Menstuff® has compiled the following information on women of the National Hot Rod Assocation. We've tracked down somewhere between 133 and 192 women who have competed this year in the NHRA Nationals (as of August 21/06). There are over 80,000 members of NHRA, many of whom don't race or don't race in the national series. If you know a woman who has ever raced in NHRA and isn't on our list, let us (and them) know. If we can get an E-Mail, web site or connection with them, and get more information, we'll give them their own page, free of charge, at WomenInRacing.org.
Some names don't signify a particular sex. We've included a ? by ones we question. There are others that may not be right and we might have missed some. Let us know.
Also, if you know a woman who races or has raced against men,
check to see if she has a listing
NHRA Nationals - Women Racers (As
of 8/23/07)
NHRA 2006 Women Racers (As of
10/27/06)
NHRA Jr. Girls (As of 11/18/06)
Women Who have Won National NHRA
Events
NHRA not dragging its feet - 9/6/06
Related Issues: NHRA, NHRA Jr.
Drag Racing League, Women
Racers Directory,
Women
in Racing,
Women
Racers, More
Women in Racing,
Race
Schedules,
Notable
Women
Top Fuel
Melanie Trozel
Hillary Will
Funny Car
Ashley Force
Pro Stock
Erica Enders
Pro Stock Motorcycle
Peggy Llewellyn
Angelle Sampey
Karen Stoffer
Top Alcohol Dragster
Kate Harker Gainsville GA
Top Alcohol Funny Car
Nancy Matter, Austin, TX
Competition Eliminator
Jacklyn Gebhardt Jacksonville IL
Pam Miskovsky Quakertown PA
Super Stock
Robin Brown Madisonville KY
?
Grace Howell Aiken SC
Stock Eliminator
Wendy Caliendo Coltsneck NJ
Paula Cotten Broken Arrow OK
Amy Faulk Colliersville TN
Debra Fickler Huntley IL
Rosalyn Gresens Toledo IL
Elizabeth Kieffer Michigan City IN
Jennifer McCormack Oxford MI
Judy McCormack Oxford MI
Nichole Stephenson Williamsport IN
Super Comp
Amber Agan Greenwood IN
Patsy Campbell Saint Cloud FL
Britt Cummings Hammond LA
Jacklyn Gebhardt Jacksonville IL
Mary Ann Jackson Mansfield OH
Gina Nicolai Hampton MN
Rose Richardson Woodburn IN
Heather Robilotto Albany NY
Heidi Robison Olathe KS
Kara Roedel Evansville IN
Barbara Seemann Little Falls
NJ
Brina Splingaire Lemont IL
Christine Stull Boerne TX
Janice Swan Mooresville IN
Debby Thompson Fairand IN
Heather Tindle Santa Rosa Beach FL
Lindsey Wood Mc Alpin FL
Super Gas
Corinne MacMillan Ajax ON
Heidi Robison Olathe KS
Barbara Seemann Little Falls NJ
Randi Lyn Shipp Whiteland IN
Brina Splingaire Lemont IL
Top Fuel Dragster (3/3)
Rhonda Hartman-Smith Anderson SC
Melanie Troxel Avon IN
Hillary Will Ypsilanti MI
Fuel Funny Car (0/0)
Pro Stock (1/1)
Erica Enders Houston TX
Pro Stock Motorcycle (3/2)
Connie Cohen Bristol CT
Angelle Sampey Mathews LA
Karen Stoffer Smith NV
Top Alcohol Dragster (7/4)
Karen Benkovich Fanwood NJ
Ashley Force Yorba Linda CA
Cherissa Griffis-Smallwood Gainesville FL
Kim Parker Graham WA
Karen Stalba Fanwood NJ
Top Alcohol Funny Car (2/1)
Nancy Matter Austin TX
Competition Eliminator (9/4)
Michele Costa Freehold NJ
Jacklyn Gebhardt Jacksonville IL
Lonnie Johnson Ettrick VA ?
Del Segura Denham Springs LA
?
Ginger Welfringer Paso Robles CA
Super Stock (15/7)
Jackie Alley Eagle ID
Keri Angeles Fountain Vly CA
Amber Voges Billingsley Decatur IL
Robin Brown Madisonville KY ?
Jesse Freeman Scottsdale AZ ?
Michelle Harrison Kokomo IN
Grace Howell Aiken SC
Candy Mesa Anthony NM
Lisa Stephenson Williamsport IN
Tina Summerton Wesley Chapel FL
Gabriel Torres La Puente CA ?
Stock Eliminator (34/25)
Judi Bureski Dixon IL
Paula Cotten Broken Arrow OK
Lynn Ellison Central City KY
?
Amy Faulk Colliersville TN
Heather Ford Park Pilot Point TX
Brenda Grubbs Plant City FL
Karen Hilton Strasburg CO
Grace Howell Aiken SC
Caroline Jimerfield Escalon CA
Lyn Johnson Cloquet MN
Jami Jones Osceola NE ?
Katie Krumlauf New Albany OH
Maxine Line Wright MN
Jeanne Linke Old Bridge NJ
Jennifer McCormack Oxford MI
Judy McCormack Oxford MI
Mary Ann Method Kennewick WA
Marlene Nelson Hugo MN
Katie Sepanek Moosic PA
Staci Smith Palmdale CA
Brandi Stevens Aurora CO
Kelly Thomas Auburn WA
Gabriel Torres La Puente CA
Stephanie Wong Las Vegas NV
Becky Zenzen Saint Cloud MN
Super Comp (66/51)
Sondi Abbott Elizabeth CO
Jesse Adams Yuba City CA ?
Mary Bailey Brooksville FL
Malinda Bertozzi Ashland VA
Theresa Bostrom Elk River MN
Shannon Chennault Highland CA
Karen Comstock Bradbury CA
Michele Corigliano Rome NY
Jana Covington Center TX
Debbie Dolezal Chandler AZ
Dawn Farnsworth Terre Haute IN
Leslie Figueroa Jr Lake Havasu City AZ
Brittany Force Yorba Linda CA
Courtney Force Yorba Linda CA
Hilary Friedrich Bellingham WA
Jacklyn Gebhardt Jacksonville IL
Cindy Hanlon La Verne CA
Lindy Hanlon La Verne CA
Melissa Hutson Lady Lake FL
Mary Ann Jackson Mansfield OH
Justine Jeffrey Dixon CA
Loreen Johnson Seligman AZ
Victoria Johnson Arvada CO
Jessica Juel Spokane WA
Dana Keniry Hermosa Beach CA?
Janet Kruger Kasota MN
Robin Lane Glendale AZ ?
Violet Larson University Place WA
Tory Lea Vancouver WA ?
Emily Lewis Ellenton FL
Debbie Locascio Peoria AZ
Charlotte Lucas Corona CA
Leslie Lucas Carlyle IL
Jenna Lucy Fontana CA
Nicole Markwart Pinellas Park FL
Mallori McCullar McAlester OK
Megan McKernan Arcadia CA
Gina Mundt Ennis TX
Janice Myhre Sheridan CA
Katie Nelson Hayden ID
Gina Nicolai Hampton MN
Donna Patterson Lorette MB
Francesca Plaizier Edmonton AB
Mandy Quigley Walnut CA
Tracy Quinlan Yucca Valley CA
Kendra Rienschield Sunman IN
Shannon Robin Alta Loma CA
Heather Robilotto Albany NY
Heidi Robison Olathe KS
Star Scott Sterling VA ?
Tena Scott North Port FL
Lynn Serena Petersburg IL ? (male)
dwirth@illinoisnationalbank.com
Jesse Smith Oak Creek WI ?
Kathy Smulligan Coopersburg PA
Brina Splingaire North Riverside IL
Jami Stoen, Owatonna, MN
Janice Swan Mooresville IN
Kari Theobald St George UT
Kendra Verlingo Alta Loma CA
Jo Anne Winzer Vernon NJ
Kathy Woeber Palm City FL
Lindsey Wood McAlpin FL
Lynda Woods Cedar Hill MO
Super Gas (35/22)
Trisha Allen Waco TX
Diana Anderson Twin Falls ID
Deborah Bogle Cocoa FL
Karen Comstock Bradbury CA
Britt Cummings Hammond LA
Amber Dolezal Chandler AZ
Irene Hanes East Lansing MI
Lynn Hoosigian Newington CT
Loreen Johnson Seligman AZ
Dana Keniry Hermosa Beach CA
Lindsey Larson University Place WA
Bobi Legner Black Hawk SD ?
Corinne MacMillan Ajax ON
Marcia Marcionette New Port Richey FL
Kamie Minor Idledale CO
Sarah Norsworthy Canon City CO
Shannon Ourso Plattenville LA
?
Heidi Robison Olathe KS
Star Scott Sterling VA ?
Barbara Seemann Little Falls NJ
Brina Splingaire North Riverside IL
Kim Vahlsing Princeton MN
Stephanie Warn Danville CA
Lonnie Wilburn San Bruno CA
Debbi Young Lebanon OH
Super Street (17/13)
Francesta Alexander Montgomery AL
Kelli Barbato West Chester PA
Tricia Dudding Casstown OH
Trista Henderson Scott City KS
Lynn Hoosigian Newington CT
Anna Lise Lachapelle Marlboro MA
Bobi Legner Black Hawk SD ?
Becky Lindsey Puyallup WA
Nikki Looney Danville OH
Leslie Mertens Kingmen KS
Kamie Minor Idledale CO ?
kamminor@worldtravelmgt.com
Staci Nowak Puyallup WA
Jeanette Rowe Eureka MO
Roberta Van Scoyk Willamina OR
Sarah Winzer Vernon NJ
Source: www.nhra.com/results.asp
Women Who have Won National NHRA
Events
Top Fuel
Shelly Anderson
Lori Johns
Lucille Lee
Shirley Muldowney
Cristen Powell
Melanie Troxel
Top Alcohol Dragster
Shelly Anderson
Melanie Troxel
Pro Stock Motorcycle
Angelle Sampey
Karen Stoffer
Top Alcohol Dragster
Jeannie Booz
Amy Faulk
Ashley Force
Shelly Howard
Tiffani Hyland
Tiffani Hyland
Hillary Will
Top Alcohol Funny Car
Bunny Burkett
Comp
Mary Ann Austin
Amy Faulk
Super Comp
Malinda Bertozzi
Debbie Fitzhenry
Wendy Johnson
Gina Mund
Trisha Mustard
Janice Siegel
Kathy Woeber
Lindsey Woo
Super Comp
Jean Ann Zetterberg
Super Gas
Vicki Beam
Erica Enders
Janice Hogan
Donna Hughes
Vonnie Mills
Super Stock
Amy Faulk
Judy Lilly
Diane Stewart
Stock
Judi Boertman
Margaret Glembocki
Mary Ann Method
Shirley Shahan
Cathy Veenstra
Charlene Wood
Super Street
Deborah Ridenhour
NHRA Jr. Girls (As of 11/18/06)
NHRA not dragging its
feet - 9/6/06
With the open wheel Indy Racing League receiving so much attention due to Patrick's presence and popularity, many have wondered if and when a woman driver would make a similar splash in NASCAR.
And while NASCAR continues to work toward providing women more opportunities to race in its series, thus far women have enjoyed only limited success in stock car racing.
In fact, just a handful of women currently compete at NASCAR's highest levels – with Erin Crocker being among the most visible – and none have established themselves or their gender in a way that could be considered successful, unless their participation alone in NASCAR's premier series can be considered a victory.
Other forms of motorsport in America have been far more successful in delivering opportunities for women.
Patrick, for one, has only enjoyed moderate on-track success in IndyCars (her best finish is fourth), but considering the exposure she has brought to that series, her driving ability may be of secondary importance.
After a brief and unsuccessful stint in stock cars, meanwhile, former full-time IndyCar driver Sarah Fisher also is returning to the IRL, though she has yet to secure a regular ride for next season.
Those successes pale in comparison to what women have accomplished in drag racing, as the fairer sex has been winning races and championships in the NHRA for decades. Still, their accomplishments have, for the most part, gone unnoticed by the public at large.
With one exception: Shirley Muldowney.
Muldowney broke the gender barrier in drag racing over 40 years ago, and she went on to win countless races and four championships competing against the best drivers in the world in the sport's top class, Top Fuel dragster.
Even Hollywood was fascinated, producing a successful movie about Muldowney called "Heart Like a Wheel."
Muldowney arguably is the most significant female sports figure of the last century, having competed not only against women, but also against men – and with great success. She opened the door for women in drag racing decades ago, and many women today are able to walk through that door when given the right opportunity.
Five in particular – Melanie Troxel (Top Fuel), Hillary Will (Top Fuel), Erica Enders (Pro Stock), Karen Stoffer (Pro Stock Motorcycle) and Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle) – currently compete at the top level of NHRA competition, and each one credits Muldowney with blazing the path they currently travel.
Troxel and Will compete in the same type of car that Muldowney raced. But when Muldowney was racing, top speeds were around 280 mph. Troxel and Will are racing at speeds approaching 330 mph.
Both drivers are with well-financed teams that have fielded champions in the past, and both readily admit that having that kind of opportunity is key for a woman – or any driver, for that matter – to be successful.
"I don't think that there's been the right opportunity for a woman to succeed in NASCAR like we've had here in drag racing," said Troxel, who led the Top Fuel points race earlier this season. "Shirley opened doors decades ago and all women have been able to benefit from that. NASCAR hasn't had their Shirley Muldowney yet."
But the NHRA has.
Will says had it not been for Muldowney, she wouldn't be in the sport.
"I doubt that any of us would be here now if it wasn't for her breaking the barriers years ago," Will said. "She deserves all the credit for the abuse she took and the difficulties she had to deal with."
Enders grew up around the sport and started racing at age eight. Her exploits as a teenager were chronicled in a Disney movie called "Right on Track."
She was a champion in the Junior Dragster class and now drives a 2,000-horsepower Dodge Stratus at speeds in excess of 200 mph.
For her, it was all about having female role models in drag racing.
"I would come to the track with my dad and watch and get to meet racers like Shirley and Shelly Anderson and think 'I can do that,'" said Enders, who believes women can compete against men in all forms of racing, including NASCAR.
Stoffer says that just to be able to compete at a sport's highest level is an accomplishment, whether you are a man or a woman.
Stoffer, who has been racing for two decades and was very successful in drag racing's Sportsman ranks before turning professional, says her goal is to be the best driver out there, not just the best female driver.
"For me, it wasn't that I wanted to be a woman in drag racing, I wanted to be involved with the sport because I loved it," Stoffer said.
She believes that because it is a one-on-one sport, drag racing has established an atmosphere of competition that puts everyone on a level playing field.
"You're not racing against another woman or another man out there," Stoffer said. "When the helmets are on, you're racing against another competitor."
NASCAR's barrier
Some say NASCAR is too tough for women to race in and that drag racing, which competes on a quarter-mile track for only seconds at a time, is easier both physically and mentally than wheeling a stock car for hundreds of laps while running side-by-side with the competition.
"If they think this is easy, then I invite them to hop inside my car and take a ride," Troxel said. "It's not as easy as it looks. There are a lot of things happening in just 4½ seconds. You have to be absolutely perfect during that time.
"There are strong G-forces [estimated to be between five and six G's] and if something goes wrong, you've got your hands full at 300 mph."
Sampey, a three-time champion in Pro Stock Motorcycle, has won 40 races and set records in the category. She says that even though the time spent riding her motorcycle during a race is short, drag racing is a much more physical sport than most people believe – although she credits much of her success to mastering the mental aspects of racing.
"It takes a lot to keep my motorcycle under me and going straight at 190 mph, but the hard part is the mental part," Sampey said. "You have to be focused on getting it right every time. You can't come in and change tires and make changes like other racing. You have just seven seconds to get it right. Seven seconds to do it better than the other person in the other lane."
Sampey believes NASCAR racing may be too tough for women to compete in successfully, what with its heavier vehicles and 500-mile races. But she says that there could be a woman out there that can train hard enough to do it.
"I'd be willing to try," she said.
Enders feels that comments made about women in racing by NASCAR legend Richard Petty and F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone, which put women somewhere other than in a race car, are narrow-minded and simplistic.
"We're just like the guys, we work hard and we dream big," she said.
Enders would love to see a woman compete in NASCAR's Nextel Cup Series and believes women across the country would, too.
"If there was a woman racing against Tony Stewart or Jeff Gordon, I'd be right there rooting for her," Enders said.
The Danica Factor
Each of the women agrees that even if Danica Patrick's on-track accomplishments thus far haven't been earth-shattering, the fact that she is drawing attention to her sport is far more important.
"I would argue that she may not be with the best team right now," Troxel said. "That is so important whether you're a woman or not. You may be the best driver out there, but if you're not with a team that can show that, you're bound to struggle."
Troxel says that with Patrick's move to Andretti Green Racing, which is considered one of the IRL's top teams, the pressure will be on for her to prove herself.
"In any form of racing, it all comes down to the right person and the right opportunity," said Troxel, who struggled for years to find the right team with the right financial support. She currently drives for Don Schumacher Racing, one of the top teams in the NHRA.
Sampey, however, is the only one who agrees with Patrick's use of her sexuality in obtaining more exposure and for financial gain.
"I'm all for it," Sampey said. "I'd love to do a calendar like she did if I had the opportunity."
The others laughed at the prospect. But Enders took it differently.
"That's OK for her," Enders said of Patrick's calendar. "I just think that to be taken seriously, you need to focus on the racing."
The success of women in drag racing goes beyond drivers, as championship-winning Kim LaHaie is one of the sport's most successful crew chiefs, and Ann Paluso is the manager of Harley-Davidson's NHRA drag racing operation. Paluso has overseen that manufacturer's rise from obscurity in the sport to now being its official motorcycle, and her factory-backed Harley-Davidson team has won two championships in Pro Stock Motorcycle.
Standards
These successful women drivers have huge fan followings, in part because of their accomplishments, but also because they are women. And they all hope NASCAR finds its own Shirley Muldowney to blaze a path to success in stock car racing.
As women in racing, they acknowledge that they may still be held to a higher standard, which so far, they have been able to meet – partly because each one is driven to prove that they can be the best at what they do.
And not just because they are women.
"When I get into that dragster, there's no other place in the world that I want to be," Will said. "Everything I do in life is motivated by driving that car."
Source: Veteran motorsports writer Bob Margolis is
Yahoo! Sports' NASCAR reporter. Send Bob a question or comment for
potential use in a future column or webcast. add.yahoo.com/fast/help/us/sports/cgi_margolis
