BROWNSBURG, Ind. – Shirley Muldowney was honored as the 2011 recipient of the Mildred Marcum Pioneer Award, highlighting the ninth annual Women in the Winner’s Circle Foundation award celebration. The event was held Thursday, Sept. 1 at Don Schumacher Racing headquarters on the eve of the 57th running of the worlds’ most prestigious drag racing event, the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil.
The Women in the Winner’s Circle Foundation was founded by Lyn St. James, who has dedicated much of her life after retiring from racing to help women achieve their goals and aspirations in the motorsports field. The event was attended by many motorsports dignitaries and VIPs and showcased some of the best women racers currently competing in the top motorsports leagues in the world including ARCA, IndyCar, NASCAR, NHRA and USAC. The night was co-emceed by Debby Knox of WISH-TV along with St. James.
Muldowney was the second drag racer to win the Mildred Marcum Pioneer Award, which is presented to females in racing who through their dedication and passion for the sport have changed racing for women. In 2006, Barbara Parks, wife of NHRA founder Wally Parks, received the award posthumously.
Muldowney, winner of three NHRA Top Fuel world championships and 18 NHRA national events, became the first woman to win an NHRA national event and a world championship title. When Muldowney won the 1977 NHRA Top Fuel world championship, her accomplishment was so outstanding that the U.S. House of Representatives bestowed upon her an Outstanding Achievement Award.
The NHRA was well represented in other categories as Kim LaHaie Richards, co-crew chief for Ron Capps, was named the winner of the C&R Racing Woman in Technology Award and the 2011 Opportunity Award was given to Roger Burgess with R2B2 Racing. Mazda USA MazdaSpeed was also honored with an Opportunity Award during the evening. Among the women of drag racing in attendance included: Samantha Coughlin, Alexis DeJoria, Erica Enders, Peggy Llewellyn, Leah Pruett and Melanie Troxel.
Also honored were Danica Patrick who was given the 2011 Achievement Award and Jessica Bean, who received the USAC Kara Hendrick Spirit Award. The 2011 Leadership Award was presented to the FIA Women & Motor Sport Commission.
