the 1960s and 70s. These “Queens of the Asphalt” weren’t just figureheads; they were elite mechanics and drivers who competed—and won—at the highest levels of the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA).
The Icons of the Track
- Shirley Muldowney (“Cha Cha”): The most famous of the divas, she was the first woman to receive an NHRA license to drive a Top Fuel dragster. She went on to win three NHRA world championships (1977, 1980, 1982), a feat chronicled in the film Heart Like a Wheel.
- Shirley Shahan (“Drag-On Lady”): Known for her 1968 Plymouth Super Stock, she became the first woman to win an NHRA Pro event at the 1966 Winternationals.
- Paula Murphy: A true multi-disciplinary pioneer, Murphy was the first woman to drive a Funny Car and set numerous land-speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats.
- Barbara Hamilton: In 1964, she became the first woman to be granted an NHRA license to drive a supercharged vehicle, paving the way for those who followed.
- Della Woods: One of the few women to compete in the Funny Car class during the 1960s and 70s, she was a trailblazer for African American women in motorsports.
