Julie Nataas

Julie Nataas is a Norwegian drag racing champion who conquered NHRA’s Top Alcohol Dragster class before stepping into the nitro ranks, making history as one of the sport’s most exciting international talents with a championship mindset and a growing list of barrier-breaking achievements.

EARLY YEARS

Born December 4, 1996, in Drøbak—a small town just outside Norway’s capital—Julie Nataas is a third-generation drag racer who practically grew up at the track[5][7]. Her father, Thomas Nataas, raced Pro Mod, Funny Car, and Top Fuel Dragster in the FIA European Championship throughout her childhood, and Julie followed him to racetracks all around Europe from birth[1][2][5]. With Gardermoen Raceway just an hour from home, drag racing wasn’t just a hobby for the Nataas family—it was a way of life[5].

At nine years old, Julie started pleading for permission to race, and once she got it, she launched into Jr. drag racing with an immediate connection to driving[2]. She tried her hand at go-karting and Formula Basic too, juggling all three forms of racing simultaneously before ultimately choosing drag racing as her path forward[2]. The decision proved prescient—this was a kid who knew what she wanted and wasn’t afraid to go after it.

While her life revolved around racing, Julie also pursued academics, eventually earning a marketing degree from Antioch University[2]. After graduation, she relocated to Santa Barbara, California, making the United States her home base while maintaining deep ties to Norway[2][6].

OTHER INTERESTS

Outside the cockpit, Nataas has built a substantial presence as a social media influencer, amassing over 100,000 Instagram followers who get behind-the-scenes glimpses of her racing life[6]. She’s been sharing her journey through YouTube vlogs since 2014, including content documenting her Top Fuel licensing process[6]. Her marketing degree clearly comes in handy—she knows how to tell her story and connect with fans in a way that feels authentic rather than manufactured.

EARLY SUCCESS

Julie worked her way up through the drag racing ranks methodically, progressing from Jr. dragsters to Super Comp, Top Dragster, and a stint in door cars before settling into NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster[1][2]. Her connection to Randy Meyer Racing came through Jonnie Lindberg several years before she joined the team full-time in 2019[2].

That 2019 season marked her breakout year. She scored her first four NHRA wins, including a Top Alcohol Dragster victory at the NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte[2]. She also claimed the NHRA North Central Region championship and finished in the top 10 nationally in the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series[2]. For her efforts, she was named to Drag Illustrated’s DI 30 Under 30 list[2]. The magazine noted she was “sweet, spirited, stunningly beautiful” but “quite mean on the drag strip”—a description that probably made her smile[2].

Julie’s patient approach to her career has been one of her defining characteristics. As she put it in 2024: “I’m never in a rush”[4]. That philosophy served her well as she spent seven years in Top Alcohol Dragster, including five full-time championship seasons, racking up over 20 NHRA national and regional wins[1].

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2019: First four NHRA wins, including Top Alcohol Dragster victory at NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte; NHRA North Central Region championship; top 10 national standings in Mello Yello Drag Racing Series; named to Drag Illustrated DI 30 Under 30[2].
• 2021: Participated in historic all-woman semifinals in Top Alcohol with Rachel Meyer, Jackie Fricke, and Kim Parker[3].
• 2023: Won NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster World Championship in dominant fashion, finishing ahead of Tony Stewart; became first Norwegian and one of few women to win the title[1][3][7].
• 2024: Made Top Fuel debut at NHRA Midwest Nationals in St. Louis with Scrappers Racing; became 25th woman in NHRA Top Fuel history; part of record field of four women qualifiers in Top Fuel at St. Louis[1][3].
• 2025: Earned Nitro Funny Car license under two-time NHRA world champion Del Worsham in May after three months of testing; made Nitro Funny Car debut at NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol, Tennessee, driving Toyota GR Supra for DC Motorsports; became 15th woman in NHRA Funny Car history[1][3][4].

INSPIRATIONS

Julie’s biggest inspiration has always been her father, Thomas, whose Top Fuel career in Europe planted the dream in her head from the beginning[1][2][5]. “The dream goal has always been and still is to be in a Top Fuel dragster full time,” she said in 2019, expressing her hope to follow in his footsteps[2].

Her development as a driver has been shaped by key mentors along the way, including Del Worsham, who guided her through the Nitro Funny Car licensing process, and the connections she built through Randy Meyer Racing[1][2][3].

REPUTATION

Nataas is regarded in the industry as one of the most exciting up-and-coming drivers in professional drag racing, with a proven track record, a championship mindset, and significant international appeal[1]. Her 2023 championship season was described as dominant, and her transition to nitro racing has been marked by strong, consistent passes that demonstrate she’s ready for the big leagues[1].

She’s carved out a unique position as both a serious competitor and an engaging personality. Her social media presence—over 100,000 Instagram followers—gives fans access to her journey in a way that feels genuine[6]. The media coverage of her career has been consistently positive, highlighting her history-making achievements and her potential to become a major force in NHRA’s top categories[1][2][3][7].

As a barrier-breaker, she’s part of a new generation of women making their mark in drag racing’s most challenging categories. Her participation in the record four-woman Top Fuel qualifying field in 2024 and the all-woman Top Alcohol semifinals in 2021 aren’t just footnotes—they’re indicators of how the sport is evolving, and she’s at the forefront of that change[3].

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

At the end of 2024, Julie parted ways with Randy Meyer Racing after a multi-year partnership that included championships and over 20 wins[1][4]. The split was amicable—she made it clear on a podcast that she needed a new challenge after seven years in Top Alcohol Dragster: “This is my last year with you I am leaving I am not coming back for 2025 so it’s time for me to move on do something new and honestly I need something else I need… another challenge”[4].

Her focus is now on securing the partnerships and sponsorships necessary to compete full-time in NHRA’s nitro categories—either Top Fuel or Nitro Funny Car[1][3][4]. She’s already made strong impressions in both, earning her Top Fuel license in 2024 and her Nitro Funny Car license in May 2025[1][3]. Her 2025 Funny Car program with DC Motorsports is backed by Airmine, a Norwegian climate tech company she calls a “hometown brand”—a sponsorship that brings her career full circle[3]. “This is a huge moment, and having a hometown brand with global reach like Airmine alongside me again makes it even more special,” she said[3].

After making her Nitro Funny Car debut at Bristol’s Thunder Valley Nationals and a second appearance in Norwalk, Ohio, Julie is actively working to expand her schedule and land the backing needed to run a full season[1][3]. The dream she articulated back in 2019—racing Top Fuel full-time—is closer than ever, and given her track record of patient, methodical progress followed by explosive success, it’s only a matter of time before she gets there.

References:

Julie Nataas Official Bio
Drag Illustrated: DI 30 Under 30 2019 – Julie Nataas
Autoweek: Julie Nataas Making History in NHRA
WISH-TV All Indiana Podcast with Julie Nataas
Julie Nataas Official Website
Famous Birthdays: Julie Nataas
Speedway Media: Julie Nataas Third-Generation Racer