Ida Zetterström

Swedish drag racer Ida Zetterström is the 2023 FIA European Top Fuel champion who made history as the first European to run in the 3.7-second range and now competes in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series with JCM Racing’s all-female nitro team.

EARLY YEARS

Born May 2, 1994, in Sweden, Ida Zetterström was practically destined for drag racing—she attended her first race when she was just three weeks old[1]. Growing up in the Åland Islands, Finland, where she lived most of her life before relocating to America in 2024, Zetterström had racing in her DNA. Her father, Richard Zetterström, was a Pro Stock racer and Pro Mod license instructor who ran a specialty shop, and he built her first Junior dragster when she was eight years old[2][3]. She raced Junior dragsters until she outgrew them at 16—literally. At nearly six feet tall, she simply didn’t fit anymore, and Junior dragsters aren’t exactly designed for tall kids[4].

Zetterström’s path to Top Fuel wasn’t immediate. It wasn’t until her boyfriend, Kim Hilander, started drag racing that she seriously considered returning to the sport herself[5]. She reached out to European champion Anita Mäkelä for advice, who pointed her toward Rune Fjeld Motorsport—a team run by Rune Fjeld, a drag racing veteran of more than 40 years who’s essentially the Don Schumacher of Europe[6][7].

OTHER INTERESTS

Before committing full-time to drag racing, Zetterström worked as an electrician, a practical skill set that served her well in the technical world of motorsports[8]. She also competed in gymnastics growing up and, interestingly, sustained more injuries doing gymnastics than she ever did in drag racing—a fact that challenges the perception of motorsports as inherently more dangerous than other athletic pursuits[9].

EARLY SUCCESS

Zetterström’s breakthrough came on two wheels before four. In 2019, she had a career-defining year in Super Street Bike (SSB) with several final round appearances and her first event win, making her the first woman to ever win in the series[10]. She also became the world’s fastest woman on a motorcycle with a top speed of 346.9 kilometers per hour[11]. The VP Racing Fuels Special Award for the rider with the most notable achievements followed[12].

Her transition to Top Fuel came with Rune Fjeld Motorsport in Europe, where she quickly proved she belonged among the elite. At her first event of the 2022 season, Zetterström became the first European drag racer to run in the 3.7-second range, clocking a 3.782 and setting a new European record[13][14]. She earned her first No. 1 qualifier award in FIA Top Fuel that same year and continued stacking accomplishments[15]. By 2023, she had captured the FIA European Top Fuel championship, becoming the first woman to win a championship in the class[16][17].

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2019: First woman to win a Super Street Bike series event[18].
• 2019: World’s fastest woman on a motorcycle at 346.9 km/h[19].
• 2022: First European drag racer to run in the 3.7-second range with a 3.782 pass[20].
• 2022: First No. 1 qualifier award in FIA Top Fuel[21].
• 2022: Set European Top Fuel record[22].
• 2023: FIA European Top Fuel champion—first woman to win the championship[23].
• 2024: Made NHRA debut at Brainerd International Raceway, advancing to the semifinals[24].
• 2024: Named to National Dragster All-Star Team as Best New Pro Talent[25].
• 2024: Reached first career NHRA Top Fuel final round at the Midwest Nationals[26].
• 2025: Part of JCM Racing’s first all-female NHRA nitro team alongside Alexis DeJoria[27].

INSPIRATIONS

Zetterström credits several key figures in her racing journey. Anita Mäkelä, the European Top Fuel champion, provided crucial early guidance that led her to Rune Fjeld Motorsport[28]. Her partnership with legendary crew chief and driver Tony Schumacher has been instrumental in her NHRA transition—she’s learned from one of the best to ever do it[29]. She’s also built strong relationships with other leading women in NHRA, including Leah Pruett, Erica Enders, Angie Smith, Julie Nataas, and Jasmine Salinas[30]. Her time at Radford Racing School, arranged by Dodge, helped refine her skills beyond the drag strip[31][32].

REPUTATION

Zetterström is known as fiercely competitive, goal-oriented, and uninterested in racing just for fun—she’s in it to win[33]. Her determination to maximize performance both on and off the track has made her one of the most driven and dynamic personalities in the pits[34]. She’s also recognized as an excellent ambassador for the sport, with a strong sense of what works in the motorsport industry and a natural ability to connect with partners and fans alike[35]. Breaking records and chasing “firsts” isn’t a burden for her—it’s a motivational tool[36]. All five of her NHRA losses in 2024 came at the hands of Top Fuel World Champions, a testament to the level of competition she’s faced[37].

As a Dodge European Brand Ambassador, Zetterström represents the brand with authenticity and passion, and her role has expanded as she’s become a fixture in NHRA’s Top Fuel class[38][39]. Racing a 12,000-horsepower JCM Racing dragster, she’s part of a historic moment in drag racing—JCM’s all-female nitro team with Alexis DeJoria is the first of its kind in NHRA history[40].

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Zetterström competed in the first three events of the 2025 NHRA season, with her current schedule calling for 10 races and hopes of adding more as opportunities arise[41][42]. Rather than a full-season championship run, she’s targeting 10 to 12 events in 2025, focusing on maximizing performance and building toward a more robust program in 2026[43][44]. She’s not someone who shows up just to participate—winning is always the top priority[45]. With JCM Racing’s support and her relentless drive, Zetterström is positioning herself as a serious contender in one of motorsports’ most demanding categories.

REFERENCES

[1] DI 30 Under 30 2022: Ida Zetterström – Drag Illustrated
[2] Racer Profile: Ida Zetterström — At The Top of Europe – EGNation Blog
[3] Who Are Ida Zetterstrom’s Parents? Meet Richard Zetterstrom and Carola Zetterstrom – Essentially Sports
[4] Racer Profile: Ida Zetterström — At The Top of Europe – EGNation Blog
[5] Racer Profile: Ida Zetterström — At The Top of Europe – EGNation Blog
[6] DI 30 Under 30 2022: Ida Zetterström – Drag Illustrated
[7] Racer Profile: Ida Zetterström — At The Top of Europe – EGNation Blog
[8] HOT ROD Pod Episode 9: Ida Zetterstrom, World Champion Drag Racer – Dailymotion
[9] What High-Speed Racing Teaches About Focus and Execution – Next Level Guy
[10] Bio – Ida Zetterström
[11] Ida Zetterström – Wikipedia
[12] Ida Zetterstrøm – RF Motorsport
[13] Meet Dodge European Brand Ambassador Ida Zetterström – Dodge Garage
[14] Ida Zetterstrom with JCM Racing
[15] DI 30 Under 30 2022: Ida Zetterström – Drag Illustrated
[16] Ida Zetterström, Top Fuel driver – NHRA
[17] Ida Zetterström – Wikipedia
[18] Bio – Ida Zetterström
[19] Ida Zetterström – Wikipedia
[20] Meet Dodge European Brand Ambassador Ida Zetterström – Dodge Garage
[21] DI 30 Under 30 2022: Ida Zetterström – Drag Illustrated
[22] Ida Zetterstrom with JCM Racing
[23] Ida Zetterström, Top Fuel driver – NHRA
[24] National Dragster All-Star Team Best New Pro Talent: Ida Zetterström – NHRA
[25] National Dragster All-Star Team Best New Pro Talent: Ida Zetterström – NHRA
[26] Ida Zetterström Reaches First Career NHRA Top Fuel Final Round at Midwest Nationals – JCM Racing
[27] JCM Racing to field all-female nitro team in 2025 with Alexis DeJoria and Ida Zetterström – NHRA
[28] DI 30 Under 30 2022: Ida Zetterström – Drag Illustrated
[29] HOT ROD Pod Episode 9: Ida Zetterstrom, World Champion Drag Racer – Dailymotion
[30] Pruett: New policy should have ‘a positive impact on women in NHRA – NHRA
[31] Meet Dodge European Brand Ambassador Ida Zetterström – Dodge Garage
[32] Ida Zetterström announces 2024 NHRA schedule and crew chief – NHRA
[33] IDA ZETTERSTROM NAVIGATES A SHIFTING TOP FUEL FUTURE – Competition Plus
[34] Ida Zetterström Discusses Chasing Opportunity Ahead of One-Year NHRA Anniversary – Drag Illustrated
[35] PARTNERS – Ida Zetterström
[36] What High-Speed Racing Teaches About Focus and Execution – Next Level Guy
[37] Results – NHRA
[38] Meet Dodge European Brand Ambassador Ida Zetterström – Dodge Garage
[39] Ida Zetterström announces 2024 NHRA schedule and crew chief – NHRA
[40] JCM Racing to field all-female nitro team in 2025 with Alexis DeJoria and Ida Zetterström – NHRA
[41] Ida Zetterström, Top Fuel driver – NHRA
[42] Ida Zetterström, Top Fuel driver – NHRA
[43] IDA ZETTERSTROM NAVIGATES A SHIFTING TOP FUEL FUTURE – Competition Plus
[44] Ida Zetterstrom previews her 2026 NHRA season – YouTube
[45] IDA ZETTERSTROM NAVIGATES A SHIFTING TOP FUEL FUTURE – Competition Plus