Ida Zetterström on Top Fuel, Team Plans & Sponsors + Westin Workman’s Toyota Ladder to IMSA | Ida Zetterstrom

Video Description from YouTube:

This week on The Pits Are Open, host Will Marotti and engineer Alex Smith kick off January with real racing momentum—Daytona prep, IMSA buzz, and two guests who represent the future of motorsports across drag racing and sports cars.

NHRA Top Fuel standout Ida Zetterström returns to unpack her journey from Sweden and the Scandinavian drag scene to the brutal precision of Top Fuel racing. Ida explains what it really feels like to drive 12,000-horsepower nitro cars, why Top Fuel requires steering by instinct (not sight), and how cockpit fit and vibration can impact driver vision at speed. She also shares the latest on her 2026 plans, including a team change, the reality of funding a partial schedule, and why the hardest part of sponsorship is often getting in front of the right decision-makers—even when ROI and social performance are strong. Ida also talks about her Daytona NASCAR driving experience and an upcoming NHRA TV series that will feature her story.

Then, rising sports car talent Westin Workman joins the show after connecting at PRI. Westin breaks down his path from karting to Mazda, then into Toyota development—culminating in a GR Cup Championship and a clear ladder toward factory-level IMSA racing. He shares what’s next (including GT4, IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge, and SRO GT4 America), plus the mentors who shaped his mindset and how simulators factor into modern driver development. Westin also offers advice for young racers on how to get started, stay grateful, and build a career that lasts.

Plus, the show opens with January headlines: ARCA testing at Daytona, multiple female drivers turning laps (including Taylor Reimer), and early Rolex 24 momentum with Corvette and top-class entries on deck.

Presented by SpeedSport, Redline Ace, Schaeffer Oil, and America’s Christian Credit Union.

🔗 Mentioned Links

The Pits Are Open (newsletter + listener voicemail mic): thepitsareopen.com

SpeedSport / SpeedSport 1: speedsport.com | speedsport1.com

Redline Ace: redlineace.com

Schaeffer Oil: schaefferoil.com

America’s Christian Credit Union: americaschristiancu.com/pits

🎧 Featured Guests

Ida Zetterström – NHRA Top Fuel driver; European champion

Westin Workman – Toyota development driver; GR Cup champion; GT4/IMSA prospect