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Lizzy Musi didn’t just inherit her father’s name—she earned her own legend, carving out a place in drag racing history with grit, talent, and a fierce refusal to be dismissed as “just Pat Musi’s daughter.”

EARLY YEARS

Born Elizabeth Patricia Musi in Carteret, New Jersey, Lizzy grew up breathing in nitro fumes and high-octane dreams. Her father, Pat Musi, was an eight-time NMCA Pro Street champion and legendary engine builder, and from the moment she could walk, she was trackside, watching him work his magic. By age eight, she was already behind the wheel of her own junior dragster, racing with a confidence that suggested this wasn’t just a phase—it was destiny. She attended all of her father’s races, soaking up every detail of the sport that would eventually become her entire world. Lizzy graduated from Carteret High School before diving headfirst into the family business, though she was determined to make her mark on her own terms.

OTHER INTERESTS

Beyond the track, Lizzy was known for her love of connecting with fans. She genuinely enjoyed talking with people, whether they were seasoned gearheads or first-timers at the strip. “I really love the fans; no matter how we do (on the track), they just make my whole day, my whole race,” she once said. She also ran a successful apparel business, selling racing merchandise that allowed fans to support Team Musi in style. Lizzy had a warmth and accessibility that made her a beloved figure in the racing community—she wasn’t just fast; she was real.

EARLY SUCCESS

After spending her childhood competing in junior dragster ranks, Lizzy took a five-year hiatus before returning to racing in 2012, this time piloting a Top Sportsman car. The break didn’t slow her down—if anything, it sharpened her hunger. In 2014, she made the leap to PDRA Pro Nitrous competition, and it didn’t take long for her to prove she belonged. At the inaugural PDRA event at Virginia Motorsports Park in just her fifth Pro Nitrous race, Lizzy claimed her first career victory, rewriting the record books in the process. She ran a string of blistering low 3.70-second elapsed times and set a class record with a 204.10 mph speed. At 24 years old, she became the first woman to win a PDRA national event, and the drag racing world took notice.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2014: First career Pro Nitrous victory at Virginia Motorsports Park in just her fifth race in the category, setting a class speed record of 204.10 mph.
• 2014: Became the first woman to win a PDRA national event.
• 2015: Scored second career PDRA Pro Nitrous win at the Brian Olson Memorial with low 3.70-second ETs and a 204.10 mph speed.
• 2018: Set PDRA Pro Nitrous speed record at 209.23 mph at the PDRA World Finals at Virginia Motorsports Park.
• 2018: Recorded the quickest run in Pro Nitrous history at the PDRA Fall Nationals.
• 2021: First woman to win a Street Outlaws: No Prep Kings event.
• 2021: Won back-to-back Street Outlaws: No Prep Kings events, driving her 1969 Camaro “Bonnie 2.0” to victory for a $40,000 prize.
• 2021: Secured three consecutive No Prep Kings victories in a single season.
• 2021: Won Street Outlaws: No Prep Kings event at Tucson Dragway after an incredible turnaround with “Bonnie.”

INSPIRATIONS

Lizzy’s biggest inspiration was undoubtedly her father, Pat Musi, whose reputation as a nitrous engine builder and Pro Street champion set the standard she constantly pushed herself to meet—and exceed. But she wasn’t content to simply follow in his footsteps. She wanted to create her own legacy, one built on her own wins, her own records, and her own resilience. Her sister, Tricia Musi, was also deeply embedded in the racing world, and the two shared a bond forged in horsepower and family loyalty. Lizzy was driven by a desire to prove that women could compete at the highest levels of drag racing, not as novelties, but as champions.

REPUTATION

Lizzy Musi earned a reputation as one of the fiercest competitors in drag racing, known for her aggressive driving style and unshakeable focus under pressure. She wasn’t intimidated by the boys’ club atmosphere of Pro Nitrous or Street Outlaws—she thrived in it. Fans loved her not just for her speed, but for her authenticity. She was approachable, funny, and never forgot where she came from. Fellow racers respected her because she could back up the talk with performance. After a rough patch struggling with her car “Aftershock,” she bounced back with “Bonnie” and proved that setbacks were just setups for comebacks. Her legacy as a trailblazer for women in motorsports is cemented—she didn’t just break barriers; she obliterated them.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

In late 2023, Lizzy Musi was diagnosed with stage 4 triple-negative breast cancer, one of the most aggressive forms of the disease. She faced her toughest race yet with the same courage she brought to the drag strip, sharing her journey publicly in hopes of helping others. She was in a relationship with NASCAR driver Jeffrey Earnhardt, who stood by her side throughout her treatment. Tragically, Lizzy passed away on June 27, 2024, at the age of 33, surrounded by her family. Her legacy continues through the #LizzyStrong movement, her apparel brand, and the countless lives she inspired. Her former No Prep Kings car, “Bonnie,” went on to win in PDRA Pro Street, a testament to the power and precision she built into every machine she touched.

REFERENCES

Remembering Lizzy Musi: Drag Illustrated Feature Story – FloRacing
Lizzy Musi’s story: from her passion for racing to her personal life
LIZZY MUSI REWRITES THE RECORD BOOKS & SCORES Career First Win
Elizabeth “Lizzy” Musi | Iredell Free News
What Happened to ‘Street Outlaws’ Star Lizzy Musi?
Street Racing Stage 4 Breast Cancer Lizzy Musi Jeffrey Earnhardt
Lizzy Musi Obituary and Online Memorial (2024) – Legacy
“Lizzy” Elizabeth Patricia Musi Obituary
Lizzy Musi of Pat Musi Racing Engines Has Passed Away
LIZZY MUSI Scores 2nd Career PDRA Pro Nitrous Win – Bryant Racing
Lizzy Musi Wins Back-to-Back ‘Street Outlaws: No Prep Kings’ Events
Lizzy Musi Triumphant in the Return of ‘Bonnie,’ Wins Street Outlaws
209.98 MPH: Late Lizzy Musi’s Engine Powers Marcus Butner to New Record
Lizzy Musi Records Quickest Run In Pro Nitrous History At PDRA Fall Nationals
OVERCOMING ALL ODDS: LIZZY MUSI CARVING HER OWN PATH
PDRA Professional Drag Racers Association
MusiRacing – LizzyStrong.com