NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Julie Nataas, the 2023 NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster world champion, finished all the requirements necessary to earn her nitro Funny Car license during a recent test session at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. The final runs wrapped up a multi-month licensing journey with team owner Del Worsham, while several of the category's top drivers watched and celebrated the next step in her impressive career.

Nataas, who earned her Top Fuel license last summer, began her nitro Funny Car journey in early March in Gainesville after competing in the Top Alcohol Funny Car category at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals. Making five passes in Worsham’s CP Carrillo Toyota Supra, she overcame day-one visibility issues from helmet slippage to clock a blistering 3.94 at 319 mph in the Florida sunset on her second day of testing.

“My helmet just wasn’t used to that much kick at midtrack," she said. "I had to borrow helmets from both J.R. [Todd] and Antron [Brown] to keep us on schedule while ordering a new, tighter helmet for the next session.”

The journey continued after the NHRA Arizona Nationals in Phoenix, where Nataas made two additional runs. Neither run counted toward her license — but gaining her valuable track awareness after dropping a cylinder and clipping a timing block on her way across the centerline.

“Going into my fourth full day of testing, it was a balance of trusting the process and not being overly eager to finish my license,” said Nataas. “These cars are a handful, and I was feeling defeated after not lifting sooner in Phoenix. I came out to Indy with no expectations and a great group of drivers to give me feedback alongside Del and the team.”

Known for her cool and calm demeanor, that patience and focus paid off last week when the Nataas-Worsham combo joined several NHRA teams for a day of Pro testing. After a short rain delay, and an early aborted tire-shake run, Nataas ran a 3.96 at 315 mph straight down the groove of the iconic racetrack. With 10 passes under her belt, this run met and exceeded the requirements to add her to the short list of female nitro Funny Car pilots.

Fellow drivers J.R. Todd, Blake Alexander, Austin Prock, and Worsham provided the necessary signatures for Nataas’ license upgrade.

“I love these Funny Cars,” Nataas added. “I love the challenge of driving one. My goal has always been to continuously challenge myself as an athlete and to be prepared for any opportunity in our sport.”

Nataas is expected to make her Funny Car debut at some point this season, and she is currently seeking funding to get her on track.