Julie Nataas, the 2023 NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster world champion, successfully completed all requirements to earn her Funny Car license during a test session at the Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway. The Norwegian racer, who secured her Top Fuel license last summer, began preparing for her Nitro Funny Car journey in March, aiming to transition to this demanding category.
The 26-year-old driver expanded her experience by competing in the Alcohol Funny Car division at the Gatornationals in Gainesville and the Arizona Nationals in Phoenix, making further runs in Phoenix, although those additional attempts did not count towards her license. Despite encountering challenges such as dropping a cylinder and clipping a timing block while veering across the centerline, Nataas gained essential track knowledge from these efforts.
Her dedication paid off last week when she joined numerous NHRA teams for testing at Indianapolis. After a brief rain delay, Nataas achieved a 3.96-second pass reaching 315 mph, exceeding the minimum qualifications needed to progress as a female nitro Funny Car driver.
“Going into my fourth full day of testing, it was a balance of trusting the process and not being overly eager to finish my license. These cars are a handful, and I was feeling defeated after not lifting sooner in Phoenix. I came out to Indy with no expectations and a great group of drivers to give me feedback alongside Del and the team,” Nataas said after the testing.—Julie Nataas, Racer
With the license earned, Nataas’s focus now shifts to securing funding that will enable her to make her Funny Car debut this season. She plans to begin competing as soon as financial backing is arranged.
Julie Nataas Reflects on Her Passion for Funny Cars Following License Achievement
During her testing at the Indianapolis Raceway, Nataas not only earned her Funny Car license but also expressed her deep affection for this thrilling type of drag racing. As a third-generation racer, with both her father and grandfather having professional driving histories, she views the Funny Car category as a new way to push her limits as an athlete.
“I love these Funny Cars. I love the challenge of driving one. My goal has always been to continuously challenge myself as an athlete and to be prepared for any opportunity in our sport,” Nataas said after her test at Indianapolis.—Julie Nataas, Racer
The impressive 3.96-second run at 315 mph marked the culmination of several months of collaborative work with team owner Del Worsham. During this period, some of the top drivers in the category, including J.R. Todd, Blake Alexander, Austin Prock, and Worsham himself, were present to support her progress and sign off on her license upgrade.
Nataas’s accomplishment not only highlights her own determination and skill but also reflects a significant step forward for female racers in the NHRA. As she secures sponsorship and financial support, her anticipated debut promises to add excitement and representation within the sport’s Funny Car landscape.
