We are sorry to hear of the loss of the amazing Paula Murphy, a legend in the automotive world who passed away at the age of 95. She was a pioneer for women in racing and holds an incredibly important place in motorsports history as the first woman licensed to drive a Funny Car.
In addition to her trailblazing achievements, Murphy set a women’s land-speed record of 161 mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats for Andy Granatelli in 1963. Granatelli then sponsored a new Funny Car drag racing entry for Murphy, where she became known as “Miss STP.”
Murphy was a respected and well-liked figure in the racing world, a standout in a male-dominated industry. She endured serious injuries in the pursuit of her passion, including a broken neck suffered in a crash at Sears Point Raceway in 1974. Despite the challenges, she returned with resilience and continued to compete before retiring in 1976.
Her incredible accomplishments and impact on the sport were acknowledged with inductions into the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame in 1992 and the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2017. She will be remembered for her groundbreaking contributions to racing and as an inspiration to future generations of female drivers.
For more information on auto racing news and updates, please visit https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing.
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