Julie Nataas continues her impressive rise through the ranks of NHRA drag racing, reaching another major milestone this past week. The reigning NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster World Champion has officially earned her Nitro Funny Car license, bringing her one step closer to competing full-time in the highest echelons of professional drag racing.
Nataas completed the necessary licensing requirements at the historic Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, where she unleashed an eye-opening run of 3.96 seconds at a blistering 315 mph. The pass was more than enough to satisfy the NHRA’s licensing criteria. More importantly, it marked a symbolic moment in Nataas’s career, confirming that she has what it takes to handle one of the sport’s most demanding and unforgiving machines.
Her licensing paperwork was signed off by a panel of experienced and respected NHRA drivers—J.R. Todd, Blake Alexander, Austin Prock, and Del Worsham—further highlighting the significance of the achievement. Worsham, himself a veteran Funny Car driver and former champion, has been instrumental in Nataas’s development, working closely with her over the past few months as she transitions into the Nitro ranks.
With this accomplishment, Nataas now holds licenses in both Nitro Funny Car and Top Fuel—an elite distinction that places her among a rare group of drivers qualified to compete in both of NHRA’s premier Nitro categories.
A Year of Milestones
This achievement comes just months after Nataas secured her Top Fuel license in July 2024. That milestone prepared her to make her highly anticipated debut in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. The opportunity came through Scrappers Racing, who invited her to compete in the Midwest Nationals held on September 27–29, 2024.
Nataas made an immediate impact, successfully qualifying in the fifteenth position for race day. This feat also earned her a spot in the history books as only the twenty-second woman ever to qualify in the Top Fuel category. Though her race day was cut short with a first-round loss to eight-time champion Tony Schumacher in what turned out to be an intense pedal fest, the weekend served as a powerful statement: Nataas is not just here to compete—she’s here to build a legacy.
Chasing Nitro Dreams
While working toward her Nitro Funny Car license, Nataas has stayed sharp by competing in select NHRA Lucas Oil Divisional races with Randy Meyer Racing. Driving their Nitro-injected Funny Car, she has continued to gain valuable seat time and further develop her skills behind the wheel of high-horsepower machines.
Nataas’s ambition and work ethic are clear. Each step she takes is calculated, and each opportunity she earns is the result of unwavering dedication. She’s not just advancing through the ranks—she’s carving out a path for herself in a sport that demands grit, resilience, and razor-sharp focus.
As 2025 unfolds, the motorsport community will be watching closely to see where Julie Nataas lands next. With licenses in both Top Fuel and Nitro Funny Car and growing support from within the NHRA community, the stage is set for her to become one of the most versatile and influential drivers of her generation.
One thing is certain: Julie Nataas is only just getting started.