NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Trailblazing female racer Paula Murphy, who among her many accomplishments was the first woman licensed to compete in any NHRA nitro class when she licensed in Funny Car in late 1966, was feted by the Women in Motorsports North America at the Petersen Museum in Los Angeles on May 24. NHRA executives were on hand to help honor her.

The event, part of the WMNA Left Behind series, included a screening of the documentary film Paula Murphy: Undaunted and a panel discussion moderated by NHRA on FOX reporter Amanda Busick that included Murphy, Courtney Hansen, “LandSpeed Louise” Noeth, Pam Miller, and Lyn St. James. About 300 people attended the event.

"The event was fantastic, well organized, and down to earth," said Murphy, who was recovering from recent leg surgery. "It was great being surrounded by old friends and making several new ones. I wasn’t feeling my best, but I wasn’t going to miss it come hell or high water. Cindy and Pam did a wonderful job, and my caretakers, Linda and Lisa, were most helpful in getting me there. Many thanks to everyone who took time out of their busy schedules to attend. And a big thank-you to the Petersen Auto Museum and their staff."

NHRA Vice Presidents Brad Gerber and Steve Reintjes presented to Murphy a framed special-edition cover of NHRA National Dragster magazine, which featured photos of two of her Funny Cars and a recreated copy of her racing license.

Murphy was inducted into the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame in 1992 and the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2017. To read more about her drag racing career, click here.

Net proceeds from the event benefited WMNA, a 501c3 founded in 2022 by a community of professionals devoted to enabling opportunities for women across all motorsports disciplines.