Della Woods

Della Woods is an AA/FC, NHRA pro driver. She was the first female driver in the 5 second bracket in the funny car class and the first female driver to go to the semi finals at an NHRA national event. She held the latter record for almost 22 years.

Early racing career

Woods and brother Bernie Woods campaigned match races during the 1960s and early 1970s. Woods qualified for an NHRA AA/FC license in 1968 signed by Rodger Lindamood, Don Garlits and Don Kohler, only to have the association revoke the license, saying, "it's too dangerous for a woman to run in that class." Losing the license caused the brother sister team to lose several match racing engagements, provoking Woods to call the NHRA and inform them that if they took her license they would have to take the all female drivers' licenses as well.

Career restart

Della and Bernie were forced to quit due to finances in 1972 after a successful campaign barnstorming across country.

In 1982 Della's husband De Nichols from N & S automotive, bought the famed Fighting Irish car - the only non-Mopar car she drove - from Dick Rosberg and his partners Novak and McDaniel.