
Julie Nataas
Drag racing // Norwegian
My Dad and I have been chasing this win since his racing days and we finally did it, together
Julie Nataas is a Norwegian-born drag racer who has made significant strides in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, recently claiming her first world championship in the Top Alcohol Dragster category.
EARLY YEARS
Born on December 3, 1996, in Drøbak, Norway, Julie grew up immersed in motorsports thanks to her family’s deep involvement in drag racing. Her father, Thomas Nataas, was an accomplished drag racer who competed in the FIA European Championship, while her grandfather, Albin Nataas, also raced until his passing in 2003. By age nine, Julie had her first junior dragster, rebuilt to resemble her father’s Top Fuel Dragster, and began racing alongside her brother Kevin at tracks in Norway and Sweden[1].
EARLY SUCCESS
Julie’s racing career began formally in 2005 with Junior Dragsters, later expanding her skills through go-karting and Formula Basic racing. In 2013, she transitioned to Super Comp drag racing, practicing extensively with her father at Santa Pod Raceway in England. Her dedication yielded impressive results when she finished second in the 2014 European Drag Racing Series Championship and won her regional division. After high school, Nataas moved to California for college while pursuing NHRA competition, eventually graduating from Antioch University in 2018 with a degree in Liberal Arts Studies focused on marketing and business[1][2].
NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
- 2014: Won the European Drag Racing Series Central Division and placed second overall in the European Drag Racing Series[1].
- 2019: Earned her first NHRA North Central Region championship in Top Alcohol Dragster[5].
- 2023: Claimed her first world championship in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Top Alcohol Dragster category at the Texas NHRA FallNationals[5].
- 2024: Obtained her Top Fuel dragster license and made her debut in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series[2].
- 2024: Won her first NHRA Finals victory at the In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip[4].
- 2024: Finished 2nd in the national Top Alcohol Dragster standings[4].
REPUTATION
Nataas has established herself as a consistent performer in the drag racing world, finishing in the Top 10 in national points annually since 2018. Her recent world championship has cemented her status as an elite competitor in the Top Alcohol Dragster category. Julie’s successful transition to American racing after her European beginnings demonstrates her adaptability and determination. Her achievement in earning a Top Fuel license, completing 1,000-foot runs in under 4 seconds at Virginia Motorsports Park, underscores her technical skill and potential for success at drag racing’s highest level[2][3][4].
FUTURE GOALS/PLANS
Julie aims to compete full-time in Top Fuel, the premier category of NHRA drag racing, continuing her partnership with Scrappers Racing. Her team includes crew chiefs Troy Fasching and Adem Cave, with support from sponsors including Airmine, Red Line Oil, Elliott’s Custom Trailers, and Rockstar Energy. Following in her father’s footsteps in Top Fuel competition remains a driving motivation as she works to establish herself among the elite drivers in NHRA’s most prestigious classification[2][4][5].
References:
Julie Nataas Bio
Randy Meyer Racing – Julie Nataas
DI 30 Under 30 2019: Julie Nataas
(bio created: )
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