First Lady of In a tough male based sport that was not ready to accept women as competitors, the most tenacious of them all went against the odds and set precedence for all women drivers to follow. Her name is SHIRLEY “CHA CHA” MULDOWNEY. Born in Burlington, Vermont on June 19, 1940, Shirley Ann Roque, became intrigued with the world of drag racing shortly after her soon to be husband Jack Muldowney taught her how to drive at 16 yrs old. It only took two years before she would begin a career in Drag Racing with Top Gas Dragsters in Schenectady, New York. Shortly after earning her dragster license, Top Gas was dying and Funny Cars were on the rise. This is when she teamed up with the racing sensation Connie Kalitta whom she bought her first Nitro Funny Car from. Shortly after her divorce from Jack, she and Connie became involved and began racing as a match-team. In her prime, she was a threat to many of the greatest names in Drag Racing. This timeline of accomplishments is guaranteed to show you why. 1958 - 18 yrs old. First trip down a dragstrip at Fonda Speedway in New York at the wheel of a 348 tri-powered ’58 Chevy. 1965 - First woman licensed by (National Hot Rod Association) NHRA to drive a gasoline-burning Gas dragster, capable of speeds over 150 MPH in the Quarter mile. 1969-1970 Competed in U.S. Nationals and Division 1 Top Gas events. 1971 - Bought 71’ Mustang Nitro Funny Car from Connie Kalitta. - September --Made finals at NHRA U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis Speedway. Elapsed time (6.76) at speed of (215.31 MPH). - Won the (International Hot Rod Association) IHRA Southern Nationals Nitro Funny Car Class. 1972 - Races as duo Mustang team with Connie Kalitta – “Bounty Hunter” and “Bounty Huntress”. August --First “fiberglass inferno” experienced at Dragway 42 in Ohio. - Runner-up at the NHRA Southern Nationals Nitro Funny Car Class. 1973 - Second fire during U.S. Nationals qualifications in 73’ Plymouth Satellite. Last Funny car to own. Switched to Top Fuel. - Earned Top Fuel license in entry at Cayuga, Ontario, Canada. Signed off by “Big Daddy” Don Garlits, “T.V. Tommy” Ivo, and Connie Kalitta. 1974 - Started Match- Racing with Top Fuel Dragsters. - U.S. Nationals made 2nd fastest speed at the event of (241.28 MPH), and first woman to advance to the finals in Top Fuel. woman to advance to the finals of an NHRA national event in a professional category. June 12 -- Runner-up to Marvin Graham at NHRA Spring Nationals. - Labor Day -- Runner-up to Don Garlits at NHRA U.S. Nationals.
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