“Nitro Nellie” Goins became the first African American woman to succeed in Funny Car racing, piloting nitro-fueled machines at speeds exceeding 215 mph during an era when the drag strip was neither welcoming to women nor particularly progressive on race.

EARLY YEARS

Born in 1940, Nellie Louise Goins was just a teenager attending high school in Gary, Indiana, when she met Otis Goins, a talented offensive guard who would become both her husband and racing partner. They married in 1956, and while Nellie’s early aspirations were modest—she certainly hadn’t dreamed of strapping herself into a fire-breathing Funny Car—life with Otis had other plans. The couple hailed from Gary’s tight-knit community, and as Otis developed a passion for drag racing, Nellie found herself pulled into a world of nitromethane, quarter-mile strips, and constant mechanical tinkering. Racing wasn’t her first love, she’d later admit, but she did it for her husband and family. That kind of devotion, as it turned out, would make history.

OTHER INTERESTS

Details about Nellie’s interests outside of racing remain scarce, but given the all-consuming nature of running a competitive Funny Car operation in the late 1960s and early ’70s, it’s safe to say her life revolved around family and the drag strip. She and Otis had to save every dollar to keep their operation running, which left little room for hobbies that didn’t involve wrenches or timing slips.

EARLY SUCCESS

Nellie and Otis launched their racing operation in 1969 with a 1968 Plymouth Barracuda dubbed “Goins and Goins Conquerer.” The car was a stunner—sleek, loud, and fast—and Nellie was behind the wheel. By 1971, she had graduated to piloting a 1970 Dodge Challenger, and then a bright yellow 1971 Mustang Mach I that turned heads at every event. On April 11, 1971, at Great Lakes Dragway in Union Grove, Wisconsin, Nellie made her most significant mark: she became the first African American woman to drive a nitro-burning Funny Car in competition. She was clocking speeds of 215 miles per hour, a number that would make most people’s knees buckle, but Nellie handled it with quiet determination. Her achievement didn’t just break barriers—it obliterated them. Drag racing in the 1960s and early ’70s was not exactly rolling out the welcome mat for women, and race relations were tense at best. Yet there was Nellie, suiting up and strapping in, proving that talent and guts don’t care about your gender or the color of your skin.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 1969: Began racing with a 1968 Plymouth Barracuda Funny Car, “Goins and Goins Conquerer.”
• 1971: Became the first African American woman to drive a nitro-burning Funny Car at Great Lakes Dragway in Union Grove, Wisconsin, on April 11.
• 1971: Reached speeds of 215 mph in competition.
• 1971: Featured in a five-page story in Ebony magazine’s November issue, bringing national attention to her groundbreaking career.
• 1971: Also featured in Ebony Jr. magazine.
• Career: Competed in more than 100 professional races, earning the nickname “Nitro Nellie.”
• 1975: Raced her final professional event.
• 2014: Inducted into the East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame.

INSPIRATIONS

Nellie’s greatest inspiration was Otis. She once said drag racing wasn’t her passion, but she did it for him and their family. That devotion drove her to compete at the highest level, even when the odds—and the culture—were stacked against her. She also had deep respect for legends of the sport, including Don Garlits. “He is drag racing; anyone who knows anything about drag racing knows Don Garlits,” she said. “He was a whole different person than I knew him.” Her admiration for pioneers like Garlits reflected her understanding that she, too, was carving out space in a sport that desperately needed more voices like hers.

REPUTATION

Nellie Goins earned a reputation as a trailblazer who raced with precision and heart. Her career spanned roughly six years, from 1969 to 1975, but her impact has lasted decades. She piloted multiple Funny Cars—including a Dodge Charger, a Challenger, and that iconic yellow Mustang Mach I—each one a testament to the Goins family’s dedication and resourcefulness. The couple had to save meticulously to keep their cars competitive, and mechanical challenges were constant. At Bristol Dragway, the Mustang’s chassis and body were damaged in an unfortunate incident, a reminder that Funny Car racing is as unforgiving as it is thrilling. Yet Nellie kept showing up. Her presence on the track challenged assumptions and opened doors, even if the recognition took years to arrive. Now, decades after her final pass, she’s celebrated as one of the pioneers who proved that courage and skill aren’t limited by race or gender. At 75, she began receiving the accolades her career had long deserved, a bittersweet reminder that history doesn’t always honor its heroes in real time.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Nellie retired from competitive racing in 1975, and no information is available regarding plans beyond that point.

REFERENCES

[1] Nellie Goins – Automotive Hall of Fame
[2] AAAA Hall of Fame | Celebrating Black Excellence in Automotive
[3] Nellie Goins, the 1st African American Woman Funny Car Racer | 2022 – MotorCities
[4] ‘Nitro Nellie’ Goins – NHRA
[5] Nellie Goins, the 1st African American Woman Funny Car Racer | 2023 – MotorCities
[6] Black Women in Motorsports Part 2: Nitro Nellie Goins
[7] New Life For A Nostalgic Mach 1 Funny Car – Dragzine