On April 27, 2008, Ashley Force made racing history by becoming the first woman to win an NHRA Funny Car event. This landmark victory took place at the Southern Nationals held at Atlanta Dragway, where she defeated her father, John Force, a 16-time Funny Car champion. This remarkable achievement not only broke barriers but also laid the foundation for the rise of NHRA Funny Car female champions in subsequent years.
Seventeen years later, Norwegian-born racer Julie Nataas has emerged as a rising star in Funny Car racing, crediting the Force family’s legacy as a pivotal influence on her path to success. After obtaining her Funny Car license in May 2025 and debuting at the Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol, Tennessee, Nataas has openly expressed her admiration for Ashley Force and the trailblazing impact she continues to have on female racers.
Julie Nataas Reflects on Influences Shaping Her Drag Racing Career
Julie Nataas has a profound connection to the sport, starting her motorsports journey at the tender age of nine in Drøbak, Norway, where she began competing in Junior Dragster events. Relocating to the United States in 2015, Nataas quickly advanced through the ranks, excelling in Top Alcohol Dragster competition. She accumulated over 20 national and regional wins, including three regional championships in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. Her crowning achievement came in 2023 when she won her first world championship in this category.
Amid these accomplishments, Nataas cites Ashley Force as a significant source of inspiration. During an exclusive interview, she reflected on Force’s multifaceted role as both a top competitor and a fan favorite:
“I feel like there’s so many. But growing up, watching racing mostly, and motorsport, I always looked up to Ashley Force. She’s no longer a racer, she retired, but I really looked up to her. She was great, between like, taking care of fans and sponsors but also the badass driver on the racetrack.”
—Julie Nataas, NHRA Funny Car Driver
Ashley Force, who retired in 2010 to prioritize family, secured four professional wins in 16 final-round appearances. Her victories included back-to-back wins at the prestigious U.S. Nationals and notable wins over high-profile male racers like Jack Beckman and Robert Hight. Her pioneering feats set a strong precedent for female racers across different NHRA classes, inspiring athletes like Nataas to pursue excellence in Funny Car racing.
Milestones Marked in Julie Nataas’s Rookie Funny Car Season
In 2025, Julie Nataas transitioned into Funny Car racing and has already made significant strides. She celebrated her first professional round victory on June 8th at the Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol, showcasing her skill with a precise 4.03-second run that reached speeds of 317 mph. Nataas shares credit with crew chief Chad Green for their strong performance during this event.
Reflecting on her lifelong connection to racing, Nataas emphasized how the sport shaped every facet of her development:
“I mean, I grew up on the racetrack. So all of my life lessons came out of the racetrack. From being a businesswoman to being an athlete to being a girlfriend, to being a friend – there are so many lessons that I don’t think I can pick just one.”
—Julie Nataas, NHRA Funny Car Driver
This combination of passion, professionalism, and perseverance highlights why Nataas is considered one of the most promising NHRA Funny Car female champions on the rise today.
Mastering the Challenges of High-Speed Drag Racing
Drag racing demands immense focus and courage, especially at the extraordinary speeds Funny Cars achieve. Tony Stewart, a three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion who entered Top Fuel drag racing in 2024, underscored how success depends on perfecting every minute detail—from reaction times to fuel mixtures and engine maintenance. Drivers like Leah Pruett, a 17-time NHRA winner, demonstrate the skill needed to safely control vehicles reaching up to 340 mph.
For Julie Nataas, these challenges are part of the allure rather than a source of fear. When asked about the sensation of racing at speeds over 330 mph, she described her experience:
“I mean, I always feel that it’s so hard to explain to someone about what that feels like. I guess you can say that it feels like a rollercoaster. Just like, really, really fast, can’t believe a different experience. I’ve never had a fear of going that fast in my life or my career before. I grew up in the sport. So it’s always like something that I’ve wanted to do. A goal…that you’ve just reached for. So it’s never been a fear, it’s always like a goal.”
—Julie Nataas, NHRA Funny Car Driver
This fearless approach and deep-rooted passion position her to achieve lasting success and influence as an NHRA Funny Car female champion throughout the coming seasons.
Julie Nataas’s Promise for the Future of Drag Racing
Julie Nataas’s story exemplifies the ongoing evolution of NHRA Funny Car female champions—her journey blending early talent, steadfast dedication, and the inspiration drawn from legends like Ashley Force. With her recent victories and rapid improvement in the Funny Car category, Nataas embodies the future of female drag racing, signaling more milestones ahead for women in this high-speed sport.
As she continues to push boundaries, the drag racing community eagerly anticipates her growth and influence, expecting her to build upon the legacy that Ashley Force and the Force family helped establish. Nataas’s achievements highlight how mentorship, legacy, and relentless determination remain central to the progress and visibility of women in NHRA Funny Car racing.
