Shirley Muldowney became the first woman to run under 6 seconds over the quarter-mile in August 1975.
At the Popular Hot Rodding Championships on August 24, 1975, Shirley Muldowney achieved an extraordinary feat by becoming the first woman to run the quarter-mile in less than 6 seconds. She clocked an impressive 5.98 seconds at the Martin, Michigan, event, shattering previous records and displaying her unmatched prowess in drag racing. This achievement underscored her status as a trailblazing figure in the sport and highlighted her ability to compete with the best professional racers of the time. It was a milestone that not only affirmed her place in the sport but also inspired a new wave of female racers who had traditionally been excluded from such achievements.